Bachelor Canada: The Women Tell All To Tyler Harcott

I'm Tyler Harcott

I'll make this quick. And why not? The season has been rocketing through and tonight's Women Tell All episode was squeezed into one hour, which, as many people know, works out to something like 44 minutes after commercials. Then subtract all the filler and you're down to about half an hour. All the drama and pathos is squeezed into soundbites.

I'm Tyler Harcott

Still, though, it wasn't bad, all things considered. Once again, it looked just like a Women Tell All version down south. Same format. It even looked like the same studio. 

While we didn't learn a lot, one thing I took home from tonight was the host's name: Tyler Harcott. I know this now because after a season of going practically anonymous, Tyler Harcott announced to us that his name was Tyler Harcott five times in the hour. That's Tyler Harcott, in case you missed it.

I didn't think much of Tyler Harcott early in the series, but I thought he was absolutely fine tonight. How does he compare to Chris Harrison? Not sure. It's hard to see someone new in the role, but Tyler Harcott was like I said: fine. If this northern version of the show has legs, I think he'll grow with the job and on us.

I'm Tyler Harcott

But we're not here to talk about Tyler Harcott. We're here to talk about the women. One thing I couldn't wrap my head around was the timing. We know this episode was filmed before last week's episode aired because we saw highlights of the night immediately following the fantasy dates show, when Kara was sent home. But Kara was sitting in the rows of jilted ladies. And at one point she said it was "tough seeing the last episode." I'm so confused! This is why I could never totally enjoy Back To The Future.

It was funny to hear just how many of the women weren't feeling Brad. Melissa-Marie, the supposed Playboy model (I haven't seen any evidence she's ever posed for them despite endless searching... all for the cause, of course), said she thought they'd have a different Bachelor. Not sure who, but anyone else, I guess is what she was getting at. Then Tia said she didn't feel a connection with Brad, either. And when Kara came out for her turn on the lukewarm seat, looking lost and sad at the video montage of their bromance, she said she loved him as a friend and loved hanging out with him but was not in love with him. When Brad eventually dumped her, she said, "I knew it was right and he knew it was right." Of course, the producers never let us in on that.

Speaking of the producers, it was nice to hear mention of their dastardly reputation. Normally they're an invisible force. But in this episode we heard on a few different occasions how most of the girls figured Gabrielle was paid by the production to stir things up. They thought she was a plant. They didn't make it clear that she wasn't, but it should tell the powers-that-be what people think of the show. If they were in government, they'd be voted down on a non-confidence motion.

When Gabby was up, they showed a video tribute to her trashing ways. She had a negative opinion of just about everyone, even Britany, saying there's "something not quite right about Britany." But face to face, Gabby apologized, saying she loves her. And Britany accepted! She ran up to her to hug! I'm thinking maybe Gabrielle was right – there's something not quite right about that.

I'm Tyler Harcott

The low point was when Tyler Harcott, the host of the show, got the women, by a show of hands, to reveal who has fake boobs. And they did. Of course. Whitney wasn't out there at that point, or both her hands would have been raised. But the others, as far as I could tell, were Ana, Melissa-Marie, Laura F. and, shocker, Laura B. Chantelle has still resisted the urge.

Chantelle was still as sweet and bubbly as virgin champagne. Didn't really learn anything new in her segment except that Tyler Harcott, the host, thinks "we're all richer for having [her] in our lives." Oh, and Brad made a good point: he said she might have received a rose had she not left the show that week, but the following week could have been tough since she hadn't kissed a man in four years. If he kissed her, and then didn't ultimately choose her, it would have been disrespectful to her.

Calgary's Whitney entered to boos, just like the villains in Stampede all-star wrestling. Was it just me or did she look different this episode. It seemed her lower jaw jutted out. Either I never noticed before, or that's her fighting look.

You know that old adage, "Good things come to those who wait"? Well, Whitney said she doesn't believe that. She goes and gets what she wants. Gabrielle said she hoped it was all worth it, since she's here in the end. Whitney replied that everyone approaches her and asks why she didn't knock the yappy Gabby's block off.

Ana didn't applaud when Whitney entered and told her what's what. That got Whit quivering and weepy, saying, "Maybe I was closed off and maybe I said things I shouldn't have said." Yeah, maybe. But maybe not. Never admit anything on national TV, Whitney.

Oh, and did anyone else think the shoes were atrocious? I know I'm no fashion maven, and this is probably the style, but they're too much.

Highlights of the final week made it look like Whitney was going to be the one. We saw Bianka walking and Brad crying unconsolably. We also saw Brad's sister taking matters into her own hands with both finalists. Could be a good/bad one, although I don't really like either one. But I gotta go with Team Bianka.

That's just about all we got. Short and sweet. It's kind of nice not having the whole evening be wasted watching the show, but I also figure, if you're gonna do it, do it right. Let us get invested in the characters and their shenanigans. Let them have time to develop real fake relationships.

I'm not Tyler Harcott

But it kind of reminds me of the old joke that Woody Allen quotes in Annie Hall. There are two elderley women at a Catskill Mountain resort. One of them says, "Boy the food at this place is really terrible." The other one says, "Yeah, I know. And such small portions." 

The show is terrible at its core, but we want more of it!

Bachelor Canada: Three's a crowd

Whining is beneath me, guys, but not a single comment last week?! Is it me or is it the show? As I've said, I think the show is as good/bad as the American version, but I guess a much smaller audience can see this one. That's what I'll console myself with. Yeah, that's it.

I was speaking to a woman last week who watches the show and she was saying how horrible this version is. Why? Because they say all the same things as the American ones. But to my way of thinking, every season all the contestants say the exact same things. It's branding. That's what they do. Everyone's on a "journey", some people aren't there for "the right reasons". We know the game.

She also didn't like the host, but the guy (whose name was finally mentioned – three times, yet! – tonight) is hardly around at all so that's no reason to dislike the whole show. Probably more than anything, she was one of many Canadians who automatically hate anything on TV that even hints at being Canadian. Usually there's good reason to feel that way, but I think this is an exception. That is, if you hate the U.S. franchise, you'll hate Bachelor Canada, but I can't see liking one and disliking the other because they're practically identical, for better or for worse.

One major difference, though, is the time allotment. We were down to the final three women tonight and the network gives up a whole hour for it. When was the last time any Bachelor/ette season clocked in at under 2 hours? Maybe in the first season, whenever that was. It was surprising all they could fit in given the constraints.

Brad took his three ladies to the Maritimes this week. Or what the producers erroneously called the Maritimes. Yes, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island are two of the three maritime provinces, but Newfoundland & Labrador (one province, if you're reading from outside the Great White North) isn't included, for some reason. No idea why. Maybe because they were late to the party, constitutionally speaking. (Hey, maybe my ignorance on the subject will spur an irate Newfoundlander to comment!)

Bianka got to go to Newfoundland, Kara to Nova Scotia, and Whitney to PEI. No love for New Brunswick, for some reason. They're the forgotten Maritime province. I've been there many a time. I was there this past summer, as a matter of fact. Sure, it's not as glamourous as the others but I'm sure they could have scouted out a decent location or two.

The episode started with Brad gazing pensively out a private jet's windows as he reflected on his three remaining potential brides. Bianka would make a great wife, but he's still waiting for her to trust him. Kara is an all-around nice person and most like him, but he wonders if he can be around a girl who's exactly like you expect. Yeah, consistency sucks. Better to get one of them mercurial models where you never know how the day is going to go. And, of course, Whitney and her eyebrows are hot. So much to consider.

The first fantasy date went to Bianka. They met in Ferryland, Newfoundland. I thought maybe they should have taken a day trip to Dildo. Yes, there's actually a town called Dildo. That's awesome. (On the topic of oddly-named town names, this time on the decidedly not awesome side, did you know there's a place in Ontario called Swastika? I kid you not. How is that even still allowed?)

Bianka showed her smarts right off the bat. They were standing near the water, in which sat a big (but surely shrinking) iceberg. At the mention of it, she said, "I didn't know what that was." She thought maybe it was a giant piece of foam floating on the water. She said that.

Brad thought it was time the two of them had an "adrenaline date" so the two of them kayaked out and around the Titanic killer. Bianka wasn't thrilled with the idea, especially given her fear of deep water, but she went along. Barely. She wasn't having fun. When Brad said he'd do the rowing, she said she'd help because she just wants "to get to this frickin' piece of foam and go." And once there, she said, "Let's just get out of here, please."

You just know Kara would have been all over such an adventure, laughing all the way. But it's clear Brad prefers drama in his women.

They got back to shore and Brad poured some vodka over glacier water before handing her the card. You know which card. Yeah, that card. Only this time it was signed by Tyler. I know that because each girl read his name. Glad to see the producers read this blog! I'm influential. Tyler is the guy's name. Got it. Tyler. Don't let me forget it.

Bianka didn't gladly jump at the chance to spend the night in the fantasy suite. She's a lady. Remember last week she said she wouldn't give up too much too soon. She's learned her lesson. Live and learn. She expressed her concerns that Brad was loving two others and reiterated that she had been cheated on multiple times before. Yeah, well, she should be used to it then, am I right, gals?!... No? Oh, okay.

But really, is it cheating if she knows about the other two? It's not like he's running around behind her back! Come on, this is 2012! Get with the program, Bianka!

So she said her piece and was therefore true to her word that she wouldn't give up too much too soon. Mission accomplished. Usually she jumps straight in on an offer like this, but this time it was a good five or ten minutes before she accepted. Because a lady waits. "Here's to our journey of love," she said. A helicopter whisked them away to St. John's and a bed covered in rose petals.

(Quick question: Has anyone in the history of real life sprinkled rose petals on their bed? And who cleans up that mess?)

She admitted to the cameras that she's "definitely falling in love with him" and she thinks she "can make him a very happy man." Presumably in the future, not in the fantasy suite, although probably there, too.

Don't know if you caught it, but there was a hilarious exchange as they sat gazing into each other's eyes. Brad said, "Whatever made you change your mind in Mexico, I'm glad you did." Then there was this long uncomfortable pause. He finally physically nodded to her, as if to say, "Your turn. You speak now." And she jumped right in with, "It was you." Finally she remembered her line.

The second date was in a place called Wallace, Nova Scotia, with Kara. She's just so full of life. Brad took her skeet shooting. As dull as that sounds, Kara was all over it. It truly was a dream date for her, god bless her. They got dressed in hunting gear and were given a lesson. The deal was, when one person got one, they got to open an envelope and read a question to the other person, who had to answer honestly. Problem was, they both sucked at skeet shooting. Brad said he had his Certification of Canadian Marksmanship, but that was for stationary targets not little plates whizzing by.

But he eventually snagged one. His question to Kara was, "What do you need from me to be happy?" She answered that she wants a family, not to take life too seriously, and live life to the fullest. Mutually exclusive wishes?

Next she hit one and asked Brad, "What are you looking for in a wife?" He said something about wanting someone with the same values and who can tolerate his annoyances as he will tolerate hers. Whoever he marries one day, that should be on the wedding vows: "Do you, Brad, promise to tolerate Kara's annoyances till death do you part?" Actually, now that I think about it, it's kind of funny but also maybe should be on people's vows.

The last question (that we saw, anyway) was for Kara from Brad: "What did you expect going into this and what has surprised you the most?" (I'm paraphrasing.) She said something about how she's now thinking of a future.

When the card came, she got all throaty and replied, "I would love to go upstairs." I thought of the three, she was hands-down the best. Not only for my tastes, but for his. They seemed like a great couple. We know now that she was the one let go. Too bad, but at least he's consistent in choosing the worst people available every week.

While she was still in the game, she said, "I'd be happy if he proposes. I'm definitely ready to start a life." Remember this when we get to his reasons for sending her home.

The last date was in PEI with Whitney. Brad said if she doesn't open up, it's a deal-breaker. But we all knew what he meant by that. She would just have to utter some meaningless platitude and he'd hear what he wants to hear. And that's exactly what happened.

They went lobster fishing, which is a bit of cliché but way more subtle than what might have been. It's probably the first time in the history of the smallest province that no reference was made to Anne of Green Gables. Well done, crew, well done.

They followed this adventure up with drinking in a hot tub, because that's always recommended. He asked her if she'd thought about what he told her at the last rose ceremony and she replied that she's had lots of time to think. "I can see myself with you in the end," she said and he was blown over. That's all he was looking for her to say! But what did she say? It was so vague and ambiguous. She didn't say she wanted to be with him in the end, just that she could see that being the outcome. And the end of what? Their lives? The series? Yeah, probably the latter.

And her lack of communication continued unabated, despite his warnings that he needed her to open up. At a sunset dinner, he did all the talking: "I hope that when you look at me you see someone who's good enough for you." No reply other than a simple, "Mm-hmm." Aw, she doesn't say the most beautiful things, doesn't she?!

When he handed her the fantasy suite card, she read it aloud. Brad asked, "What are your thoughts?" One word: "Absolutely." Those are some well-formed thoughts, I think you'll agree.

We never did see their suite I guess because Whitney created some drama away from Brad. She made a call to someone (a friend? her mother?) and was second-guessing if this is what she really wants. The person agreed that if she's not sure, she should tell Brad. Whitney said, "I don't know if I'm ready for the next step."

So at the rose ceremony, we were waiting anxiously for her to break up with him. As he walked about, Kara was the only one who actually smiled. Brad handed out the first rose to Bianka. Okay, Whitney, speak up now. Take Brad away for a moment. But then Brad picked up the second rose and called Whitney's name. Unbelievable. And she accepted! Before Kara got a chance to say goodbye to Brad, Whitney then said she had to speak to Brad.

They whispered on a porch. Whitney said, "I don't know what's wrong." Brad said, rightfully, "This is the most selfish thing you could have done, do you realize that?" She said, "Something doesn't feel right." Brad said, "This is not the time and place to do this." So you just knew it was over between them, right?

Wrong!

Unbelievable. All he wanted was for her to go apologize to Kara. That's it. Then business as usual. She was still hot, after all.

I was gobsmacked. Kara, the lovely Kara, was still all smiles. She said there was no need to apologize. Brad was morose as he walked her to her stretch Hummer, or whatever vehicle that was. "Do not feel bad for me at all," she said, proving she's the best of the three by a country kilometre (if you're American reading this, no we don't actually say that).

There was drama with both of the other two, but this is the girl he's sending home? Maybe she was the worst in the sack, er, sorry, in the fantasy suite. Who knows? But from what we've seen, he deserves to be alone. Although, if Whitney had done the honourable thing and not accepted the rose, there's no way Kara would or should have taken it. Then we'd be left with Bianka and no rival. And no rival equals no mystery, which equals no viewers.

What was particularly galling was his explanation to her for why he didn't select her: "Do I see it being further than dating for you?" It was awkwardly worded, but the sense was that he felt she wasn't ready to get married and he was. Now scroll back up to her answers to his questions earlier if you don't recall. She said she's ready, willing and able. At the car, she said, "I don't know, I would have loved to get married in the end." In the ride home she said, "I wanted to be with him forever. I really thought I was going to marry him."

Back in private, Whitney said, "I don't know what to think." Brad, treading water furiously, said, "Let's just get through this." Love is in the air! Can you feel it?!

He then goes in to kiss her and she... lets him. Nothing reciprocated at all. It was like he pulled a mannequin towards him. See, what's not to love/hate about this Canadian version?! It's as awesome/horrible as the real show. Brad said, "I still believe I could be the guy for her." Yes, keep telling yourself that, big fella.

Next week is the After the Final Rose episode and it's already been filmed! You know what that is? That's horse hockey, that's what that is. No invitation? Who are all these people in attendance? How did they hear of it? When was it filmed? Where was it shot? How can I be Canada's Reality Steve if I don't have these scoops?

Oh well, it looks good. Whitney gets brow-beaten and sheds a tear. This is really where whatisname will earn his big Canadian paycheque. Looking forward to it.

Tyler. Yes, Tyler. That's it.

Bachelor Canada: Babies, Bingo, Bellydancing and Bobsledding

What a busy day. Not only is it Halloween, but the start of the NBA season. What's a dad to do? And on top of it all, Bachelor Canada keeps chugging along. Actually, it's speeding along, as we discussed last week, but they're down to three now so we're almost done. Anyway, what I'm saying is the PVR got a good workout tonight.

This is, what? This was week 5 and it was hometown visits. To put that in proper perspective, Gabby said it best: It was her first date with Brad and she was taking him home to meet her family. Along with Gabrielle, the other three were Kara, Bianka and Whitney. Here's how it played out.

First up was a trip to Mississauga, Ontario, to visit Bianka's folks. She had only ever brought one guy home with her, she said. That had to be Kris Humphries, right? If you were dating an NBA player, you'd bring him home. But because this wasn't a regular occurrence, she was nervous and feeling like "a little giddy high school girl."

So unusual I'm surprised
I could find a Google image

Brad had previously thought the enigmatic one was high maintenance, but not anymore. They stop into an ice cream shop, where she's on a kiss-hello basis with the proprietor. She wanted Brad to guess which flavour was her favourite. He'd never guess, she said, because it was so unlikely. Hmm, made me think. Was it something obscure like pralines & cream? Or maybe it was surprising the other way: vanilla. Brad was stumped. All he knew was that his favourite ice cream is mint chocolate chip, which happens to be my whole family's favourite. Well blow me over with a feather! It's also Bianka's favourite! We must be the only people in the whole wide world who like such an unlikely flavour. I'm surprised ice cream makers even produce such a random flavour when so few people in the world like it.

Bianka told us that in previous relationships, she had given up too much too quick. She didn't say what, exactly, she had "given up" but she said she wouldn't make that mistake this time. She ain't giving 100%. She must have learned that from Humphries.

(Totally off topic, but here's a great trivia question for you: Which NBA player was once ranked ahead of Michael Phelps in swimming? Why, yes, you guessed it, Kris Humphries. They were 11 at the time, but still.)

She also said she has trust issues because she's been cheated on multiple times. Methinks she goes for the bad boys.

On the way to her parents' house, she broke the news to Brad that they don't speak English. Oh my God, what would he do?! He was sweating. They only spoke Croatian. I thought that smelled fishy. You can't raise a family in Mississauga and speak no English. You've got to know at least some.

Turns out my spidey senses were dead-on. When they arrived, Bianka started speaking Croatian to everyone, and they replied in kind, until the big reveal: It was all an elaborate prank on poor, unsuspecting Brad! Oh, those jokesters! With that kind of sense of humour, it was a given Brad would get along with them like a house on fire.

Bianka got her mom to tell Brad the amazing story of their own relationship. She came to Canada on a 4-week vacation, met her future husband, and they were married at the end of that month. That's the story they tell their kids, anyway. The real one probably involves the post office and a mail order. But hey, it worked. They've been happily married ever since.

Brad and Bianka actually seemed like a nice couple. He said it feels like a real relationship, like he's dating her. Hmm... that's good because... isn't he? Has this all been a ruse?!

Next up was visiting Kara's hometown of Vancouver. It was the real Vancouver experience, she told him, as they were standing under an umbrella at Granville Island. And as a long-time resident, I can concur. Only real Vancouverites don't use umbrellas. We're hardened by the rain.

Her uncle owned (or operated) a large boat and took the two of them on a tour of English Bay. They, too, looked like a cute couple. Brad said he feels least insecure around her.

Brad was going to meet Kara's mom, her sister, and her nephew (or "my world", as she described him). Her dad, apparently, was working in Saskatchewan and couldn't get time off, in the same way Bianka's parents don't speak English. But this time, the prank was also played on Kara. While they were eating, her father snuck up from behind and put his hands over her eyes. Surprise! He wouldn't miss this for the world.

Her dad asked about Brad's intentions and he replied with a lesson his own father, the good senator, taught him: He'd make mistakes along the way but he'd have everyone else's dignity and respect in mind. Good, solid advice. A good non-answer, too. Or a nice way of saying, "don't hold your breath."

It was here that Brad showed he's the son of a politician when he was handed the first of three babies. The nephew started crying, but Brad blew on its head (at least that's what it looked like to me) and the baby was calm and Gerber-like. Brad nodded cockily to Kara, as if to say, "That's how you do it."

He had the time of his life. He called her family "such good people" and said he didn't want to leave. "There was not an awkward moment in that entire night. It was just seamless," he said. In fact, as he was driving off, he thought, "Can I come back?" That's gotta be pretty telling. And on her part, Kara was the first to utter the L word. No, she's not a lesbian. She said, "I know 100% that I love him." Of course, Brad is an athlete (or sorts) so anything less than 110% is not enough.

The third date went to Gabrielle. Gabby wound up being the odd one out, not getting a rose, so let's look back now to see if there were any hints.

She met Brad at a coffee shop in rainy Oakville, Ontario. She told him she'd never brought anybody home to meet her whole family before. He was going to meet 10 people, including aunts, cousins, siblings, nephews. Whatever a typical family consists of. But first, she had a surprise for him.

She took him to a seniors' rec centre to show that she has a soft side, that's she's not 100% crazy and cutting. She volunteers twice a week there. She and Brad sat down and joined in four or five others in a rousing game of Bingo. Brad was the life of the party being faux competitive. When he'd lose, he'd say things like, "Horse radish!" or "Cinnamon and gravy!" to fit in. More than in any other episode, I thought he really showed his winning personality and qualities.

When the game ended, a very stilted Gabby said in monotone, "Thanks for playing Bingo with us. So let's go meet my parents." It's probably something the producers made her say and that was her way to not play along even thought she was contractually obligated.

At her house, Brad fixed the hair of the second baby of the episode, looking like a total natural. Gabby's cousin, Paris, was "out of control," she thought. He was flambouyantly pretend-hitting on Brad. And for a football player, he took it all in stride. In fact, when it was time to say goodbye, he gave Paris a peck on the cheek, then giggled all the way out the door.

So far, nothing to go on as far as why she didn't get a rose. But maybe it was the reaction of the aunt and sister. Her sister said, "If you marry Gabby..." and her aunt mentioned that she couldn't wait for offspring. That can scare a guy off.

Or maybe it was the belly dancing he was forced into. Although he seemed to be having fun. And then there was Gabby's reaction. While the aunt thought Brad was swinging his hips just fine and quite liked watching him move, Gabby snottily said it was "just embarrassing." Even though she volunteers with old folks, my sense is she could be a handful. Paris says she's just shy. Her mom says she's never comfortable around many guys and keeps to herself a lot.

Still, Brad characterized the visit as a "home run." You see, Brad, this is why you're not in the CFL anymore. A real football player would have called it a "touchdown."

The final hometown visit was to Calgary, Alberta, to see Whitney, "possibly the hottest girl [he's] ever seen in [his] life." Incidentally, at the top of the show when he said that quote, did you notice they also threw in another quote. He had a different sound to his voice, so I'm sure it was said at a different time. And he didn't mention any name, so he could have said it about anyone. The quote was, "She's here for the right reasons." They edited the episode in such a way as to make us wonder about her intentions and her inner feelings. Hey, no need, producers. We've been wondering about them all season long.

The crux of the issue was that she doesn't express herself. At all. She explains it as she just gets shy and/or speechless around him. It ultimately won't matter because Brad thinks she's hot. That trumps all to most guys. And to football players, even more so. He couldn't keep his arms off her.

Whitney took Brad to a mountain where they'd bobsled down, going around 14 turns at 100 km/hour, proving two things: 1. bobsled is a real thing outside the Olympics, and 2. anyone can do it. Seriously, how dangerous can it be if these two neophytes can put on some lycra and reach such speeds. I think in the Olympics, the gold medal should go to gravity.

Interesting side note: the bobsled expert, all geared up in Canada gear looking like he might have been a Canadian Olympian, spoke with an Australian accent.

At her parents' house, Whitney's mom gushed, calling Brad "beautiful" and saying, "imagine the babies."

Speaking of babies, Whit's twin sister had one. Funny that all three babies were roughly the same age. Again, Brad handled it like a pro. He even kissed the baby. His dad would be proud.

And speaking of dads, Whitney's pater was a distinguished looking gentleman in his 50s, I'm guessing, with short white hair and... two sleeves of tattoos running up and down his arms. I gotta admit that's a little intimidating and I take back anything negative I may have written about the lovely Whitney. It was all in fun! Heh-heh. I'm certain it was the editors who gave any impression at all that she was somehow conniving. Remember how I liked her in the first episode, before the dastardly editors got too involved?

The editors even got to her twin sister. They had her saying, "Whitney will get what she wants," but I'm sure it was all taken out of context.

At dinner, her father spoke eloquently about how happy Whitney looks with Brad. In fact, it's the happiest she's ever looked. While he's waxing poetically, Whitney stares daggers at the table cloth. Dad then turned the questioning on to her, and she hemmed and hawed about her feelings towards Brad, ultimately deflecting the question. That got Brad's attention. He still thinks she's amazing, but he needed a serious conversation with her. "Do I really know who this person is? Maybe she's pulling the wool over my eyes," he said, before remembering how hot she is and waking up from that reflective soliloquy.

Whitney wasn't enamored with her father at that moment. "Dad was supposed to be asking Brad questions, not me," she said.

She admitted that there were awkward silences and an awkward tension at the house, but she was still confident she'd get a rose. And we know she did. At the rose ceremony, the host dude (they still haven't repeated his name; don't the producers read this influential blog??) solemnly told the four women that Brad had made up his mind. So then Brad comes out and steals Whitney away for a moment first. Why? If what the host dude said was true, it's clear that it didn't matter what Whitney would say, she was getting a rose.

Brad told her, "Ever since I left your house, the wheels have just been absolutely turning. You come in and you're this intense person and you're intensely after me, and I totally dig it. You have so many amazing qualities about you. Like, man, this could be the girl. But sitting down with your family the other day while your dad was talking, he's so expressive the way he talks. He doesn't hide his emotions. And with you, every time we get into a situation where something needs to be said, you don't say it. It bothers me how emotionally closed off you are. I try my best to reassure you all the time about what I'm feeling. I want you to seriously think if that's something you can do for me."

She rocked back and forth and pouted while he was talking, then answered somewhat cryptically, "I know I can. And I would 100% regret if I went home and I didn't tell you. Because it's there. It's 100%." What's there? A feeling, I guess. What kind of feeling? She didn't say but led us to believe it was some kind of romantic, positive feeling.

Again, it didn't matter what she said because she was still hot. So she got the rose. Of course, the producers made him hand it to her last. The roses went in order to Kara, who got a big smile from Brad and an eyes-closed hug, then Bianka, who also got a big smile. With Whitney, no smile. But she got a rose and Gabby didn't, and isn't that what it's really all about?

When the three roses were handed out, the host dude earned his money by coming out and announcing, "Gabrielle, I'm sorry, there's no rose for you tonight. But I'd like you to take a moment and say your goodbyes." Nice job, host dude! Now go cash that big cheque!

And Gabby was almost reasonable on her limo ride exit. "It's been a helluva ride," she said. She thought he made a mistake, and that's a common feeling on getting dumped. But then she launched into her patented, "People can't handle the truth" routine, adding, "Maybe I should like, maybe I should sugarcoat things a little bit more." Not sure what "truth" Brad couldn't handle. And she also got one last dig in at Whitney, warning, "Mr. Smith, choose wisely."

I believe it's fantasy suite week next week. We'll see if Bianka really won't give up too much too soon this time. See you then.