I was wondering about Bethany today.

She is obviously an intelligent and thoughtful woman. Her story is tragic, and she broke our hearts when she shared it. But I've noticed that she has been toying with the idea of going home, and she began voicing that desire almost immediately. Unlike some of the other HG's, I don't think she's playing a game using threats of leaving; I think she is completely serious. Being a part of the show is such a commitment, and I was wondering how she came to the conclusion that SO was the right place for her at that particular point in time.

Do you guys think it is at all possible that Bethany applied to the show before Shelby passed away? She may have had other issues that she originally wanted to address. What we are seeing now is four or five months after the accident, and I think it's conceivable that she was approved for the show prior to her loss. Maybe she changed her mind after losing her daughter, but the producers urged her to give it a try promising her that they wouldn't pressure her to stay if it was too uncomfortable for her. She did say that her family thought this would be a good idea, and her sister said basically the same thing on the phone.

From what we've heard about SO's castings, there are lots of women who really want to get on the show. I would think ambivalence about actually being cast wouldn't help someone get through the selection process.

What do you think?

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