Bachelor 25 - Matt James - General Discussion - *Sleuthing Spoilers*

Other than individual call outs ie Rachael for her racial insensitivity and CH, what about THE BACHELOR TPTB?

I’ve been thinking about this and it’s crazy how they choose to create racial problems rather than to take the opportunity their show with it’s huge platform to address the social Issues of race and inequality. It’s not a coincidence that Rachael ended up being a contestant on the season of the first Black Bachelor AND on Rachel Lindsay season they had racist Lee.
What point is the show trying to make in those instances? To me it’s speaks to the show not giving a damn about genuinely making changes for more inclusion of persons of color. Knee jerk reaction to matters they could care less about because the issues doesn’t bother them, but hey here’s a great idea ...we will not consult POC to help understand race diversity. We will write our story line about how we think POC think and feel.

Plus I’m still trying to figure out the “hate on” Rachel Lindsay

@Idlemess all they care about is money and revenue like any business however they don't have any regard to sensitivity or how they can ruin someone's life. JMO.

I'm not aware of the hate you're speaking of about Rachel, but I'm going to guess, they are CH fan's who are blaming Rachel for the situation CH and CH alone got himself into to. JMO's.

Ashley Spivey said on a podcast that "we" want to see the women having fun instead of drama, especially during a pandemic. I think she’s right. She & the host also said that that they made a POC the lead, yet hid the wonderful WOC finalists. I don’t know why they haven’t figured out that we really don’t want to see bullying or mean girls/guys and would rather see a love story or two along the way.  

@albean99 They may have figured out that we want to see a love story or 2 (we saw Tayshia develop 3-4 of them, and 3 were with white men). They just didn’t want to show us love stories of Matt with other BIPOC IMO. That left Matt’s love story with Rachael, and watching the drama brought on primarily by white women. All IMO.

@Idlemess TPTB seem to try to outdo themselves each succeeding season so the show tends to end up with ever increasing drama. Unfortunately, I think with racial and cultural issues they see it primarily as another vehicle for drama and ratings. TPTB seem to be merely performative in their actions. In fact, I think they try to have it both ways by featuring these racial & cultural issues while also exploiting them for drama and ratings.

I was watching the 1-1 dates of the F4 online last night and Matt definitely has some good women to choose from. The tantric yoga date, which I fast-forwarded through, was one more example of racial & cultural insensitivity. I know that in India PDA is highly frowned upon and public kissing & hugging are even against the law in some areas. While Serena is Canadian, being half Indian she may also feel PDA is inappropriate for these cultural reasons, but I’m not positive about that. If someone knows more about how Indians raised in the West view PDA please correct me if I’m wrong on that.

This is all not to mention the issues of cultural appropriation and consent that came into play in the tantric yoga date. I think that whole date was probably a bit of a nightmare for Serena and now her family & friends will all see it on tv too. TPTB likely knew exactly what an uncomfortable position they were putting her in (pun not intended) when they chose her for that date. jmo

While this article is about India rather than the West it shows how seriously they view PDA: The Politics of PDA in India

mbl wrote:@albean99 They may have figured out that we want to see a love story or 2 (we saw Tayshia develop 3-4 of them, and 3 were with white men). They just didn’t want to show us love stories of Matt with other BIPOC IMO. That left Matt’s love story with Rachael, and watching the drama brought on primarily by white women. All IMO.  

And Clare falling fast and hard for Dale, a POC was shown with shock and awe like weapons of mass destruction. So shocking she had to be shown like a crazy white woman.

The underlying messaging is blatantly obvious (to me) JMHO

Idlemess wrote:

mbl wrote:@albean99 They may have figured out that we want to see a love story or 2 (we saw Tayshia develop 3-4 of them, and 3 were with white men). They just didn’t want to show us love stories of Matt with other BIPOC IMO. That left Matt’s love story with Rachael, and watching the drama brought on primarily by white women. All IMO.  

And Clare falling fast and hard for Dale, a POC was shown with shock and awe like weapons of mass destruction. So shocking she had to be shown like a crazy white woman.

The underlying messaging is blatantly obvious (to me) JMHO

I didn't get that it was shocking that Clare fell in love - or thought she fell in love - with a POC. I thought it was shocking that she was so sure on moment one - and followed through with an engagement so soon. With Clare - it's either down in the dumps or high on cloud 9. I don't go for all the meanness/drama that we've had on this show with Matt - but Matt does not seem to have a real dynamic/lively personality and the girls he has narrowed it down to seem to be on the more reserved side - so maybe that is why all the drama between the girls.

I agree about Matt’s personality. I find it interesting that the Girl’s get most excited when he becomes assertive. They see more of him than we are shown on tv, so their reactions are telling. Says, that he’s been going along people -pleasing the whole time which probably comes off very bland and neutral, so yes it’s exciting to see the engine move passed idling. I think this is a part of Matt’s journey that they are trying to highlight. Vulnerability and assertiveness.

Matt seems rather inexperienced in dating, especially physically. I think because he mentioned something about a 4 month relationship people are assuming he is a player not interested in long term relationships. I know Tyler said he’s only seen Matt kiss a woman once or twice. Is there anything else that has been said to give the impression Matt is a player? If not, I think he might just be inexperienced which isn’t uncommon for people raised in conservative churches. It can be common for them to not date much but instead  waiting for the one who they will court. I’m wondering if this is possibly the case with Matt.

I don't remember if it's already been posted, but Sharleen will not be doing any more recaps for this season. She has become discouraged by this season's racial issues, and that combined with her currently busy work schedule made her not want to continue. She said that she may return in May for the next Bachelorette.

She has become my favorite alum in the franchise in terms of her recaps and commentary. I find myself agreeing with her takes most of the time, and when I don't, I enjoy seeing a different point of view. I've also enjoyed her fashion commentary.

I hope to see her back, but if she feels the need to move on with her life, I totally understand.

http://www.alltheprettypandas.com/bachelor25/a-message-to-my-readers

@Amethyst Thanks for posting. I had not read the latest by Sharleen. She had mentioned she wasn't sure about continuing, and as usual she beautifully stated her feelings in that blog.

She is a gem of a lady, who always puts other people's feelings before hers. I'm glad she was able to consider herself first. Why do something that isn't giving you joy or are not interested in.

I do hope she returns for the 'ette.