I’ve been watching DeAnna Pappas all season on “The Bachelorette”. In the beginning I was a huge fan of DeAnna, because she had been humiliated and hurt by “The Bachelor’s” Brad Womack. I rooted for her, until about three weeks ago. Since then the show has lacked the wholesome goodness of DeAnna herself.
As in the preceding weeks, Monday’s finale was no different.
DeAnna wandered about, in love with two men, Jesse and Jason. At least it wasn’t three like the previous episode. While I agree that the choice was tough…choose stability and security offered by Jason, or fun and adventurous spirit of Jesse. I still thought that DeAnna kept both men on a short leash, while vying to see who would give her the most attention and show her their intentions the most.
I grimaced when the two men had to meet with DeAnna’s family in Nunin, Georgia at the same time for a family picnic. It was like watching animals being led to slaughter. I could feel their fear and trepidation as they were scrutinized by the entire family. Jason scores points right off the bat, by asking DeAnna’s father for his permission to propose to her. Later, as if clued in by DeAnna, Jesse does the same. To me it felt like she had told him that her dad had approved of Jason doing so and thus he should do the same.
Surprisingly, I got more caught up in the high running emotions of the men. I was able to identify more with their fears and anxiety. Not knowing what to expect left both of them anxious.
After the first hour of meeting the parents, DeAnna’s confusion becomes even more undesirable. One would think she wouldn’t lead the men on, the way she had been led on in “The Bachelor”. Yet, back in the Bahamas she trifles with the affections of both men, telling both of them how much she feels for them and is falling in love with them. The final dates were syrupy sweet with both contenders for her hand. Her inability to make a final decision left me wanting to scream, “If you are that confused, maybe now is not the time to make such a life-altering decision such a marriage.”
The final thirty minutes I sat riveted to the television, anxious and waiting to see what conclusion her lengthy decision process has led her to. I am certain that as both men bought engagement rings, they wondered to. After all they knew one of them would go home empty handed.
The final rose went to Jesse and a tearful Jason went home alone. He’d been sure because of her actions and words, of where DeAnna’s heart was…with him, until the final moment. My question is, because of the terrible time she had making a choice and claiming to be in love with both men, will she look back and constantly compare what she “could have had” with “what she chose”.