Age Of Love: Ranking The Final Two
The Un-Choosing of the Final Two
By Donna Emery
August 2, 2007
This week on Age of Love, Mark Philippousas may have been ready to eliminate one of the ladies in anticipation of bringing his final three choices to Australia, but two of the ladies decided to eliminate themselves - leaving us with polar opposites as the Final Two.
This show has many features in common with its reality show predecessor, the Bachelor, and even more in common with Beauty and the Geek. As the weeks have passed, we've watched the two groups of ladies as they vied for Mark's hand with varying degrees of success, and with very little in the way of excitement for either him or the ladies involved. Even the catfights on this show seem understated in comparison to both of the above-mentioned shows.
I think that it was preordained that the final two would end up as one of each age group. I suppose we all knew that Maria would eventually eliminate herself, but I wonder what would have happened to Mark's choices if she'd done so back when she first began to have doubts. I also have to wonder how much of Megan's choice to leave had to do with fear of flying… considering that in a recent interview she blithely reported that she'd had to fly to get to the site of the show's taping, anyway.
I think Mark seems to be a very nice man. He certainly has a nice body. As a young, good-looking famous athlete, I can see why he'd be considered to be a great catch. But whether he's just shy by nature or was made shy by the awkward premise of the show, he doesn't seem to have much depth of personality. Maria may have on-target when she told Mark that he hadn't opened up, but maybe what we saw was Mark, opened up. Maybe what we saw was what there was to get.
As the weeks unfolded, and Mark eliminated the ladies one by one, we learned more about him by whom he sent home rather than by whom he kept. He seemed to be upset by those - like Tessa or Adelaide, who didn't show enough passion for him, or those - like Jayanna - who showed too much passion against the others. Mark seems to have a simple definition of a good time: booze, music, fun and simple conversation with a good-looking lady. A few kisses here and there with each of the ladies have seemed to spell a great time for Mark.
So as the series comes to an end, are we now looking at his two best matches - or at the two who managed to survive the longest? I'm not sure, and it does seem a bit convenient that they are very different ladies with more than twenty years' age difference. Despite its premise that love doesn't depend on age, the show has seemed to perpetuate stereotypes of both age groups by its challenges and by the personality types of the ladies chosen for both of the age groups.
The ladies in their 40s have been great-looking ladies who are successful, assertive, intelligent and confident. The ladies in their 20s have also been great-looking ladies, but none are settled in their careers. As a group they seem catty, immature and shallow in their views of life and romance. It seemed like Mark - who looks, acts and talks like a Ken Doll - was being asked to choose between Barbie Jr. and Barbie's mom. If I were him, sitting next to Jen and Amanda on the plane to Australia, I might be seriously considering making a play for one of the stewardesses.
Maria's self-elimination wasn't much of a surprise to anyone, but Megan's was. For someone who claimed to be panicked by the plane, she seemed awfully calm. She's been telling Mark for weeks that despite being unsure of her feelings, she likes him. It would be hard to dislike Mark, so I can relate to her statement. But if fear of flying were her real reason, she probably wouldn't have flown to be on the TV show in the first place. I think that although Megan may have been scared of the plane, she was just plain tired of all the drama and wanted to give her friend Amanda more of a chance with Mark. I don't know what might have happened if Megan had gone with the other two ladies to Oz, but it might have been worth watching.
Of the two remaining ladies, I feel that Jen is more suited to Mark. Her experiences in romance seem to have left her with the same mindset as Mark, and they seem to be on the same page as to what constitutes a good time. Mark is definitely attracted to her, and he certainly seems to enjoy snuggling with and kissing her. I don't know what really went on in that darkened room during their massage session, but I think it's safe to say they probably took their friendship "to a new level." If Mark wants to enjoy some good times with a nice lady, he should choose Jen.
As for Amanda, she seems to still be set in Fairytale Mode, and I think that if Mark chooses her that her expectations for their future would end up dooming any chance they might have for a season of fun together. Her insecurities and jealousies won't stop if he chooses her; I think they may intensify if she feels that Mark is her "boyfriend." Her way of handling competition from other women seems to be fretting and telling tales about how the mean other woman had said something bad to her. It worked with Jayanna, but it didn't work with Jen. I don't think Amanda is geared for lighthearted romance, and I think that though Mark may want to find true love and settle down, he's far from ready to make that commitment now.
So, in the end, if he is smart - he will choose Jen.
But will he? At the end of this week's episode, the announcer teased us that we "don't really know" who he'll choose. Though other dating shows end with picking one of the final two, maybe Mark also feels that this pair of ladies may not have been his own final choice, and may see him saying that he wants to keep looking. Maybe the kiss he shared with Megan at the taxi will lead him to tell Jen and Amanda that he needs to follow his heart and run after Megan. Maybe he really will run off with the stewardess.
Tune in next week and see him in Australia, and find out how Mark's family handles Jen's age and Amanda's insecurities. And see who Mark really does pick, when the choice is once again his.
Jen
Current Ranking: 1 - Previous Ranking: 1
Jennifer, 48 is an executive assistant to the Los Angeles Lakers who wants a man who values family as she does.
Of the two remaining ladies, I feel that Jen is more suited to Mark. Her experiences in romance seem to have left her with the same mindset as Mark, and they seem to be on the same page as to what constitutes a good time. Mark is definitely attracted to her, and he certainly seems to enjoy snuggling with and kissing her. I don't know what really went on in that darkened room during their massage session, but I think it's safe to say they probably took their friendship "to a new level." If Mark wants to enjoy some good times with a nice lady, he should choose Jen.
Amanda
Current Ranking: 2 - Previous Ranking: 3
Amanda, 25 is an assistant to a financial planner from Tennessee who's looking for "the perfect man".
As for Amanda, she seems to still be set in Fairytale Mode, and I think that if Mark chooses her that her expectations for their future would end up dooming any chance they might have for a season of fun together. Her insecurities and jealousies won't stop if he chooses her; I think they may intensify if she feels that Mark is her "boyfriend." Her way of handling competition from other women seems to be fretting and telling tales about how the mean other woman had said something bad to her. It worked with Jayanna, but it didn't work with Jen. I don't think Amanda is geared for lighthearted romance, and I think that though Mark may want to find true love and settle down, he's far from ready to make that commitment now.
Megan
Quit The Show
Megan, 21 is a student from Illinois who wants to get married.
For someone who claimed to be panicked by the plane, she seemed awfully calm. She's been telling Mark for weeks that despite being unsure of her feelings, she likes him. It would be hard to dislike Mark, so I can relate to her statement. But if fear of flying were her real reason, she probably wouldn't have flown to be on the TV show in the first place. I think that although Megan may have been scared of the plane, she was just plain tired of all the drama and wanted to give her friend Amanda more of a chance with Mark. I don't know what might have happened if Megan had gone with the other two ladies to Oz, but it might have been worth watching.
Maria
Quit The Show
Maria, 42 is a photographer from California who says she falls in love easily.
Maria's self-elimination wasn't much of a surprise to anyone.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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