It can be very jarring, particularly for John and Rodney who I think would have a difficult time with 'partner' or 'boyfriend' let alone something as intimate -- or potentially insinuating -- as 'lover'.

But I also think that it depends on cultural aspects. Using 'lover' doesn't bother most of the people I know who grew up in Britian, and some even use it as a pet name, similar to 'love' -- although 'love' is used for more indiscriminately :)

But yeah, for a man who grew up in the US or even Canada (which, yes, is more British, but not that much more, Hewlett's personal history aside) I don't think lover is something either of them is going to even think. And say? No way; that's just completely out of character and yeah, very very jarring.