Hello friends!
Ready for episode two? (If you missed episode one, you can watch it on NBC, or read the recap.)
After last week’s farewell dance, we’re down to 13 suitors, and they move from the castle into the suitors’ quarters.
For some, it’s an adjustment. Mr. Christian Lee Cones says, “I’m not gonna lie, I miss Arby’s.” He can live without his phone and social media, but he needs roast beef.
Just as a reminder, it was Mr. Cones who inquired where he might find a corn dog at the Welcome Ball, and who wrote about Tums and belly rubs in his introduction letter. The way to this man’s heart is definitely through his stomach.
“The Daily Tea” Arrives
Robert, one of the footmen, distributes “The Daily Tea,” a Regency-style newspaper with activities for the day.
Cast off across love’s choppy waters with a day at the lake. Bring parasols, picnic blankets, and a steely determination to show off your rowing abilities.
Catch our heroine’s eye and best your rivals by rolling up your sleeves and demonstrating your physical prowess. And to the victors, the spoils, as prime picnicking spots lie in wait.
But remember, the Regency way to a woman’s heart is through her family. Nothing is more likely to dampen our heroine’s ardor than a pair of soggy parents.
Rocking the boat is ill-advised, as the dark clouds of elimination are beginning to gather on the horizon. But for now, jump in boys. The water here in England is occasionally warm.
Dr. Claire Spain-Rémy (aka Mama Rémy) says, “Anybody who puts me in the lake is out!”
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Host Rick Edwards fills in the suitors on the task at hand. They are to row Nicole and her court safely across the lake to a picnic area, and then Nicole’s parents will choose one suitor for a private date.
Mr. Hunter catches Nicole’s attention, and they exchange winks. “There’s something so sexy about him.” Mr. King, however, aims for her heartstrings when he talks about going boating with his mother. “Aw, that’s so sweet.”
Mr. Saffa and Captain Kim escort Nicole’s parents; Mr. Mumbray, Mr. King, and Mr. Castronovo escort Danie; Mr. Holland, Mr. Hunter, and Mr. Luxe escort Tessa; and Mr. Bochicchio and Mr. Shanklin escort Nicole.
Mr. Saffa decides to doff his shirt. “The game plan right now, folks, is sun’s out, guns out.” Mama Rémy says, “I think I’m gonna swoon!”
Captain Kim takes a more serious tack. He impresses Mama Rémy by sharing the heartbreak of being dumped by his childhood sweetheart via a Facebook status update.
Meanwhile, Mr. Cones, Mr. Kesseler, and Mr. Chapman must share a boat with only each other for company, and they quickly devise a plan. They stand up and serenade Nicole with a verse of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” They’re upstaged by Mr. Shanklin, who puts a soulful spin on the final line, “Life is but a dream.”
Nicole is not impressed. “Mr. Shanklin, I mean, he sings more than he speaks, but I don’t need to hear him sing, ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat,’ in, like, a sexual way.”
Since their serenade was hijacked, they opt for plan B. Mr. Cones leads the charge. “Ms. Rémy, I just wanted to let you know that me and my fellow boys, we wanted to plunge into the water to show you that we’re willing to jump into discomfort.”
The three men plunge in, and someone says, “It’s like Titanic!”
Mr. Cones is proud of their efforts. “What’s sexier than, like, three big, awkward, sexy wet stud muffins with, like, moss in between their toes?”
Nicole’s reaction? “It’s kind of romantic. It’s the kind of thing you’d see in a rom-com.”
It was a scene straight out of Pride and Prejudice. If you’d like to revisit Mr. Darcy’s lake scene, I’ve included it above.
The Picnic
Now it’s time to mix and mingle.
Mr. Edwards notes that most of the suitors have whetted their appetites, while others have wet their pants. Gotta love that British humor.
Nicole’s attention is fixed on Mr. Chapman. She tells him his eyes are piercing, and he returns the compliment. “You have beautiful eyes, too.”
“There’s something about him,” she says. “I don’t really know how to articulate it, but it’s just all very sexy.”
They find some shade, and settle in for a chat. He wants to know what makes her tick, and we learn that he never misses a sunrise or a sunset. “…If there’s a woman that I’m…sleeping in with, it’d be kind of special.”
Oh, my! Now I think I might swoon.
Their chemistry is obvious, but they’re interrupted by Mr. Luxe, who wants some time with Nicole. He was on her list for the Farewell Dance last week, and he doesn’t want that to happen again.
She sees Mr. Luxe as being pensive and thoughtful, but he insists that he likes being fun and goofy. Privately, she’s worried that he’s playing it cool and might not be genuine. “So I’m struggling here.”
Mr. Mumbray Meets The Parents
Mr. Mumbray has never had a serious relationship, but he’s ready—he’s already selected a church for his eventual wedding.
However, he’s never met a date’s father before, so he’s a little out of his element.
Dr. and Mr. Rémy ask a few questions, like how he plans to maintain a long-lasting marriage. “What the bloody hell, that’s intense!”
The Competition Intensifies
A string quarted has appeared, and Mr. Cones asks Nicole to dance. Mr. Castronovo cuts in. “All these other guys, they’re like vultures,” Mr. Cones says.
Mr. Castronovo pops open a bottle of champagne. He talks about the importance of family, before he’s preempted by Mr. Holland.
Nicole and Mr. Holland have a good conversation, and she tells him, “When I talk with you, I like, I can’t look away…obviously, it’s a physical attraction, but I really feel like, I’m like, in your soul right now.”
Mr. King’s conversation with Nicole gets emotional. He tells her about being raised solely by his mother, as his father wasn’t in the picture. She passed away three months ago, and his brother passed away shortly afterward. Nicole tears up as she listens, and she wants to offer him “strength and joy.” She tells him he is seen and heard, and she has a soft spot in her heart for him.
Meanwhile, the Rémys are putting Mr. Hunter on the spot. “Are you really at a point in your life where you’re ready to find the one?” He wasn’t in his 20s, but he’s ready now, and he’s always wanted to visit Seattle.
The Private Date
Nicole’s parents select Mr. Hunter for the date, because “he seems to check a lot of the boxes.”
Captain Kim is surprised, because he was certain his strategy for impressing the Rémys would pay off.
She takes Mr. Hunter on a tour of the castle, and she breaks 19th-century taboos by showing him her bedroom. “I’m making the rules here.”
He tells her about spending six years traveling the world on a sailboat with his family, starting at the age of 9, and she wants to know if he still has the travel bug.
Constant travel has lost its appeal for him. “And I also realized that something was missing, because I was doing all these things basically by myself. And I realized that all these experiences would be extraordinary if I just had someone there with me.”
They share a kiss, and she says, “You’re quite sexy.”
He wants to know if it’s the cravat, or the jacket. “Oh, it’s definitely the cravat.”
I’m thinking that cravats might make a comback.
The Farewell Dance
Nicole’s dance card will consist of five suitors she’s uncertain about, and two of those suitors are going home.
She selects Mr. Cones, Captain Kim, Mr. Mumbray, Mr. Luxe, and Mr. Kesseler for the farewell dance.
Mr. Mumbray has already won over the court, now he needs to convince Nicole he deserves to stay. He says, “I’d love to be a part of your family,” and she tells him he’s safe.
She dances with Mr. Cones, but not because he’s on the bubble—she just wanted more time with him. He’s delighted, and he moves to the upper balcony with the other suitors.
Mr. Luxe is not so lucky. “I hate to say it, but this is gonna be farewell.”
It comes down to Captain Kim and Mr. Kesseler.
She wants Captain Kim to be as vulnerable with her as he’s been with her family, and she gives him another chance.
She sends Mr. Kesseler home, but he is gracious in defeat. He hugs her, and says “I hope that you find love.”
There are 11 suitors remaining, and Nicole knows it will get tougher from here. “But my husband’s in this room, 100 percent in there. I feel good about it.”
Mr. Edwards wishes the suitors good luck on their journey to find true love, and we get a preview of next week’s episode. There will be a game of cricket, Mr. Saffa might be flirting with Tessa, and a mystery guest will make a surprise visit to the castle.
I’ll be here next week, please join me!
P.S. Need to catch up? here’s the list: | Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Secret Love Letters | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Suitor Analysis | Episode 6 | Episode 7 | Episode 8 | Episode 9 |
P.P.S. The show will move from NBC to USA Network starting with the third episode, which will air on Wednesday, March 23, following Temptation Island. Don’t forget to update your DVR settings.
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