*Spoiler Free* Editing, VOs & PIs and The Fleissmeister's Storyline

Most of these posts are in the spoilers threads, but they are hardly spoiler-ish. They cover what we have seen on screen already and only those who have seen NO episodes at all would be spoiled here. I did remove my speculations, however, since they were influenced by spoilers. Also re-edited with some add-ons and corrections.

I do suspect that this season is not entirely "cut & dry". Even if Reality Steve claims she "picks somebody", we really don't know if there is still a "gotcha" at the end of this... or a switcheroo a.k.a. Mesnick... and if the "love story" is more of a rollercoaster ride than just the usual "I can see the rest of my life with him" schtick.

***********************

Starting off with the promos, matching key quotes to key scenes with each identified bachelor name listed in bold, so we can get a sense of his "role" in this show.

Line by Line of May 20th promo with ____ for stuff that still needs filled in and corrected.

As the season progresses, we will have more voices identified. The only possible “spoilers” here may involve some screencap identification, but all of these are subject to correction anyway. Often a guy is misidentified simply because his hair looks like somebody else.

Every seasonal promo is the same (these editors are in a rut) with their three distinct parts:

(Part 1: Living a Fairytale)

First shot is Desiree and Drew
Desiree VO: I never thought / dancing scene (probably pre-RC)
Desiree VO: … this would ever be my life / Yacht scene with her shouting “Welcome to Madeira boys!”
Desiree VO: Picture, like, the best dream… / concert scene, maybe James
Desiree VO: … you ever had / beach with Chris… “Look at where we are right now”
Desiree VO: … and times that by ten / Shot of her kissing Drew
Desiree VO: … and then living it. That’s where I am. / German alpine aerials shown
Brooks and Des raising arms up on mountain. “This is so beautiful!”
Brooks VO: Desiree’s the type of girl I can easily fall in love with / Munich shot
James VO: Desiree is one in a million / helicopter and ocean scene with Chris
Brandon (shown partly): I don’t think she knows how beautiful she is. / Des & Brooks on wedding date 1 on 1
Desiree VO: I am the luckiest girl alive / hot tub with Bryden
With Brooks on his first date “Yeah, this is awesome”
Kasey VO: Desiree is my dream girl / fireworks with Brooks “Wow”
Desiree VO: Who knows where this journey is gonna go… but this is something I will never ever forget. / embracing Chris on beach

(Part 2: Dark Drama Center)

Kasey VO: There will definitely be some confrontation / stunt western date & dodgeball date
____ VO: I will f*** you up / Brooks injured on the dodgeball game
Drew shown speaking: You are not here to fall in love with Des!
____ VO: System [edit] down / Mike “mock” attacking Brooks.
____ VO “What the hell is that?” / mock fight with Bryden and ___ (either mansion or stunt date) / another James? VO: This is not right!
James to Desiree: He *bleep* hits me out of left field
Ben kissing Desiree
Ben VO: I don’t care if every guy hates me / Mike G., followed by Ben shown “I’m definitely here to win this competition”.
_____ VO: He has a girlfriend / Mickey T.
_____ VO: How does that even happen? / Mike G. with injured thumb
Mike G VO: He’s the kind of guy who… (camera pans on Brandon and Brian in group) … is thinking about his second and third wife on his first honeymoon (Ben with a rose)
Ben shown: I’m not here to make enemies
Juan Pablo with James sitting by: I heard the opposite
Ben VO: This is going to be working out better in my favor / Ben with Des, followed by shot of Zak W.
Ben shown: I love watching you smile / kissing scene with Des
Ben shown: These guys are dumb
Mike G. VO: He chose the wrong person to lie to / James shown first, then Ben
Brian’s girlfriend arrives with Chris Harrison
_____ VO: At this point, it’s about to go down
Mike G. VO: That’s his girlfriend / Bryden and Brandon looking out the window
Zak W. shown, then James saying “It’s gonna get real”
Girlfriend crying: Why did you do this to me?
Chris Harrison: You are not telling the truth
Desiree VO: He’s disrespecting women / Kasey contemplating
Girlfriend shouting: You are a lying, cheating, and deceitful pig!
Kasey VO: Desiree needs to know those things that were said in secret behind her back / Des walking at night
Zack W. VO: James said / James shown
Zack W. seen with Mike G.: you place the cards a certain way, he’s gonna come out the next Bachelor
Desiree to James: James, will you accept my rose? I will
Drew VO: She’s gonna know exactly what happened / Des kissing James
Drew VO: She’s gonna be crushed / Drew standing
Kasey shown: When this *bleep* this will erupt. This will absolutely erupt
Mike G. shouting at James: I would never have made those comments that you made on that bus! (Chris shown listening.)
James shouting back: That’s not what I said! / camera pans on Kasey shaking his hand AshLee style in disgust
____ VO: He’s a Cancer (if talking about James or Kasey shown… that is correct. Both have birthdays in July… LOL!)
James VO: This is a big deal / Chris shown
Mike G. shown: Why did you say that?
James You are putting words in my mouth! / Kasey listening as Mike G. says “He heard this”
Chris shown: Everyone sees through his s***
Mike G. responding: You thought you were outsmarting everyone!
James shown: I can’t even f***ing even take this bulls***
Following black-out and doom score, Desiree is sitting with some “informant” with hand on face “I don’t think I can handle it right now”
James (and Brooks?... maybe both spliced & diced) VO: It was worse than I thought it would be. What can I say to make it better? / shown with head down
Mike G. VO: This is not something she is ever going to get over / shot of depressed Desiree
Desiree VO: I have never felt like / Brooks rubbing his face
Desiree VO: anyone has loved me as much as I loved them / crying with blue V-neck guy
James VO: It makes me feel sick to my stomach.
Drew? VO: I feel so bad for her / Brad head down
Desiree VO: I don’t deserve to be heart broken / Brandon crying
Mikey T.? VO: I pray that she can continue to be her sweet self / Desiree crying
Mikey T.? VO: … and hope her fear doesn’t get the best of her / James, Drew and Kasey together
Desiree seen: I almost resent the guys for putting this on me / shot at boatyard (Madiera?)
Mike G.: This is the worst possible scenario / Desiree with head down and church cross in the distance with VO “I never thought this could happen”

(Part 3: Culmination of Our Happy Journey… with a touch of tomfoolery at the end)

Aerials of the German mountains.
Drew VO: I don’t want her to lose faith in the good guys that are here / Des with Brooks on mountain “Wow”
Brooks to Des: The moments of having something that takes your breath away for a second makes you focus on what’s important
Drew to Des on hometown date: I’ve never had this feeling with anyone, like, it’s like you’ve known me my entire life.
Des kisses Bryden with a “I trust you now”
Zak W.? VO: I feel like this is a chance to have a new beginning / Des kissing gray suited guy ____
Desiree VO: Because of what I’ve been through… / With Drew
Desiree VO: … I did gain a lot of clarity / with Brad with sand castle
Desiree VO: You do bring out the best in me / Taking her and Chris’ photo in Munich
Desiree VO: I think at this point I can trust / helicopter at beach date (possibly Chris) and kissing Chris in water silhouetted
Desiree VO: …all of them / church in mountains (Is “them” the guys or different religious beliefs as if that was an “obstacle” her season?)
Brooks VO: I’m as in love as I’ve ever been / On date with Mike G.
Brandon to Des: I’m never going to hurt you
Chris VO: This is the girl I could be with for the rest of my life / Chris and Des eating in Munich, kissing in snow, followed by shot in Atlantic City amusement park with James
Chris VO: I can honestly say that I am one of the luckiest men alive / With Brooks watching fireworks, with Drew (flash-shot)
Zak W. VO: This is the best I’ve felt in many many years. / With Chris on fantasy date boat (three shots)
With Brooks on his first date, she says “this is so awesome”
Desiree VO: Love is something everyone should feel / Kissing Drew
Desiree to Brooks walking: Look where we are right now.
Desiree VO: I knew I was always deserving of it but… / Brian carrying her, followed by shot of Des kissing Drew
Desiree crying in red outfit: I never felt myself loved
Drew VO: I’ve been waiting my entire life for this moment / Shots of her running with Bryden
____ VO: I’m in love with Des / Chris dancing with her

First promo in episode #1 (May 27th)

Desiree: Picture, like, the best dream you’ve ever had and times that by ten and then living it. That’s where I am.
Brooks VO: This is something you literally dream of / with Brooks and fireworks “Look at where we are right now”
Brooks VO: Desiree is the type of girl I can easily fall in love with / with Chris on beach & later “this is amazing” on Madeira boat
Kasey VO: When she walks in, the air gets sucked out of the room, so to fall in love with somebody like Desiree is kinda dream come true / Desiree in Munich, geyser on Chris’ date, Des kissing Drew, Des and Brooks near Hollywood sign “This is awesome”
Desiree VO: I want love at the end of this and I want it to last / Hollywood sign
Des and Brooks shouting “We are on Cloud 9”
Desiree VO: The way I feel right now / with Drew
Desiree VO: I am so hopeful that everything / with James, followed by aerials of Germany
Desiree VO: But I think my biggest fear is for it all to come crashing down / Des by fireplace
____ VO: The door opens and it is Chris walking in with another woman / we see the visuals as guys look on
Brian’s girlfriend in her angry red: You told me you just needed time to yourself for things sorted out
Desiree is in orange comforting somebody
Brain’s girlfriend: You’re a lying, cheating deceitful pig!
Kasey shown looking down
Desiree is crying with VO “I never thought this could happen”
Kasey VO: When Desiree walked in, I thought for sure his ass was going home
Kasey VO: He should have left. He knows who he is / Ben smiling
Chris speaking “This is a big deal”
Mike G. VO: I’m going to tell her what a fraud Ben is / shots of him, Ben and then Mike calling out “I never would have made the comments you made” as Ben smiles. “You are outsmarting everyone”.
Ben: I’m going to sleep with one eye open tonight.
Kasey VO: Things are definitely starting to heat up / silhouetted guys (James & ?)
Kasey VO: There will definitely be some confrontation / Desiree following Brooks and camera crew into room, then James shown
Brooks to James: Any chance I am gonna take a stab at you, I am going to take it
James: What you guys did tonight was so ****ing wrong. So wrong. / Brooks looks on
Drew VO: This will erupt. It will absolutely erupt. / Drew sighing in his pink shirt, followed by silhouetted guys outside window (James and ?)
Mike mock-attacking Brooks
Mike G. VO: He chose the wrong person to lie to. / Brooks after dodgeball game in hospital
James to Des: He ****ing hits me out of left field and it is like ‘what the f***!”
James VO: This is not right! / somebody with purse escorting a contestant out, looks like Kasey or Bryden
Mike G.: Why did you say that?
James’ head is down
Drew: She’s gonna know exactly what happened. / followed by shot of Desiree crying in boatyard
Stunt date shown with Bryden and somebody “fighting”
____ VO: System down / Des crying with mystery blue V-neck guy
Drew VO: It kills me to know that this would happen. I don’t want her lose faith in the good guys that are here.
Desiree VO: This is the ultimate risk. Putting my life out there and my heart out there. / Desiree inside Palau Maricel
Brooks to Des: The moments of having something that takes your breath away for a second makes you focus on what’s important
Desiree VO: Y’know, the good, the bad, the ups and downs… / Chris helicopter date, Brad with her on NJ beach
Desiree VO: This is the moment I’ve been waiting for / Des and Mike G. riding carriage
Drew to Des: This is one of the happiest days of my life. I’ve I’ve fallen for you.
Desiree VO: After tonight, / dancing with Chris
Desiree VO: I want him down on one knee because I love him / hot-tub with Bryden
Desiree VO: I knew I was always deserving of it but I never felt myself loved / kissing Drew

Second promo in episode #1 is very similar to the May 20th except for two shots involving Bryden removed and an altered first shot showcasing Munich.

Key voice-overs/head shot matchups…

…in promos AND episode #1 Meet & Greet scenes

Quite often the line spoken over the head shot relates to that person in some way, even if not stated specifically to him.

Ben
He should have left. He knows who he is (? speaking)
I’m going to tell her what a fraud Ben is (Mike G. speaking)
You are outsmarting everyone (Mike G.)
(He’s the kind of guy who is thinking about) his second and third wife on his first honeymoon (Mike G. speaking: Ben is shown during the second part of this line)
He chose the wrong person to lie to (Mike G. over shots of both Ben and James)
Ben’s own voice-overs and soundbytes in promos: “I love watching you smile”, “These guys are dumb” and “I’m going to sleep with one eye open tonight.”
Ben you can tell has a big confidence boost… He thinks he’s the frontrunner right now. (Kasey, episode #1)
Ben has a rose and I had my time with her before Ben and I didn’t get a rose so I have no idea what she thinks about me. (Brooks, episode #1)
Ben… he rolled in big and tried to make an impression just like anybody else… (Larry, episode #1)
It really meant a lot to me for you to open up (Desiree speaking: Ben and Mike G. shown)

Meet & Greet sit-down shown (extensive)
I connected with Ben. He kinda just has this personality that makes you want to talk to him and learn more. This makes me hopeful of things to come out of this. It feels good. / He just seems like a sweet guy. We have a lot in common. He’s husband material. (Desiree, episode #1)

Brad
Y’know, the good, the bad, the ups and downs… (Desiree, scene overlaps with one of Chris’)
I did gain a lot of clarity (Desiree)

Meet & Greet shown (Desiree commenting on his dance “Oh my god I love it”)

Brandon
He’s the kind of guy who… (Mike G.)
I don’t deserve to be heart broken (Desiree)
I’m never going to hurt you (talking to Desiree)
He made that first move (Larry talking about Nick R. in episode #1 over a shot of Brandon)
(Wants them to) be able to express themselves (Desiree speaking over a shot of him)

Meet & Greet sit-down shown (extensive, with Brandon himself cooing in love, but Desiree not commenting)

Brian
(He’s the kind of guy) who is thinking about (his second and third wife on his first honeymoon) (Mike G. speaking as camera moves from Brandon to Brian and then Ben. Brian gets the “thinking about” line.)
It goes to show how serious she is about this (Chris Harrison over both him and Dan)

Meet & Greet sit-down shown (discusses star “Desir-rion”)

Brooks
This is something you literally dream of
… is kinda dream come true (Kasey speaking)
I want love at the end of this and I want it to last (Desiree speaking over a shot of the Hollywood sign on their date)
What you guys did tonight was so ****ing wrong. So wrong. (James… Brooks is shown listening to him)
There will definitely be some confrontation (Kasey in both promos is spoken over Brooks: one with Desiree and a camera crew and the other at the dodgeball date)
Any chance I am gonna take a stab at you, I am going to take it (Brooks speaking to James… or an edited in James)
He chose the wrong person to lie to. (Mike G. in promo #1 but not the other: Ben and James are shown)
I don’t think she knows how beautiful she is (Brandon)
Desiree is my dream girl (Kasey)
I will f*** you up (curious who says this over Brooks getting injured in dodgeball)
I have never felt like (anyone has loved me as much as I loved them) (Desiree sobbing, Brooks shown rubbing his face during the first part of this line)
The moments of having something that takes your breath away for a second makes you focus on what’s important (Brooks shown talking and Desiree listening)
I don’t want her to lose faith in the good guys who are here (Drew speaking?)
I can honestly say that I am one of the luckiest men alive (Chris)
Look where we are right now. (Desiree)
I’ve been in your shoes (Desiree, episode #1)
I’m going down in flames. I at least deserve the time to plead my case before the judge. (Larry, episode #1, speaking over close-ups of Brooks listening… as if somehow foreshadowing something that happens to him later)
She got tangled (Larry, episode #1… again, Brooks is showcased)

Meet & Greet sit-down shown (short)

Bryden
I want him down on one knee because I love him (Desiree)
I am the luckiest girl alive (Desiree)
That’s his girlfriend (Mike G. speaking over three guys, Bryden focused on)
I trust you now (Desiree speaking to him)
I’ve been waiting my entire life for this moment (Drew speaking over shots of Des running with Bryden)
It really means a lot to me (Desiree, episode #1)
What’s our plan now? (Bryden is asked by Nick and he responds “get a rose”, episode #1)
I’ll have to resort to extreme measures (Brian speaking and Bryden focused on, episode #1)

Meet & Greet sit-down shown (extensive)
I really liked Bryden. Conversation with him seemed so natural. It is so important for me to be in a relationship with a man who can communicate. He’s so cute and so timid, but he’s, like, adorable. I felt I wanted to give him a rose. (Desiree)

Chris
Desiree is the type of girl I can easily fall in love with (Brooks speaking)
… so to fall in love with somebody like Desiree (Kasey in a scene that overlaps with a Drew scene)
Y’know, the good, the bad, the ups and downs… (Desiree, scene overlaps with one of Brad’s)
After tonight (Desiree)
I never thought (this would ever be my life). Picture, like, the best dream you ever had (Desiree in one promo speaking part of this over Chris scenes, but shown herself in the other)
Desiree is one in a million (might be Brandon talking)
Who knows where this journey is gonna go… but this is something I will never ever forget. (Desiree)
I would never have made those comments that you made on that bus! (Mike G. shouting at James with Chris listening)
This is a big deal (James)
Everyone sees through his s*** (probably speaking about James as he is shown)
You do bring out the best in me. I think at this point I can trust… (Desiree)
This is the girl I could be with for the rest of my life (Chris speaking over shots of himself and Des with Drew)
This is the best I’ve felt in many many years. (Zak W.)
I knew I was always deserving of it but… (Desiree)
I’m in love with Des (curious who says this line over a shot of Chris and Des… might be Brandon)
If you don’t get a rose tonight… (Chris Harrison speaking, episode #1. However, Diogo gets the second line “you will be going home immediately”.)

Meet & Greet sit-down shown (very fleeting… just says “Seattle”)

Mystery gray suited guy… may be Chris or Zak
I feel like this is a chance to have a new beginning (Zak W. may be the one speaking)

Drew
… so to fall in love with somebody like Desiree (Kasey speaking in a scene that overlaps with a Chris scene)
The way I feel right now… (Desiree)
This will erupt. (Later Drew is shown saying “She’s gonna know exactly what happened.”)
I knew I was always deserving of it but I never felt myself loved (Desiree in one promo)
(Picture, like, the best dream you ever had) and times that by ten (Desiree: Drew shown in second part of this line)
If she going to know exactly what happened, she’s gonna be crushed (shots of both James and Drew)
…hope her fear doesn’t get the best of her (Zak W. speaking: James, Drew and Kasey shown together)
I’ve never had this feeling with anyone, like, it’s like you’ve known me my entire life. (shown speaking to Desiree)
Because of what I’ve been through… (Desiree)
This is the girl I could be with for the rest of my life (Chris speaking over shots of himself and Des with Drew)
Love is something everyone should feel (Desiree)

Meet & Greet sit-down shown (extensive but he does the talking in PI form, not her)

James
I am so hopeful of everything (Desiree, romantic scene in helicopter)
Things are definitely starting to heat up (Kasey)
Any chance I am gonna take a stab at you, I am going to take it (Brooks speaking to James… or an edited in James)
He chose the wrong person to lie to. (Mike G. in one promo)
James said if you place the cards a certain way, he’s gonna come out the next Bachelor (Zak discussing him with Mike G.)
If she going to know exactly what happened, she’s gonna be crushed (probably Drew speaking: shots of both James and Drew)
James, will you accept my rose? I will (Desiree shown with him)
It was worse than I thought it would be. What can I say to make it better? (Probably himself speaking)
It makes me feel sick to my stomach. I feel so bad for her.
…hope her fear doesn’t get the best of her (Zak W. speaking, James, Drew and Kasey shown together)
I think the rose means everything (himself speaking, episode #1)
In the episode #1 rose ceremony, Desiree comments “Well…” over a shot of his face
If you hear your name called, step forward (Chris Harrison)

1 on 1 NOT shown in episode #1

Juan Pablo
I’m not here to make enemies (Ben speaking to him with his response of “that’s not what I heard”)
All eyes on me (Desiree, episode #1)
I feel like this is our first date (Desiree, episode #1)
I’m here to get to know her (Nick R, episode #1)
He swooped in. 45 seconds (Nick R. complaining as Juan listens)
My biggest competition (Mike T.)
If you don’t get your time with her, pack your bags. You are catching the next flight home. (Will)

Meet & Greet sit-down shown (extensive, soccer play)
Juan Pablo… hmmm mmm mmm. Just his accent alone is kinda sexy. He just can do whatever he wants and it just comes off so natural. He is like a dream of a man. (Desiree)

Kasey
This is not right! (James)
He’s disrespecting women (Desiree speaking over a shot of Kasey, sandwiched between Brian’s shouting girlfriend)
He’s a cancer
That’s not what I said! (James)
You are putting words in my mouth! (James)
He heard this (Mike G. talking to James; “he” being Kasey)
…hope her fear doesn’t get the best of her (Zak W. speaking, James, Drew and Kasey shown together)
I appreciate your willingness to be here (Desiree, episode #1)
Somebody came in and bamboozled her right away and she was gone. I didn’t know what to expect. (Zak W. talking about Nick, who also got a FI rose like he did, but Kasey is shown during this particular line, having his 1 on 1 time with her.)

Mike G.
This is the moment I’ve been waiting for (Desiree)
I don’t care if every guy hates me (Ben)
How does that even happen? (not sure who is speaking here, but Mike shows his injured thumb)
I’m as in love as I’ve ever been (not sure who is speaking here)
It’s every man for himself (Brian speaking, episode #1)
Here’s Desiree (Chris Harrison at rose ceremony)
It really meant a lot to me for you to open up (Desiree speaking: he and Ben shown)

Meet & Greet sit-down shown (short, no sound)

Mickey T.
He has a girlfriend (promo shot)
I’ve been in the same position (Desiree, episode #1. Intriguingly, in Sean’s promo, “she has a boyfriend” is spoken over Desiree as it is with Mickey T… although hers in the hometown was an actor posing. It is possible that Mickey is just falsely accused of having one.)

1 on 1 interrupted by Ben in episode #1

Zack K.
MIA in all promos apart from a group shot in the April musical one. Interesting voice-overs in episode #1 though…
How she expects to be treated (Chris Harrison speaks; Zack almost nods in agreement)
If you hear your name called, step forward (Chris Harrison spoken over both him and James)
I’m looking for someone to communicate with and be open (Desiree)
You’ve exceeded all of my expectations. (Desiree)

1 on 1 NOT shown in episode #1, despite telling Desiree they will meet again later

Zak W.
This is going to be working out better in my favor (Ben speaking)
(Zak is also shown talking about James)
Pinch me, am I dreaming? (Desiree, episode #1)
New hot bodies (Desiree toasting)
Hashtag shrinkage (Kasey)

The “shirtless wonder” gets many PI sessions in episode #1, also shown with Desiree. Favorite line: “I started out with a splash, might as well end with a splash.” Desiree tells him to “take it off”. Later she gives him a FI rose.

Dan, Robert, Will and Nick M. all have very fleeting coverage on episode #1

Other Editing Odds & Ends for Episode #1

(See above for key episode #1 voice-over/face-shot matchups.)

“Cinderella in the Flesh”

Boy… are they milking this theme BIG time! In addition to seeing Desiree get upgraded to a turquoise Bentley and hear her sad backstory, a few guys below get some sobs as well…


Bachelor Bios…

1- Bryden the soldier back on the homefront / critter: German Shepherd / “My name’s Bryden. I’m 26 years old. I live in Missoula, Montana. I’ve had one serious relationship that was about four or five years ago and it kinda broke my heart… and then I joined the military. Signed up the next winter. For me, the military has taught me a lot about myself actually. I went to Iraq in 2010. We were there for a year and got back a year and a half ago. I did leave people and I never knew that was something that I had in me. But you have to think a lot going over there and I’m starting to realize a lot of things that you actually want in life and what you’re looking for.” (cue shot of railroad going… somewhere.) “I think I’m ready to have a serious relationship, to find a best friend you can share some of your experiences with and your life with. I think I can find love on the Bachelorette because I’m loyal, protective and sensitive. I will win her heart. Is it Desiree? Yeah, I picked Desiree. Yessss.”

2- Will the Windy City Yoga Fanatic / critter: too sweaty to have one / “Welcome to Chicago! My name is Will, 28 years old, I’m a banker and I love life. I do Bikram yoga. A lot of black guys don’t do Bikram yoga. It’s massively sweaty but that OK because, after you are done with Bikram yoga, you feel euphoric. (high fives strangers on the street) I’m super ecstatic about meeting the Bachelorette. I’ll be ready to meet the girl of my dreams. Is it Desiree? Wow. She’s absolutely stunning. (PI scene shot in episode #2) I love this woman!”

3- Drew the Cinderella Man #1 with Sad Story (alcoholic daddy and handicapped sibling) / critter: none but he feels butterflies meeting Des / “I’m Drew. I’m 27 years old. I’m from Scottsdale, Arizona and I’m in digital marketing and I love my life. (cue shirtless jog a.k.a. Ryan Park style) But growing up here has not been without its trials. My childhood and my upbringing has had everything to do with who I am. Y’know, my parents divorced when I was relatively young, when I was 8. My dad was an alcoholic. Not only that but I have a sister who is severely mentally handicapped… and, going through the divorce and parents being separated and the kids having to look after one another, especially after my sister, it forced me to grow up at a very early age. But I am who I am because of what I went through. I haven’t had a lot of time to focus on love but I’m ready. I think Desiree is the perfect woman to fall in love with. She’s genuine, she’s real and I feel it will work and I feel it would make total sense.”

4- Nick Roy the Windy City Magician Boy / critter: none shown, but may have bunnies and doves up his sleeve… skipping his for now since he was eliminated

5- Zak W. “Nature Boy” / critter: Bambi / “My name’s Zak. I’m a drilling fluid engineer from Mico, Texas. Welcome to the hill country. (diving time) I’m 31 years old and I’m from the middle of nowhere. (Ahoy maties!) I mved up to New York City and I was working for a distressed hedge fund for all things, so I knw I wanted to get into oil and gas and come back and, um, run with it. I get outta work, I come home and this place is 15 acres and I have to find creative ways to entertain myself. That’s for sure. (Rooster call and black-bar covering his bare hin-ey.) It’s peaceful but it’s lonely and I’m having a hard time meeting the kind of girls I like. I’m attracted to people of a certain spirit that enjoy life as much as I do. I’m, like, really pumped it’s Desiree. That’s the kinda girl I can go for right there.”

6- Robert the Sign Spinner / critter: one-eyed boxer / “Hi, I’m Robert. I’m from Los Angeles, California. I’m an entrepreneur and I want that rose. (holding “Give me that rose” sign) I’m the man behind the sign spinning. If you see guys on the corner spinning that sign, we’ve invented that. My friends and I started this company eight years ago. It’s gone global. We have a ton of cool experiences traveling all over the world. It’s been really fun. I like being outdoors whether it be skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing. I just like being active. At this point in my life, I’m in a good place. I’m established and I’m ready to take that next step and find that right person. I really like Desire. I think she’s gorgeous. She seems very nice. I think we’ll get along well. (Tells pooch he’s going to bring a goof girl for him, a “mom”.) My best case scenario for me is that I get out of that limo and hopefully all signs point to love.”

7- Mike R. the Dentist Born In London / critter: none… skipping his for now since he was eliminated

8- Brandon the Cinderella Man #2 (mommy had troubles) with an adrenaline fix / critters: frightened pelicans flying out of his way / “I’m Brandon and I’m an adrenaline junkie. The thing that attracts me to waveboarding sssoooo much is being outside all day long. I lead a pretty stress free life but let’s say, growing up, the water has been a little choppy. My dad left when I was five and he left me and my brother and my mom. My mom was a great mom when she wasn’t struggling with addiction. As a kid, you just want to be loved. Luckily for me, my two grandparents… their love showed me what a great life can be like if you work hard at something and get through those hard times. You eventually come out on top. Your attitude’s everything and, so, if you are positive, it is going to make you a better person. It does. I’m happy that I had to go through that to get here, because every little thing that I have in my life I appreciate. I’m 100% ready to meet Desiree. Something’s lead me here to meet this woman and have this experience and I can’t be more excited for it. When I say I am ready to be in love with Desiree, I mean it. Like, I am reeeeeeaaaalllly ready to be in love and do this for life.” (He gets even more intensely “in love” by the time he has his sitdown with her.)

Her favorite line of the evening is “finding someone to communicate with” and “be open”. Not sure if she is making some dig at any guy who makes it far into this season but isn’t “open” enough with her.

The promos… and this Meet & Greet episode… over-use the word “dream” a lot. This isn’t good word to use, “reality TV bubble” wise.

The edited limo order, for those keeping score:

1- Drew (same position as Sean Lowe last season, Ryan Park two years ago... and Ryan's same guitar rift)
2- Brooks
3- Brad (wishbone beak, she getting the larger piece)
4- Bryden
5- Mike G. (fountain penny business)
6- Kasey
7- Will
8- Mickey T.
9- Jonathan and his Fantasy Suite Card
10- Zak W. topless
11- James (given a surprisingly F1-ish entrance)
12- Larry
13- Nick R.
14- Zack K. in his sneaks and tux
15- Diogo the Knight
16- Chris (like James, got a somewhat F1-ish entrance from the limo)
17- Larry (rips her dress dancing… first of many accidents this season?)
18- Robert
19- Juan Pablo
20- Brandon & his motorcycle
21- Brian
22- Micah
23- Nick W.
24- Dan
25- Ben & little Brody… of course, he will get the first impression rose

After the first impression roses: Ben, Bryden, Zak W., Drew, Nick M. (hardly shown at all) & Mike G., the rose order is… I think…
Brandon, Zack K., Will, Brooks (James gives him a peculiar look here), Juan Pablo, Brad, Kasey (curious shot of Brian shown when he was called), James, Robert, Brian, Dan, Chris and Mickey T.

Best line comes from Jonathan before his departure (hounding her with the fantasy suite card… “I’m not that kind of girl”): "My love tank has not been depleted for years, and it’s steadily been building."

In their departure scenes: Larry continues to discuss his failure with his “dip” first impression and Diogo regrets his knight suit, but Nick is not thinking his magician act was bad in any way, just that he is more than just a magician. He thinks he has a lot more to offer than half of the other guys and Desiree made a mistake. Aspects of their speeches may play into the themes of the remaining contestants.

Rose ceremony positions, episode #1

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Comparing to the last two Bachelorette seasons…

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

A few Editing Odds & Ends… and plenty of opinions this time:

Episode #2 “Is everybody here for the right reasons?”

NOOOOOOOOO!!! You silly!

James insists with great ferocity that he’s here for the right reasons... and Ben is not. Not sure what his beef was since Ben mostly interrupts the Mickeys and Mikes of the show. I think Ben was told to by a handler to focus on those two specifically because Mikey Tee & Gee complain the loudest on screen. The Gee Man even gets to use his “he picked the wrong person to lie to” line during pre-rose ceremony cocktails… partly regarding Brody staying up to watch this silly show?

As for Brooks’ solo date… I too was “waiting for a sign”. It was mildly entertaining watching them play bridal dress-up, chit-chat under the Hollywood sign (a.k.a. Ali & Frank on her episode #2) and nighttime bridge munch-n-crunch. Brooks even looked freaked out driving through the “dark side” of LA. Alas… the production crew was definitely lacking originality here. I guess he and Des have some chemistry, but both appeared to have very limited stuff to discuss, apart from his struggle with divorce and living life to its fullest… or whatever it is half of these guys say to get Desie all hot for them.

He did tickle me at one point by labeling Desiree a “ball of mystery”. Oh really now! In what way? Does she have a swing set in her closet we don’t know about?

Brooks informs us all at the end of it: “Strap on your seatbelts. It’s gonna be an awesome ride”. We hope so, Brooks. We hope so. Otherwise, I am going straight to abc.com and vote this date as a “bleachable moment”.

The group date at Malibu Oaks Winery for the music video “Here for the right reasons” was amusing in spots as all of these dress-up dates are. James was Justin Rated “PG” rather than “R”. This was especially funny since Justin didn’t curse nearly as much his season, but James is quite the Al Pacino Scarface later this season per his promos.

As Moonchild reminded me, I must note Ben playing the role of Wes Hayden here as well.

Regarding Brandon in his skimpies, Zak Waddell had me in stitches with his comment “No pants guy? I relate.” Zak is emerging up the ladder for me, brighter than the sun. He may not quite replace “Mister Sunshine” Ryan Park in terms of hilarious silly-puddy facial comedy, but he succeeds well in the verbal. That journal he gave her would make a great Zaky Quote Book.

Brandon… he’s… he’s… intense. No, he won’t squash a butterfly. Already falling in “like” with her. That’s big. Well, she likes his “positive energy”, but why chose him last in the rose ceremony?

These guys are ssssoooo worried about their health when around Desie. They are concerned if she will be capable of being both a real nurse both outside and inside the bedroom… both in sickness and in healthy frivolity. Mike G. instantly gets into detail about his diabetes the moment he plots his butt down with her. Bryden, in turn, shows pictures of his auto injuries on his solo date to both Des and we the blessed audience.

Speaking of Bryden, his solo date did have a bit more “heat” than Brooks’ earlier… playing in the sand, kite flying and open mouth kissing in the hot-tub. He is quite amusing to watch with the sound off since he is frequently chewing gum. Desiree really looked so excited to play tour guide in a Julie Gristlewhite kind of way (“California embodies everything I am”) both on the road and in the hot-tub, showing him what to do under the full moon. Yeah… Bryden is quite the frisky one. At least he removed his gum first.

Nice to see Chris Siegfied get a few PI sessions after playing Find Waldo last week. Poor guy didn’t get a date and he wanted to make sure we didn’t forget him. We also saw a quickie sitdown late in the episode, pre-rose ceremony.

Zack Kalter speaks too! He even had a list of things “I like about you so far”… not that we got to hear them. The poor boy looked bored out of his mind last episode, yet he’s front row in the rose ceremony again, well positioned to stay longer. There was a peekaboo scene during the group date when she seemed to be up against him on the couch and he wasn’t exactly “taking the hint”. In another scene, Mikey T. states over a standing alone Zack “I’ll be the one to initiate this girl”.

Drew is the one grinning ear to ear when Mister Harrison calls out “Here’s Des”. He ranks #2 behind Zak Waddell as a possible replacement for Mister Sunshine Park. Oh boy oh boy oh boy.

Rose ceremony call out order, with Brooks, Bryden and Big Bad Ben with roses already…
James, Kasey, Dan (even more hidden than dumpee Nick M.), Juan Pablo (a little Latin Talk here), Brad, Chris, Brian, Zak W., Drew, Mickey, Zack, Mike G. and stressed-out-of-his-mind Brandon.

Funny how only Will got any substantial PI time out of the crew leaving. I thought we would see Desiree cross-question Robert if they “met before” or see why exactly Nick M. got that first impression rose last week.

Final word...
There is one last itty bitty "curio" that may or may not be important to this storyline, echoing Ashley Hebert’s season. Desiree tells somebody (and you folks can search yourselves) “You kinda have to go through the hard stuff to get to where you want to be.” Although the piano playing was slightly different in melody, it was virtually the same as when Ashley told JP on his fantasy date (Fiji) “You can’t get to where you need to be at the end if you hold back”.

Episode #2 Rose Ceremony

Borrowing the originals posted by Love_Me and San.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

I am only posting the last two Bachelorettes to compare here for now. We could add the Bachelor seasons, although these tend to be a bit more chaotic. The ‘ettes do have some amusing “patterns” though.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Thanks for posting, JBF. I don't have time to go through it all right now but we should be able to confirm some of the questionable SCs. Could you possible tell us what order the locations are? Maybe you could make it a spoiler tag in case someone doesn't want to know.

There will be some that won't want to read all of the details, especially in the first post, because it specifies what dates & where. I didn't mind but just wanted to mention that.

Thanks so much! I love the unspoiled play by play of the episode. I see Brooks as being more of a friend zone guy but that could be influenced too much on my own personal preference.

Glad you reminded me, albean. I actually got a few locales wrong above! Just deleted them anyway. So there really isn't much to "spoil" above at all... at least nothing revealing who the final four guys are. (Yeah, you can STILL speculate that one or two getting a lot of screen footage in the promos do make it far.)

How about this for locations order? Drag your mouse if you're curious... or don't if you feel you'll be psychologically disturbed knowing... *chuckle chuckle*
Atlantic City (episode #4), Munich (#5), Barcelona (#6), Madeira/Portugal (#7), hometowns (#8), Antigua (fantasy dates and beyond?)
It probably won't make much difference determining who makes top three or four anyway.

If you folks remind me of anything too revealing above, I can delete further... ha ha!

Oh, JBF, thank you! Helpful and witty - your usual self.

For those who don't drive Kanan Dume Road, it may be interesting to know that the Malibu Estates Winery overlooks the house at 420 Kanan, otherwise known this season as Desiree's house. It's a relatively new faux-chateau, so I am certain they did the shoot for promotional consideration. I don't know anyone who has actually been up there.

Slightly off topic, but Jimmy Kimmel reviewed the guys yearbook-style, and it was hilarious....

JBF, thank you soooo much for all your hard work with the Editing, VOs, PIs and Storylines. It is much appreciated.

Thanks! Believe me, we may need these non spoiler threads more than we realize to figure out this jigsaw puzzle of a season. At least we need to examine how each major contestant (and you can easily guess the five or six guys who make it the farthest simply by the number of faceshots in the promos) is being presented storywise and how Desiree talks about HIM.

Considering the curve balls Mike Fleiss sends us in interviews, we really don't know for certain WHAT is happening at the end of this. Maybe he is just drumming up the usual hoopty-doo just to keep viewers interested... or, if the spoilers are right (at least with Last Man Standing), there is still some sort of "gotcha" that is different than other seasons... or the ending is definitely NOT what we are expecting.

Since this show often had me fooled in the past, thinking there was a "catch", I am more jaded these days (too many "cries of wolf") and temporarily going with Option #1: Fleiss is blowing his usual smoke.

Posted a recap last night and… deleted it. My tone was just too-too-TOO sarcastic and cynical that I had to repeatedly whip my self in submission… Bad! Bad! Bad! If I keep it up I may morph into Reality Steve here.

It is not that I question the contestants on this show. All are non-professional models… er… I mean, they are here looking for L-U-V. Yet there is something about the way the Fleiss Elves edit these shows and “time” the events that makes me… oooh… I dunno. I feel déjà vu sometimes and I can’t explain why.

Anyhoo… I went back and re-edited… and scratched out some parts that I shouldn’t be thinking of as I experience each fresh, innovative, exciting and never-before-seen-episode of Fleiss’ Show of Shows. If The Boss insists his show is as genuine as Celebrity Chef, there is no room for me to doubt him. At least the people on this show are experiencing the drama unfold as wide eyed innocents even if I strangely feel compelled to warn them on my TV screen about what is going to happen when they say certain things and get themselves into certain situations.

Editing Odds & Ends…

Episode #3: “There’s a snake in my boots”

Good that Zak Waddell teaches Juan Pablo the proper lingo and provides us with an appropriate title for this episode.

The Blue & The Red

A dramatic event, if typical for this show, that was not part of the script, was foreshadowed by Mike G. on the dodgeball “Love is a battlefield” date when he thought they might need an ambulance if the game was too rough. Gee… that attorney must be psychic!

Brooks’ finger injury did feature more hospital shots than similar incidents in the past (lots of injuries these past few seasons), so there was no staging here. Not that such events were necessarily staged before, but you do have to question these things, y’know. Especially after a full season of Tierra Terror. Fortunately, he still makes it back to that group date like Ames and Amanda before him and Desiree got some giggle time with him alone. Desiree seemed pretty upset “not being able to make things better”.

The soccer date that injured Brooks was a showcase for Zack Kalter, who finally got to talk more than he had the last two episodes combined. Poor guy was more of a sports caster than romantic though. He did get lots of great face shots this episode. During the Great Drama that was Steph and Brian’s spat and Desiree’s lecture to the guys afterward, other guys were focused on with a sense of foreboding. Ben got Desiree’s lines of “not to be in the position here to find love” and “hiding anything”, while Bryden was spotlighted with her “tell me now”. All Zack K. received was James’ “we left others behind like our family” and “it’s not fair”, as if he was among The Innocents.

Chris got the date rose on the post-soccer date and a concert that was all kissing and making Brandon jealous from a distance. His earlier alone time with her on the top balcony overlooking the skyline was romantic in a way, reminding me a bit of Ames, and later Ben F., with Ashley H. overlooking the Hong Kong skyline on their group date. Kinda curious if Chris kissed Des in an elevator along the way with the buttons sporting the “up” arrows.

Fathers Day Special

Daddy struggle #1: Brandon sobs about not having good father figures.
Daddy struggle #2: James tells Desiree about his Daddy’s struggles with cancer. Gets a group rose after opening up.

Brad discussed his own Daddy struggles raising Mattex, setting a good example for him.
Yet Brian was chewed out a bit by Steph for setting a “poor example” for Little Donovan (who must be feeling Mellow Yellow right now). Funny… wasn’t Ben, a real dad, accused of similar stuff last episode? Is this a major "hidden theme" of the season for the artistically inclined viewers to grasp? What does Jean-Luc Godard have that Mike Fleiss doesn't?

The rest of the show…

Actually the Steph saga was most entertaining to watch. Remember that last season’s episode #3 had AshLee’s solo date interrupted by a Tumbling Down Tierra. That scene was too hasty. Hashtag Kasey got the full works this time with Brian. Fortunately, all Desiree had to do was pat Steph on the shoulder in support. She didn’t seem terribly upset at Brian herself since it didn’t seem she was all that into him to begin with. On her season, Ali Fedotowsky was required to shout at Justin Rated R that “I Gave Up My Job To Be Here”, even though she was equally un-aroused with him.

I chuckle over Kasey, the skydive guru with that expansive aviation must-do list, saying he’s afraid of heights. Heck, he probably spent as much time in the air in his youth as his doppelganger Ronald Reagan did on Air Force One. The dancing on the building was a no brainer for him. Too bad he and Desah-Ray were blown by production’s wind-fan into the pool before she could determine if he’s husband material.

The Lone Man Standing group date was technically part light comedy and part informercial for a movie. OK... I admit... it did lacked much of the humor and energy of Jillian’s “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” episode #3 date back in ‘09 (a.k.a. Jillian telling a stubble Reid “you boys have been baaaaad”, Wes stealing time because he’s “jealous” and that awkward replay of Brokeback Mountain). Being quite the wholesome show, they didn't venture into Mickey Rourke DINER territory with Des and Juan Pablo eating from the same popcorn bag.

The whole pre-RC pool party was mostly about Mike the G-Man and Mickey Tee versus Big Bad Ben. Sometimes… I know I must refrain myself from saying this since Mike Fleiss works so VERY hard making his show genuine and unscripted in every way… I feel the editors and handlers make these reels of footage more for their own enjoyment than for ours season after season. I guess they think this is vitally important drama that is necessary for repeat play on Men Tell All.

Brandon was so much more touching than Jake Pavelka was, pleading desperately (Golly gee) for Jillian’s Luv in that Canadian Choo-Choo back in 2009. He was giving her everything but the kitchen sink… the whole I’ll-never-disappoint-you-and-love-you-for-evah declaration. Even I felt misty eyed and you could see Desiree was mighty guilty smashing him with a hammer, so she gave him that special exit scene at the rose ceremony. Poor guy was forced to go pants-less last week on his group date, and both he and Split Pants Dan had to go. Maybe they were TOO serious. Gotta keep the dudes needed for drama such as Wesley and Justin… Ooops!... I mean Ben. Otherwise we have no season worth watching.

With Chris, Kasey and James sporting roses already, the delivery order was as follows: Bryden, Juan, Zak, Brooks, Drew, Zack K., Brad, Mike G., Mickey T. (his face shots looked recycled from episode #1 with him looking bored out of his mind) and… dum deed um dum… Ben.