The Choice, S1 Episode 2: Recap & Review

And I thought last week set The Choice bar high…

While it might have been nice to get a few more seconds recap of the dates from last week, the short catch-up (where we found out both Romeo and Pauly D traded numbers with their ladies and Jeremy and Jason decided to just stay friends) proved necessary so that we could get as much time in with this weeks ever-loveable bachelors: two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Seth Westcott, ‘Suburgatory’ star Parker Young, co-host of Loveline Mike Catherwood and international superstar Joe Jonas.

From the first time they all turned around in their chairs, the banter was top-notch. While we knew we could expect some priceless moments thanks to our chat with Mike Catherwood, we were even more pleasantly surprised than we anticipated. What really stood out was how well the four guys got along, going so far as to help one another out and try and figure out who would be best for the girl.

Mike did tell us this ahead of time, but we didn’t expect it to play out quite as clearly. Especially the part about Parker being a matchmaker. When Joe, Mike and Parker all turned around for one girl, Parker literally spoke on Mike’s behalf, saying they would be a perfect match… even though he still hoped she would pick him. That’s a good guy right there.

Well, they all were actually! Here’s the rundown:

SETH WESCOTT

Okay, I admit it: I didn’t know who Seth was before the show. But even though this was an undoubtedly awkward situation for the celebrity bachelors, again, we fell in total love with him, despite his admitted nervousness. He wasn’t the only one who was nervous though – the first girl he chose, Morgane, was also clearly very nervous and he appreciated that about her. At times, she was a little wince-worthy, but ultimately quite likeable and definitely genuine. His second choice was a little bit confusing, though, because I’m still not sure why anyone would select the self-proclaimed girl all the guys want to date and girls want to be friends with, Sarah. Mm, no thanks. But he made up for it with his third choice, Blaire, who seemed to mesh very well with his personality from the get-go.

Ms. Everyone Loves Me was eliminated in the speed round, leaving the still-nervous Morgane and music-loving Blaire to vie for the dream date with Seth. Either choice would have been a good one, really, but when Seth and Blaire connected over Metallica and Iron Maiden, it was pretty clear who Seth would pick. But perhaps the sweetest moment was when he walked up to the two to make the decision, kindly told them how great they both were and then turned to Blaire and actually asked “Would you like to go out?” Hey, we have to hand it to him, making the girl feel like she has the ultimate choice? Well played, Seth, well played.

Final Question: What is something you should you have won a Gold Medal for?

PARKER YOUNG

Uh, how adorable is this man? He started off a little handle-happy, turning around for almost every girl, holding his head in an oh-my-gosh-I-just-pulled-my-love-handle-again way every single time. He turned around at the last second for one girl, explaining “I would turn my chair every time if I could!” He then explained that he was trying to “ration,” but he couldn’t. He did seem to lay low after that, though, because he was ultimately the last guy to choose his three girls. But his final choice wasn’t without some excellent drama. Tina, an admittedly older woman, and Becky went head to head to get Parker to choose them and Becky called Tina out on her age – to Parker! This didn’t sit well with Tina and the girls got into a bit of an argument. Parker ultimately went with Becky, as well as Shannon and Melanie.

Parker upped his adorability even more when he asked questions like “Do you like cupholders?” during the speed dating round, but the poor boy couldn’t get away from the sass. Becky told him to “stop talking and ask questions” to which Parker aptly replied by not talking. Surprisingly, she made it to the final round (Although we can understand because Melanie, who he did let go, was stumped on ‘what’s your favorite pastime?’). But Becky got what was coming to her in the final round when Parker went up to the both of them, said they were both sweet, adding to Becky “even though you’re kind of mean to me,” and going in for the congratulatory hug to Shannon. Smart choice, Parker!

Final Round Question: What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?

MIKE CATHERWOOD

Maybe I was a little bias in his favor after speaking with him yesterday, but, man, was he funny! A bit shallow and inappropriate at times? Yes… but that was all part of his humor and personality. That’s right, another celebrity bachelor who made us love him even more. From the start, he proved himself a fun-loving guy and always ready to make us laugh. Whether it was referencing how good he was at getting massages, his quick “love-lever” turn-around time, being a good sport about being the only guy with zero ladies at the commercial break, giving the “don’t do it” sign to Parker, turning around at the mere mention of a gymnast, jokingly saying he doesn’t like smart girls, or any of the other priceless things to come out of his mouth, he had us smiling every second he was on screen. But what else had us smiling was his moments of sincerity between the laughs, like when he called one girl out on going a little “overboard on the I love to drink thing.”

It should be noted that his three choices, Megan, Kerrya and Keyonna, were all girls that only he turned around for. Mike, too, was aware of this, even saying that he thinks the guys may have been trying to help him out by not turning around. Funny… because it’s probably true. Ultimately, Kerrya was done for in the speed round when she admitted she was a Red Sox fan. It was left to Megan and Keyonna to duke it out for a date with Mike and this was definitely the hardest one to call. Either would have made for a good choice, but I couldn’t tell which he would go for. In the end, thanks to the always wise words of Tupac Shakur, he went with Keyonna because “the darker the berry, the sweeter the juice.” Here, too, he confessed the date would be fun but he was probably not going to be charming nor well-behaved. We just want you to be exactly how you are! Go with your funny self, Mike.

Final Question: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given about your love life and who gave it to you?

JOE JONAS

He may be trying to break away a bit from his clean cut image with his album Fastlife, but you can’t fool us Joe! We know you’re still a genuinely sweet guy, looking for the right family-friendly girl. One of the first things you said was “The audience is helpful, but I’m trying to listen to her.” Hearts, melted. Tonight, he proved how down to earth he could be while all of the girls were still so clearly gunning to be on Team Joe. He certainly had to be careful for who he turned around on because without fail, if he was up for grabs, the girl went grabbing. But when Kimberly came up to the stage, the second she started speaking we knew this was going to be his choice. (He may have known, too. He did pull his love handle for her twice.) Still, that didn’t prevent him from swooning America and the girl by telling her “you had me at hello.” Mike, who had also turned around for her, waved his hand in resignation almost, well aware that he wasn’t getting this girl either.

His three girls were Kimberly, Latika and Amanda and making another smart decision, he let Amanda go in the speed round when she proved more interested in twirling in circles than really talking to Joe. His 15 seconds with Kimberly were light and friendly, but in his 15 seconds with Latika, she came right out and asked how he felt about virgins… because she is one. She tried playing the purity card, to which Joe admirably replied, “If you’re waiting for the right person, that’s special,” but it worked out better for Kimberly who talked more about the importance of her family – and her love for dogs. It was no surprise when Joe chose Kimberly, resulting in a very sweet hug. Another good choice!

Final Round Question: What’s the most important commitment you’ve ever made and why did you make it?

This episode showed yet again why The Choice is the perfect summer staple. It’s light, it makes you laugh and it makes you happy to find people are even more likeable than you may have thought. Let me just point out, though, Joe was the only guy who let his lady take his seat. Mike, Parker and Seth all remained seated with their ladies off to their side.

All four celebrity bachelors made for a stand-out episode and leave the upcoming celebrity bachelors with a lot to live up to. UPDATE: Next week’s celebrity bachelors will actually be Rob Kardashian, Finesse Mitchell, Rob Gronkowski and Steven Lopez… NOT Taylor Hicks, Warren Sapp, Rocco DiSpirito and Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino. That episode to air later.

What did you think? Who surprised you the most? And who really made you wish you could go on a date with them? Sound off in the comments below!

New Episodes of The Choice Air Thursdays at 9/8c on FOX.