I truly hope all of you are singing “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” in your head while reading this blog. Why on earth it’s taken us ten years to get Bret Michaels to come on our show and sing that song is beyond me. The good news is it finally happened, and all seems right with the universe. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if all the sudden the stock market went up and there was peace in the Middle East now. 

This week’s episode was incredibly interesting on many levels.  First of all, let’s talk about poor Blake. Man, did this guy really step in it when he decided to play Melissa. In Melissa’s defense what Blake pulled was shady and I’m sure its tough to get played like she did and then have it thrown in your face like that. The challenge this week was hysterical and slightly uncomfortable to watch. The great thing about the synchronized swimming competition is so much was riding on the line, the contestants had no choice but to go for it. Here are my thoughts on the competition: The guys’ swimsuits were just a tad bit too small and a little see-through for my taste. The girls, on the other hand, absolutely loved it and were totally sizing the guys up out loud while they were standing there.

 Erica was a complete train wreck and didn’t know up from down. I was thoroughly impressed with how good the guys were and more than a bit disturbed at how bad the women were. I find it funny that Vienna always feels cheated and is the victim when she tries and doesn’t get what she wants or things don’t go her way. I sense a theme here! The truth is, Michelle tried just as hard and did just as well — if not better — in the competition and caught the judges’ eye. Michael definitely had a leg up on the guys’ side with his dance training. But it was his personality that really stole the show and earned him the rose. By the way, Michael, that hug you gave me while wearing that banana hammock was not okay and I really haven’t slept well since.

The blow up between Kasey and Vienna following the competition was incredibly uncomfortable for everybody in the house. It was so public nobody really knew what to say or do. I’ll be interested to hear your opinions of what you thought of this and what you think about their relationship. Later in the show the two of them were celebrating their six-month anniversary. Kasey was in the midst of expressing his love when he reached in his pocket and pulled out a jewelry box. Obviously it was a ring. When Vienna saw the box she interrupted his speech to exclaim, “I don’t want it to be an engagement ring!” I thought Kasey was very kind in just saying, “You killed the mood.” How in the world Kasey continued to give her the promise ring after that I’ll never know. Then Kasey broke out into song. I had completely forgotten that Kasey sang to Ali during her season — somehow I had blocked that out of my mind, and I feel like it will take a while to get this song out of my head.

This week’s dates were very compelling. For the first time you really got to see the relationship blossoming between Michelle and Graham. Michelle really opened up about her feelings towards Graham but he seemed reluctant; Michelle felt he had been hurt before and was closed off. I’ll be interested to find out if that was indeed why he was reluctant. We’ll find out much more when they all come together for the finale of Bachelor Pad.  Once again Michael took his ex fiancée Holly on his date, and once again they shared an amazingly emotional scene with all of us. It’s been incredible to watch the two of them deal with such a tough situation in such a mature way.

At the rose ceremony I announced the tables would be turned, and this week the ladies were safe. This time Vienna didn’t get upset and threaten to stage a walkout — apparently this twist was okay with her. Jake came into this game at a huge disadvantage and a massive target on his back. He made one last ditch effort to save himself and everybody else from the power couples, but for some reason the stragglers couldn’t pull it together, and much to the delight of Kasey and Vienna, Jake went down. He really only has himself to blame. That very first week if he hadn’t given Vienna the rose, things would have been much different.

 Now with Jake gone, the power couples are only that much stronger. I think Jake hit the nail on the head when he said if you don’t vote against the power couples, you’re “not playin’ the game,” you’re just “playin’ stupid.” With Jake gone and the numbers dwindling, it will be interesting to see how the game changes as people begin to feel more desperate.