Episode 7 - 7/11 - Discussion - Spoilers

anders wrote:

DMBFan wrote:I think for the average viewer, a high percentage can't believe that she didn't see Bentley for who he was, that he didn't want her. So even if JP is the one who get jealous next week, I honestly think it'll only endear him with the average viewer even more. They will be comparing how he reacts and what he says in his PI vs what Bentley was saying. I can see the twitter posts now "he obviously wants her, how can she not see that this guy loves her, she's crazy if she doesn't pick him, etc".

frankly, I know a lot of casual viewers who don't put as much stock into this show us those of us who sleuth it do. They look at it for what it is - a trainwreck and mostly pretend. After 21 seasons and 1 success to date - is it any wonder?? Some do look for and see a love story (whether it's there or not) but a lot of my friends stopped watching this season after all the Bentley drama, and those that are, are already saying the relationship (no matter who she picks) won't last. I agree with them.

and I bet dollars to donuts we will hear about the Bent one tonight -guaranteed!!

I think whether we hear the talk about Bentley in the VO's or in actual PIs or visible conversations will be very telling about Ashley's mindset this season -- whether the Bentley drama deserved the hype it got or if it was overblown... I would be very curious to see how and when he is mentioned as this is the first epi truly post-bentley

I fully expect Bentley to be mentioned every episode this season. I don't think he was as important as they are wanting viewers to think he was however. It's a smokescreen, IMO.

Alanna wrote:I disagree that Fleissmeister and Co don't want the couples to succeed. They know Ali and Roberto, Trista and Ryan and even Jason and Molly are the gifts that keep on giving. There are weddings to air, ATFR therapy sessions to host, BP challenges to judge, and interviews/updates every few months. He11, he's pimping out Ali's proposal on an Emmy bid for the show. Why kill the goose that lays the golden eggs? They just need to figure out a good balance in learning to promote and protect their final couple while still giving enough drama and suspense in for majority of viewers.

I agree with you Alanna, I actually think in recent years TPTB are realizing the marketability/profitability of a real couple particularly because of alibearto and then the train-wreck of the vienna-jake and bremily situation with media, perception of what happened during the show and attention (which from everything I've heard Emily say played a HUGE role in the demise of their relationship). while he's self-serving I think MF is also smart and understands that the couples have a longevity in promoting his show than do short-term ratings via the crazy drama of the vienna-jake/bremily scenarios.

Aside from the permission to do no media run for bremily - I really think this season's edit with how obvious the F1 is has something to do with this approach to give the couple a fighting chance to stay together. JP has to be the most OBVIOUS F1 for this franchise in a long time and I don't think there's any way they would give it away to us on a platter like that unless they are doing damage control in many different ways (including late-breaking Alibearto's interview) to make things easier for the couple... partly this I think has to do with how everyone has also been in a complete uproar over Bentley & particularly how the show never showed her the damning evidence that could have saved Ashley so much heartache -- there's a lot of talk "is the show going too far?"

I think you guys are putting too much stock in a couple's relationship lasting based on how their characters are edited. If they truly are a happy couple, no edited TV show can come between that. Maybe I'm naive that way - but if a couple doesn't last, I don't blame MF and the edited show - it's up to the couple to build upon, or not build upon that relationship - I cant' remember who said it (maybe both) Ryan/Roberto - that it didnt' matter how they met, but what happened afterwards - it's totally in their hands, and it's a complete cop out to say the relatisonhip didn't last because of an edited show.

anders wrote:I think you guys are putting too much stock in a couple's relationship lasting based on how their characters are edited. If they truly are a happy couple, no edited TV show can come between that. Maybe I'm naive that way - but if a couple doesn't last, I don't blame MF and the edited show - it's up to the couple to build upon, or not build upon that relationship - I cant' remember who said it (maybe both) Ryan/Roberto - that it didnt' matter how they met, but what happened afterwards - it's totally in their hands, and it's a complete cop out to say the relatisonhip didn't last because of an edited show.

ITA on everything you said, awesome post! The show and how they are portrayed should have no impact on their relationship if they are a real couple.

It was Roberto who said that on ATFR

While I do think that would be ideal I really don't think it works that way exactly and relationships are that simple -- can you imagine how different the Ed/Jill relationship for instance would be without the media involvement? I think I've heard even the more fame-whorish contestants (who are seeking a huge effect on their lives from this show) comment on how this show changes your life in a way that you really don't expect it to... I don't think it's that easy to discount the media dynamic based on the 'realness' of a couple...I am not really familiar with past couples but I think it was Meredith (?) who had an issue with the media... depending on what kind of individual you are (thick skinned/pressure affects u etc..) each person in a couple would react in a way that their personality compels them to to this media attention ...for people like Emily it was the breaking point as she didn't even know who to trust around her anymore...for couples like Alibearto jason and molly they handle it gracefully...

anders wrote:I think you guys are putting too much stock in a couple's relationship lasting based on how their characters are edited. If they truly are a happy couple, no edited TV show can come between that. Maybe I'm naive that way - but if a couple doesn't last, I don't blame MF and the edited show - it's up to the couple to build upon, or not build upon that relationship - I cant' remember who said it (maybe both) Ryan/Roberto - that it didnt' matter how they met, but what happened afterwards - it's totally in their hands, and it's a complete cop out to say the relatisonhip didn't last because of an edited show.

Really good point anders. I don't understand how a couple could look at how they, as individuals, were edited on that show and put any stock in what the see on the screen about the other person in the relationship. If there are real feelings there and they work on nurturing them, they can succeed. I think once they are out of the bubble, real life gets in the way.

Oh and one more point. Off topic, but could everyone please quit talking about donuts? I'm really trying to watch what I am eating and I have a real soft spot for donuts.... :pinkcry:

emusha wrote:While I do think that would be ideal I really don't think it works that way exactly and relationships are that simple -- can you imagine how different the Ed/Jill relationship for instance would be without the media involvement? I think I've heard even the more fame-whorish contestants (who are seeking a huge effect on their lives from this show) comment on how this show changes your life in a way that you really don't expect it to... I don't think it's that easy to discount the media dynamic based on the 'realness' of a couple...I am not really familiar with past couples but I think it was Meredith (?) who had an issue with the media... depending on what kind of individual you are (thick skinned/pressure affects u etc..) each person in a couple would react in a way that their personality compels them to to this media attention ...for people like Emily it was the breaking point as she didn't even know who to trust around her anymore...for couples like Alibearto jason and molly they handle it gracefully...

Look at Ali for example, she thrives on the media exposure and attention. It obviously affects her differently than many others.

emusha wrote:While I do think that would be ideal I really don't think it works that way exactly and relationships are that simple -- can you imagine how different the Ed/Jill relationship for instance would be without the media involvement? I think I've heard even the more fame-whorish contestants (who are seeking a huge effect on their lives from this show) comment on how this show changes your life in a way that you really don't expect it to... I don't think it's that easy to discount the media dynamic based on the 'realness' of a couple...I am not really familiar with past couples but I think it was Meredith (?) who had an issue with the media... depending on what kind of individual you are (thick skinned/pressure affects u etc..) each person in a couple would react in a way that their personality compels them to to this media attention ...for people like Emily it was the breaking point as she didn't even know who to trust around her anymore...for couples like Alibearto jason and molly they handle it gracefully...

i'm not discounting media involvement, I'm talking only about the show. Jill had ample information through the media that Ed was a dawg - she stuck with him anyway. Then there was the Roberto was a player stuff - did that affect Ali? A couple who are real, and really want it to work don't allow media involvement to split them up.

ah Emily - we'll never really know what the final straw was - I find it very suspicious that she puts blame on the media for their relationship not lasting. I'll say it til I'm blue in the face - a true couple who want a relationship to work will make it happen, and not let outside forces influence that - blaming outside forces is a cop out.

Embarrassed to say I'm actually counting down the hours until the new episode starts tonight...I can hardly wait a week, 2 weeks has been unbearable!!

Ahh tonight! :waytoohappy:

7-11 lucky day?