Brussels

Brussels is beautiful. The nerdy dietitian in me is happy that maybe Bachelorette nation can now note how to spell the super vegetable - Brussels sprouts (cruciferious, sulphorophane isothiocyanate containing vegetable that contains in anticancer properties in experimental conditions). It's not brussel sprout, brussels sprouts but Brussels sprouts. Everyone got it?

but nary a Brussels sprouts dish was seen on this show…then again…very little eating on this show. The steal an occasional bite of street food.

This was a very important episode in Andi's journey…the journey is winding to hometowns..
When the men arrive in Brussels, it's like they were on Team hoodie or Team scarf. Was it windy in Brussels..Marcus, Nick and even Chris the farmer had a scarf on..the sporty dudes Josh and Bryan were without scarves. It look like Nick got Cody's old v-neck t-shirt…but his was much more loosely fitting than it would fit on Cody.

The date card arrives..and it goes to Marcus…
Mussels in Brussels
Nope. Mussels the seafood, nope Cody did not make a comeback. This is  feasting date. The two get some chocolates, stop for mussels (not oysters..this is not the FOD yet), then a fancy dinner. Marcus reflects openly with Andi that he was reviewing his journal..and there were so many mentions of Andi. Andi meanwhile is feasting on this information. This episode more than any, i realized that words of affirmation is Andi's love language. She wants the guys to tell her how much they love her. She also made sure to remind Marcus that he wanted to leave at one point. Didn't we review that in previous episodes. Andi needs a lot of reassurance. At their fancy dinner, Andi did not wear anything sparkly (remarkable). Marcus opened up about complex family dynamics..but i'm not sure what he was trying to say. Bottom line him and his ma are all good in the 'hood now. And they have coffee every week. And he sees or talks to his sister every day (sounds like my relationship with my sister- fist bump seka). Marcus throws down the word soulmate and love and there is vigourous kissing. I think that deal is sealed for hometowns.

Security infraction
Well, Bryan keeps saying how smart Marcus is…apparently he can outsmart any basic hotel security procedure and get a room key by saying he forgot his room key. No ID required..well, maybe hotel staff thought this was being filmed so it would be okay to hand over the key. Nick surprised Andi. She looked happy to see him.they went out..for a little walk, sat at a cafe with no patrons.then had some steamy make out session. Andi likes initiative and Nick delivered.

Josh..getting his Ghent on
I'm not sure that a visit to Ghent will turn Josh into  gent. Josh seems like a bit of a stunted dude. A lot of the guys seem to put their feet on the tables in the hotel rooms, but Josh seems to do it the most. He did change out of his unzipped hoodie and put on a collared shirt. I don't see what Andi sees in Josh…apparently she's gone for this sporty type before. Well, maybe she enjoys vague answers and the occasional show of affection. I think Josh thinks his presence is a present to Andi. She had to take this guy to a castle and in a circular way get him to say what he feels. She says "what would you tell your family about your feelings for me".  Then he finally says i would say i'm falling  in love with you! Score for the sporty dude!!! That makes Andi happy..so happy she takes him outside for more awkward dancing on a raised platform among Belgians standing around trying not to look at them.
That was one ridiculous dance party. But Andi's got her hands in the air and waving' them like she just don't care. She's still into sporty dudes. Btw..Andi looks amazing in white pants...

The antithesis of the FOD - Monastery date

What a departure for the show. The group date is at a monastery where there is no kissing allowed. Dylan, Bryan, Nick and Chris. There is  rose on this date. The person awarded the rose gets to continue with Andi. First one on one time goes to Chris..where they step off sacred grounds and help make beautiful pottery together. I think there was an attempt to make a nod at the Ghost movie scene. Even though that wasn't successful, there is not denying that Chris has got it join' on…they kiss make a pot..and back Chris goes onto sacred ground.  As Bryan gets more nervous he perserverates on Nick. His lack of confidence is palpable. He keeps talking about a game plan. I see no game. I see Bryan deferring to Nick and Nick's smarts. Dylan is mainly quiet. Nick gets the rose…the other 3 go home angry at how disingenuous Nick is. I'm not sure Nick is that shallow. Nick and Andi have dinner..Andi seems to choose a jacket that is not sequinned look sparkly - what kind of jacket was that?

Nick comes back to the hotel and awkwardly sits with the guys. Marcus is using the hotel amenities - the white slippers. A guy in white slippers looks less serious. Josh is sitting there in his white athletic socks with his feet on the table.  Bryan launches into to Nick. Nick is unaffected. Chris looks like he would run Nick over with his John Deere if given the opportunity. They all accuse Nick of talking strategy and game instead of true love. Whoa..this Nick-picking on Nick is getting tiresome. Dylan is not there..he's probably in the bathroom not washing his hands.

Rose ceremony
Okay..that dress. That was some serious sparkly rocks affixed to the dress..of various shapes and sizes. Oh Andi..let go of the sparkle. Nick interrupts Bryan's one on one time…probably to make Bryan crazy..but for what reason..to tell Andi that he has a big target on him. It's okay. Andi likes the attention.Chris throws down the gauntlet , I mean the pitchfork, he tells Andi..he comes from a small place..758 people to be exact.and it's beautiful..on and that he loves her…then he comes back !!   Chris goes against the grain and tells her as firm as the ground he stands on that she is the apple of her eye and come hell or high water his love is pure as the driven snow..and plants a kiss on her. God bless the farmer y'all.


The teariest of all Rose ceremonies
This is real y'all. We're gonna meet families.
And the roses go to …Nick (already awarded), Josh (seriously?), Marcus..then…Chris!!
uh-oh…Dylan and Bryan are gone. Dylan makes an honourable exit..he says he deserves love….Bryan.oh..poor guy..he thought Andi was his woman of his dreams. Yes Bryan..in your dreams. Unfortunately..laughs erupt from the castle as Bryan is on the outs and on the outside.  Bryan is crying..someone hand him some gatorade.

Andi asks the remaining guys for a smile..because…next week is hometowns y'all..
until next week…I love this show!!!!!!