Episode Recap: The Bachelor - Rome, Week 8 FINALE

Episode 8 Original Air Date: November 27, 2006 It's down to the last two bachelorettes. Will Lorenzo choose the sweet, bubbly, naive young blonde, or will he choose the sweet, bubbly, naive young blonde? Even as this episode begins, Lorenzo claims he's still having trouble deciding between Jen and Sadie. No wonder, they're exactly the same! His Highness feels he needs backup, so he's called in his parents to help him make his decision. Much ado is made in the narration of "Prince and Princess Borghese" coming "back" to Rome to help their son. Nevermind the fact that "Princess" Amanda sounds like she could be from Connecticut. The whole "Prince Lorenzo" bit was cute at the beginning of the season, but at this point it's just insulting to the average viewer's intelligence. Even Lorenzo has admitted on several occasions that the only reason he has a title is because some distant relative who had become Pope decided to start passing out titles to the family. "Hey, Cousin Antonio, I lika the way you dress. I maka you a prince." Lorenzo greets his folks then sits them down to talk. Prince Dad asks Prince Lorenzo how they can help him with the two girls. Lorenzo replies that he needs their advice and help to choose. Princess Mom tells us confidentially that she'd be much happier if Lorenzo already knew for sure which girl he wanted. Later, she tells Lorenzo that she's designed an engagement ring with some big-time jewelry designer. She hopes it can be passed down the family for generations. Odds are, by that time the family will still be milking the Italian titles for all they're worth. The Royal Folks first meet Jen when she comes over to the castle for lunch. They ask the usual questions ("What do you like about Lorenzo?" "Lorenzo, what do you like about Jen?"), and receive the usual vapid answers. However, Princess Mom also asks Jen what are some of the main differences between her and Sadie. Jen says she's tough, and that she's less afraid to show her real self, or some garbage like that. The correct answer is that there are no differences. Later, Princess Mom reads Jen's palm. What? Didn't you know that all Italian princesses go around reading people's palms? Apparently, Princess Mom sees from Jen's hand that she leads with heart instead of her head. Deep. Right before the commercial break, host Chris Harrison says as he narrates, "Next up - Sadie meets the Borgheses. But what will happen when she opens up about being a virgin?" Well, what do you expect will happen, Chris? That this will be a turn-off to Lorenzo's mom? "We're sorry, Sadie, but we were hoping Lorenzo would end up with someone a little more, well, slutty." Dinner with Sadie - more typical questions, more vapid answers. Princess Mom asks Sadie what makes her different from Jen. Said responds that she's "more spunky and spontaneous", and Jen's "more reserved". Princess Mom tells Sadie that that's the same thing Jen said about her. More palm reading. Apparently, Sadie leads with her head, not her heart. Hey, a difference! But then, when Princess Mom is trying to ascertain Sadie's sign, we find out that her birthday is just four days before Jen's. D'oh! Later, when Lorenzo is alone with Prince Dad, he says that he doesn't see any negatives in either Jen or Sadie. Then he asks his dad if he had seen any negatives in Princess Mom when they were dating. Prince Dad replies that it was so long ago, that if he did see any negatives, he doesn't remember. But I think he's just saying that because he knows he's being filmed. If he were being honest, he'd probably something like, "Your mother would taka way too longa doing her hair. We could never-a get anywhere on time, because she spend so mucha time ina the bathroom. Also, she wasa very bossy." The evening ends and the Royal Parents have decided they like both girls. Prince Dad gives both Sadie and Jen a "50/50 chance". In other words, the parents are no help whatsoever so far. They can't be blamed, though. It's like trying to pick a favorite Olsen twin (before the eating disorder). The next day, Princess Mom surprises Lorenzo when she tells him that she's invited both girls and their parents for brunch (Italian royalty can't be bothered to get up early enough for breakfast). As the girls and their parents arrive at the castle, it's apparent that Princess Mom didn't bother to tell anyone else that everyone would be together at the same time. Both girls figured they'd be having Brunch without the other girl. Can you say "awkward"? Earlier, during the limo ride to the castle, Jen tells her parents that she's had lots of romantic times with Lorenzo. Jen's dad says, "But not too romantic, right?" Has this guy ever seen The Bachelor? Regular viewers will remember Jen's Psycho Daddy ("let me show ya muh shotgun") from the hometown dates episode. He tells us he's nervous about meeting Prince Borghese since he's just a good old boy from South Georgia. He says he's praying that he doesn't make a "complete idiot" out of himself. Unfortunately, he's off to a bad start with his clothes. Apparently, he's never heard of the phrase "dress casual". He's going to an ancient Italian castle to have a fancy brunch with fake Italian royalty who might just be his future in-laws, and he's dressed like he's going to a garage sale. Like most hillbillies, he just doesn't seem to realize that there are some occasions in life that call for a pair of Dockers. He also doesn't seem to realize that a logical way to avoid making an idiot of oneself is to keep one's mouth shut. Instead, he goes on and on during brunch about how awkward the situation is and even asks Lorenzo to state in front of everyone which girl he prefers. Even Jen is embarrassed. She should be grateful he had to leave his guns at home. During brunch it is discovered that both Jen's dad and Sadie's dad wear glasses and have facial hair. Both moms are guidance counselors. This is getting spooky. Brunch finally ends and everyone disperses. Later (the next day?), Lorenzo visits each father to ask for the girls' hands in marriage. Jen's dad says that question "is a tough one", but if Lorenzo is sincere and wants what's best for Jen, then he can honor that. That's probably the first non-idiotic thing that has come out of this guy's mouth since he's appeared on the show. Later, Sadie's dad isn't so hesitant and right away gives Lorenzo his blessing. He doesn't hesitate because he trusts his daughter. Besides, the Borgheses are filthy rich! The next day, Lorenzo and Sadie go on a final date before the last Rose Ceremony. (My God, could they possibly drag this out any longer?! Choose already!!) The date begins with Lorenzo taking Sadie sailing on what appears to be a huge lake. Yes, not only can His Princeliness pilot a plane, but he can sail a boat as well. How easy can a guy make it for everyone else to hate him? That evening they have dinner and agree that it's important to be with someone with whom one can share moments of "comfortable silence". They decide to have a moment of comfortable silence. Lorenzo should enjoy it. If he gets married, it will be the last moment of silence, comfortable or otherwise, he'll experience in a long time. At one point, Sadie whips out a little scrapbook she's made for Lorenzo. It contains the first rose he gave her, the first post card he bought her, and the fantasy card, among other things. For Jen's date, Lorenzo takes her horseback riding. They wear helmets the whole time. No self-respecting horseback rider wears a helmet. Yes, there's a definite possibility of getting hurt, but it's not like riding a motorcycle, for Pete's sake. That evening they grill hamburgers on the patio of a small villa that Lorenzo has rented for the occasion. That's definitely a must-do for anyone who takes the trouble to travel all the way to Rome: 1 See the Colliseum 2 Visit Vatican City 3 Grill hamburgers outside It's the morning of The Big Decision, and Lorenzo still isn't sure whom he'll choose. He goes to pick up the ring his mom designed for him (Yes, it's beautiful, what did you expect?) Both girls talk about how they can see themselves spending the rest of their lives with Lorenzo. In other words, filler. Finally, The Moment of Reckoning. Sadie arrives at the castle and Lorenzo takes her by the hands. He stares deeply into her eyes and starts to pour his heart out, "From the moment I met you, I knew I wanted you to stick around... blah blah blah... I knew I was falling for you... blah blah blah..." Enough already! Give us an answer! Finally, he gets down to it - "... In your 'Wish List', you said you deserve a guy who couldn't fathom being with another girl. Well, there is another girl here, and I'd rather be with her." As cold as that sounds, Sadie actually seems to take it better than Lorenzo, who looks like he's about to have a breakdown any minute. "You know what's best for you," she says, "What? Why are you looking at me like that? I'll be fine." But Lorenzo decides to stare at her until she breaks down and cries. She says she feels foolish because she believed that what went on between her and Lorenzo was real. He assures her that it was real... just not as real as what went on between him and Jen. Later, during a confessional in front of the camera, Lorenzo expresses just how hard it was to hurt Sadie's feelings. He breaks down in tears. Sadie cries more during her limo ride away from the castle. It's hard to understand what she's saying amidst all the quiet blubbering and the overly loud mood music of the show. I think it was something like, "I don't understand how I could have such strong feelings for someone and they don't feel the same way... I took a really big chance because I have been really hurt, and now I've been hurt again." Jen's limo pulls up to the castle and she's her usual incredibly bubbly self. She tries to compose herself as she walks in to meet Lorenzo, but she can't repress her girlish giggling, even as Lorenzo gives his speech to her. Finally, Lorenzo shows Jen the ring and says, "I love you. I love everything about you. I'm not at the point where I can ask you to marry me. That doesn't mean I won't be in the long term." He then goes on to say how he wants to get out of "this Garden of Eden" and see if his feelings for her on "Planet Earth" are the same as they have been in Rome. Jen accepts and both seem very happy to be together. Next Season - Lt. Andy Baldwin. He's a doctor! He's an Iron Man Tri-athlete! He's an officer in the Navy! He's got muscles! I'm going to be sick! Spring 2007.