Jillian and The Mythical Unicorn

Week three of The Bachelorette.

Chris Harrison opens with this week announcing that there will be one group date and two one-on-one dates. As we know at each date there will be a rose and a rose earns you the privilege of moving out of the frat house and into the mansion with Jillian.

First up let’s recap who is left:

Brad, 27, financial advisor from Chicago, IL.
David, 27, trucking contractor from Dayton, OH.
Ed, 29, technology consultant from Chicago, IL.
Jake, 31, commercial pilot from Dallas, TX.
Jesse, 27, wine maker from Carmel Valley, CA.
Juan, 35, general contractor from Santa Monica, CA.
Kiptyn, 31, business developer from Encinitas, CA.
Mark, 26, pizza entrepreneur from Denver, CO.
Michael, 25, break dance instructor from Astoria, NY.
Mike, 28, baseball camp owner from New York, NY.
Reid, 30, realtor from Philadelphia, PA.
Robby, 25, bartender from Spring, TX.
Sasha, 27, oil and gas consultant from Tiki Island, TX.
Tanner F., 28, sales representative from Derby, KS.
Tanner P., 30, financial analyst from Dallas, TX.
Wes, 32, musician from Austin, TX.

Ed, 29, technology consultant is the lucky Bachelor of the one-on-one date. The two of them fly off in a romantic helicopter ride during which Ed can’t decide what he likes looking at more the scenery or Jillian. The romance soon turns to anxiety when they land on top of a high rise building and Jillian tells him they will be zip lining down the building. Ed genuinely seems quite nervous, which is actually not necessary as it is the slowest ride ever. The two land safely and proceed to jump in the pool. The date heats up considerably with a romantic smooch in the pool and then they head off to dinner.

The discussion revolves around their karaoke talents or lack thereof and whether or not Ed is a workaholic. Jillian is not convinced, but falls for his charming nervousness when he asks if he is going to get a rose and she answers with another significant smooch after he accepts the rose.

The second date brings out nearly everyone - 11 guys.
Reid, Wes, Mike, Michael, Tanners F and P, Mark, Brad, Robbie, Kiptyn and Juan are next up on the group date. So only four aren't there, including David, who's looking angry. The posse head over to an LA movie set to film an old-style western, and they're the actors. Everyone gets decked out into bad cowboy gear and gets to kiss Jillian in various different scenarios, EXCEPT Michael and Mike, who share a love scene. The poor Mikes get lots of points for participation and being great sports, and in the end they both receive a rose.

And the Oscar for best kiss goes to...Robbie the bartender. It was a very passionate, sincere and genuine kiss. Not bad for a guy who apparently hasn’t kissed anyone in 2 years. He seems to pull it off with the best line of the script, “No matter what happens tonight, I want to marry you”. Surprise, surprise; he also wins a rose.

During the cowboy filming, Mr. Possessive, Wes the deep musician, pulls Jills aside to declare his jealousy at her kissing all these other guys and she actually appears to find it charming, “Wes acts like I belong to him.” She thinks it’s sweet. I am not sure how long that sweetness will last before it turns sour.

After filming, the entire crew heads out to the wrap party at a swanky LA nightclub. The scene starts off with Reid and Jillian discussing how many times he’s been in love and if he has ever had his heart broken. This is clearly becoming a very important question for Jills as it somehow determines their readiness for love, and ultimately, for her.

Meanwhile, we watch Dave going off about Juan. He hates Juan. His drink consumption seems to be matching his anger.

Sasha goes on the one-on-one date next with Jillian. The two start off at the automotive museum that both appear to be quite excited about. Then his biggest dream comes true as he gets to drive a brand new Ferrari. He drives like a Mario Andretti gone bad with Jills screaming in the seat beside him. Shortly thereafter she hears the story of a terrible car accident he had many years ago. Perhaps she would have driven had she known? They delve into an interesting conversation about his desire to search and find his mythical unicorn otherwise known as the "perfect" girl. "I'm not going to settle, and put myself in a position to love just for the sake of loving," says Sasha to the camera. Nice. As most of us know she does not exist so that might prove a difficult quest. Good luck Sasha. Jillian knows this and is very concerned about never living up to these high expectations so she does not give him the rose. Better to disappoint now than later.

Fast forward to Wes as we watch him serenade the distraught Jillian and earn a few more sappy song writing points as he completes her song.

Final cocktail party begins with 15 hot men remaining. All the guys agree the atmosphere is different and much more serious. Reid grabs a quick one-on-one again and tries to score with a slow, romantic kiss - it was perfect. Nicely done, Reid.

Jillian grabs our ‘happy’ guy Dave to reconnect as he made such a great first impression and was considered a serious frontrunner. Not sure his frontrunner status will last as he turns out to be quite jealous and claims he’s struggling with not being ‘the top dog’ and needs a lot of attention.

Uh-oh Juan interrupts.

Dave freaks. “I want that guy gone like I want to win the lottery!” Dave appears to be unstable and on edge and literally wants to kill Juan. “He’s madder than a hornet!” Freaking on all the other guys for not being a man and telling Juan how they feel and just to prove how manly he is, Dave proceeds to tell Juan how insincere he is and to stop being a ‘cheese ass’ and go back inside. The other guys basically say ditto! Dave is a big bully.

Meanwhile Jillian is oblivious to all this drama and enjoys a lovely conversation with Kyptyn, the guy that gives her butterflies.

Final rose ceremony:
11 roses to be handed out
2 guys go home.

Final tally:

1st up Jake
2nd Reid
3rd Mark
4th Jesse
5th Tanner P.
6th Wes
7th Juan
8th Michael
9th Kyptyn
10th Mike
11th David
so gone are Tanner F and Brad

Brad’s closing comments summed it up nicely, “I am a drifter and no one can relate to me.” Wow...and he got booted off? Shocker.

Once again BF’s another week till we move just a little bit closer to Jillian’s Prince Unicorn.