"The odds are good, but the goods are odd"

We are heading to Ben’s hometown of Warsaw, Indiana.  You may have forgotten that in addition to Ben, Warsaw High School also produced noted short story writer and newspaperman Ambrose Bierce back in the early 1900’s.

One of Bierce's  short stories was “The Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” which served as a basis for a Twilight Zone episode back on TV in the 60’s that I still remember vividly. ( It aired February 28th 1964 so it has some staying power) There may be some parallels with Ben’s search for love and this story.

Does not look good for our boy

The Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge story went like this: ( from Wikipedia)

A handbill posted on a burnt tree, dated 1862, announces that anyone interfering with bridges, railroads or tunnels will be summarily executed. A bearded Civil War civilian prisoner, Peyton Farquhar, is readied for death by hanging from a rural railroad bridge. Union troops carry out the preparations with slow solemnity. The soundtrack contains only bird noises and occasional military orders. As the rope is adjusted about the civilian's neck, a vision of his stately home, wife and children flashes before him.

Reunion

As Farquhar falls, the rope breaks, and the prisoner drops into the river. In a swirling underwater sequence he frees himself from his bonds, kicks his boots free and swims downstream as soldiers fire volleys and single shots at him. Farquhar is swept through swift rapids and crawls ashore exhausted but laughing with relief. Glimpses of tree branches, clear sky and crawling insects are interrupted by a distant cannon shot which sends him running through an extensive forest, then along an eerily linear and orderly lane. Finally arriving at the gates of his home, he pushes his way through foliage. Farquhar reaches open lawn and runs toward his wife as she walks toward him, smiling and weeping.

Just as the couple are about to fall into each other's arms, Farquhar suddenly stiffens and his head snaps back. The scene cuts back to his body hanging from the bridge—​his escape revealed to be fantasy experienced in the moment of the drop.

No rose for Peyton Farquhar

Well it seems as if many of our earlier contestants have feelings  similar to Mr. Farquhar when sent home. And we know that Ben’s hometown visit also means two of our remaining six girls will be sent packing. It may not have the finality of “suddenly stiffens and the head snaps back” but to them it seems like the end of the world.

As we advance the Bachelor action from the weather challenged Bahamas to Indiana we get an aerial view of Warsaw, Indiana and notice lovely yards and houses intermixed with lakes. All seems “nice” here and the girls gear up for some playoff caliber play.  Ben meets with the girls in their temporary home. In a change rather than a date card delivered to the girls defining the date, Ben asks for a date in person.  He asks Lauren (who has lost the B now that Lauren H has gone home) as his first date. After a quick tour of the town, Ben reveals he was the HS quarterback and drives in his pickup truck to a recreation center.   Lauren joins the kids in some friendly hoops and jump rope while demonstrating her ability to feel comfortable and charming at the same time. The kids are rooting for her we witness “The Jack Reacher of the Bachelorettes” handling everything that comes her way with assurance and charm. Lauren without the B asserts her alpha dog status in the contest leaving Ben and us assured of her top seeding. She will not meet Farquhar’s fate today.

Lauren B is a charmer

Ben follows up with another one on one date with Jo Jo (who comes into the match holding precariously to the 4 seed) in Chicago. Taking her the Wrigley Field, (home of the Chicago Cubs)   which I think is a way to keep the male viewers interested- (I would love to go to Wrigley although having wine with Ben in centerfield is not really my top preference).  Jo Jo mentions she feels the doubt inherent in her position. She confesses she feels obliged to profess her undying devotion to a guy who thinks the outfield is a place for drinks and is minutes away from his next date. By contrast Lauren (with no B) never has this type of conversation and exists as if THE OTHERS WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED do not exist. It is a much better strategy and Jo hurts her cause by a bit of wallowing in doubt. The good news is she can hit, which is rare, so she vaulted up to third on the leader board in my view on that basis.     

Lets play 2!

Next Ben has another group date with Becca, Amanda and Calia. If the producers imagine nothing can be worse than last weeks’ Bay of Pigs fiasco they are wrong. Instead we take our three ladies out to row some boats in what looks like a swamp. Becca and Calia in their own boat struggle to move and wondering if they might be better off sharing the fate of Farquhar. They are further hammered when Ben announces there is a rose for this group date and the recipient joins him for the rest of  the day while the other head home. “Where is that bridge again?” ponders Becca.    

Amanda, the mother of two young kids gets the rose and joins Ben for more fun and in Warsaw.  Amanda has been away so long her blond hair is turning back to brown.  Ben seems to shrug this kid issue off but when the little ones are miles away it is easier to do that. But instead of helicopters and mountain picnics Ben takes Amanda to Mickey D’s.  The producers must be working on a short week as it is hard to watch this without thinking Ben better get accustomed to ordering happy meals if he pursues this candidate with the instant kids further.

Amanda

Finally, we have the twin for a visit to “Meet the Parents”.   It is this date that triggered the opening quote of “the odds are good but the goods are odd”.

Emily the twin

Although we like the twin she is overmatched in this spot. What grew up in Vegas seems to be better off back in Vegas as her aspirations to be an NFL cheerleader are met with doubts by bachelor nation. When Emily is discussing her life and goals “I would love to watch movies all day”, Ben’s Mom face tells you she is praying this chick is not the top seed. Mom spends her time with Ben suggesting the twin is a bit young which is Mom speak for – “you can’t possibly be thinking of marrying this chick”.

Ben’s dad has his chat with the twin but seems to be thinking that the police might arrive any minute because he must be breaking at least three state laws hanging out with a chick that seems as if she is still in girls’ scouts making cookies. Dad is enormously relieved when his ordeal is over and can only wonder what the other five chicks are like. It is time for prayer he thinks to himself.

Emily will land on her feet

Fortunately Ben gets the vibe from both parents that they would assume the weeping role of Farquhar’s wife were he to choose the twin.  On the way back to the girl’s new house Ben hears from the twin how much she enjoyed the day but he knows the rope is around her neck. He yanks the rope and quickly lets her down at the dock. The twin heads home in tears knowing this past month will offer some consolation that for year’s people will ask her “hey weren’t you that chick on the Bachelor?”

We still have a rose ceremony with Ben obliged to end the dreams of another lady.

Calia and her hair

This ceremony comes down to Calia and Becca. This week Calia used her time with Ben to show off her hair and hopefully attract a shampoo advertiser.  Ben is smitten by her looks but there is none of the easy flow of conversation that Lauren has with Ben.

Becca is a San Diego beach girl

For her part Becca, has had little time with Ben herself and feels frustrated by the lack of progress in their relationship despite Ben’s assurances that they are fine.

With Amanda having a rose, Lauren and Jo Jo get roses leaving Becca and Calia, standing with a single rose left. Ben grabs the rose and we are apprehensive about who he will choose.

We see Becca close her eyes a moment and I can imagine her dreaming about Ben and herself in a meadow. Becca is barefoot in a sundress prancing toward a picnic. Ben playfully chases here and they meet at a blanket adorned with a picnic basket along a gentle stream as the sun shines in a blue sky. Ben gently kisses here and we are transported to a church with Ben at the altar and Becca marching down the aisle to Pachabel Canon in C minor. She reaches the altar and reaches for Ben’s hand……

“Calia”… announces Ben.  

Ben chooses Calia and Becca stiffens. He back arches and for a moment I almost see her head snap back as did Farquhar as she takes in the reality.

Arggghh

So there are four left. We all like to speculate on the fate of our ladies so I will do so here. Ben’s parents would be enormously relieved to hear the twin is gone but it is doubtful they know Amanda brings a party of three to the dance.

At this point Lauren has the momentum and Bachelor Nation endorses her candidacy. Calia is in perfect spot to get what she wants- which is to be the bachelorette. Amanda will get crushed as it is hard to see Ben going for the party of three at Mickey D’s and diapers to change after being the bachelor and eating at Wrigley Field and taking helicopters everywhere. Jo Jo will be in the mix but she has a lot of wood to chop to knock Lauren B off her perch at the top. She can hit though so I will root for her to make the finals.