Season 5 Episode 9

I'm not quite sure what to make of this episode. We all know Jillian wants to find true love (don't we all?) But jeepers, this chick doesn't seem to realize that love 'Don't Come Eaaaaasyyy' (as our beloved pal wild wild Wes would croon). In fact, the chances of 'true love' manifesting on this show might be downright close to nil.

On her and Kiptyn's date, they participated in a ropes course adventure. Jillian wanted to see if Kiptyn could 'protect and comfort her in stressful times.' I'm not sure if gallivanting up a telephone pole for fun equates to bouncing colicky babies on one knee and suffering from sleep deprivation and financial woes. In any event, Kip totally passed the 'love' amidst stress and duress test. In terms of their dinner date later that night, there's not much to speak of except Kip's admission to being 'impatient' when it comes to relationships. I'm not sure if ABC hides the 'real' moments from us, but Kip to me, even this late in the game, seems nothing other than a pretty face who has a talent for never having anything interesting to say. And of course, we aren't allowed a glimpse into the fantasy suite rendezvous, so its hard to tell what is going on with these two, emotionally, physically, or otherwise.

Reid.. Oh Reid. He's got this tired look about him, doesn't he? And I don't mean to say that he looks tired, no way. He's got a boyishly handsome face.. but it just looks.. worn in a way. I don't know, maybe he's a wannabe Benjamin Button. Anyway, if I can be so ironic considering the genre of the show, Reid seems to be the most 'realistic' of the bunch. Jillian is constantly badgering him about his 'feelings,' and whether or not he'd be willing to propose at the 'end of all this.' Reid shyly (but with manly conviction) expresses that he feels a bit 'pressured,' and that he is concerned about the lack of time they've had to get to know each other. Up to that point, I would conjecture to say that Jill has hung out with Reid maybe 4 or 5 times. Just a guess, but an educated one at that--In fact, more like a hypothesis given what ABC has said about how the dating system works on the show. So,this would mean that Jillian is asking Reid if he's ready to get married after going on approx. 4 or 5 dates, (with at least 50% of those dates consisting of awkward silences and/or makout sessions). I would say GO REID! --For being honest and real [as can be expected considering the circumstances] admist the pressure of proposing to a virtual stranger for the sake of reality TV. Anyway, Reid and Jill's date seemed just as uneventful as the last. Beautiful scenery, ideal environment, lackluster conversation. And again, we have no way to truly know what happened behind the doors of the 'fantasy suite.' Man, this show's so cheesy.

Ed...can't tell what his deal is either. He (or ABC rather?) flew his parents to Hawaii to meet Jillian! How awkward was that? Floral-shirt ridden Chicago dwellers desperately trying to make sense of what has been forced upon them. Future daughter-in law? Eh, slim chance, but Mom tries to have a heart to heart with Jill anyway. Ed's dad tries to play tough guy for a moment. "What the heck is going on here, son?" Then moments later in a dramatic display of familial bonding, Ed's dad chokes up and tells Jillian "I just want you to be happy." Wait a minute, why is he concerned with Jillian's happiness, shouldn't he be saying "I just want Ed to be happy... and I'm pretty sure he won't find it on a show with the worst success rate in the history of reality mannkind."

Following the feeble family reunion, Jill and Ed saunter off down the beach to try their hands (no pun intended) at lovemaking in the fantasy suite.. images of sugarplums and mistletoe fairies waltzing in unision in their heads.. undying love, Romeo and Juliet, Jilly has is in the bag.. OH, wait, just kidding. Ed can't get it up. I mean, Ed can't have sex. I mean, Ed.. stinks at life.

Though you gotta give the guy a break.. he's on this freaky reality show with cameras up his nostrils 24/7 where he's expected to at least pretend he's able to perform. Apparently, Jill is indeed cutting him a break cuz she kept him around and sent Reid back to Philly. Good luck with that Jill..

Anyway, more drama supposedly to come in the next few weeks.. let's see what ABC is gonna come up with now that they don't have crazy Wes to keep the drama afloat.