For Love or Money 2, Episode 4: Hanging On and Letting Go

Last week on For Love or Money 2, Erin went on two double-dates and one romantic solo date (with Wade). She eliminated Chad F. and Thomas. Chad V. (who we can now just call Chad), Greg, Vic, Wade, and Eric remain. This promises to be an action-packed episode, and Kelly and I will have a lot to say about it.

The morning after elimination finds the guys in the kitchen musing about their fates. Chad says that he thinks about the money every day. Vic is surprised that he’s still in the running. Eric questions the motives of some of the other guys. In an interview, he says, “Even if they don’t see themselves potentially with Erin, they’re going to try to deceive her heart, basically, and win the money. If anyone tells you any different, I’m calling them a liar right now.” It’s fun to take Eric’s statements and think about how he’d react if he knew about Erin’s behavior on the first season of For Love or Money, considering that he just described what she did to Rob. Greg notes that with just five guys left, things are much quieter around the house.

Jordan enters the room, and Vic calls him “the black angel of death” because every time he shows up, they get thrown another twist. Kelly says that Jordan, “definitely isn’t coming across as nice on 2 as he was on our show!” Jordan tells the guys that two of them will be going on double-dates with Erin, while the other stays home. They walk out to the pool and find a bar suspended above the water. The guys have to hang onto the bar. Whoever stays on for the longest gets to choose which guy is excluded from the double dates. Just to add a little more pressure to the situation, Erin, in an adorable strapless top with grosgrain ribbon trim, arrives to watch the competition. Kelly thinks the competition was an interesting development, and wonders, “What’s with this Fear Factor twist they are throwing into the show? Are they trying to self-promote the program before For Love or Money 2?” If they ask the guys to eat pig heart in order to win Erin’s heart, we’ll know Kelly’s right. Kelly also says, “I wish they would have thrown something else into the pool, like scorpions or something to see who really would struggle and hold on the longest.”

Wade is convinced that he will be the one eliminated if he doesn’t win, so he vows to hold on for as long as possible. Jordan removes the bar that the boys were standing on, and they all hang like monkeys as Erin watches in amusement. In an interview, Vic says that he was really struggling to hang on, but didn’t want to be the first one to quit. He decides to wait until another guy lets go first, then give up. Greg falls, allowing Vic to do the same. Eric drops next, leaving a Chad vs. Wade final. Chad swings on the bar and kicks at Wade. Wade finally loses his grip, leaving Chad the winner. Jordan asks Chad who will be excluded. Chad tells Wade that since he already had a solo date with Erin, he will stay home. Kelly thinks that was fair, saying, “Didn’t surprise me, as that is who should have stayed home in any case, as he got the last one-on-one date with Erin.” Erin agrees, saying in an interview that it was only fair to eliminate Wade. I think that was a very smart move on Chad’s part. He had to pick somebody, and I’m sure he didn’t want to look like a jerk in front of Erin. So he made the easy choice, and I think Wade understood. Nevertheless, Wade is disappointed and vows to persevere.

Jordan tells Chad and Vic that they will be going on the first date, and to get ready. Kelly comments, “Why is it that Chad and Vic always go on these dates together? Probably because NBC knows that the two of them are a dynamic duo and would create the most fun for the audience.” The two guys, in cute plaid shirts and jeans, take a limo ride to their first date. They pass a bunch of cows and speculate that they will be bull riding with Erin. Luckily, the date isn’t quite so extreme. They’re on a ranch, where they have a picnic and enjoy the scenery. Kelly and I both think it’s a little bit strange. She says, “Did they actually do anything that was ranch-like on this date? No horse riding, no plucking flowers, just sitting there on a blanket and having a couple of snacks and wine. I was hoping to see some backsides bending over to shovel dirt, but alas, I am left with nothing.”

The lack of boys doing farm labor aside, Erin is excited about the date, saying that these dates are more intimate, since it’s just her and the two guys. Vic wishes it were a little more intimate, noting, “I think it’s really awkward. There are two of us, on a date with one girl. This is the worst.” Over lunch, things get even more uncomfortable for Vic, as he notices that Chad and Erin really seem to be hitting it off. He says, “I wanted to let them have their time, because I didn’t want to be the third wheel.” He excuses himself to the restroom, leaving the two of them alone. Kelly thinks he’s a “quality guy” for giving Chad some time alone with Erin. I agree. Chad and Vic really seem to like each other. If Vic’s buddy is hitting it off with this girl and Vic is not, it’s very cool that he’s willing to stand aside and give his friend a chance.

Chad tells Erin, “I feel something, sort of, I think.” Okay, that’s not poetry, but it seems sincere, especially considering that he and Erin really haven’t spent that much time together yet. The two of them go for a walk to see the bulls. Erin asks Chad why he decided to be on the show. Very cool question, Erin. She really seems to want to get to know these guys. We didn’t see Rob making any of the same effort on his dates. Chad tells her, “It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and it’s a unique experience.” Erin seems to like that answer. He tells Erin that he generally follows his instincts, and that his gut feeling is that Erin is a good person and that he likes her. In an interview, Erin says, “It’s unfortunate, because the ones I’m attracted to are always the ones I find intriguing and tough to figure out. Those guys are probably not the ones I should be going for when there’s two million dollars on the line. I think they’d pick the money over me.” Chad then becomes a little less mysterious and intriguing, telling Erin that he believes in fate, and wonders if fate led him to her. The two of them kiss. In an interview, Erin says that she’s surprised that Chad wound up being the first one she kissed, but she’s happy.