Age Of Love: Ranking The Top 4
Her Words Came Back to Haunt Her
By Donna Emery
July 25, 2007
This week on Age of Love, Mark Philippousas saw a side of the five remaining ladies that he wasn't thrilled with. They also saw a side of him that's not usually shown on national TV.
This week, Mark took the ladies camping for an "overnight" date. All five of the surviving contestants went on this expedition. Mark got to see some of their vitriolic comments to each other, got a report of some of Jayanna's manipulative ways, wipe away some tears, overhear a tantrum and squire one drunken "kitten" through the woods. Ah, dating shows!
Once the ladies reached a certain level of inebriation, the inhibitions started to slip away and Mark got to see and hear what these ladies are really like. During the game of Truth or Dare, Mark learned what the "Penguin" is, and participated in the rite: showing his bare butt to the ladies. They seemed impressed. Since the image was blurred, all the home audience could do is wonder just how impressive it is. If it matches the rest of his body, I'm sure it's a winner.
During the course of the weekend, Jayanna did what she's done all along: remain convinced that she would eventually walk away with Mark, and do whatever it takes to try to help that destiny along. This time, she got found out and she got sent home.
Mark has seemed charmed by her from the beginning. She got his attention during the first date, and she has seemed smitten with him - or at least smitten with the prospect of "winning the contest" - all along. He's told her that he likes everything about her. So what went wrong?
I don't think that Jayanna lied to the girls. I don't think she exaggerated, either. I also don't think there's anyone watching this show who would say that Amanda misrepresented Jayanna's words. Despite Jayanna's protests - and Amanda's own ulterior motives - her words were reported accurately to Mark. Mark does tell each of the ladies that they are special to him. By now, he's kissed all of them. So Jayanna was right when she cautioned the girls to be careful of the intensity of their feelings for Mark. Any of the other four ladies could have been sent home, since by this point it seems like Mark has genuine affection for all of them. Since that is true, then maybe Jayanna might have been trying to do them a favor by telling them the truth?
The problem with that is twofold:
One: Jayanna really did seem to be trying to manipulate the others' feelings. Though Maria and Jen have been around the block enough to know that Jayanna is telling the truth and exactly what to do to guard their hearts, the younger girls may have taken the words a bit more to heart. Jayanna has pitted one girl against another more than once in the house.
She finally reaped what she's sown, and though Mark was sad I think it may have been for the best.
Two: Mark really does tell each girl they are special, but I think that he really means it. As much as it's possible to have developing romantic feelings for five people at the same time, I think that Mark really does care for each of the ladies in a very special way. He is also the kind of man who values the sweet and the simple, so Jayanna's cynical words probably shocked him. It's a shame he didn't see this side of her before, because we've seen it from the beginning.
In the end, I think Mark made the right choice. Here's how the ladies are ranked for Mark's heart, so far:
Jen
Current Ranking: 1 - Previous Ranking: 3
Jennifer, 48 is an executive assistant to the Los Angeles Lakers who wants a man who values family as she does.
I'm putting her first again, but if Megan hadn't gotten drunk I might have placed Jen in second place. There's something between these two. Whatever went on in the tent between them gave Jennifer a quiet assurance that lasted even when he spent the night with Amanda. If they survive next week's encounter with her family, I think she will have no trouble surviving until the finale.
Megan
Current Ranking: 2 - Previous Ranking: 2
Megan, 21 is a student from Illinois who wants to get married.
Megan still seems to be the most suited for him, but she needs to watch how much
she drinks. I think that she might have been the one to go home if he hadn't been
so upset with Jayanna. But she is charming and sweet and he really likes her. The
chemistry between them is unmistakable. If she plays her cards right, I think
she's looking at a ticket to his heart.
Amanda
Current Ranking: 3 - Previous Ranking: 4
Amanda, 25 is an assistant to a financial planner from Tennessee who's looking for "the perfect man".
I don't buy her Little Miss Innocent routine about not expecting to spend the night
in Mark's tent. I also think that in her own way, she can be just as manipulative
as Jayanna. Mark has liked her from the beginning, and his sensitivity and desire
not to hurt anyone probably led him to let her stay when he found her in his tent.
I think she needs to grow up quite a bit, since Jayanna's words really did have a
truthful side to them. But for now she's got Mark right where she wants him.
Maria
Current Ranking: 4 - Previous Ranking: 5
Maria, 42 is a photographer from California who says she falls in love easily.
I know he likes her and he certainly seems to respect her forthrightness. But I don't see romance between them and I really haven't seen any throughout the whole process. She seems more like a big sister to him - though it's plain that he thinks she is beautiful and that she thinks he's hot. He may be hot, but so is Tabasco sauce. Maria's known for several weeks that he's not the one for her, and he should know by now that she's not his true love.
Jayanna
Sent Home
Jayanna, 39 is a loan officer from California.
Jayanna's brand of assertiveness may not be for everyone, and she may have been
a bit too sure of her own chances with Mark. Everything she said and did seemed
to have an agenda, but that's nothing new for those of us who've watched dating
shows before. Though Mark may have been surprised at Jayanna's tactics or
words, I wasn't. If he felt upset enough about these relatively mild manipulations,
then perhaps he did make the right choice to send her home. I've thought all
along that she might be a shade too aggressive for his laid-back personality, and I
think that this may be for the best, for both of them.
Mary
Sent Home
Mary, 24 is a dialysis technician from California who says she's levelheaded and thoughtful.
How ironic that when she was finally cut loose by Mark, she handled it with maturity and class. She seemed sincere in her quest for Mark's affections, but I certainly hope that she cries less often in "real life."
Tessa
Sent Home
Tessa,23 is an executive assistant from Arizona who calls herself headstrong.
She had her chance, and she didn't use it to her best advantage. She's got only herself to blame for the outcome. However, her looks and personality will probably see to it that she's not alone for long.
Kelli
Sent Home
Kelli, 40 is a legal secretary from California who loves outdoor activities.
A very charming lady who took matters - and Mark - into her own hands. It didn't work out for her, but I wish her the best. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adelaide
Sent Home
Adelaide, 26 is a magazine editor from California. She likes to sing and dance.
It was a complete shock to her when she got sent home, and I have to say it was a surprise to me, too. I really thought he liked her, and of course we had no way of knowing that he didn't sense any response from her, in their kiss.
Lynn
Sent Home
Lynn is a 40-year old makeup artist from Tennessee who says she's a "bit of a homemaker".
Last week, Mark asked her to show him who she is. She didn't do it, or he didn't hear her doing it. Either way, she went home this week.
Tune in next week and see when the ladies are reunited with families, and the families get to ask Mark about his "intentions." I can't wait to see him interact with Jen's 25-year old son.
Donna is a nurse and teacher, and a mother of 5. She lives in Pennsylvania and is admittedly addicted to many reality shows. You can reach her at mrsed4ever@yahoo.com.
Are You Buzz Worthy? We Want Your Thoughts!
Have you got something interesting to say. We'd like to hear it. We'll post your comments in Buzz Worthy. This is your chance to sound off about your favorite Reality TV show. Or the show you hate. Did somebody do something really stupid? Really smart? Is there a strategy being over looked? Is a performer for real? Or not getting the buzz they should? Here's your chance - take it.
All articles are the intellectual property of and copyrighted by the individual authors. By submitting an article to Reality TV Calendar you are granting Reality TV Calendar permission to display the article in perpetuity.
