There was a moment early on in The Bachelorette 21×05 where Dylan suggested this rose ceremony – the one that was still a continuation from last week – was going to be our first drama-free one. He, of course, jinxed it. He, of all people, should have known better. Because then Matthew came on, and the drama came with him. And man, things got dramatic fast.
In a way, I get it. Like, I don’t, but I’m trying to. This is a heightened environment. Everything is happening really fast, and you gotta invest just as fast because that’s really the only way things have any chance of working out. But I’ll say the dramatic “If she lets this guy in, I’m gone,” felt a little out of place for me. Especially because Jenn hadn’t even made a decision yet, and she didn’t even end up letting Matthew back. Which, in my opinion, was the right call. I could have done without the producers letting him even come in for some midseason drama, but I get it. Reality TV will be reality TV.
After the cleanup part from the last episode, and saying goodbye to the two most obvious stragglers: John and Thomas, we pick up with what is basically this episode, and the hour has two one-on-one dates: Jonathon and Grant. Both are good, though Grant’s feels like it goes a little deeper. Jonathon feels like he’s still way more surface-level, even in his fear. I fear we’re not going deep, says the guy who is, *drumroll* not going deep! Self-fulfilling prophecy, my dude.
Even his fears are all personality-based; he’s not really showing his true self. Which again, it’s hard. But you did sign up for this, so … you gotta give a little to get a little, and Jenn has already given so much more than you have. This is saying a lot, considering you showed us your a** the first night.
The interesting part is actually the group date because Austin decides to leave in what basically feels like a little bit of a tantrum because he didn’t get a one-on-one date. Like, I think maybe he wouldn’t have gotten a rose anyway, as I don’t feel like he had as strong a connection with Jenn, and I will give him that he read as honest, but it also came off very much like a guy not getting his way and then going, you know what, then I’m not even gonna try. Maybe it’s because I’ve seen that attitude before, way too many times. But it put me off Austin, and it honestly made me glad he decided to leave. Greener Pastures, Jenn. Greener Pastures.
Who exactly she chooses I’m still not sure (no spoilers here!), but I refuse to believe ABC’s editing that Jenn is going to leave here without a fiancé. Particularly because the promo keeps saying she’s gonna do something no one has ever done before, and there has already been one Bachelorette who left the show without a ring, and then on the After the Rose special officially went, nah, “we’re better off as friends,” in case you had any doubts about that. So somehow I don’t think that’s how this is going. Ironically, that Bachelorette was also called Jen, with one less n, but hey, close enough.
But we’re not going to go down memory lane here. Instead, with Jenn officially narrowing down the field of suitors to a place where we now know all the names pretty well and their personalities, it’s time to take stock of the season and what it’s given us so far and say that even though Jenn has been a truly great Bachelorette, the guys have been sorta okayish? There are a couple of standouts, and if she picks from those the season could go on to a great ending, but otherwise, it’s all just …mid.
Sure, there’s been some drama, but even that has been kinda dumb and not the kind of drama we can’t stop talking about. There’s nothing about The Bachelorette that feels like must-watch TV, even though Jenn herself is an incredibly engaging, fun Bachelorette. Hopefully, the season can only get better from here now that the field has been reduced and the show has a chance to focus on the guys that are left and the best asset they have, Jenn herself.
Who got a rose: There were two rose ceremonies, so I’m not going to list them all. instead I’ll say that John and Thomas left in the first one, Austin left by himself and Dylan left in the second rose ceremony
Who is the drama: Matthew, who thankfully left
Who will probably make it to the final four: Marcus, Devin, Sam M., Jeremy
Who should make it to the final four: Devin, Marcus, Spencer, and Grant
Odds on favorite to be the next Bachelor right now: Dylan
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of The Bachelorette 21×05? Please share with us in the comments below!
The Bachelorette airs Mondays at 8/7c on ABC.
