| With only Adam and Jason remaining, it was time for Melana to visit the guys' hometowns. Adam and Jason had each arranged for great dates on their home turf, hoping that it would be the final "wow" that persuaded Melana to choose them in the end. First up, was Jason, who lives with his parents (yes, you read that correctly) in picturesque Irvine, California. Sadly, his parents weren't home. (Mom may have been out getting school supplies for Jason, but I'm not sure.) Jason gave Melana a tour of his childhood home and introduced her to his two dogs. After the obligatory tour through embarrassing "bad hair" childhood photos and keepsakes (in this case, bronzed baby shoes), Jason and Melana hung out in the massive backyard. Melana seemed totally okay with the fact that Jason, a student, still lived at home at age 26. Later, in Jason's room, Melana studied the map of the United States that he has on the wall. He's put thumbtacks in each place he's visited (kind of like that kid in "Mask"!), but Melana noticed there wasn't a tack in her hometown of Kansas City. She made sure to put one in there, which had to have given Jason all kinds of hope. Next it was time for the actual date.
Jason had arranged for a little kayaking trip off the sunny California shore. Afterwards, the two had romantic dinner at an outdoor café overlooking the beach. Jason was quick to order Melana not one, but two gigantic margaritas. His goal, he said, was to "lower her inhibitions" and see what she was feeling. Melana, however, seemed a little offended that he thought alcohol was needed to get her to chat about her feelings. Melana pulled out her best Katie Couric impression and started grilling Jason on relationships and other hot topics. After dinner, the two picture-perfect people strolled on a picture-perfect beach as the sun set on a picture-perfect moment. As they stood, arms entwined, kissing as two silhouettes against a burnt-orange sky, the tide came in and got them soaked! Ha! As they bid farewell, Jason wished Melana a good trip in New York…and seemed to actually mean it.
A day or two later, in Manhattan, Adam and Melana kicked things off by rollerblading in Central Park. Adam said he finally felt like the guy in the relationship, because all of the day's decisions were up to him. He brought Melana back to his apartment to meet his roommate/best friend and to see his Rocky movie collection. Soon Melana and Adam made their way into Adam's room, where Melana noticed a Forbes Magazine article framed on the wall. As Melana said, it was an entire article on how "successful and rich he is." Turns out Mr. Adam is pretty much a millionaire! Adam, humble guy that he is, sort of dodged the money talk and took Melana down to his office to meet some of his work buddies. Adam's pals definitely approved of Melana and she was impressed by how much his friends cared for him.
Next, it was off to the bar that Adam co-owns, Nectar. He had called ahead to customize the entire drink menu so that it related to he and Melana's experiences over the past five weeks. Yes, even "The Glider" (strawberries and champagne) got a mention! But wait, there's more! Back in the limo, Adam wanted to kiss Melana, but she spoiled the mood by saying she was feeling uncomfortable. What?! Adam thought this would be the make-out portion of the date, but Melana had too much on her mind to start smooching. Adam sort of freaked out and wanted to call it a night. He kept asking the limo guy to pull over, but one of the producers must have been driving because they just kept going, non-stop to awkwardville! They wound up somewhere with a great view of the city, having dessert, and talking through their issues. By the end of dessert they were both smiling again and Adam finally got his kiss! Phew!
Now that Melana had visited both guys in their natural habitats, she kicked it up a notch with romantic overnight dates. With Jason, it was a trip to Yosemite, complete with a beautiful horseback ride through towering trees and mossy hilltops. She described it as her perfect fantasy date. The funniest thing ever was when Melana and Jason spent like 20 minutes trying to align their horses for one of those "movie moment" kisses. Dinner was in the "fantasy villa" after a grueling afternoon of bocce ball and giant checkers. After dinner, Jason admitted a little insecurity in the fact that he was a struggling student living at home, while Adam was out on his own. Then the two of them cozied up in front of the fire and said, "Goodnight." Maybe it was just me, but Melana definitely seemed to light up more around Jason, than she did with Adam. Adam seemed more like the best guy friend that you love, while Jason seemed like the boyfriend that you fall in love with. However, Adam's fantasy overnight date was yet to come.
Adam's date was set in Phoenix (more desert fun!) and started with a bouncy off-rode Jeep ride. Once the ride came to a complete stop, Adam and Melana hiked to the top of a nearby hill and enjoyed a breathtaking view of the valley below. Adam took the opportunity to read Melana a poem. Excerpt: "It started with rollerblading in Central Park/seconds after you learned how to skate/which makes me wonder/is there anything you won't do on a date?" Melana actually made the first move and gave Adam a kiss - much to his delight. Next it was off to a nearby resort, where they wasted no time climbing into the pool to watch the sun set. Later, at dinner, Melana presented Adam with a box from Tiffany's. Inside was a framed photo of Adam and Melana on their New York date. Adam loved it. They danced in the moonlight and kissed some more. Adam said he wanted to go do charity work to make up for the good karma! Only after his and her hot rock massages and some hot tubbing did they finally head back to the room. Adam had arranged for the room to be filled with roses and candles and gifts! He tried to stash a stuffed animal so that Melana wouldn't see it, but it consequently caught on fire from a nearby candle. Melana couldn't stop laughing as Adam stomped out the big, fluffy dog.
Finally, after exhausting recaps of the last 5 weeks, the time had arrived for Melana's final decision. While Adam trained like Rocky and Jason relaxed poolside, Melana met with Kathy (Kathy Griffin, remember her? The host we never see?). Kathy explained how the final elimination would work. Melana would wait in an airplane hangar along side a $25 million private jet, fueled and ready for take-off. Next to the jet, the familiar Average Joe elimination bus. Melana and the guy she chooses will leave immediately to a five-star tropical resort for some quality time away from the cameras. The guy she doesn't choose will get on the bus, heartbroken. Kathy asked Melana if she felt that she had a shot with a real relationship with the guy that she chose. Melana responded that she had no doubt that she had found "a diamond in the rough." Hmmm…
Melana took her position in the hangar and greeted the first guy to arrive…Jason! He looked quite dapper in a suit. He could tell by look on Melana's face that it wasn't going to be good news. She said she regretted that she hadn't had enough time to reciprocate the feelings he shared for her. But THEN she said, "that's why I'm asking if you'll fly away with me tonight!" Can you believe it?! Jason was stunned and excited to spend more time with Melana. But what about Adam? Adam arrived next, looking not quite as dapper in a white sweater and slacks. Melana managed to keep smiling as she told Adam that tonight their romance had to end. No tears. Big smile. "Have to send you home." Adam told her that she had a great knack for people and that if she's following her heart she shouldn't feel bad at all. He even said that he thinks Jason is amazing! Where is the medal for "Guy of the Year" for Adam? To make things worse, Jason, who had been watching from the plane, came down to shake Adam's hand and say "no hard feelings." AND Jason and Melana didn't even wait for the bus (with Adam on it) to leave before they shared a kiss! At least that's what it seemed like. So, Melana and her so-not-average Jason jetted off into the sunset. Then, we saw the preview for Average Joe Hawaii! Can't wait to see it on January 5th!
Source: NBC | |
