The Bachelorette 2010 Week 3: Justin Hoofs It, the Weatherman Cries, 3 Go Home

Ali Fedotowsky continued her quest for lifelong love as The Bachelorette 2010 week 3 aired on ABC. The action featured a show-stealing multi-mile walk on crutches by Wrestler Justin, the making of a Barenaked Ladies music video, and lots of date hyjinx. By night's end, the field of hopefuls was narrowed from 14 to 11, as Hunter, Steve and John C. were sent packing. Here's how it played out, right down to the last rose.

Ali's first one on one date of The Bachelorette week 3 was with Roberto. The pair enjoyed a high-flying tightrope walking excursion followed by a romantic dinner for two and lots of gushing. Such sugary sweet gushing, in fact, that I think I wound up with a new cavity. In the end, and in a move that wasn't even remotely surprising, they enjoyed a nice cuddle, and Ali offered him a rose, which he accepted.

The Bachelorette week 3 group date number one involved Ali, nine more guys - Chris L., Craig R., Frank, John C., Jonathan, Kirk, Justin, Jesse and Chris N. - and the Barenaked Ladies. The limo deposited the guys in a desolate area of LA, and Ali led them to the band, who played tunes while the group grooved and reflected on the lyrics. Oh la la, corny, table for 10!

Up next, they were taken elsewhere where each guy was given a script with a few lines. End goal: Shoot a Barenaked Ladies video. Naturally, being a pack of guys, they immediately swapped their little slips of paper to find out who got the juiciest role. The general consensus was envy of Weatherman Jonathan, who was assigned a role that involved kissing Ali. Everyone seemed to want that role... except Jonathan himself. When the guys laughed at him when he had trouble kissing Ali, he cried. Yes, like a little teeny thang. But no fear: Ali took control and planted a big one on Jonathan to save him from the Mean Boys. A few minutes later, Kirk and Ali went crazy kissing during their scene, and Frank was upset, upset, upset. Whoa there, Frank.

The group finished their date with a penthouse wrap party. Ali pulled Chris L. aside for some alone-time, and he told her the sad story of his recently deceased mom and his tattoo. Jonathan interrupted said touchy-feeling emotional alone-time to talk turkey about their super awkward afternoon experience. Just as he asked if he could take her elsewhere for a real first kiss, Craig swooped in to steal a little Ali-time of his own. (I don't know how this chick can keep 'em all straight when they come flying at her from all angles.) Ali and Kirk had more kissy-kissy time in the hot tub, which impelled Ali to declare that she knows "he's here to be with me". After watching for a few intolerable minutes, the rest of the guys - less a very frustrated injured Justin - played played zone defense and jumped into the hot tub. Moments later, Ali presented the rose to Kirk, who declared "I feel so light right now, so good".

Back at the mansion, the guys shot the breeze and Justin, feeling deprived of time alone with the Bachelorette, hatched a plan to visit Ali Fedotowsky. By hobbling along the side of a widing mountainous road. Insane? Yes. But Ali was super impressed, and called the gesture "a turn on". Inside Ali's house, Justin shared photos of the important women in his life, including his mom, grandma and sis, and lamented the lack of relationship with his dad. Then there was, of course, cuddle time. Awwww. After Ali dropped him off at the mansion, Justin kept his excursion a secret from the rest of the pack. It'll bite him in the booty. Hunter, 'winner' of the Bachelorette week 3's second one on one date, was uber amped over his upcoming date.

At Ali's place on The Bachelorette week 3, Ali and Hunter got their date started by grilling some yummies. They talked parents and divorce, and Ali looked taken aback when Hunter interrupted her story. Ooh, strike one. The self-professed "slow-pace guy" heaped praise on her date venue choice as they ate. Back at the house, Justin, no doubt still internally preening himself over his act of great dedication earlier in the day, predicted that Hunter would fail to earn a rose. We'll see, bud. Back at Ali's, akwardness abounded as she and Hunter took a dip in the hot tub. She seemed disinterested, and even noted that "something's off". Meanwhile, Justin made an impassioned speech about his desire for a normal family life to the other guys at the mansion. It seemed real. Better yet, the sharks seemed unsettled by his unprecedented show of emotion.

The painfully awkward date continued as Hunter and Ali sat by a little bonfire and she played with her braid. He said a bunch of stuff, but she didn't seem to be listening. Hunter added more awkwardness to the situation by referencing the rose, forcing her to send him packing, citing a lack of "strong romantic connection". Ouch. But not a surprise. Thirteen guys left on The Bachelorette 2010. When Hunter didn't return to the mansion, Justin gloated like a jerk and Kirk decried his housemate's attitude.

While the guys awaited Ali's arrival at the mansion, Justin (over)confidently told Craig that he'd be shocked to be sent home. Chris L. and Ali shared some alone time as Kirk and Frank looked on. Poor Frank looked like a deer about to be run down by a Mack truck. Justin had some alone time with the Bachelorette next, and promised her that she is his priority. Ali compared Justin to Vienna from the last season of The Bachelor. Steve, who had frequently lamented his lack of alone-time with Ali, planned a little informal picnic in order to woo her. The interaction took an embarrassing turn as Steve struggled to open a bottle of champagne, but at least they laughed it off. Elsewhere, the rest of the pack of wolves.., er, guys congregated to talk smack about Justin. Not that I blame them really, but it's ballsy to talk about someone when he's standing right behind you. Ty maintained that Justin is two-faced, while Justin continued his usual "I'm being persecuted" routine. He's a contender for sure, but dude, step away from the cocky-pills.

Already-safe Roberto approached Ali for some alone and cuddle-time next, and she spilled the beans about Justin's trip to see her. Roberto is stunned, and immediately goes to share the news with the others. They immediately confront him, and he's forced to admit the truth. Kasey called him "creepy" and Craig accused him of being an attention-seeker above all else. Justin went outside and seemed to cry by himself while the rest of the guys expressed their opinions that he should get the boot.

With Bachelorette 2010 week 3 drama complete, Chris Harrison entered to signal the evening's rose ceremony. Ali started off by presenting the first rose to Chris L., and went on to choose blue jean Jesse, Chris N., Ty, Kasey, Craig, Frank and Jonathan, leaving just one more rose. After deliberation, she presented the final rose to Justin. Left roseless were Steve and John C..

Justin has me stumped. On one hand, he did hobble to see Ali, and that took some serious initiative. Ali clearly likes that in a guy. When he's with her, he seems to say all the right things. Bringing up strong women in your life is going to please a woman you're trying to date. It's also true that the other guys in the house clearly view him as a legitimate threat and are protecting themselves by ganging up on him: A little pack mentality. However, I'm just not sold on his sincerity and feel like he may be playing The House Victim card a little too aggressively. He was a bit too cocky over Hunter's departure, and a bit too pleased with himself for calling it and (probably) for spoiling the other guy's chances by sneaking in a visit to Ali. And honestly, making the visit and then lying about where he'd been (and he did just that) didn't help his overall popularity. Regardless of his true intentions on The Bachelorette 2010 - to get the girl or to get some exposure - he's definitely playing the game, and he's playing it his own way.

Tune in next week for The Lion King, more Justin-related drama, and tons more from The Bachelorette 2010.

Sources

The Bachelorette 2010 week 3, June 7, 2010, ABC