The Bachelor Review: Brothers Just Don't Understand

This week on The Bachelor, Sean got to go on the much talked about Hometown Dates. His final four girls (AshLee, Lindsay, Desiree, and Catherine) each got to introduce him to their family, each with varying degrees of success.

Daughter of a Preacher Man
First we see Sean visiting AshLee’s family in Texas. If you remember, AshLee is adopted. Her father is a pastor (who rides motor cycles, apparently) so her family seems right up Sean’s alley.  Her parents seemed pretty receptive, and AshLee told them all about the Polar Bear Plunge and how it was a life changing experience. (I’m sorry, I’m cynical, I guess, because I just rolled my eyes.)

AshLee’s mom gave Sean the inquisition (but in a sweet Southern way) and talked a little about AshLee’s life prior to being adopted. Her father is just as kind, but he warned Sean against breaking AshLee’s heart (as any father would).  He opened up, too, about AshLee’s failed marriage as a teenager. I quite liked her dad, actually. Sean really seemed to fit with her family. Be proud, AshLee! Your parents did good!

Plenty of Fish in the Seattle
Catherine lives in Seattle, and she decided to make Sean do some fish catching when he arrived. The both of them got their hands dirty and seemed to have a really great time. Unfortunately, that did not last.

Catherine’s family was not quite as welcoming as AshLee’s.  Her grandmother seemed to love Sean, but her sisters were reluctant. They weren’t feeling the reality TV romance, and they didn’t just keep their feelings to themselves.  They told Sean that Catherine wasn’t ready for kids right away and then sort of babbled about supporting her and dreams.  They also said she’s “messy.”  Low blow, girls. They also basically called her moody. On top of that, Catherine’s mom kind of managed to avoid giving Sean her blessing to possibly marry Catherine.

It left Sean feeling worried.

Sir, Yes, Sir!
Up next was Lindsay, the army brat. Sean was nervous to meet her father since he’s a general. Lindsay assured him that he doesn’t have to worry, but she decided to prep him by putting him through the cutest boot camp ever, having him do pushups and sit ups and kiss her in between.  I admit, these two are cute together, and I love that they both seem to giggle like kids when they’re around each other.

Her parents were pretty great – Sean really fit in with them. Her dad wasn’t scary at all, though he did take a nice long pause when Sean asked for his blessing. Ultimately, he gave it, and Sean seemed pretty happy with the family. Like with AshLee’s family, he just seemed to mesh well.

Oh, Brother
And then, there was Desiree. This date was the most painful, though it started out kind of great. While they were at Desiree’s house, a guy came to the door. The guy said he loved Desiree and insulted Sean. It seemed like a boyfriend. Sean totally puffed up like a beta fish, and then finally Desiree said, “I have something to tell you . . . . . GOT YA!” The guy was an actor, and she’d been plotting her revenge against Sean for that first one-on-one date where he’d pranked her.

Great start! But once they got to Desiree’s family, it went downhill. Her parents were good, but her brother clearly had beef with Sean. He called the whole thing “stupid” and told Sean he was a “playboy.” When Sean argued, it got a little bit heated, and poor Desiree was humiliated. Not a great date.

Every Rose Has Its Thorn
And then came the rose ceremony. Sean seemed to be really struggling. Was he sending home Catherine or Desiree? Worried, Desiree pulled him aside and apologized for her brother. It didn’t make his choice easier, though.  After giving roses to AshLee and Lindsay he even had to walk away and take a second to think. Finally, he returned and gave the final rose to Catherine.

Poor Desiree. She told him she thought he was making a mistake. They had an n emotional goodbye, and she totally melted down in the car.  Cynical as I am, even I felt for her.

Sean Tells All
On Tuesday night, ABC aired “Sean Tells All” in which we were promised that Sean would, well, tell all. But to be honest? The tell all wasn’t all that.  It felt very political, very stiff, and a little rehearsed.

There were a few good tidbits, though. For instance, we learned that he thinks Tierra should have never been on the show. He claims she wasn’t a producer plant and that, if he could do it over again, he would have picked Jackie on the two-on-one date.  He also talked about his decision to send Desiree home and called her brother a jerk. Chris Harrison also asked him about Sarah, whom he’d sent home weeks ago. He said there just wasn’t chemistry there.

They also talked about Leslie. He said that he really liked Leslie, and if she’d said she loved him, he probably wouldn’t have sent her home. I found that interesting. In that case, who would have been sent home? Of course, he didn’t reveal that detail.

Over all, an interesting week for The Bachelor. I’m still not sure about my prediction for who will get the final rose. Catherine, maybe? Or Lindsay? I really don’t know! What are you thinking?

Season 17, Episode 8 and 9: Week 7 and Sean Tells All (originally aired  February 18 and 19, 2013)

For more of The Bachelor, check out our other reviews.

The Bachelor airs Mondays 8p.m. on ABC.

Images courtesy of Francisco Roman and ABC.