We're down to Jake's final foursome. Why is it though that as the number of pilot wife candidates decreases, so too, does the excitement? The most interesting part of this episode was the last 20 minutes, and no Chris Harrison, it wasn't because it was the "most dramatic rose ceremony EVER!" Actually, in fact, there was no rose ceremony, for the first time EVER!
Jake has to fly (as a passenger, most unfortunately for him) from coast to coast to mix and mingle and sweat under the scrutiny of each of the four ladies' families. We see him leaving his swanky hotel in San Francisco wearing long cargo shorts and flip flops. If I had any doubts that he was employed in commercial aviation before, they were most certainly vanquished at that moment.
Here's more proof that he's in aviation.
The preview listing for these four meet 'n greets promised that:
"He finds one to be very protective, must work to win over another gal's mom, has serious questions for the third's family and is grilled by the fourth's."
To tell you the truth, at the end of it, I have no idea which family was being referred to in each of these scenarios. I find the home town dates to be the most excruciating part of the season. The only glimmer of promise was the prospect of female family members quizzing Jake on what it's like to be with a pilot, and the male ones hitting Jake up on what it's like to be a pilot.
But there was to be no such aviation talk. The sole reference to his job was during his hometown date with Tenley in Oregon. She choreographs a dance routine just for Jake and performs it for him. At dinner, her mom asks, "Has Tenley had a chance to see you do what you love?"
"Oh aviation?" Jake perks up.
The dates were all the same, regardless of the locale, whether it be New York, Massachusetts, Oregon or Florida:
1) Jake arrives in black vehicle, wearing a black outfit.
2) Girl leaps into his arms. (Gia had the best leap, Vienna the longest hang time)
3) Girl shows him something special about her town. (you know, visiting a deceased grandmother's house or sailing along alligator-infested waters)
4) Girl and Jake arrive for dinner with family.
5) Food remains untouched. Parental takes Jake for some one-on-one time.
6) Approval sought. Approval won. Jake's campaign to marry four girls is unbeatable, I tell ya.
7) Parents are starry-eyed. Girl is even more starry-eyed.
8) Girl tearfully says goodbye to Jake, thinking that she is *the one*.
9) Repeat with next girl.
The only telling part? When Jake mentions that Vienna has brought the wrath of the other contestants on her. Her family isn't too surprised, saying that's the reaction she always receives, because she always goes after what she wants.
But let's not get into that touchy subject. Let's move onto lighter fare, shall we? Tell me about all the cars she's crashed! Jake asks with laughter.
Jake, if you flew planes like Vienna drove cars, you wouldn't have a career. Do you really want someone like her to be the, ahem, co-pilot in your life? You couldn't rely on her to help you with flight planning. Hell, she couldn't even be counted on to do the radios. Remember, as you told Tenley, it's about the "we" in the relationship - not the "V".
It's not until the day of the rose ceremony in Los Angeles, when a distraught Ali knocks on Jake's door, that things heat up. "I just found out I have to choose between staying here and going back to work," she tearfully tells Jake. Is she about to pull a Swiderski?
Ali is looking for reassurance from Jake that she wouldn't be throwing her career at Facebook away if she decided to stay.
"Life is about minimizing your regrets. And you just have to weigh what is your bigger regret. I think I'm very blessed to be very lucky to have met you. Selfishly I would want you to stay here and take a chance on me, but I can't guarantee you right now I will put a ring on your finger."
Ouch. Not good enough, Jake.
Later he admits, "I came here to find love. And I think I found her. But this time my decision is not mine to make."
The most dramatic non-rose ceremony ever! Photo from BuddyTV.com
Finally, at the rose ceremony, Ali sees Jake in private and says her decision is made. She is leaving.
"I feel like you're slipping right through my fingers and I don't know how to stop you," Jake says as he escorts Ali to the goodbye limo.
As she is driven away, Ali fears that she has made a big mistake. She is obviously still torn. Oh, Facebook, how could you do this to her? And what is her status update going to be? Perhaps "Ali thinks she's going to start a Work Sucks group because her job caused her the love of her life" ?
Jake pulls a Mesnick at the nearest railing before making an amazing recovery and waltzing back in with nary a care, to his three remaining ladies.