The Bachelor 14, Episode 6: Meet the Parents

Last week, Bachelor Jake and his ladies spent some lovely time in San Francisco. Tenley explained how Jake was exactly what she needed to complete her healing after her divorce. Gia and Vienna shared a double date with our Bachelor that was unbelievably awkward, leaving poor Jake alone with his abs. Ali took Jake for a tour of her adopted home town and did her best to avoid discussing her beef with Vienna. In the end, however, it was Corrie’s almost complete lack of chemistry with The Bachelor that left her roseless.

So who are the ladies still vying for Jake’s heart?

• Ali, 25 – Advertising Account Manager from Williamstown, MA
• Gia, 26 – Swimsuit Model from New York, NY
• Tenley, 25 – College Admissions Representative from Newberg, OR
• Vienna, 23 – Marketing Representative from Sanford, FL

Who gets the exotic overnight dates? Will Janie’s predictions prove true and show Gia to the door next? If last week’s previews aren’t lying, this episode ends in the Most Dramatic NON-Rose Ceremony Ever. As my immediate memory doesn’t recall a lack of a Rose Ceremony, the hyperbole may live up to itself this time.

This week opens with Jake packing his bags and leaving San Francisco, excited to meet families and get their approval. He is hoping to propose to one of the ladies, so it would be awkward if her parents hated him.

Hometown Date #1 is New York City to visit Gia. She is a NYC native and is thrilled to have Jake on her home turf. Her accent is thicker than it was the rest of the season. When Jake’s car pulls up, she wraps herself around him, arms and legs, until she’s a human stole. They take the harbor boat tour and take silly pictures of each other as they pass the Statue of Liberty. They kiss and Jake tells us that he gets lost when he kisses her.

When they separate, Jake admits that he’s nervous to meet Gia’s family, mostly because she has kept her past quiet. Gia admits that she has only had one major relationship in her life and it was a nightmare. It has made her very guarded, so Jake has no idea what is in store for him when they leave the boat.

Gia introduces Jake to mother Donna, stepfather Tony, stepbrother Eric, and half-brother Billy. They meet in a hotel private dining area and are a mess of hugs and tears at the reunion. This is a close family and Donna has been a little lost not talking with her daughter every day.

Gia sees her mother as very intuitive, so she’ll be able to gauge Jake quickly. Donna wants to know if Jake will work as a team with Gia; he agrees to have her daughter’s back. Donna is concerned for Gia’s welfare but decides to pull Jake into another room to talk. The conversation immediately goes to Jake’s other three, for lack of a better word, girlfriends. Jake admits that he’s fallen for Gia and that she “has a way about her.” My brain is singing Billy Joel. Thanks, Jake. He also refers to her as “organic.” Fruit is organic, Jake.

On the dining room balcony, Gia has a chat with her stepbrother. Eric is terrified of seeing Gia hurt again. Gia is tired of putting up a wall, and Jake doesn’t deserve it. Eric begs her to be careful, telling us that she needs someone to treat her right.

Donna continues to make sure that Jake will never hurt Gia. Jake continues to explain how well he will treat his future wife. Donna decides, finally, to like Jake. She and Gia get a breath of air on the street and compare notes. They have a mother / daughter friendship that is incredibly lovely as they laugh nervously and talk. Gia wishes that she had listened to her mother more often. Donna says Jake has a look of love in his eyes, but Gia reminds her that Jake also looks that way at the other women in his life. Donna calms her daughter, who tearfully says she wants the fairy tale.

Back inside, Tony and Eric are explaining Gia’s past heartbreak to Jake. Her last boyfriend was unfaithful. Jake is surprised because Gia never mentioned this. He tells the men (including a quiet Billy) that he is not a jealous man but he is protective. Eric half-jokingly threatens to break legs in her honor.

Reunited as a family, Jake is incredibly relaxed and relieved as he toasts them. He’s having a great time! Good thing Eric didn’t overtly threaten the leg-breaking, then. Jake and Gia head off on their own until Gia suggests her favorite idle pastime of sitting on the front stoop and taxi-watching. They talk about Gia’s family as Jake tells us how beautiful Gia is, inside and out. He love, love, LOVES her. Well, now!

Gia love has to be put aside for now, because Jake is on to Hometown Date #2 in Williamstown, MA, with Ali. I love New England in Fall! Ali is thrilled to show him yet another aspect of her life while, at the same time, putting the infighting with Vienna aside.

Jake pops out of his van and Ali squeals higher and higher pitched. He points out that this is almost like a second hometown date for Ali and it might give her a slight advantage, but he’s amazed at how cold it is. She’s getting back into the feel of New England weather again but her mother would call her a bit of a baby. Jake feels like a big baby about the cold and needs a little snuggling, threatening to climb on her lap. Ali laughs but apologizes that the leaves are mostly on the ground so they can’t make wishes on the falling leaves. He jumps up and rattles trees as they laugh and hug together. They are just too adorable.