IS JAKE REALLY GONE?

The Bachelorette Recap: Jake Booted ... But For How Long?!

Last night's installment of The Bachelorette was less notable for any events that took place than for what it teased regarding future episodes in the last three minutes.

We're coming down the home stretch of Jillian Harris' quest for love, as she cut the field from eight to five suitors, all of whom will go on "hometown" dates with her.

Of the three guys who were sent packing on Monday's episode (the sixth of the season), unemployed bartender Robby and foot fetishist Tanner Pope were obvious.

Her cutting Jake Pavelka, however, was a bit of a surprise.

Most of the episode (if not the season) was based around Jake being Mr. Perfect. He is hot. He is a pilot, which is awesome. He is super nice, fun and charming.

Jillian Harris acknowledged all of these things. Yet he goes.

This made little sense until the three-minute preview for the rest of the season aired: Jake Pavelka comes back to the show to tell Jillian about Wes' intentions!

This future development also casts a different light on Wes Hayden, who spent most of last night's show admitting, even bragging about his ulterior motives.

Jake has been dying to call out Wes. He will soon get the chance.

That he has an agenda is not shocking, but no one coming on The Bachelorette merely to promote his music would be so blatant as to say he is "not here for the girl" and that he can "feel" and "taste" the record sales he will generate from this.

Unless, of course, it is all a contrived sham. As is Jake being kicked off only to come back and stir up drama by calling out Wes and his alleged girlfriend.

It seems to The Hollywood Gossip that Jake's elimination was scripted from the start, just like Ed's departure last week because of "work" commitments.

Are Jake and Ed still in the running for Jillian? Were their reasons for departing legitimate, and only their returns staged? Or has this been the plan all along?

That we can't say, but spoilers will surely emerge. We'll be seeing both Jake and Ed in the coming weeks in some form though, you can mark our words.

Because as Jason Mesnick, Melissa Rycroft and Molly Malaney proved to record ratings, what's "reality" TV without a compelling, manipulated story to tell?

via: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2009/06/the-bachelorette-recap-jake-pavelka-booted-but-for-how-long/