For Love or Money 2 Finale: Money Can't Buy Me Love

So here we are - the moment we've been waiting for since we saw Erin burn her million dollar check at the end of For Love Or Money. Erin must choose between Chad and Wade, and then the winning guy must choose between Erin and a million dollars. Once that guy makes his choice, Erin will finally be able to reveal that she's been in the house before, and that she picked cash over Rob. Let's go!

The episode begins with Chad and Wade pondering their fate. Chad says he's surprised he made it as far as he did. Wade feels the same way, noting that he has survived seven eliminations so far. Wade says, "This is it. My changes of winning a million dollars are now one in two." The two guys get dressed. Chad says that his friendship with Wade is entirely separate from what's going on in their competition for Erin's heart. Wade says, "It's hard to want to beat your friends in anything. This is one of those situations. I hope I beat Chad to death in this game." The two of them really do seem to have grown close. They have certainly been thrown into an odd situation together, and it has clearly been a bonding experience.

Chad and Wade go to the game room to meet Jordan. They are fully expecting another twist. Jordan, of course, does not disappoint. Jordan pulls out the million dollar checks and gives a dramatic speech, full of his trademark pauses. Seriously, it's so easy to recap what Jordan says. Usually I have to pause and rewind the tape over and over again to get someone's words right, but with Jordan, I can slowly write down every single word he says. Heck, I could do it in calligraphy. Jordan tells the guys, "Take a good look at [the checks], because what I'm about to tell you could change everything." Chad seems so nervous he looks like he's about to cry. Jordan tells the men that they must make a choice: "The woman or the money, not both." If they take the money, he explains, "You're a millionaire, but you will be separated from Erin - never allowed to see her or speak to her again." So not only will the winning guy's eyes be gouged out, but also his tongue will be removed. NBC is not messing around! Jordan says, "Now you must search your feelings. Ask yourself the question: are you doing this for love or money?" He tells them that Erin will join them for dinner that night, and then they'll each have one last chance to spend time alone with her. Jordan leaves, telling them, "Enjoy your evening!" Right, Jordan. You just threw a bomb at these poor guys and then told them to have an enjoyable evening. Not likely.

That said, the guys don't seem nearly as shocked by this twist as Erin and Paige were on the first show. The millions of little twists they've been thrown since the show began have really prepared them for this. The two of them probably thought that winning both Erin and a million bucks was too good to be true anyway. Kelly agrees, saying, "There were many reasons for Chad and Wade to keep guessing and questioning themselves."

The guys are quiet at first as they soak it all in. Wade's first thought is an eloquent "Hmm." Chad follows it with a profound "Lot of thinking to do." Wade says, "For love or money. That is the rub." Chad and Wade quietly head upstairs to change out of their suits and to think about what Jordan just told them.

Wade says, "If neither of us feels a tie with Erin that's strong enough, we both could be going for the money." For his part, Chad is very confused. He says, "My gut says wow, this girl is amazing and we have a great connection. But another part of me wonders, is she playing me? Can I really trust this person? We've only had five dates!"

The two men go to the game room to talk things over. Wade wonders if Erin will have to make a choice between love and money also. Chad says that if Erin is playing a game with them, she is "a damned good actress." Well, in that case, Erin would like to thank the Academy for her Oscar. Wade points out that they've only spent a grand total of twelve hours each with this woman. He says in an interview, "Maybe she's playing a game. If she is, she's damned good at it, because I'm falling for it."

The agonizing continues. Wade says, "Erin possesses more of the qualities I'm looking for in my soulmate or my partner than anyone I've come across in a long time. In our situation, I do have my doubts about how Erin views me. Maybe we're a little bit askew. Maybe we haven't met at the right time. That could hinder us… and potentially make me a millionaire." Chad is no less confused. He says, "She's a special person… she's gorgeous, she's intelligent, she's witty, she's funny. She's great to be around. But is it for real?" Chad realizes they've only been on five dates, but during those dates they've been "totally bonding." Wade says he is leaning towards Erin, but elaborates, "She really has to show me something tonight. She has to show me there's some sort of connection."

Erin arrives for the World's Most Awkward Dinner. The guys head down the stairs to see her, saying, "Hey, it's my girlfriend! No, it's your girlfriend!" Erin is carrying a red gift-wrapped box, and we never get to see what's in it. I am dying to know. I know, I know - the box is not the point. But I still wonder what was in it. In an interview, Erin says that she hasn't made up her mind yet. If she chooses Wade, she's confident she'll win the money, but with Chad, who she feels strongly about, she's not sure. Wade says Erin needs to prove herself to him. Chad wants a confirmation that his feelings are real.