Episode 8 - 7/18 Hometown dates - Discussion - Spoilers

shoepie wrote:

pbmax wrote:Huh, now Ashley sister is this evil and unstable person because she spoke her feelings about one of Ashley's guys. God forbid that she shouldn't love JP too. That's part of her role as a sister, you want the best for them and sometimes that mean saying something they may not like.

We have seen her say one sentence. We may come to like her and find her honesty refreshing. Visits with family are always strained with words chosen carefully. They are on TV! They are freaked about that and act accordingly! I am looking forward to seeing this bold woman! I bet I am going to like her.

We aren't the ones who called the sister a beyotch. That was Ashley. So she is the one who is upset with her sister for not being more supportive. I am going to wait and see the whole scene and how it all plays out before I make any judgement. However, it is unusual to see a family member react so strongly. It is and should be, Ashley's decision because it's her life. She didn't listen to the warning about Bentley from Michelle via his ex-wife. So it would appear that Ashley likes to make her own decisions, even if it means going it alone.

LucyVP wrote:

Titou wrote:

Bloomers wrote:I've been over on the Fort reading on the unspoiled board to see how they were viewing things.

fort reading? fort?

FoRT = Fans of Reality TV

Many of us came from there to here, and many of us still read & post over there. Spoilers are no longer allowed at FoRT.

yes I know. I am a FORTer (or was) for over 4 years but I thought that this season they decided to do not open the bach forum? That is why I am confused

This site > FORT. IMO. I feel so more welcome here.

Nativenewyorker wrote:

shoepie wrote:

pbmax wrote:Huh, now Ashley sister is this evil and unstable person because she spoke her feelings about one of Ashley's guys. God forbid that she shouldn't love JP too. That's part of her role as a sister, you want the best for them and sometimes that mean saying something they may not like.

We have seen her say one sentence. We may come to like her and find her honesty refreshing. Visits with family are always strained with words chosen carefully. They are on TV! They are freaked about that and act accordingly! I am looking forward to seeing this bold woman! I bet I am going to like her.

We aren't the ones who called the sister a beyotch. That was Ashley. So she is the one who is upset with her sister for not being more supportive. I am going to wait and see the whole scene and how it all plays out before I make any judgement. However, it is unusual to see a family member react so strongly. It is and should be, Ashley's decision because it's her life. She didn't listen to the warning about Bentley from Michelle via his ex-wife. So it would appear that Ashley likes to make her own decisions, even if it means going it alone.

I can't remember but it seems that Ashley didn't say 'you're a beyotch' (in her sister's face). didn't she say something along the lines you're acting like a beyotch. I'm waiting for the whole scene too. Heck maybe they talking about Brad!!! LOL

Meeting a potential SIL/BIL, DIL/SIL is stressful no matter what - this is stress on steroids. The emotions are high, the almost impossible odds of the Happy Couple succeeding, the changes that will come with Sure Celebrity Status Fame....the fam probably didn't realize the implications of their darling daughter being the Star of the Universe. They've now had cameras in their homes (prolly for the first time evah), now cameras are all over them in an idyllic setting. Who among us is used to the paps? Add in a sister who may be highly opined and/or protective, and a production team that eats drama like I eat popcorn, and voila! a sure recipe for drama, tears, the b word... and then maybe a twirl. The waters were too calm to have happy sailing all the way to "I will."

So hold on to your hats, girls and boys... keep your shirts on... take a deep breath, visualize the perfect ending - no matter what you see it to be. And have a nice dinner and glass of wine.

i2d

in2deep wrote:Meeting a potential SIL/BIL, DIL/SIL is stressful no matter what - this is stress on steroids. The emotions are high, the almost impossible odds of the Happy Couple succeeding, the changes that will come with Sure Celebrity Status Fame....the fam probably didn't realize the implications of their darling daughter being the Star of the Universe. They've now had cameras in their homes (prolly for the first time evah), now cameras are all over them in an idyllic setting. Who among us is used to the paps? Add in a sister who may be highly opined and/or protective, and a production team that eats drama like I eat popcorn, and voila! a sure recipe for drama, tears, the b word... and then maybe a twirl. The waters were too calm to have happy sailing all the way to "I will."

So hold on to your hats, girls and boys... keep your shirts on... take a deep breath, visualize the perfect ending - no matter what you see it to be. And have a nice dinner and glass of wine.

i2d

This isn't the first time for this family, though! Right? Ashley was on Brad's season, so her family got the chance to meet him on HTD. In fact, I remember some here remembering the sister from the HTD. It appeared that she really liked Brad. So I don't know that I buy this whole thing about it all being too much for them with the cameras and the people all around and everything. They should be veterans by now!

We can see for ourselves how hurt and upset Ashley is when her sister expresses her feelings. Clearly this has blindsided her. The bottom line is that previews can be so misleading not just because of what we see, but because of what we do NOT see. So it's best to wait and just watch how it really played out.

I'll like the refreshing change from the family love fests that seem to happen with mild questioning. I haven't watched that long but I do hope there is an out and honest conversation and not just instant "follow your heart" or whatever flowery scripted stuff they throw out there.

Ashley's "picker" obviously isn't the best. She needs a little drop of reality from the people around her.

Regarding whether the "trouble in paradise" edit that Ashley and JP are getting is indicative of a lack of faith by the producers in the longevity of the relationship, my question is this: if they edited out Bentley, the jealousy, the sister problem, the fear of heartbreak, etc, how interesting would the show have been to the average viewer? And what exactly would the alternate storyline have been? I'd really love someone to elaborate on that.

One thing I do know is that producing an interesting (and that means "dramatic") show trumps anything else for Fleiss, and he would give his grandmother a bad edit if it meant better ratings. The producers work with the raw material they are given, and if the only way to create any suspense in what may have been a too obvious ending was to use every bit of drama and doubt, real or embellished, to do it, they are not going to spare even the happiest couple's image and risk ending up with a boring show as a result.

ironcat wrote:Regarding whether the "trouble in paradise" edit that Ashley and JP are getting is indicative of a lack of faith by the producers in the longevity of the relationship, my question is this: if they edited out Bentley, the jealousy, the sister problem, the fear of heartbreak, etc, how interesting would the show have been to the average viewer? And what exactly would the alternate storyline have been? I'd really love someone to elaborate on that.

One thing I do know is that producing an interesting (and that means "dramatic") show trumps anything else for Fleiss, and he would give his grandmother a bad edit if it meant better ratings. The producers work with the raw material they are given, and if the only way to create any suspense in what may have been an obvious ending was to use every bit of drama and doubt, real or embellished, to do it, they are not going to spare even the happiest couple's image and risk ending up with a boring show as a result.

Exactly! Also, this is NOT the first time a family member has not approved of someone's choice; this is just the first time they're actually going to show it. I remember that even Trista had a family member or two who wanted her to pick Charlie. Why TPTB felt the need to broadcast that when they already had plenty of obstacles for this couple to overcome, I don't know.

I wonder if the return of Ryan was SO lackluster, that they decided to put the sister fight in to add some drama to the finale? :shock:

mnmhughes wrote:

ironcat wrote:Regarding whether the "trouble in paradise" edit that Ashley and JP are getting is indicative of a lack of faith by the producers in the longevity of the relationship, my question is this: if they edited out Bentley, the jealousy, the sister problem, the fear of heartbreak, etc, how interesting would the show have been to the average viewer? And what exactly would the alternate storyline have been? I'd really love someone to elaborate on that.

One thing I do know is that producing an interesting (and that means "dramatic") show trumps anything else for Fleiss, and he would give his grandmother a bad edit if it meant better ratings. The producers work with the raw material they are given, and if the only way to create any suspense in what may have been an obvious ending was to use every bit of drama and doubt, real or embellished, to do it, they are not going to spare even the happiest couple's image and risk ending up with a boring show as a result.

Exactly! Also, this is NOT the first time a family member has not approved of someone's choice; this is just the first time they're actually going to show it. I remember that even Trista had a family member or two who wanted her to pick Charlie. Why TPTB felt the need to broadcast that when they already had plenty of obstacles for this couple to overcome, I don't know.


I wonder if the return of Ryan was SO lackluster, that they decided to put the sister fight in to add some drama to the finale? :shock:

Also last season Ali's mom and sister liked Chris while the Dad liked Roberto. It is to add interest, really nothing new. Maybe not this dramatic esp. if things get worse like the sis tweeted. The previews are to keep us guessing. Remember Ali's season when it looked like both guys might walk. Far from what really happened. My guess is the Ryan return was fairly ho hum. Ashley is not giving them much drama at this point when it comes to the guys. The ones that have left including the next one, her attitude is basically "don't let the door hit you". The producers must be disappointed at her lack of emotion at this point. Got to use the drama where you find it. JMHO.

Teenamarie wrote:

mnmhughes wrote:

ironcat wrote:Regarding whether the "trouble in paradise" edit that Ashley and JP are getting is indicative of a lack of faith by the producers in the longevity of the relationship, my question is this: if they edited out Bentley, the jealousy, the sister problem, the fear of heartbreak, etc, how interesting would the show have been to the average viewer? And what exactly would the alternate storyline have been? I'd really love someone to elaborate on that.

One thing I do know is that producing an interesting (and that means "dramatic") show trumps anything else for Fleiss, and he would give his grandmother a bad edit if it meant better ratings. The producers work with the raw material they are given, and if the only way to create any suspense in what may have been an obvious ending was to use every bit of drama and doubt, real or embellished, to do it, they are not going to spare even the happiest couple's image and risk ending up with a boring show as a result.

Exactly! Also, this is NOT the first time a family member has not approved of someone's choice; this is just the first time they're actually going to show it. I remember that even Trista had a family member or two who wanted her to pick Charlie. Why TPTB felt the need to broadcast that when they already had plenty of obstacles for this couple to overcome, I don't know.


I wonder if the return of Ryan was SO lackluster, that they decided to put the sister fight in to add some drama to the finale? :shock:

Also last season Ali's mom and sister liked Chris while the Dad liked Roberto. It is to add interest, really nothing new. Maybe not this dramatic esp. if things get worse like the sis tweeted. The previews are to keep us guessing. Remember Ali's season when it looked like both guys might walk. Far from what really happened. My guess is the Ryan return was fairly ho hum. Ashley is not giving them much drama at this point when it comes to the guys. The ones that have left including the next one, her attitude is basically "don't let the door hit you". The producers must be disappointed at her lack of emotion at this point. Got to use the drama where you find it. JMHO.

Especially when she was such a dramatic crier earlier in the season. Now she's all cool cucumber.

Also have to mention I find it really interesting that there is so much focus on the show of like JP's dating history but there is never any mention of her failed relationships and why they failed. Wish they would have one of the guys delve into that a little bit.

Ok, I have no idea where to put this so if it is the wrong place, please move it to the correct spot.

I have been thinking about the necklace JP's mom had on, that some thought Ashley may have had one like it some video interview/vlog? I know that San was able to pull up a couple of screencaps of JP's mom and in one shot it looked like it was solid and in another it didn't and the discussion was pretty much dropped.

It has been bothering me ever since and I had a thought when I was watching the episode again tonight. I have seen a charm necklace, that is a circle and is solid glass on the front and back. Inside, you insert tiny charms that are basically "floating" but when it is worn, they settle into the bottom on the circle. I think this is what she was wearing. Outside, when the sun was shining on it, it looked solid and whitish, but inside, where there was no glare, you can see the charms sitting on the bottom.

To me, Ashley's looks like it might be the same thing in that video. Mostly because the shape of what is at the bottom of that circle-charm is such an irregular shape.

Here is a link http://www.charmedmoments.com.au/FloatingHome.html to one company that sells these charms and the general concept is similar to a chram bracelet...pick charms that represent something that is meaningful to you. I know this website is from Australia but I have seen these sold here in the the US, just can't remember where. It was pretty funny doing a google search for them, had to be very specific!

If someone can pull up the screencaps again that would be great, I have absolutely no idea. Probably is nothing but it has just been bothering me since the 2 different looking caps of the same necklace on JP's mom.

Thanks for entertaining my first attempt at even trying to sleuth something out