As weird as it is to say, it looks like The Bachelorette is back to it’s usual drama, and we absolutely dig it! I mean, it’s a mess, as always, but it’s the sort of mess we’re used to instead of the one Clare brought, if that makes any sense?
So, yes, we have thoughts. Joining me this week on the roundtable are Lyra, Jessica, Grace and Jade.
Here we go!
Now, this feels more like the standard The Bachelorette drama, doesn’t it? Are you happy to see the show go back to the kind of silly drama we all tune in for? What was your favorite part of this episode?
Lizzie: Oh, dear God, the way I laughed at Bennett’s dumb ass. Might have been the highlight of the season for me. In fact, I’m still laughing thinking about his face when he couldn’t spell “limousine.” Priceless.
Lyra: My favorite part of the episode was watching Bennett completely tank spelling and math questions. He’s all proud about going to Harvard but he couldn’t even spell “limousine”? Girl, no! Serving up some humble pie, part of one! But seriously, I have this app called Alarmy that gives me math problems to turn off. Sometimes I solve the math problems without remembering and going back to sleep. Be better Bennett. Download Alarmy.
Jessica: My favorite part was also watching Bennett brag about how much smarter he is than everyone because he went to Harvard and then mess up basic math. Seriously, I could answer those questions so you know they were easy.
Grace: Have to agree with Lyra and Jessica, Bennett was just a hoot this entire episode. A Harvard grad that can’t answer basic questions? Sign me up! But honestly, he’s just really fun to watch and very entertaining.
Jade: So many people in this episode were a hot mess, but at least it wasn’t the annoying kind of mess that we suffered through with Clare. So that’s something, at least. Like everyone else, I just stared in sort of horrified silence as Bennett bragged about his intelligence and then bombed the math and spelling test so hard, they’re still pulling shrapnel out of everything in the vicinity of the makeshift classroom. Though, as bad as that was, him attending the afterparty in a bathrobe made me cringe so hard, it’ll be Thanksgiving before my lips start moving normally again.
Let’s talk about the date ideas. Does it feel to you like the show is just completely out of new ideas? Do they really need these complicated productions to keep us entertained?
Lizzie: Math problems? Like seriously, guys? I know COVID has made things hard, but is this really the best we can come up with? Bring on the women from UnREAL, they’d do better than this!
Lyra: Since this is my first time watching The Bachelorette, I have no idea what the previous challenges were like. And the ones that I’ve seen so far have been mildly entertaining with a side of, “Ehhhh, if we greased up women and had them fight, people would not like this picture.” But because she’s a woman and men OBVIOUSLY *insert sarcasm here* never have body issues, let’s just grease them up and make them fight.
Jessica: It does feel like they’re struggling with ideas. It seemed like they brought in Ashley and Jared so we would be distracted by how dumb the “man” challenge was. I’ll give the producers a pass this time because they may be limited on what they can do because of Covid. But can we please put a stop to the wrestling and boxing competitions? They never end well.
Grace: I will admit, one of the best parts of The Bachelorette is watching them fly around the world and do the most random dates ever. That said, I’m not completely against the dates they’re doing now. They’re doing the best with what they got. I will say, ask me again in two weeks when I’m sure they have completely run out of ideas.
Jade: I haven’t seen any prior season, so this is all fresh and new to me. I certainly hope the date was a symptom of either running out of ideas or COVID complicating plans. Ideally the latter, because then I can hope for better date ideas in a post-COVID world – one that actually gives me a better idea of their personalities because they all look the same level of “central casting attractive” with their clothes on or off. As a member of the audience, I still can’t tell the difference between most of the guys (there’s “guy who went to Harvard” and “guy who apparently has chicken legs” and “younger Ron Perlman”). I’m trying, but lathering them up in baby oil isn’t going to be what makes me care about them one way or another. Whether it’s enough to make Tayshia care about them one way or another remains to be seen.
There are two types of Bachelor watchers: people who love the mess and the drama at the beginning, or people who love the idea of romance that the show attempts to see you near the end? Which one are you?
Lizzie: It’s mostly the drama. But I *have* seen a few stories that work, so a part of me still wants to believe that? But yeah, drama. Mostly.
Lyra: Give me that messy shit. I’m not here for love. I’m here for drama. I’m here for distraction. I’m here for looking at others have first world problems about which hunk they want to kiss before the night is over. The world is sad enough, fucked up enough, that this feels like a respite from all of it. And I don’t feel guilty about it at all.
Jessica: I used to watch for romance. When the show started a million years ago it seemed like it was more geared toward romance and less drama, but this season I definitely tuned in for the drama. I haven’t watched The Bachelor or The Bachelorette in years (just Bachelor in Paradise), but all the rumors of the drama this season lured me back in. I needed the distraction, and some of these people make me feel better about myself.
Grace: As much as I’d like to be a skeptic, I have to say I’m here for the romance. I also love the messy drama that fills the gap between dull dates. I do feel like this season, the drama is a lot more petty which I’m not really a fan of. I’m also not a fan of people that pick fights for no reason other than for more screen time. So when that kind of bullshit fills up an entire season, I just focus on the romance to get me through.
Jade: I’m a hopeless romantic, so sure. I hope there’s some sort of happy ending in there. Since I’m a newcomer to Bachelor Nation, however, I don’t know if the kind of romance they intend to sell is the kind of romance I like to buy. So until I figure that out, I’m fine with being here for the mess and drama!
You’ve seen more of the guys, and more of Tayshia with the guys …so top 3. What’s your gut feeling?
Lizzie: Brendan for suuuuure. And maybe Ivan? I mean, Ben seems to be a popular third choice, and I have nothing against him, so why not?
Lyra: Definitely Bennett. He bougie, she bougie, they bougie. Ben is cute like a puppy. He’s def on this list. And finally Brendan. That connection was there during the last episode and I’m still not over it. *gasp* Maybe I do care for love and not just drama!
Jessica: After this episode, I think Ben’s my favorite. He’s adorable. I also still like Brendan and my third pick would probably be Ivan. They seem to have a connection.
Grace: Ben is a dreamboat, Brendan is a cutie and Bennett is a thrill. Basically, the “Bs” of this season has warmed my heart!
Jade: I am impressed that my fellow ladies of Fangirlish can actually name favorites right now. I guess if I had to pick three guys, I’d say Ivan seemed sweet this episode. I kind of want to see Bennett continue to be a train wreck. And I guess I want to see more of Ben? (And, yes, I had to look up their names on the website. Take pity on me. I’m new.)
Are there any guys you’re like Please don’t pick him, please don’t pick him? Why?
Lizzie: Chasen. Bye. TAKE HIM AWAY. I’m not big on Ed either, but Chasen needs to GO NOW.
Lyra: Ed and Chasen. Both are a pain in the ass and the most interesting thing about them is the tension between them.
Jessica: Definitely agree about Chasen and Ed. They’re both getting on nerves with their pettiness and fighting. I’m also going to say no to Spencer and Noah. I know Spencer wasn’t a huge part of this episode, but I still don’t like him, and Noah just creeps me out.
Grace: Literally, Ed and Chasen need to GO. These are the guys I was talking about that only start drama for screen time. Hate these kinds of people on The Bachelorette. While they’re entertaining at first, the more it drags on, the more annoying it gets.
Jade: Like the rest of the roundtable crew, I’d like to vote Ed and Chasen off the proverbial island. It’s just weird to me that Ed would be upset that Chasen describes Tayshia as “beautiful and fun” when I have a carton of milk in my fridge that’s been around longer than these two have known each other. They met, what, two days ago? Is he supposed to be getting her name tattooed on his abs already? I thought it was unusual that Clare decided she wanted to marry Dale twelve seconds after they met. Does Ed think that sort of behavior should be typical? Because instantaneous devotion doesn’t scream “romance” to me. It screams “restraining order.”
Agree? Disagree? What did you think about this week’s episode of The Bachelorette? Share with us in the comments below!
The Bachelorette airs Tuesdays on ABC.
