The Bachelorette 2010 Week 9: Frank's Foul and the Fab Finalists

Ali Fedotowsky continued her quest for lifelong love on The Bachelorette 2010 week 9, which aired Monday night on ABC. The three remaining members of the Man Pack each joined blondie for a fantasy date in beautiful, romantic Tahiti. While two guys enjoyed blissful soaks in sun and sea with the prospective bride, hopeful Frank Neuschaefer extinguished the flames of passion when he professed his love... for another woman. Here's how the semifinal drama played out, from start to finish.

The Bachelorette week 9 opened with contestant Chris's ruminations on his made-for-TV journey. He had lots of mushy-smushy things to say about Ali and wished that he could open up more, but admitted that he feared getting hurt in the end. Cut to Roberto packing for his own trip, and cue more adventure reflections. He remarked on the strength of their physical attraction. Um, yup. True dat. But no, he wasn't all roses and sunshine, either: Roberto also worried that he might not be the Last Man Standing. Finally, funky Frank, the dark horse wild card of the season. He said that although he had fallen in love with Ali, he also had strong feelings for his ex, Nicole. Poor tortured Frank. He made the decision to go to Chicago to see said Nicole to test his feelings for her. To this moment, I still don't think he's a bad guy. Conflicted? Yes. Dopey at times? Yes. Spastic? Yes. But bad? No.

Cut to Frank in Chicago. Mission: Find Nicole and figure out feelings. You know, I'm sure ABC will paint him as a monster over time, but I think it's a stand-up thing to do. Go Frank. You go boy. Anyway, Frank went to Nicole's apartment and the two plopped down on a couch for a pow wow. He told her about his amazing connection with Ali (yeah, it was awkward. Nicole looked like she'd like slide between the couch cushions). Nicole confessed that she'd had a hard time dealing with Frank's absence, and called it "heartbreaking". She went on to say that he completes her. Aw, how Jerry Maguire. They had nice smushy time, and Frank finally nodded: He realized he was truly in love with Nicole, and wanted to be with her. Okey doke, decision made. Now the fun part: Facing blondie. Ooooooh. Dum da-dum. But not yet. Nope, gotta save that puppy for the end of the line.

When The Bachelorette week 9 continued, Ali arrived in Tahiti and waxed poetic about the wonderousness of seeing the guys in paradise. Dude number one, Roberto, was up to bat first. Ali visited Roberto at his Tahitian pad, and the two hugged a lot. Blondie looked giddy. She led her beau to a helipad and waiting copter. Seriously, another helicopter tour? I get that it's beautiful and all, but dude, totally unoriginal. And sort of pointless, since the pair spent much of their time aboard snuggling and looking at each other instead of the scenery. They landed on a deserted heart-shaped island (don't choke on the corn). They oohed and aahed over the scene before finally setting up a picnic site and diving into the water for a romp. Then they made out. A lot. I yelled 'get a room!' at my TV. It didn't answer.

Later that evening, Ali (wearing something that looked like a borderline trashy piece of lingerie) and Roberto met up for dinner. She giggled a lot and stared at him like he was a big ol' hunk of prime rib. After beating around the bush for what felt like an hour, Roberto finally told her that he was falling in love with her. She looked a little surprised and then they kissed. And then... The Envelope made its way into the scene. They decided very quickly to take advantage of their fantasy suite room key. (Incidentally, Roberto said he was surprised to get the note. Has he never seen a single episode of any previous Bachelor or Bachelorette season?!) The duo made their way to said fantasy suite.

With Roberto's time in the sun over on The Bachelorette week 9, it was Chris's turn to shine like the Cape Cod cutie he is. The pair began their day with a ride on a catamaran. She reveled in memories of her time with his family as he stared into her eyes and rubbed her knee. (Yeah, she's way more into Roberto.) They had giggly cuddle time, which again featured Chris looking like a puppy and Ali looking... like she was maybe faking. A little. They dove into the water (still giggling) and made their way to another island, where they hunted for pearls in oyster shells.

That night, Chris and Ali (this time dressed in two tank tops and pants - no ho-wear in this house) met up for dinner on a beach. They enjoyed cocktails and a roaring fire. Oh, more conversation about Chris and his family. He told her (completely unsolicited) that he could see himself with her for the long haul. And then: The Envelope. Chris jumped on the opportunity to fantasy suite-it and they headed off to their enormous room. He professed his love for her as they kissed, and she giggled. Yeah, not looking so good for Chris. She's clearly sipping the Roberto-flavored Kool Aid.

Next up on The Bachelorette week 9 was the segment I'll refer to as Frank's Humiliation. As Frank arrived in Tahiti, he stressed over the task he had at hand. His first stop was to see show host Chris Harrison. He confessed his feelings for Nicole, and Chris said he was "blown away" by the development. Poker face Chris shared that Ali was "crazy about" him, which made Frank feel even more disconcerted. He reminded Frank that he needed to seriously consider Ali's feelings, and Frank looed disheartened. Teary-eyed. It was painful to watch. Good TV ratings fodder, but so painful.

Unaware Ali, like a calf headed for the slaughterhouse, walked toward her date with Frank totally giddy with expectation. They hugged hello, and Frank dropped the 'we need to talk' bomb. She looked truly scared and concerned - probably the most genuine emotion I'd seen from her on The Bachelorette - as he spoke. Frank briefly detailed the evolution of his feelings for her, and she cried, knowing full well that something bad was about to happen. He told Ali about his trip to see Nicole and she looked stunned and crushed. Ugh, it was so awful to watch. She broke her silence to ask why he hadn't shared his conflicted feelings earlier on, and then cried some more. Agony, it was pure agony. They both cried, Ali called him selfish, Frank tried to defend himself, it was ugly. She seemed utterly heartbroken. And after a tearful hug, they said good-bye.

Ali and host Chris sat by the water and talked about her feelings about Frank's betrayal as a downtrodden and sniffling Frank left the island. Ali confessed to feeling very weak, and Chris encouraged her to go back to her room and relax. She went on to call Frank selfish and vented her anger, calling him "the biggest jerk I've ever known". Ouch. Bitter because she didn't get to dump him? Or was blondie really in love with the quirky stressball after all?

The Bachelorette week 9 continued with Ali and host Chris meeting prior to the rose ceremony. After complaining about Frank for a while, she said she had "high hopes" for Chris L. and Roberto and said it was essential for them to want the roses she offered them. Back on track!

Task one: Tell the remaining suitors that Frank bailed. Chris L. looked stunned when Ali told the guys that Frank had flown the coop. Roberto looked a little less surprised. She went on to praise the two men before her, and they looked relieved to know they were both receiving roses. She offered the first rose to Chris, and he was happy to accept. The way he looks at her is just so sweet. And then, of course, Roberto accepted his rose as well. And so the showdown is set for Bora Bora in two weeks. Next week, tune in for the reunion show, featuring all of The Bachelorette 2010's most conniving, most bizarre characters, including weatherman Jonathan, krazy Kasey and wrestler Justin.

With just two weeks of The Bachelorette 2010 to go and week 8 in the books, the biggest question remains: Who will take home the prize and win Ali's heart? Will her chosen beau pop the question? Or will blondie leave the show as she ostensibly began it, alone? Tune in for the finale in two weeks and see for yourself.

Sources

The Bachelorette 2010 week 8, ABC, July 19, 2010