Sorry it has taken me a little longer to blog this week. I was out of town. This week was what we've been waiting for all season: the proposal! Over the past 12 weeks, we've watched Ben date 25 different women in hopes of finding his princess. Now, we are down to the final two women, Lindzi and Courtney. Hopefully one of these women have what it takes to find happily ever after with Ben.
Ben and the two remaining women travelled to Zermatt, Switzerland to spend their last moments together before Ben's big decision. Just like the season premiere, the season finale begins with Ben brooding over balconies, contemplating his future (full circle moment, eh?). The difference this time is that Ben is no longer looking for love, he's found it. He says he is head over heels in love with BOTH of these women. Now Ben has the difficult decision of choosing his (hopefully) future wife. Thankfully, Ben's mom and sister Julia have made the trip to Zermatt to meet the final two women and help Ben make this difficult decision.
Before meeting the girls, Ben sits down with his mom and sister to catch them up on what his journey has been like and where he's at now. His sister asks Ben if one of the girls caused drama and fights with the other girls. It seems Julia has a sixth sense because not only did Ben have a troublemaking girl this season (Courtney), but she's still in the running. Ben's sister warns him it's a red flag if she doesn't get along with the other girls. Of course, Ben does what he has done all season and ignores any warnings about Courtney's behavior.
Lindzi has the honor of meeting Ben's family first. Its very obvious that Lindzi is nervous upon meeting Ben's mother and sister. She says that she's never felt this way about anyone before so she has every right to be nervous about getting the family's approval. Ben's mom sits down with Lindzi to ask her some questions. Lindzi tells her that she is in love with Ben and he has made her a more open person. Lindzi says she doesn't want to let him go. Lindzi tells Julia that she's excited for Ben to propose. Julia asks Lindzi about Courtney because of the apprehension she has about her. Lindzi says Courtney is different and shut herself off from everyone else. This doesn't sit well with Julia. However, Julia does seem to like Lindzi a lot and says she thinks she is a good fit for Ben. Ben's mom says that Lindzi is the total package and a great girl. Lindzi seems to have gotten a great stamp of approval from the Flajniks.
Next the family meets Courtney. After hearing that Courtney is a model, Julia is concerned about the type of girl she is. Courtney acts immature when meeting Ben's family. She tells them the other girls were very judgemental of her because she is a model and intimidated them. She acts super fake to Ben's mom and sister. She tells them that her problem with the other girls was that she tried really hard to be their friends and they didn't want to get to know her. Which us girls at home all know are complete LIES. She tells Julia that she put her guard up around the other girls. She also tells her that she is in love with Ben. When Courtney talks to Ben's mom, she very insincerely says she loves Ben. The way she says she loves him is like she is talking about a puppy. "I just love 'em!" After Courtney leaves, we learn that Ben's naivete is a Flajnik family trait. Julia says she is shocked that Courtney is so amazing (um,what?). She said she misjudged her and you can't judge a book by its cover. Ben's mom simply states that Ben is happy with Courtney and that's what matters (aka she doesn't love Courtney).
After meeting both girls, Ben talks with his family to get some perspective. Julia thinks he has two amazing girls left. Ben's mom really seems to like Lindzi. They think that Courtney is strong and secure. Julia thinks that Courtney is what Ben wants. Ben tells them he knows that if he chooses Courtney, there will be controversy. At this point, it sounds like Ben's mind is already made up that he is going to choose Courtney.
Ben picks up Lindzi in a horse drawn carriage (how appropriate) for their last date together. The couple are going to go skiing, which Lindzi is very excited about because she's never been before. They take a gondola ride up to the top of the hill. The stop in the middle to have a picnic over the Swiss Alps. Lindzi tells Ben she really enjoyed meeting his family. Ben informs her that his family supports his decision if he decides to choose her. She asks Ben if he can seem them together in the future. His answer is yes. She tells him she really wants a future with him and he seems to be excited that she shares this with him. After lunch, they go skiing (cue The Bachelor finale music and cheesy metaphors about love and skiing). In the later portion of the date, Ben comes over to Lindzi's hotel room and they share some wine. Lindzi tells him that no one has come along in her life that is really worth letting in until now. Lindzi says those three magic words to Ben and that she wants to make a life with him. In interviews, Ben says its hard to not be able to say anything back to her when she says she loves him. One major thing Lindzi's date lacked was a gift. Its a known tradition that the final two women give special gifts to The Bachelor on their final date.
Courtney's last date with Ben begins with her saying in her interview that Lindzi has no depth. (Courtney has obviously learned her lesson and quit bashing the other women, right?) Ben and Courtney take a helicopter ride through the Swiss Alps and over The Matterhorn. They have a picnic in the snow and discuss Courtney's meeting with his family. Ben says his mother and sister loved her, which Courtney responds to with a childish squeal of joy. She tells Ben she doesn't regret anything and that he's worth it all. The pair spend the rest of the afternoon sledding. The later portion of the date takes place in Courtney's hotel room. In her phony way, Courtney says she loves Ben and has never felt like this before. She makes jokes out of everything and is rarely serious when discussing her feelings for Ben. Courtney remembered the final date present tradition and gives Ben a photo album of their journey and a love letter she wrote. Courtney confronts Ben about her past issues with the girls coming up with his family. She didn't think it was still an issue for them and starts to doubt his feelings for her. In her interview, Courtney says with fake tears that she loves Ben.
Keeping with tradition, Ben meets with Neil Lane to pick out an engagement ring. He says it feels different than it did when he picked it out for Ashley. There's only one woman he is thinking about while picking out the ring. His mind is clearly made up. The girls are seen getting ready for their meeting with Ben and discuss their journeys. For some reason, the girls both wear weird long capes with their dresses. Both girls are wearing black dresses. Lindzi's dress is strapless with a long skirt covered with feathers. Courtney wears long black gloves to accompany her simple black gown.
Now its the moment we've all been waiting for. Whoever steps out of the limo first, or in this case helicopter, is the girl who is going to be rejected. Us girls at home gather close to the television holding out for the sight of those hideous black gloves. But unfortunately, all our fears have been realized when we see the black feathers at the bottom of the dress. Lindzi is about to walk into her worst nightmare, being rejected from the man she loves on national television. She is escorted by Chris Harrison to Ben and our stomachs sink because we all know what is about to happen. Lindzi approaches Ben with confidence. She starts to tell him how much she loves him but her words trail off because she can see it in his face. Lindzi doesn't even have to ask, she knows Ben will not be getting down on his knee for her. Ben tells Lindzi what an amazing woman she is and then the awful word make its appearance: but. He says he is in love with someone else and he has found the love of a lifetime with someone else (harsh?). Lindzi is quiet for a while as Ben escorts her out. She tells him she's mad at herself for not giving him what he needed (honey, you didn't do ANYTHING wrong). Then she says an awful phrase no self-respecting woman should ever say: "If things don't work out, call me." Lindzi should realize she is a great catch and should never be anything but someone's FIRST choice. Lindzi seems to be very shocked that it wasn't her. She walked in with so much confidence and walked out heartbroken.
Now its the moment we've all been dreading. Ben is about to propose to this season's villain and most hated bachelorette, Courtney. The proposal is not anything like we wanted to be. It isn't romantic, it isn't fairytale like, it isn't emotional. The entire thing is fake and hard to believe. Courtney should never try acting because her performance as a woman head over heels in love with Ben Flajnik was weak at best. She pulls out her phony, pageant crying face and fans her face with her hand. Courtney cannot contain her joy at the size of the ring. She makes a huge deal about how much she loves the ring. It makes sense though because we all know it was all about winning the prize for her, and I don't mean Ben. They exchange corny "I will love you forever's with each other. He gives her the rose and she lets out one last evil witch cackle. In my opinion, this was the most unromantic proposal in Bachelor history. I think when Brad Womack rejected both girls there was more passion than Ben's proposal to Courtney. Also, did anyone notice the lack of happily ever after Bachelor finale music? Apparently, the producers were Team Anyone But Courtney too.
I know the majority of us were let down by the ending of this season. Apparently, love really is blind. Hopefully, Ben realizes Courtney's insincerity before its too late. And if not, hopefully they will find a happy life together.
AFTER THE FINAL ROSE
After the Final Rose gives us a little more insight into Ben and Courtney's relationship. Basically, Courtney and Ben's relationship was good for about a month. Then the show aired. Obviously, problems arose for Ben as he saw how Courtney was acting behind his back throughout the season. It became too difficult for Ben and he broke off the engagement while the show was airing. He and Courtney didn't talk for a period of time. Ben blames the tabloids for causing problems in their relationship. He swears on his father's grave that he never cheated on Courtney. On Valentine's Day, Ben and Courtney were not speaking and he did not send her any type of gift. Courtney said Ben abandoned her. But it seems Courtney and Ben still love each other and are working on their relationship. Even though they have trust issues with each other, they are moving forward with their engagement. Ben gives Courtney back her ring. Ben thinks the worst is behind them and they can now move forward together.
After the Final Rose does not offer any kind of assurance that Ben and Courtney's love is real. It still seems as fake as ever, mostly on Courtney's part. The audience boos Courtney and seems to hate the couple. This has never been the case. Normally everyone is thrilled for the happy, new couple and can see how smitten in love they are. The entire show was uncomfortable and awkward. The only redeeming moment was when Ashley and J.P. made an appearance. They seem super happy and more in love than ever. They were a joy to watch and announce they are planning to get married within a year.
Interestingly, Lindzi did not make an appearance on After the Final Rose. Looks like Courtney finally got what she wanted, for the show to be all about her.
The future of Ben and Courtney's relationship does not look bright. Ben needs to learn that just because you are going through a hard time does not mean you can pause a relationship until things are better. I hope that our Bachelor finds true happiness whether it be with or without Courtney.
I'll leave you with this funny video which pretty much sums up this season. I'll be back in May for the next season of The Bachelorette with Emily Maynard!
