Paradise Hotel, June 25: Pandora’s Box

When we last left Paradise, Melanie had left, and Dave was on his way in. The couples stacked up as follows.

Charla and Scott: Yellow Room
Amanda and Beau: Bird Room
Amy and Zack: Monkey Room
Kristen and Alex: Blue Room
Toni and Andon: Butterfly Room

We begin with Host Amanda reminding us that the hotel is exclusive, but you can go from fan to star. So as she tells the studio audience that Dave was selected two days ago, and he's about to enter Paradise and share a room with the girl of his choice. So how will things progress?

It begins with the women conspiring on how they will greet Dave. Looks like they are plotting some kind of initiation for him, though they wonder if the guys are going to initiate him. Cut to the guys talking about the upcoming arrival of Dave. They are wondering who he is going to select as his roommate. Alex has his plan on how to get him to pick some other girl; he's going to tell him Kristen farts in her sleep. The guys (or, as Charla said last week, the sixteen-year-olds), all yuck it up at that. Meanwhile, Toni is saying that whoever walks through the doors will have to break through the barrier; the group has been through a lot together, and the new guy will have to prove himself.

With that, Dave arrives, and is brought into Paradise Hotel by host Amanda, to the applause of the existing hotel guests. Host Amanda then reminds them of the bombshell she hit them with last episode: Dave will be able to pick whichever woman he wants for his roommate. With that, everybody welcomes Dave to Paradise, and they have drinks together. Kristen comments that Dave needs a tan. Toni says the big question on everybody's mind is who Dave is going to pick for a roommate. Amanda tells us that Beau is worried that Dave is going to select her. Charla thinks Dave will pick Toni, Amy, or Amanda. Meanwhile Dave tells everybody something important – he's always honest. He promises not to lie to their faces. He wants it on the record that he won't be making an ass out of himself. We'll see if he can keep that promise.

After their drinks, Zack shows Dave around the rooms, pointing out the different room themes, and who's in them. He tells them Beau and Amanda are like a married couple. He goes on to say that Charla is very quiet, and that she's not doing too well. Uh, I have to think it's because Charla has a little more depth than most of these people, as shown by her own comments last episode. Cut to a scene with Toni telling Charla, "You've literally been pissing me off for about five days now. I can't protect you anymore, like you've been like my little sister and I've totally tried to stick up for you; you're driving Scott nuts, Zack nuts, me nuts, Beau nuts, Amanda, all of us. I've had it. I'm done." Cut back to Zack showing Dave his and Amy's room, where he concedes they were the first people to have sex. Cut now to Amy and Charla. Amy tells her she's a sweet girl, but, these friendship here are real, and maybe she's going wrong. Cut now to Zack, who points out to Dave the single room, where he'll be condemning some guy to spend for the next week. He's then shown the beach and the rest of the resort. Dave thinks it's amazing.

Now it's time to listen in on our "married" couple, Beau and Amanda. Amanda muses that if Dave selects her as his roommate, her only strategy would be to become a complete bitch to him. Beau tells her not to do that, and she tells him she won't do it, but it ran through her head. Meanwhile Dave is talking to Charla. He says he just got there, but he's noticed she isn't really a part of the group; she's quiet and different. He asks her if she's having a good time and wants to stay. She tells him she does. Dave then flat out asks her if she wants to save Scott. "No," is her immediate reply. Yes, it seems the more she gets to know the guys, the less she likes them. First Zack, then Andon, now Scott. Cut back to Beau and Amanda. Beau asks if she's concerned that he might be voted off if Dave picks her. She doesn't know, and she doesn't even want to think about it. She then tells him that if he left, she would be so sad. Beau tries to get her to cheer up by telling her they aren't out of surprises yet at Paradise Hotel.

Dave and Charla continue their talk. He's apparently liked her from the start, but everybody has made it out to seem like she's different. She hugs him and says that it was sweet of him to say that. Charla then proceeds to tell him that it's because she didn't have a roommate, and when people have a roommate they are tight. They won't have time for anybody else, then make it out to be her fault. She then proceeds to tell him not to trust anybody. "Except you?" asks Dave. Charla responds that except for what she's telling him now, well, yeah. Dave then confides in her that the person he's selecting tonight is definitely NOT the person he wants to room with. She then tells him that if what he is saying is the truth, then she'd love to share a room with her. Hmm, perhaps Dave is doing a little early strategizing, setting up somebody else to take a fall when eviction time comes around. They pinky-swear on it.

Next, Dave is telling Toni that he probably wants to room with her. He tells her that he hasn't made up his mind yet, but he wants to stay here awhile. He likes her, and thinks she has a really good head on her shoulders. Charla looks on with an amused look. Dave goes on to tell Toni that he's told her and everyone else he was going to be honest. This causes Charla to look a bit disturbed. What exactly is Dave up to?

Dave's next conference is in the pool with the guys. He asks them all, "If you were Dave, who do you pick coming to Paradise Hotel, first pick?" The general response is that anything can happen, but no matter what, he's going to meet the girls. Just then Amy comes out, and Dave hollers at her to "show the new guy some ass." That reminds me, while on the last episode the girls did a "butt check" on the guys, apparently the guys did a "booty check" on the girls as well. It's available on subscription video. Dave gets out of the pool, and informs us that it's hot. He then declares he has man-boobs. "Just call me man-boobs." With that, the guys welcome Dave "Man-Boobs" to Paradise Hotel.

It's evening, and it's raining in Paradise. Host Amanda comes out and tells everybody that it's time; Dave is about to select his roommate. She tells Dave that four of the couples have been together from the very beginning, and are a force to be reckoned with. Scott and Charla, however, have only been together for a few days. Still, Dave has the power to select any girl he wants to share a room with. Host Amanda reminds the guys that the moment Dave makes his choice, one of them will be living alone in the single room for the rest of the week. She asks Dave if he's made his choice. Dave begins by thanking all of the guests for making his introduction an awesome experience. He thinks they are awesome people and while he was worried coming in that the rest of them would all have bonded and would treat him like an outsider, they have all been awesome. Dave, learn some new adjectives, please! With that out of the way, his selection for a roommate is... guest Amanda. Host Amanda then tells him to take a seat beside her, and Beau takes off his necklace and gives it to Dave. Host Amanda asks Beau if he's okay, but he just says it's a part of the game. Host Amanda then asks Dave to tell us why (apart from the obvious) he chose guest Amanda. He doesn't give a real reason, just saying that it would be nice to start with her for a bit. Guest Amanda doesn't look too happy. Neither does Beau. Host Amanda then informs them that the guys now outnumber the girls (she has to do that because I'm not sure some of them can count to six). That means at next week's roommate selection, one of the men will be going home, and will be leaving Paradise forever.

After the selection ceremony, Dave goes over to talk to Beau. He tells him that he picked Amanda knowing that Beau could be with her. "What happens, happens," Beau replies. Dave asks him if they've hooked up. Beau says that isn't the issue. Dave then tells him he's not trying to screw Beau over, he's not going to be his rival, or take his girl. Gee, I wonder why Beau might have thought that? Beau tells him there is no rivalry, but even if something did happen, he wouldn't need to tell him. Dave then swears to him that "He's the man." He asks him again if it's cool. Beau tells him it is.

Andon can't believe what he just heard. He tells Scott that either Dave is way smarter than they are, or has much bigger balls. Scott chips in that he might just be stupider. Meanwhile, Dave won't stop bugging Beau about whether it is cool with him or not. Beau keeps telling him it's fine. He then tells him "shhh." Andon continues to wonder why Dave selected Amanda. He doesn't think they talked to each other once. He thinks he's just out to break up the relationship. Scott then responds that he hopes Dave is ready, because there will be some hazing going on. Apparently, Dave is already getting a little big for his britches. Gee, all that after Dave lost those 69 pounds last year. Andon and Scott agree that they'll knock Dave back down.

Now Dave starts talking to Amanda. He asks her how many guys she's hooked up with. "One, and it's only going to be one," is her answer. He then tells her that when he came in here, it was "Beau and Amanda are the married couple." Beau interjects "Hey listen, we're not!" Dave then continues to tell Amanda that Beau is a great guy, then over his shoulder tells Beau he's a great guy (getting a "shut up" right back), so that meant he should pick somebody like her. Okay, I'm not quite following his logic, but whatever. Amanda proceeds to tell him that she's shocked she was picked.

The couples file in for late evening drinks, and Zack wants to do "cheers." "To losing a great person, Melanie, but gaining a great if not better person." Dave tells everybody that he's going to make sure everybody has a good time; he's going to bring the fun quotient up. Dave wants to learn more about the rest of the people. He tells Scott that he knows he's a broker. Scott responds that he is NOT a broker, he's a day trader. Dave then proceeds to say that a day trader is very similar to a broker, to which Scott responds that he's not even close. Dave says he knows what a day trader is (apparently he doesn't, since he's just been contradicted by Scott, who knows better than anybody). Scott wants to explain what a day trader is, but Dave insists he knows. What he wants to know is the last thing Scott sold.

The next question is for guest Amanda. He wants to know how many guys she has had sex with. "Here?" responds the startled Amanda. "No, overall." "Whoa" she replies. Dave responds she can be open and honest. She replies she can be open, but she's careful. Then it begins to rain, and Dave is shocked. "It rains in Paradise?" he asks. Uh, yeah, that's usually what it means when little drops of water starts coming out of the sky. One of the guys tells him that since he got there, it rains and thunders. "The new guy has brought rain," states Dave.

Dave then asks Toni and Andon, "So you guys are like brother and sister but are rooming together?" He then goes on to tell Charla that if people are rooming together, they should hook up. "No pressure," he then tells Amanda. Charla tells him that she's the wrong person to be asking. Amanda has had enough by this time, and leaves the table. Dave then proceeds to tell people what he really wants is sex with Alex. Then he amends it, saying he that he really wants Charla, Alex, and Kristen. Kristen tells him it won't happen. Dave then starts another "what I really want is...," then says "shut up." Kristen tells him that THAT will happen. That scene fades into a discussion about Dave. Apparently they can't believe Dave is asking questions like that hours after meeting them. I can't either, but this is Paradise Hotel. Scott fumes to Zack that he has no respect for Dave. He won't listen when he tries to tell him about his job. Zack agrees. Charla overhears it all and also looks stunned. Seems like her hopes for a decent guy have been dashed.

Later, Dave has a talk with Charla. He wants to know what the others think. She tells him that the others didn't think he'd be so aggressive. He says he's not, and that he's not trying to be aggressive. Does she think so? Yes, she does. Apparently this is a major revelation to Dave. Charla then tells him that the others expected him to be more of an emotional bore. "Well, I'm not," he replies.

Beau and guest Amanda go back to the Bird room, where Beau is packing up his stuff. He tells her that maybe the break will be good. She tells him that it bothers her that she didn't have a choice. Dave comes in and says the reason he did this was because he liked them better than other people. He's sorry Beau has to move out. Beau tells him that everybody has to move once in a while. Dave then tells them that they can get married after they see... and is cut off by a "No" from Beau, and a statement from Amanda that she doesn't want to hear about them getting married ever again... it's not happening. Beau tells him flat-out, if Dave ever wants to get along with him, never bring that up again. Dave then goes on to say that after Amanda finds out how hard it is to live with him... Beau then confides to Dave that Amanda thinks that everything is a fight, and to be careful. Dave offers to help Beau move his bags, and they carry his stuff to the single room. Hmmm, I thought they had staff to take care of such things.

Dave goes over to talk to Andon and Toni. He says he didn't realize the amount of fallout his actions would cause. Andon responds that the best way for Dave to realize what is going on is that he's basically in jail. He bruised a lot of toes already. He then tells him that Dave is in a very difficult situation, more difficult than anybody else has been in before. However, there is a way to survive and keep his sanity. Meanwhile, Beau and Amanda talk about their situation. Beau tells her that every time there has been a pick, and every time the pick has been for her. He then goes on to tell her she should give Dave the benefit of the doubt. He doesn't think it's fair if they don't give somebody else a chance to prove themselves. However, when the scene cuts to Amanda and Dave in their room, Amanda's voiceover tells us that she's no longer comfortable in the room with Dave there. She misses Beau and isn't comfortable living with a new person. It's going to take some time for her to adjust. Beau, however, doesn't know what to do. He doesn't like being in the black room.

The next day, the guests are all eating together when a staff member brings them an envelope. It's a Pandora's Box game. Everybody gets to write down a question they would like answered by the guest of their choice, and put it in Pandora's Box before dinner. As the day progresses, everybody writes down a question and puts it in the box. Then it's time for the game to be played. The first question is for Beau. What woman, besides Amanda, would he most like to be with, and why? He doesn't like the question, but then says that if he had to pick a new roommate and it couldn't be Amanda, he'd pick Amy. He says she's fun, his type of personality, and she's a cool girl. I might also add that she sleeps with guys on their first night together. The next question is for Kristen. It states that while she and Alex seem to get along, it seems like she teases him when it comes down to hooking up. Is it true, or does she think he teases her? She admits she is a big flirt, but she doesn't tease, because she's there. Alex then responds that every night when they go to bed, emotions are running high, then he makes a sleep gesture. "That's Kristen," he says.

The next question is for Amanda. Would she ever cheat on Beau with a guy at the hotel? She first denies she's in a relationship with Beau; they're just friends. Second, if she was in a relationship with Beau, it's just a matter of keeping her happy. She says that relationships are a 50/50 thing, and if somebody isn't doing their job, that's when a person would tend to go elsewhere. Beau thinks they should break up before that happens. She tells him that while that may be the way he does things, she does things differently. Beau isn't very happy with that response.

Later on, Beau states that the thing that came out of the controversy was that Amanda has cheated on her boyfriends. It came as a shock to him, and to everybody else. Amanda wasn't expecting the question or the response to stir stuff up like that. The guests give her a hard time about it, then she stalks off. She then tells us she doesn't give a **** what he (Beau) does anymore. She's now happy they aren't the "married" couple anymore. Later while talking to Beau, he tells her they are friends, but she responds that if he says that again, she's going to smack him. He says that if she smacks him, he'll never talk to her again, because he doesn't deserve it. Amy then consoles Amanda, telling her that Beau does care about her, and that their friendship is worth saving. Later, Beau tells Amanda that he had a connection with her, but he could never give 110% if he knew that, if she wasn't happy, she'd run off and find somebody else to make her happy. She says there is always the possibility that somebody is going to cheat or not be happy. Beau concedes that there is always that possibility, but that what he's saying is a cop out. He tells her she's responsible for her own actions. They both realize there is a side of the other they didn't know about. Amanda is hurt that Beau no longer thinks there could be something more between them. Beau on the other hand, doesn't look at her the same way, and thinks it says a lot about her character. I agree with Beau.

The next day, Dave gets an envelope telling him he'll be going on a private luxury excursion. He also gets to pick TWO girls to go with him. Without a second thought, he picks Charla and Amy. The event turns out to be a shopping trip. Amy and Charla are ecstatic. It's also clear the other women are jealous. A limo shows up, and they go out. Amy and Charla pick out all kinds of outfits and put on a modeling show while Dave watches. Then it's Dave turn to model some clothing while Amy and Charla watch. Back at the hotel, Zack wonders what will happen if Amy comes back all in love with Dave. This prompts some laughter from Kristen. Meanwhile, Dave is enjoying his date with Amy and Charla, telling them that he's never been out with two beautiful women before. Over dinner, Amy wants to now why he picked her; Dave just responds that all the guys told her she was a lot of fun, and he never got a chance before today to see that. Amy then asks him why he picked Charla, and he tells them that she made the best effort to get to know him, and he appreciated the way that she was herself with him.

When they get back to the hotel, Amy shows off her new dress and plops down on Andon's lap. Everybody tells her she looks gorgeous, and Zack watches on. He's not happy as she flirts with everybody, then finally goes over to him. She notes that he doesn't seem very talkative. He tells her she didn't want to talk to him; she came to him last. Amy replies she wanted to come to him last. He says it's cool, they can talk now, but he wanted to let her do her thing. Amy remains a bit annoyed with him, and he's still brooding and tells her again that he just wanted to let her do her thing. Then he notes that he thinks Dave should be in the boat tomorrow. I have no idea what that means. Amy then tells Zack that Dave really digs Charla; she made sure of it. "You're not **** going home." Zack still broods.

Meanwhile, Toni and Andon are back in their room. Andon thinks he's checking out. Toni asks him why, and Andon just says he has a bad feeling. It seems like Alex dreamt he (Andon) was going to die; he dreamt he was being sucked out of this place, all when Dave arrived. Yep, he thinks he's a goner because everybody has bad dreams about him. Later, Toni offers a toast to the group: “Champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends.” She then proceeds to describe the group as a family. Cut to Dave catching up to Charla. He wants to make sure everything is cool with her. Tomorrow somebody is going home, and if it's up to her, will she keep him there. Charla tells him that they'll talk. Meanwhile Beau and Toni are talking. Beau is extremely worried. Poolside, Dave says the place is addictive; you get there and want more. Charla responds that it's not good for you, but you don't want to leave. Alex doesn't want to leave at all. Toni and Beau continue their conversation. She doesn't want him to leave, or Scott, Zack, or Andon, or any of the guys leaving (I think she left out Alex and Dave). In another scene, Charla tells Andon that she feels like no one likes her. Andon responds that he feels like no one likes him, but she shouldn't feel like an outsider because she's not. He then says there is another person who is feels like more of an outsider than she could ever be. "Dave?" she asks. Yep, that's who he meant all right. He goes on to say that anybody that moves in will be pushed aside, and there will be animosity toward them, because they are the reason the old person left. Meanwhile, Dave is concerned that the person he liked (Charla) is off with her new friend (Andon). Seems like he's jealous now, particularly when Charla hugs Andon and rubs up against him. Then they kiss each other. Then they leave their setting, arms around each other, where Kristen had been observing them and was feeding the details to Dave.

Host Amanda then closes out the show, telling us that the biggest surprise will be how these people end their summer in Paradise. However, what they do know is that one of the men will be checking out and two new girls will battle it out in order to win a ticket to Paradise. The usual reminder is given that you can go from fan of the show to star of the show by going to paradiseonfox.com.

So will Beau and Amanda get back together? Will Zack stop brooding over Amy? Will Andon's bad feeling about being evicted come true? Will Dave ever stop putting his foot in his mouth? Who will leave? Who will join the cast? Find out next week!

Jeffrey Clinard lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with his cats, Lam and Princess. He can be reached at jclinard@earthlink.net.

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