The Bachelor: Sobbing in Seattle

The husband-hunting chickies all fly out to Seattle, giddy at the prospect of meeting little Ty since this is obviously the key to Jason's heart. It's all about 'strategery' at this point, and these women are not afraid to use a 4-year-old.

Melissa gets the first date, which promises to be super romantic -- a trip to the top of the Space Needle, a helicopter ride, a fancy dinner. You know, all that stuff we girls get to do on dates every weekend.

But stupid kids mess it up every time! Just kidding, calm down. Understandably, Ty is upset that his daddy is leaving again after just getting back home, so Jason does the right thing and cancels his big night out. He asks Melissa if she's okay with a night in. OF COURSE SHE IS! The other girls are upset that Melissa gets to breathe the same air as Ty, and they are on the verge of tears.

Jason doesn't actually let Melissa meet Ty -- he says he isn't ready for any of the girls to meet him yet. This is such a relief. I was worried about Ty being confused by a parade of hot-to-trot bachelorettes desperate to score points with him.

Jason does let Melissa peek at the sleeping prince in his cute little race car bed, and then they hang out on the sofa and talk about kids and eat ice cream. And by the way, CUTE HOUSE! Score!!

Next, there's a group date with three girls - Stephanie, Jillian, Molly. They take a sweet boat ride around Seattle and it's absolutely gorgeous. Why don't we ALL live there?!

Jason pulls Stephanie away for a bit and he's bonding with her over the kid thing again (she's the widow with the little girl), but I just don't see those two happening. Jason gushes over how much he likes the kid, and Stephanie plays it surprisingly cool. She is definitely the most mature of all the women.

Then they all go to a radio station so Jason can tape an interview, but the girls are in a sound-proof booth and can't hear what he's saying. They resort to some strenuous lip-reading (Melissa and Naomi are listening on the radio at home).

We learn some things: 1/ Jason thinks his "most amazing date" so far has been with Stephanie. 2/ Jason thinks that Molly is the best kisser. There's some debate (between Melissa and Naomi) about whether or not the deejays meant for him to compare just the three girls at the station, or all of them.

Then the deejays blindfold Jason and have the girls each kiss him to see if he can tell who's who. He nails it, and he should, because he's a kissing fool.

Then the deejays ask the women what they are like sexually. WHAT!? Stephanie gets a little creepy with the TMI (she is all about making sure her man is 'taken care of' and if that means kissing every square inch of him, then that's just the way she rolls). I appreciate that the other girls are a little more subtle with their answers. Thank you for that.

So glad the slimy radio thing is over. That's the grossest I've felt the whole time I've been watching this show.

Then they all go over to a hotel and sit in a big fancy room and eat weird food (chocolate covered beets maybe?). Jason senses something is wrong with Jillian the Canadian (and I'm not just saying this because she's Canadian, but she looks a little like Early Celine Dion to me). He pulls her into another room and she says she's just stressed out. He asks her if her expectations ("passion 24/7") are too high and she says maybe, but assures him she's ready to settle down.

Then Jason steals Molly away and they stroll around the waterfront. He talks to her about her family back in Michigan and they kiss by the water. Molly is extremely confident that she is the one.

The next day, Naomi finally gets her date with Jason. They tour Seattle on a sea plane and go rock climbing. They end up at some "lodgy" looking place eating fondue. Naomi spills about her family relationships, and maybe shares a little too much. Turns out her mom left her dad and broke his heart, and Naomi adds that she has a lot of her mom in her. Uh, you don't say that to a guy whose wife left him!! He admits that scares him, but she assures him she's ready to be a wife and mom.

Before the big day, Jason takes Jillian out for coffee so he can find out if she's really, really in it, because he thinks she's been holding back. I thought she was the weak link in this bunch, but he's laying it on thick, so I guess he likes her more than I guessed.

On the night of the Rose Ceremony, Jason is struggling. In talking to Chris about Melissa, his big question seems to be that he's worried Melissa is "too perfect" for him. (I have a witness - I told someone last week that I think he picks her).

At the beginning of the rose ceremony, Jason stops everything because he first has to talk to Naomi again. He just isn't convinced that her carefree party days are behind her. She swears that she's ready to settle down and he gives her a big hug. The other girls are freaking out, wondering what the hell is going on here. "He's not going to pull out the person he's sending home," Molly frets.

First rose...Jillian. Second rose...Melissa (yes!). Third rose...Molly.

So it's between Stephanie the widow and Naomi, who he just pulled out to ask her if she's stone cold ready to be a mommy. What's he gonna do?!!?!?

He gives Naomi the final rose. She rushes to hug him, but the whole time she's hugging him, he's staring straight at Stephanie.

Then Jason says to Stephanie: "I want to say this in front of everybody. You are the most amazing person I've ever met, and I think we're all better people because of meeting you here. You're a beautiful person outside and in, I'm so glad to have met you." And of course, he's breaking up the whole time he's talking.

All of the girls are crying like crazy, and Stephanie is the picture of grace and poise. Wow, that was kinda sad.

So next week are the hometown dates, and judging from the previews, some of the families are gonna totally screw it up for these girls. Be sure to tune in for the pain.