Joelle Fletcher - (JoJo) - Bachelor 20 - *Sleuthing - Spoilers*

Kashathediva wrote:Did anyone else notice a kind of covert discussion that occurred with Ben and JoJo? I was babysitting a 2 yr old while viewing so can't tell you when it took place probably the group date?
The convo indicated to me that they were covertly discussing that since each had a history and been involved with reality tv and the other understood how difficult certain situations could be. Nothing was stated definitively; it was insinuated between them in vague terms.
Anyway, the convo reminded me that they were both there to provide realty tv story lines. And again it sparked my thinking that JoJo simply went as far as she did in filming because of who she was and where she's been. It's happened before(Shane Lamas)

I didn't see it like that. JoJo seemed genuinely upset when she realised how into Lauren Ben is. Ben's used to her being the cool chick, who he can relax with and who comforts him when he's struggling with his decisions, so he seemed genuinely freaked out when she was giving him the cold shoulder as well. He was practically begging her to go back to her normal self, saying it's just the situation that's weird, but she was having none of it. I liked that conversation because I think it showed that JoJo has real feelings for him. Unfortunately for her, Ben seems to see her more as a friend, with benefits. But perhaps the cold shoulder was a much needed kick in the behind for him.

^ I saw it like that too, mindless, especially since we've seen her reassure him on more than one occasion IMO. I noticed a lot of people on Twitter were tweeting about it and how you could kind of see that Ben was confused and even panicking a bit thinking she was shutting him out. I agreed with that. Given their interactions for the preview next week, I think her shutting him out kicked things into full gear.

I don't think Ben sees her as a "friends (with benefits.)" I think friendship is just the key part of their realationship that they luckily have. They obviously have a romantic connection, especially for him to take her to f2 and declare his love. That's why I think that no matter what happens, they can end up being good friends after this, because they have a foundation of having solid friendship first and foremost.

Ash2214 wrote:^ I saw it like that too, mindless, especially since we've seen her reassure him on more than one occasion IMO. I noticed a lot of people on Twitter were tweeting about it and how you could kind of see that Ben was confused and even panicking a bit thinking she was shutting him out. I agreed with that. Given their interactions for the preview next week, I think her shutting him out kicked things into full gear.

She was even going to reassure/validate him AGAIN at the cocktail party that never happened. She's consistantly keeping him in the loop (which is just gonna make it harder when he doesn't keep her in the loop   ) But yeah, he seemed genuinely almost afraid of what was happening and really felt like she was the only one who "got it". I noticed a lot of people on Twitter really liked their conversation because it seemed so real and natural. And it really was IMO. Sharleen really is amazing because she said what I think is evident, they're just at ease with one another and it doesn't feel like a recorded/mic-Ed show when they're together.

Great posts! I've been watching Ben's and JoJo's scenes closely (among others) and I see the ease these two share along with some romantic heat.  From what I see on my TV and the little I've seen on SM, I find JoJo to be sensitive, kind, caring and nurturing and that IMO, is why Ben and the other girls are drawn to her. 

Also think we found Ben's weakness with women—when they give him a cool vibe or the cold shoulder. First with Lauren on Ep 2 and now Caila and JoJo Ep 6. Like most men, the chase and challenge are necessary to keep him interested.

mindless wrote:

Kashathediva wrote:Did anyone else notice a kind of covert discussion that occurred with Ben and JoJo? I was babysitting a 2 yr old while viewing so can't tell you when it took place probably the group date?
The convo indicated to me that they were covertly discussing that since each had a history and been involved with reality tv and the other understood how difficult certain situations could be. Nothing was stated definitively; it was insinuated between them in vague terms.
Anyway, the convo reminded me that they were both there to provide realty tv story lines. And again it sparked my thinking that JoJo simply went as far as she did in filming because of who she was and where she's been. It's happened before(Shane Lamas)

I didn't see it like that. JoJo seemed genuinely upset when she realised how into Lauren Ben is. Ben's used to her being the cool chick, who he can relax with and who comforts him when he's struggling with his decisions, so he seemed genuinely freaked out when she was giving him the cold shoulder as well. He was practically begging her to go back to her normal self, saying it's just the situation that's weird, but she was having none of it. I liked that conversation because I think it showed that JoJo has real feelings for him. Unfortunately for her, Ben seems to see her more as a friend, with benefits. But perhaps the cold shoulder was a much needed kick in the behind for him.

I think that if you read Ben's blog where he spoke about this as well, it explained how and why JoJo was pulling back and why she gave him the cold shoulder when he tried to approach her in one of those scenes.  Ben wrote that sometime during the group date that the women were told that the only person that he was really interested in was Lauren B, which totally changed the mood of the group date, with all of the other women then starting to become very standoffish toward him.  He went on to say that on the ride back in the boat afterwards the women weren't even talking to him, seemed to be mad AT him and were whispering among themselves.

So, to me that explained why JoJo was shutting down and told him that she was scared.  I too thought that that was a very natural and normal conversation to have during a very unnatural setting.  It would only be human to want to shutdown if you were told that Ben was only interested in Lauren B.  And to me that made the whole thing with Leah make a little more sense.  She might have been the one circulating that rumor, which more than likely came from a producer, in order to stir up some trouble.

Chris Harrison also said that JoJo had trouble letting her guard down with Ben, and to hear that during the group date would have had to make her question if what he was saying to her was him being sincere or not.

Kashathediva wrote:Did anyone else notice a kind of covert discussion that occurred with Ben and JoJo? I was babysitting a 2 yr old while viewing so can't tell you when it took place probably the group date?
The convo indicated to me that they were covertly discussing that since each had a history and been involved with reality tv and the other understood how difficult certain situations could be. Nothing was stated definitively; it was insinuated between them in vague terms.
Anyway, the convo reminded me that they were both there to provide realty tv story lines. And again it sparked my thinking that JoJo simply went as far as she did in filming because of who she was and where she's been. It's happened before(Shane Lamas)

Yup. Even the panel on After Buzz brought this up and thought it was odd since someone who has been on the same type of show was Becca, not JoJo and it is not like JoJo was a lead on Ready For Love. She was barely on it for a minute. I think that it may be a fabricated storyline (same as the blindside thing) to make it seem that Ben was into someone other than Lauren B because in Ben's blog he said that he wa afraid of MANY women leaving because of how obvious he was with Lauren B and that he had to pretty much do why he had to do to right the sinking ship.

I'm not saying Ben wasn't attracted to her physically but they had to have an F2 who was convincing. Caila proved to me on her 2nd 1on1 she wouldn't be convincing at all. Amanda couldn't be F2 as a single mother as that would look bad on Ben and Becca again at that spot would be overkill after Nick did that already. So that left only one other girl who had had a 1on1 date and conveniently talked about her ex and walls up and is like Ben's sidekick with benefits, IMO. Even those Episodic photos on ABC of their date in Chicago they look staged to me.

Kashathediva wrote:Did anyone else notice a kind of covert discussion that occurred with Ben and JoJo? I was babysitting a 2 yr old while viewing so can't tell you when it took place probably the group date?
The convo indicated to me that they were covertly discussing that since each had a history and been involved with reality tv and the other understood how difficult certain situations could be. Nothing was stated definitively; it was insinuated between them in vague terms.
Anyway, the convo reminded me that they were both there to provide realty tv story lines. And again it sparked my thinking that JoJo simply went as far as she did in filming because of who she was and where she's been. It's happened before(Shane Lamas)

Kash, I think that you're onto something. I also noted that the language of their exchange seemed like code. Since the start of this season, many of JoJo's ITMs and even Ben's reactions to her feel "on script." They both might be willing participants and they know the way that this season will end.

I'm trying to figure out, though, if they are making a pitch for Jo as the next Bette or setting us up to hate Ben by season's end when he blindsides her. We're getting her back story and her complete fear of surrendering to love again after being heartbroken. I'm scratching my head trying to figure out why they keep telling us about the ex-boyfriend. Does Jo breakup with Ben or Ben breakup with Jo over him as another poster here seems to be suggesting? I also think it's interesting that they did not include in this week's show the preview of JoJo crying and saying "I don't want to do this anymore." Could JoJo truly be playing a role?

Hmm, hmm.

veg_out wrote:I'm trying to figure out, though, if they are making a pitch for Jo as the next Bette or setting us up to hate Ben by season's end when he blindsides her.

Of those two choices I would think the first one - "making a pitch for Jo as the next Bette" - is more likely than the second. After the finale is shown a lead who is hated is of relatively little use to the franchise going forward, and after promoting Ben as "The Perfect Ben" early on why would they seek to make him hated at the end? Now I will grant that they have portrayed some past leads in such a way that they are hated but it doesn't seem to me as though that's where they are headed this season.

I know the theoretical difficulties of selecting the F2 from TB as the next lead - it's hard to show a broken hearted girl confronting the lead who broke her heart and in the next minute announce her as the new B'ette. But the choice to do that on the ATFR is only a formula that's most often been followed and doesn't have to be used this season. For example, on Ben F's season they never even brought Lindzi Cox out because they focused on all the drama surrounding Ben and Courtney; they actually sent Lindzi on the interview circuit. So, IMO, they can script an ending and ATFR that would be a logical progression for F2 into the next lead - if they want to.

IMO they're making a few pitches for the ette from this season and are trying to see who would get the best response. JoJo is one of them. If she appears not too heart broken at the AFTR, IMO she has a pretty good shot. She's getting a good response from sm, and she seems to be an in to the reality circuit, which would work on her benefit.

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Inside Ben Higgins' date at Wrigley Field on #TheBachelor http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-the-bachelor-ben-higgins-wrigley-field-20160210-story.html …







Indiana native Ben Higgins, who calls himself a die-hard Cubs fan, went on a one-on-one date with Texas real estate developer JoJo Fletcher on Oct. 24 as part of Higgins' search for his future wife on "The Bachelor."
TV cameras captured Higgins and Fletcher alone in the park as they donned Mr. and Mrs. Higgins Cubs jerseys, poked their heads through the center-field scoreboard, snuggled in the grass and dined in the outfield.

Baseball dates are such an f1 thing . Des, Andi, Ali... who else?