Episode 7 - 7/11 - Discussion - Spoilers

kdubs_ca wrote:I want to eat cupcakes too! Unfortunately, I always seem to end the season with a mouthful of crow... Crossing my fingers that JP will restore my faith in the male sex, you know until Ryan picks some ex-Hooters girl who single handily destroys the ozone layer with her haircare products as his F1!

LOL!!

Ashley's happy face, after JP told her he was having a terrible week made me laugh!

Gina wrote:Jelle, I agree with your comment. JP and his handling of his insecurity and jealousy but talking calmly about it, should be lesson 101 on how to deal with those issues the correct, mature and non confrontational way.

I think Ashely will be able to talk to JP about anything and he will always listen and rationalize and respond appropriately. You can tell, that's the way he is and was raised right by his parents. He deals with any issues in a mature manner, how refreshing.

I think this is one of the first times that I think I've seen an actual real relationship develop to this extent on camera. What he has with Ashley is much further along than what she has with other people. She went through all of that alleged turmoil with Bentley and was very open and honest with him about it and he accepted what she told him and was ready to move on. He, in turn, even though he'd told her that he was strong enough to handle the pressure of the process and the almost unavoidable jealousy (because, trust, other guys were jealous too ... that was the main thing prompting their disdain for Ryan) was able to be honest and tell her that he wasn't handling it so well after all and how the other dates and the kissing was really getting to him regardless. She seemed happy that he was able to share that with her and she told him that she understood his pain. Isn't that what it's supposed to be about? They've developed a level of openness and trust with each other that usually doesn't start to take root until after the show ends. I don't see him being someone who won't be able to let her out of his sight in everyday life but in this environment, where he is openly competing with other guys and he has to work to hold on to his connection with her while others vy for her affection, isn't normal. True he could use more patience and he's been pretty good until this point and now he won't have to see the other guys until the next RC. He will, however, have to keep his mind from wandering/worrying during the long lapses while she does the other HTDs and then the FDs.

I love JP. And I see everything they got going on. But, I did want to objectively say something about Ben and Ashley. Their kisses to me are awkward also. I'm wondering if he isn't a bit camera shy with the PDA. Maybe he tries to ignore them, but in the end can't seem to and the intimate stuff gets awkward. IMO, also, I didn't think she looked bored at all when he was talking about his feelings for her. She is an emotional mess that we've seen. It looked to me that she was just deep in thought and listening closely. To me, she looked annoyed that he didn't go ahead and drop the L-Bomb.

But, that's just my opinion.....some things I see a little differently.

Beeleever wrote:

jelle wrote:IMO anyone who can feel as intensely as JP was portrayed and then be able to directly confont those feelings with his partner in a calm intospective way, doesnt have a problem.

If he slammed around the apartment, insulted the guys, then refused to acknowledge or talk about it to anyone - that is a problem.

ICAM Jelle.

I think Dino may have been trying to get JP's goat just a wee bit with the Ben not coming home thing. When he asked JP what would happen if Ben didn't come home before they left for their group date, JP calmly told Dino he wasn't getting anything out of him, he didn't want to think about it or talk about it. He didn't take the bait or lose control. That speaks volumes to me.

They were definitely taunting him. If only they knew what he had going on with Ashley. LOL! They know he is really into her but they don't seem to grasp how into him she is I guess. I thought it was odd that BenF didn't think that JP was going to get the rose on the date. They thought Lucas was going to get it then JP was surprised when Lucas went home. They were also totally surprised that Ryan went home early. Seems to me they don't have a clue what she's thinking or feeling. Two weeks left!

More thoughts on JP in tonight's episode. You could see that JP was already tense and wound up too tight even before anything started. It was like he kind of sensed that he would be almost at the breaking point, just anticipating more 1-on-1 dates with the guys. He was totally ready for this whole thing to be over. He was trying to keep it inside and not talk to the guys, but they sensed the tension in him. Keep in mind, this was all before Dino's 1-on-1 and especially Ben's.

My other observation is that if there was something really concerning about JP, something that would indicate the jealousy and possessiveness that some have been trying to read into him for weeks, we would have heard about it by now from someone who knew him or an ex-girlfriend. If there is something bad, it always seems to come out.

Sometimes it's really not that complicated. JP freaked out after a lot of emotions built up inside him. I actually thought this was going to happen. That date in Hong Kong just seemed to intensify JP's feelings for Ashley. It was building to a crescendo and how do you let off steam in this kind of situation? It's not like JP can go on the internet, use his cell phone, call a friend or family, watch tv. He has to just sit there and let his mind imagine all sorts of things.

Everyone deals with the pressure cooker that is this show in their own way. Also, it's obvious that JP is the one who is the most emotionally invested now. I remember when I fell in love with my husband when we were dating. It was like there weren't enough hours in the day for us. We didn't want to be apart for even an hour. It's such a dizzying feeling when you realize that this is the one. If either of us had been in a situation even remotely like this one, I think we would not have behaved nearly as well as JP!

I enjoyed tonight's episode, but it felt rushed. The edits seem really wonky this season. JMO

CarrieAlexander wrote:Now that JP understands the concept of how this show is a total mindf*** I wonder if he and Reid will become friends and chat about it (Reid does live in Philly by Ash) :awesome:

I'm jumping in the middle of this thread..sorry if someone has already brought this up, but wasn't there a picture of Ash and Reid posted on the internet. Didn't they meet up once...maybe Reid gave Ash his opinion of the show!!

Love_Me wrote:I enjoyed tonight's episode, but it felt rushed. The edits seem really wonky this season. JMO

I agree with this. I was looking forward to this episode because there were 24 great pics of Ash's and Ben's date. From a couple of them, it looked like we were finally going to get to see some better chemistry. But, only a few of those pics were actually scenes I recognized in the clip they showed. I was pretty disappointed. I thought Ben was finally going to get some good screen time. Didn't happen.

JP is great too....but I thought Ben might finally get a little love.

I'm also kind of curious. And some may dislike me for saying this? But, am I the only one that seen a WTH?? moment in her eyes when she was 1:1 with JP discussing his jealousy and her asking him if he is taking it out on anybody?

Of course, he soothed it over and all was good. But, I wasn't getting the whole "I'm so happy your jealous and into me" moment. I got the other vibe.

I like both these guys. Either one could win and I'd be a happy camper. So, I try to look objectively. So, I wondered if I am the only one that noticed the slight shock for a moment before everything went okay again.

Nativenewyorker wrote:More thoughts on JP in tonight's episode. You could see that JP was already tense and wound up too tight even before anything started. It was like he kind of sensed that he would be almost at the breaking point, just anticipating more 1-on-1 dates with the guys. He was totally ready for this whole thing to be over. He was trying to keep it inside and not talk to the guys, but they sensed the tension in him. Keep in mind, this was all before Dino's 1-on-1 and especially Ben's.

My other observation is that if there was something really concerning about JP, something that would indicate the jealousy and possessiveness that some have been trying to read into him for weeks, we would have heard about it by now from someone who knew him or an ex-girlfriend. If there is something bad, it always seems to come out.

Sometimes it's really not that complicated. JP freaked out after a lot of emotions built up inside him. I actually thought this was going to happen. That date in Hong Kong just seemed to intensify JP's feelings for Ashley. It was building to a crescendo and how do you let off steam in this kind of situation? It's not like JP can go on the internet, use his cell phone, call a friend or family, watch tv. He has to just sit there and let his mind imagine all sorts of things.

Everyone deals with the pressure cooker that is this show in their own way. Also, it's obvious that JP is the one who is the most emotionally invested now. I remember when I fell in love with my husband when we were dating. It was like there weren't enough hours in the day for us. We didn't want to be apart for even an hour. It's such a dizzying feeling when you realize that this is the one. If either of us had been in a situation even remotely like this one, I think we would not have behaved nearly as well as JP!

I agree and no way is necessarily right or wrong if they all end up in the top 4. JP is the most emotionally invested but then he was one of the most assertive outside of Ryan. I think he's gotten the biggest payoff as far as attention/affection from Ashley. He really hung on as long as he could without reacting too strongly to the other guys. He did let her know in episode 5 that he was starting to feel the sting of her going out with Ben. I think he's been the clearest about his intentions. I think he's taken the most risk.

Ben is pretty invested too but Ashley has had to put a whole lot of effort into drawing him out and making him feel comfortable. Kinda blows Blake's theory that being kinda shy is a disadvantage. If she likes you, she will seek you out unless you really don't respond. Something is still off with him to me though. Maybe we will find out a secret on his HTD.

Ames is an interesting guy who talks in riddles. He was right that he rationalized his relationship with her and now he was feeling it. I'm just not getting a real vibe or sense of chemistry between them even though I think he's a great guy. I cannot imagine him being terribly emotional when he gets cut but he does seem to be getting a wee bit more invested.

I don't think Constantine is anywhere close to being ready to settle down. He's nice to look at but she's not passionate about him. He's someone she can have a great time with on the FD and let go without it being a big drain. Whatever issues he was having finding a steady girl before is probably still present. He hasn't put a whole lot into her and I think she likes the comfort of that. She doesn't have to worry about him mauling her or looking for something. Maybe he'll make his mom happy and get a real girlfriend once the show ends as I think he's still scared of whatever it is was making him sabotage relationships in the past. If he sees her with Ben and JP, he can see the reward of letting go.

I think Lucas ought to be able to find some woman to club over the head and drag home. Maybe Ryan will see what Ashley meant by physical chemistry and why they didn't have it.

I agree that JP is the one who is the most emotionally invested now. Hope he dosen't end up getting heart broken again