Bachelor for Nerds
Finale
The Bachelor could not end at a more perfect time. March Madness started this week, and I’m stoked that I don’t have to potentially miss The Bachelor to catch a game between two schools you’ve never heard of.
Show Analysis
Matt’s mom is so wholesome. She couldn’t complete a sentence with Michelle and Rachael without getting emotional. It was nice to see both Matt’s mother and brother like both Michelle and Rachael so as to not add any pressure to Matt and the important decision he has to make. In other words, they seemed to be very supportive of Matt and whatever he decides to do. However, her seemingly innocent words about love’s longevity really affected Matt for the rest of the show.
Michelle got had. She really opened up to Matt throughout the season, and she had good reason to think she would be the one for Matt. They had arguably the best and most mature connection from the get-go. Matt’s discomfort with the uncertainty of his future along with his self-imposed pressure to not make the same mistake his dad made ultimately led to him doubting his relationships. The only good thing is that Matt didn’t say no to her at the proposal.
Matt cheated the system and ended up with the best thing possible: he got a girlfriend. He wasn’t ready for an engagement; in fact, no one is ready to be engaged after a few weeks of getting to know each other on The Bachelor. Matt’s hesitation allowed him to leave with a girlfriend, which gives him the time and opportunity he needs to get to know Rachael — and only Rachael — more and decide if he wants to marry her.
Emmanuel Acho was the best surprise of the season. I’m a huge college football fan and seeing a Fox Sports college football analyst host the After the Final Rose ceremony of The Bachelor was a surreal moment for me. And I think Emmanuel did a great job. He remained comfortably charismatic and sympathetic throughout the hour. He also did a tremendous job of controlling the conversation regarding race and the Rachael controversy. It’s understandable why Matt had to break things off with Rachael, and that makes it even better that he didn’t propose to Rachael at the end.
The conversation between Emmanuel and Rachael was what I wanted it to be. Emmanuel asked tough questions, and I truly believe that Rachael gave honest answers. The most profound statements I got from the conversation came from Emmanuel when he said, “Prejudice is a willful commitment to ignorance” and “History is meant to be remembered, but not all history is meant to celebrated.” Those statements really generalize the main issues throughout the country in a non-attacking way.
Finally, the conversation between Rachael and Matt was rough. The tension was palpable and there is clearly a lot of uneasiness in Matt. Rachael has a lot more to process and understand about the implications of what she’s done in her past, but she is on the right track to correct what she grew up to consider as normal. Emmanuel put it best at the end when he told Rachael, “I don’t agree with cancel culture, but I do agree with accountability.”
Looking Ahead
Well that’s another season in the books. I hope you all enjoyed reading a blog every week about a nerd’s take on a romantic reality TV show. I’m excited for two seasons of The Bachelorette featuring two of my favorite contestants from this season being Katie and Michelle. Until then, I hope you all remain safe and healthy as we try go back to life again.
