The Bachelor 20 - Ben Higgins - Episode 9 - Discussion - *Sleuthing - Spoilers*

Lucas15 wrote:

nutty1 wrote:For whoever asked above, no, we do not know conclusively who that last ILY is said to.

^^^ Which raises a good point. That clip is so tightly cropped that I don't think they want us to be able to figure it out. I keep wondering what they are hiding and why do they seem to be trying to hide it so well?

I think it's so tightly cropped because whoever he's with is basically sitting on his lap and we'd be able to see who it was if they showed any more. Perhaps they realised that people could tell the other two ILY's are both to Lauren, so they decided to throw another one out there knowing it'll get us talking.

jcrbil wrote:I do think Ben was broken up about sending JoJo home- because he really doesn't like hurting people and he knew she would be hurt by him.  But in watching that preview back, Ben still has tears when he's saying he's ready, he's really ready- to ask someone to spend his life with him.  That's what the Bachelor needs to do at the end- he's been convinced (by tptb) that he's in love with two (even if the look on his face and his body language doesn't tell the same story)- and he has to make a choice.  OFTEN (though not with Mesnick) tptb get the lead to make the "right" choice- at least it will last awhile and it's one that makes sense.  I think we'll see a look of peace when he puts the ring on f1s finger, but tptb will play him all the way to the end.  (Tptb probably like having the lead be someone who can be emotional- because they are able to produce all kinds of tears and angst- and frankly, those leads who don't and can't be manipulated that way end up with an experience like Juan Pablo's).

This is a great post.

mindless wrote:

Lucas15 wrote:

nutty1 wrote:For whoever asked above, no, we do not know conclusively who that last ILY is said to.

^^^ Which raises a good point. That clip is so tightly cropped that I don't think they want us to be able to figure it out. I keep wondering what they are hiding and why do they seem to be trying to hide it so well?

I think it's so tightly cropped because whoever he's with is basically sitting on his lap and we'd be able to see who it was if they showed any more. Perhaps they realised that people could tell the other two ILY's are both to Lauren, so they decided to throw another one out there knowing it'll get us talking.

And it sure has got us talking ! It felt like a firestorm yesterday , and today we're digging through the rubble looking for survivors .

I think one thing is clear .. With the hack job of the editing in the above clip .. He did love both .. For different reasons .. But in different ways .. There are definitely multi reasons/ways to love someone .. And in the end .. He loved one a lot more .. As we see him say .. And we have seen his happy face/glee .. At the FRC as well

nutty1 wrote:For whoever asked above, no, we do not know conclusively who that last ILY is said to.

Thanks! That was me, nutty! I've been away all morning, just catching up now while my toddlers nap!

NCGalBecca wrote:Maybe TPTB's way of making it up to Ben (and Lauren) is how they've openly showcased their love story above all others in the episodes? So, while perfect Ben, is exposed as less than perfect, he still loved her best, and all should be forgiven?

*snipped*

I've been wondering all season why they are showing the love story.   Now I'm thinking they went with what they had this time 1) maybe it would have been difficult to edit out all his googily eyes for Lauren, plus the girls reactions to it and 2.) as you say, he is exposed as less than perfect and maybe that was enough. TPTB built the show around it. Poor Ben had to know how this was going to go down as soon as the "Perfect Ben" campaign started.  

Ben's words to Lauren's family about how his proposal would be real makes me wonder if all the JoJo stuff is fake. But, he sure looks genuine and stressed out in the previews.

I think Lauren is F1 based on SM- disney quotes and little brother. It stood out to me that her dad told her that "no one is perfect". Also, sorry can't remember where, but in an interview Ben said that he wanted a wife with "grace" and acceptance. Anyone recall that? That made me think all is fine between them now. jmo.

grace8136 wrote:

NCGalBecca wrote:Maybe TPTB's way of making it up to Ben (and Lauren) is how they've openly showcased their love story above all others in the episodes? So, while perfect Ben, is exposed as less than perfect, he still loved her best, and all should be forgiven?

*snipped*

I've been wondering all season why they are showing the love story.   Now I'm thinking they went with what they had this time 1) maybe it would have been difficult to edit out all his googily eyes for Lauren, plus the girls reactions to it and 2.) as you say, he is exposed as less than perfect and maybe that was enough. TPTB built the show around it. Poor Ben had to know how this was going to go down as soon as the "Perfect Ben" campaign started.  

Ben's words to Lauren's family about how his proposal would be real makes me wonder if all the JoJo stuff is fake. But, he sure looks genuine and stressed out in the previews.

I think Lauren is F1 based on SM- disney quotes and little brother. It stood out to me that her dad told her that "no one is perfect". Also, sorry can't remember where, but in an interview Ben said that he wanted a wife with "grace" and acceptance. Anyone recall that? That made me think all is fine between them now. jmo.

He also hints that sometimes he isn’t the easiest to put up with, adding that “grace” and “patience” are pluses.

http://www.lifeandstylemag.com/posts/bachelor-ben-higgins-reveals-perfect-wife-81634

All I know is that i have not been able to get any work done. Thanks a lot Ben and producers

grace8136 wrote:

NCGalBecca wrote:Maybe TPTB's way of making it up to Ben (and Lauren) is how they've openly showcased their love story above all others in the episodes? So, while perfect Ben, is exposed as less than perfect, he still loved her best, and all should be forgiven?

*snipped*

I've been wondering all season why they are showing the love story.   Now I'm thinking they went with what they had this time 1) maybe it would have been difficult to edit out all his googily eyes for Lauren, plus the girls reactions to it and 2.) as you say, he is exposed as less than perfect and maybe that was enough. TPTB built the show around it. Poor Ben had to know how this was going to go down as soon as the "Perfect Ben" campaign started.  

Ben's words to Lauren's family about how his proposal would be real makes me wonder if all the JoJo stuff is fake. But, he sure looks genuine and stressed out in the previews.

I think Lauren is F1 based on SM- disney quotes and little brother. It stood out to me that her dad told her that "no one is perfect". Also, sorry can't remember where, but in an interview Ben said that he wanted a wife with "grace" and acceptance. Anyone recall that? That made me think all is fine between them now. jmo.

Yes! I just posted about that! Ben was asked in an interview (post filming) what qualities he was looking for, and he said someone with grace and compassion, because he wasn't perfect! I think that points straight to Lauren and her forgiveness of him. They hashed this out months ago. Ben is a good communicator. He's also not stupid. No way did this blindside Lauren.

He also said he's not really into SM. Wasn't that the same with Lauren? She only recently joined the SM world ? He likes the simple things.
____________________________________

"I think selfishness is always something that would stand out," Ben confessed. "My life in Denver and my life in Indiana is very low maintenance. It's hiking, it's fishing -- I'd like to have a wife who enjoys those things or at least can go out and hang out with me as well."

He added, "I'd like to find somebody that isn't incredibly high maintenance. That would be nice because my life isn't very high maintenance."

Ben also revealed a huge pet peeve: people who document every single minute of their life on social media. "I try not to be on my phone too much," he said. "I think in today's age, we get very concentrated on being on our phones all the time and we lose track of who is around us."

The Indiana native continued, "Even before this experience started the first time, it wasn't something that I concentrated on. Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter -- I still don't really know how to use Snapchat. Some of my friends have tried to talk me into it. I don't use it very well and I don't think I have enough scenarios where I can just take a picture of something and people want to see it."

http://www.etonline.com/tv/179139_bachelor_ben_higgins_reveals_his_ultimate_dating_deal_breaker_and_why_he_ready_to_be_a_dad/

sosleepy wrote:

grace8136 wrote:

NCGalBecca wrote:Maybe TPTB's way of making it up to Ben (and Lauren) is how they've openly showcased their love story above all others in the episodes? So, while perfect Ben, is exposed as less than perfect, he still loved her best, and all should be forgiven?

*snipped*

I've been wondering all season why they are showing the love story.   Now I'm thinking they went with what they had this time 1) maybe it would have been difficult to edit out all his googily eyes for Lauren, plus the girls reactions to it and 2.) as you say, he is exposed as less than perfect and maybe that was enough. TPTB built the show around it. Poor Ben had to know how this was going to go down as soon as the "Perfect Ben" campaign started.  

Ben's words to Lauren's family about how his proposal would be real makes me wonder if all the JoJo stuff is fake. But, he sure looks genuine and stressed out in the previews.

I think Lauren is F1 based on SM- disney quotes and little brother. It stood out to me that her dad told her that "no one is perfect". Also, sorry can't remember where, but in an interview Ben said that he wanted a wife with "grace" and acceptance. Anyone recall that? That made me think all is fine between them now. jmo.

Yes! I just posted about that! Ben was asked in an interview (post filming) what qualities he was looking for, and he said someone with grace and compassion, because he wasn't perfect! I think that points straight to Lauren and her forgiveness of him. They hashed this out months ago. Ben is a good communicator. He's also not stupid. No way did this blindside Lauren.

Sorry I missed your post. I'll go back and find it. But IA, Ben is a good communicator and they are over it.

grace8136 wrote:

NCGalBecca wrote:Maybe TPTB's way of making it up to Ben (and Lauren) is how they've openly showcased their love story above all others in the episodes? So, while perfect Ben, is exposed as less than perfect, he still loved her best, and all should be forgiven?

*snipped*

I've been wondering all season why they are showing the love story.   Now I'm thinking they went with what they had this time 1) maybe it would have been difficult to edit out all his googily eyes for Lauren, plus the girls reactions to it and 2.) as you say, he is exposed as less than perfect and maybe that was enough. TPTB built the show around it. Poor Ben had to know how this was going to go down as soon as the "Perfect Ben" campaign started.  

Ben's words to Lauren's family about how his proposal would be real makes me wonder if all the JoJo stuff is fake. But, he sure looks genuine and stressed out in the previews.

I think Lauren is F1 based on SM- disney quotes and little brother. It stood out to me that her dad told her that "no one is perfect". Also, sorry can't remember where, but in an interview Ben said that he wanted a wife with "grace" and acceptance. Anyone recall that? That made me think all is fine between them now. jmo.

I also think they went with what they had on film because there was little other way to play it - especially because the girls saw what they saw and reacted as they reacted it just couldn't be spun any other way.

A good observation about the significance of Ben's comment to Lauren's father that if he proposed it would be real and it never dawned on me that could have been his way of saying other things might not be real. I am one who sees a lot of fake in some of JoJo's scenes and interaction with Ben and I've been saying that for some time now.

I agree Ben looks genuine and stressed out at the end but that stress may not be the result of an angst-filled decision. IMO by the end all leads are exhausted physically and emotionally drained so looking that way should be expected.