Thursday, April 7, 2016

Recap: "The Big Apple of Nathan's Eye"


Bringing Up Bates "The Big Apple of Nathan's Eye"
  • Nathan is planning to surprise his girlfriend, Ashley, in New York City and ask her to begin an official courtship. For the Bates family, “courtship” means “going steady.”
  • “The main goal for us in courtship is the desire to stay pure in the relationship,” shares Kelly. According to Gil, courtship is not a guarantee that the couple is going to marry, but if the relationship does not end at the altar, the two will part as friends.
  • Lawson helps Nathan pick out a courtship gift. “If Ashley is going to kind of fit into our culture, she needs to get her a pair of cowboy boots,” explains Nathan. His three youngest sisters are not impressed by his gift. Nathan ends up purchasing a pair of earrings to go with the boots.
  • Lawson doesn’t agree with Nathan’s decision to pack Western attire for his trip to New York City. “I’m proud of where I’m from, but sometimes you’ve got to adapt to the environment,” says Lawson.
  • Nathan had originally planned to go to NYC alone but ended up inviting his mom to come. Before he knew it, Gil, Lawson, and Erin (along with Carson) had expressed a desire to tag along.
  • Nathan is a bit concerned that Ashley will think he is proposing.
  • The Bates show up at Ashley Salyer’s apartment in the Bronx. The Salyers are a homeschool family with seven children. Ashley’s father, Tim, works in the probation system, and her mother, Ana Maria, runs an in-home daycare.
  • They have one hour to decorate the apartment with streamers, balloons, and posters before Ashley returns home. Erin draws a picture of two ducks (labeled Nathan and Ashley) kissing. Nathan hangs it front and center, but Gil has a different suggestion: “We’re going to put that one on the back burner.”
  • When Ashley walks in, she is overjoyed to see Nathan. The two embrace in a big hug. Ashley admits that she had suspected that something was up, but she hadn't expected such a big ordeal.
  • The next morning, Ashley and a few of her siblings take the Bates on a boat tour to see the Statue of Liberty. They visit China Town, where Erin and Ashley try their hand at making noodles, and then end the day at 10Below Ice Cream.
  • On the second day of the trip, Nathan takes Ashley on a carriage ride through Central Park. “For some reason, they didn’t want me to go along and enjoy that moment with them,” laments Lawson.
  • Kelly explains that in a big city, there are plenty of eyes on you at all times. For that reason, the couple does not take a chaperone along.
  • The next stop is the outdoor ice rink at Bryant Park. While Nathan and Ashley are skating, Lawson sets the gift bag in the center of the rink.
  • “I’ve had a great time hanging out this week, and I love you a lot, and I thought we’d get you something to help you fit in with our culture a little bit,” Nathan tells Ashley. He has to get down on one knee to pick the bag up and is afraid she will think he is proposing. When he pulls out the earring box, he makes sure to tell her that it’s not a ring.
  • “We’d like to start courting, if you’re okay with that,” says Nathan. “Of course I’m okay with that!” responds Ashley.
  • Nathan unveils one final surprise, as he informs Ashley that he has purchased a ticket for her to return to Tennessee to celebrate Christmas. Ashley is elated!
  • Back at the Bates home, it’s time for the annual Christmas party. Michael, Brandon, Alyssa, John, and Allie make a surprise visit. Nathan and Ashley tell their courtship story. 
  • Zach and Whitney hand Kelly a box filled with either pink or blue balloons. When she opens it, everyone is thrilled to find out that Bates grandbaby #4 is a girl!

32 comments:

  1. I love they were able to enjoy some of NYC without a chaperone!!

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    1. Not really, because hey have the camera crew following them!

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  2. so disappointed that this was the season finale. do you know when the next season will start?

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  3. I like how he tacked on the "if you're okay with it" when he asked to court her. So cute! :) Congratulations to Nathan and Ashley!

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  4. They look so cute together!!!!! Just wondering though, why were they holding hands and hugging each other before they actually were officially courting????? It seems like they were acting as if they were engaged or something ?? :)

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    1. What's wrong with hand holding and hugging? It's such a tender manifestation of affection, you can really see the love pouring out of those gestures.

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    2. It's called the sweet innocence of young love💕

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    3. Why do you think they were hugging and holding hands? Clearly they are a beautiful young couple who are attracted to each other--please don't try to turn it into something tawdry. They are young and in love and enjoying NYC at one of the most beautiful, romantic times of the year. It's lovely😍

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    4. Kelly & Gil mentioned on one of the shows that the couple decides what they want to do while they are courting. If they want to hug or hold hands is up to the couple decide as long as they do not go too far (no premarital sex). I see nothing wrong with the way they were expressing their love. For what I saw on the show, these two will probably be getting marry soon. The way they hugged & looked at each other was intense! There a lot of chemistry between them!

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  5. I cant wait until the new season I love this family

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  6. I love a romantic novel! This is a storybook romance of a city girl falling in love with a country boy. Love it!

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  7. I love the Bates ! I haven't had a chance lately to watch all their shows, but I will. Thanks UP tv for airing this beautiful family ! . Am grateful to see the shows on Demand, whenever I want. Am so eager to watch Nathan and Ashley' s courtship! They make a beautiful couple and she fits in so well with the family !

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  8. I am very happy for Nathan and Ashley but also a bit worried. The entire episode it felt like each of them wanted the other to be something they are not. I can't help but wonder if after the initial rush of excitement wears off they won't realize that neither is willing to leave the life they are familiar with. Hopefully I will be proven wrong.

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    1. Hopefully they won't get married too soon, so that they have the time to think about everything and see how it goes.

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    2. I agree.

      I love this show and wish the seasons ran more than the 13 episodes.

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    3. Interesting insight!

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  9. Lawson is a wise man. He understands that, yes, you do need to adapt to your environment. That's not compromising your values, just compromise. That is a young man who will make a good marriage partner.

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  10. Best moment was when Ashley and Nathan were having that sweet moment during the interview and Lawson was stuck between them.

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    1. that was cute & hilarious! I recorded the show & I already lost count of how many times I saw it!!!

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  11. My family and I were wondering where Nathan and Ashley met each other?
    Since she lived so far away. Thanks for posting so many great pictures!

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    1. I believe they met on a mission trip.

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  12. It was such a sweet episode with Nathan & Ashley! I'm sad that the season is over already. I just love the whole Bates family. They are so loving with one another, fun, and very down to earth. They have come to feel like family to me and I miss seeing them when the show isn't on. Can't wait till the new season starts up and I hope it won't be too long! Blessings to all of them.

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  13. Thanks for doing the recaps. I´m not able to watch the episodes due to geographical reasons, so I always look forward to your detailed written recaps. Again, thank you.

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  14. I'd like to know, too.

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  15. I thought maybe he would give her an apple because the episode title was "the apple of Nathan's eye" and she lives in the big apple.

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    1. Do you realize that New York is called "the big apple"?

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    2. Yes. I said she lives in the big apple but thought it was also a hint to what he gave her because she lives in the big apple.

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  16. Do you know Ashley's middle name?

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  17. What was the name of the background song at Ashley's home at the table talking and as Nathan left for the evening?

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    1. Hi Patricia,

      The song is called "Together" by Marie Hines, Derek James, and Gary Philips.

      Blessings,
      Lily and Ellie

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  18. So happy for Nathan and Ashley! I'm with Ashley on the crepes! Love them!

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  19. I have watch the show yet have it record on my DVR.

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