So this week’s episode of The Bachelor featured the season’s “Women Tell All” episode. For Bachelor Nation fans this is the episode of the season that brings back the favorites, the villains, and the random contestants we saw on screen this season for a brief second to be seat fillers (Poor Innocent Heather). This is the episode leading up to the finale where we get a chance to recap what has happened so far this season and allow past contestants to come back on to discuss their experience on the show. It also gives a chance for a select few to present their best case to producers and all who are watching, why they should be the next Bachelorette.
On this seasons “Women Tell All” there is no live studio audience to clap, to cheer, and to basically judge all contestants in person. Without audience Chris Harrison can’t introduce each person individually where we as viewers get to see a true crowd reaction of who is a fan favorite and who people hate. Honestly, my favorite part is when the crowd appears genuinely confused when some people are introduced because they legit don’t remember who they are and why they are here. In typical “Women Tell All” fashion we see highlights from the season and get a chance to relive the drama and all the moments we remember or would honestly rather forget (Yes, you Queen Victoria). We get a moment to break down past controversial moments of the season (cat fights, shady behavior, and uncomfortable conversations) and at the same time gives contestants an opportunity to address these moments and apologize for any embarrassing behavior they may have displayed. We also get to see bloopers, unaired scenes (which for some reason were mostly group dates that the show NEVER aired), and individual in depth interviews with some of the women.
Normally I’d be all about this season’s episode because it gives myself, and many fans, a chance to get a more in depth opportunity to get to know past contestants and at the same time giving us some perspective on why contestants acted the way they did. This is also an opportunity for some of these ladies, who we hated or disliked, to be humble and apologize for their behavior by showing some humility. It also gives us an opportunity as viewers to realize that maybe, just maybe, we did misjudge someone on the show and help us remember that these contestants are real people who sometimes make mistakes. We often come to the realization that producers are there to produce a show and sometimes create a character to be a so-called “Villain” for pure entertainment. Unfortunately, that was not at all the reaction I got and it basically reaffirmed my belief that this may have been the season of the worst group of women to date.
As Chris Harrison brought up to contestant’s examples of incidents that happened in the season that may have resulted in fights, name calling, and unflattering comments on screen, the reaction from the women was not what I expected. Instead what we got was most of the ladies not taking any accountability for their actions and tip toed around an actual apology. It was as if we were reliving the seasons over the top moments in real time. In past “Women Tell All” episodes most women show humility and apologize for their moments of weakness, and not so flattering moments, by taking responsibility for their actions. I don’t know if this was a result of having no live audience or people there to boo and show faces of disgust, but most got off easy and looked like a bunch of catty women with zero remorse. It was actually kind of baffling to watch because all these women had to have seen how embarrassing they looked on screen. The craziest part of it all is most of them came off as unlikeable, immature bullies. I find it hard myself to care or show any interest in following any on social media. I also could care less if any make it on Bachelor in Paradise this summer (Abigail, Katie, and Serena P. are probably the only exceptions). I think I can count on one hand (barely to be honest) of contestants I liked and would show any interest in caring what they do after the show.
With only 2 episode left I’m not at all confident it ends well. To be honest I don’t think we will see the result of a love story for Matt James. I don’t think it ends in a proposal or even a current relationship. As a long time Bachelor Fan of the show I’m finding it harder and harder to believe in this show anymore. I think it’s reached a point where producers would rather have a show filled with drama and OMG moments to talk about on Twitter, than a show filled with finding love. The Jury is still out on this season but I must say I am currently a very disappointed fan of Bachelor Nation.
