Hal Horowitz/Getty ImagesTrista Sutter is no stranger to love or reality TV. She appeared on the first season of three of reality's biggest shows, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and Dancing With the Stars, and has been happily married to Ryan Sutter since their 2003 televised nuptials, Trista & Ryan's Wedding, which drew more than 26 million viewers, making it one of the most widely viewed episodes of nonscripted TV ever. Today, she and Ryan live in Colorado with two children, Maxwell Alston and Blakesley Grace, and she's putting all her relationship and TV experience to use for us here at Watch With Kristin by blogging weekly about the new season of The Bachelorette, featuring Jillian Harris. Take it away, Trista...
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The show starts with Jillian looking out her window (where the producers most likely told her to look...hehe) and talking about the difficulties she's having with doubts since the last rose ceremony...
My heart goes out to her. Having stood where she stands (well, except for the fact that I've never been to Whistler, Canada), I know that to make it work, you at the very least have to trust that each and every guy there is someone with integrity. He should be someone who may not have come into the experience with the intention of engagement, but at the very least, someone who would respect you and the process if they weren't able to give you the love you were hoping to find, and leave. That, or at least own up to the truth. I sincerely hope she didn't get taken for a ride and finds her Prince Charming as I found mine.
Michael was the lucky man with the first date, and he was obviously stoked. He's such a cutie, but I' thinking he's more like little brother material. Before the date, he tells us that he thinks he likes her the most out of all the guys in the house. Immediately, my head jumps to "of course you do. You are young and have a crush on a pretty girl." Within the next minute, he says exactly what I was thinking: "I have a huge crush on her." It's not to say that crushes aren't good and fun and butterfly-inducing, and if anyone else had said it, it would've been endearing. Coming from Michael, though, it just gives him that much more of the cute little brother image and not that of Jillian's future husband.
They did have an exciting date of zip-lining through a winter wonderland, but I just couldn't help but continue to think of him as an adolescent, albeit adorable, when the things coming out of his mouth were, "oh my awesomeness," "spark of awesomeness" and "ever, ever in my whole life, ever." Do not get me wrong. He reminds me of a cuddly cute puppy dog (as Jillian said) and I absolutely love his personality, but will the laughter and adoration last beyond the roses? Sorry to say, but I'm guessing no. I guess we'll have to wait and see, though, since she gave him the rose.
Snowmobile date...sweet!
The guys get the same read on Robby that I do, which is that he's probably a tad young and not compatible in terms of life experience and career goals. Classic line from Ed: "If she likes taking care of kids, then it'd be perfect." So not right to say, but pretty much on the money.
Tanner still doesn't give up anymore info on which of the guys may have a girlfriend. Ugh! I completely disagree with his tactics. The word "snitch" does not drum up good vibes. Yes, maybe he wanted to clue Jillian in, but he could've said there were guys there for the wrong reasons and not throw in the girlfriend card if he wasn't brave enough to dish it all. He says he's "going to leave it up to Jillian." But how can she make a true decision when she only has half the facts? He also says, "You're gonna see who's here for the right reasons." But what if she doesn't and falls head over heels for Mr. I-Have-a-Girlfriend? So unfair, Tanner. You are just playing with her heart, dude. Even with the creepy foot fetish factor, you were better off before.
Wes starts off their time together with a "What's up baby?" Ewww, player chills. He then goes on to say that he has a CD coming out, that he didn't sign up for this and that he was working on his CD for a year and a half before he ever thought about doing the show, all the while trying to rationalize that he hadn't thought about being on national television for self-promotion. Wes, I've given you the benefit of the doubt until now, but that's where you lost me. Even if your little sister signed you up and you'd been trying to sing professionally for a decade now, I don't see shackles. No one forced you to head to L.A. to meet Jillian, and it doesn't matter how long you've been working on your music. Whether it's been five years, six months or two weeks, promotion is promotion, and it seems that everyone's been right about you. Bummer that you let the stereotype be true.
The drinks must've been flowing for Jillian at the ice bar. Thankfully (or maybe not for the producers who would've loved to see her wasted, I'm sure!), she's not a sloppy drunk and was supercute with Kiptyn. They did have better kissing chemistry, but my eyes still wanted to turn away from the screen when their lips met. I'm just saying.
The influence of alcohol wasn't as evident during her time with Reid (although giggles and absentmindedness were abundant), but I still hope that if she let herself get a little toasty that she was able to remember the night and get enough quality time to help make her decision at the rose ceremony. When it was me in her place, I may have had one or two frosty beverages (or my favorite, Asti Spumante! I know, so not fancy, but oh so good!), but I never wanted to get to the point of not having my wits about me or paying for it in the morning. It's just not worth it when you only have six weeks and time is of the essence.
Ed admits that he had a conference call with his boss after Jillian told him she felt he was being distant. It made me so sad. He's definitely been a favorite of mine for her, and I just don't think it's fair that his boss let him go on the show, knowing it could last for six weeks (although I guess that's just an assumption on my part). That totally sucks. Talk about life-changing decisions. I know it will all work out as it should, but so not fun to have to go through.
After a lot of introspection, Ed makes the difficult decision to walk away from Jillian and head back to Chicago. Talk about sad. I do have to say though that I wasn't crazy about his comment of letting six or seven people down if he didn't leave, compared to just letting Jillian down if he did. There's no comparison. I'm a firm believer in priorities, and Jillian is right, his priority was his career in that moment. Seems like an obvious sign that they aren't meant to be together anyway. We'll miss you, Ed!
Jesse's one-on-one starts with a plane ride, and there were so many things I loved about their date. He sits on her lap getting in the plane, he tells her, "I will remember you for the rest of my life." She sighs after their kiss. So cute. Sign me up as a Jesse supporter!
Rose ceremony time and my front-runners are Jesse, Reid and Kiptyn. They should have no worries. Those who should be sweating, though, are Jake, Mark and Tanner, with Tanner headed for the door. I'm just not a fan of how cowardly he is and the fact that he's spending his time with Jillian gossiping other than really getting to know her.
Once again, I'm so wrong. Tanner is asked to step up to be pinned and Mark is asked to call it quits and head back to Denver. Welcome home, Mr. Pizza Guy. Sorry it didn't work out, but know you'll be OK!
Until next week!
Check back here, same time, same place, for a recap of next week's The Bachelorette. And follow Trista on Twitter at tristasutter or on her family website at www.ryansutter.com.