Bachelor Matt Recap: Rejection SUV
Bachelor Matt Recap | Week 7 |
It’s midday Friday, and I’ve started writing this recap a dozen different times. As many of you probably know, Texas has really taken a huge hit this week. What started for most people as a fun “snow day” turned into dire situations that felt very much like Hurricane Harvey. In a matter of seconds, the entire state — meaning millions of people — were suddenly without power.
No big deal, right? Suck it up and handle it. That seems doable until the moment that the water is turned off.
Many people who deal with snow regularly poke fun at Texans who don’t know how to handle themselves during a snowstorm, but might I remind them that I can count on two hands how many times I’ve seen snow in Texas in my life. And in those instances, it may, MAY, have lasted for an afternoon.
To have four days of record-breaking low temperatures well below freezing was devastating. No one had electricity. No one had water. A handful of individuals had gas stovetops or fireplaces. I knew of one person who had a generator, but I couldn’t get to that person because of dangerous street conditions. You saw the horrific accident that happened in Fort Worth, right?
Also, even if you could escape somewhere close to the sanctuary of warm heat and a hot shower in another region of the state, you would run into the same problem. Dallas, Austin, East Texas, West Texas, even Galveston were all in the same predicament. Plus, how are you going to get there when all the gas stations have NO POWER. Or the refinery has busted pipes?
The temperature inside houses was below freezing. Sure, you can use snow to flush the toilet, but how are you supposed to melt it when you have zero power or heat source? And no one knew this would be this way, which is why no one stocked up on food or water.
Needless to say, thank you to everyone who checked in during this time of unknown. I never want to sleep in 48-degree temperature again and will praise Jesus each time I flush the toilet from here to eternity.
It was a hot mess.
Speaking of hot mess, what’s up with Season 25, am I right?
I’ll admit that while watching Monday night’s episode, the general feel was different with the news of Our Host Chris Harrison’s pending absence due to comments he made regarding Rachael’s past. The entertainment value was definitely dampened as I witnessed Matt James puzzle through which families will be joining him at the Neapolitan.
Because we have a lot to cover since half the cast ended up in a black rejection SUV either by Matt James’ choice or her own accord, I’ll give you my thoughts on Our Host at the end of the post. Spoiler: It all makes me very sad on several different levels.
SIMPLE DISCLAIMER
The following information you are about to read is of personal opinion. However, if you or someone you follow on TikTok happens to know, sort of know personally, or is friends with the local Starbucks barista who’s obsessed with Bridgerton and looks exactly like one of the contestants on the show — none of this is personal. I’m sure they are all lovely people.
REJECT #1
Remember when Heather crashed the cocktail party in her white puka shell dress? And then she interrupted Pieper’s alone time, and Matt James laughed and laughed and laughed? Well, Pieper experienced a range of emotions, spanning from rageful cursing to lamentable weeping.
The other women quickly deduce that the long-limbed yellow-haired stranger is a discard from Cole-an’s season. Serena C. prepares to throw down while Kit makes a shiv out of an abandoned Diet Coke can and her liquid eyeliner pencil.
Meanwhile, Matt James listens intently as Heather eagerly explains to him the normalcy of her sudden appearance, given that their mutual BFF Hannah Brown thinks they would be perfect for each other. Who cares that hometowns are next week? She is ready for marriage, like, yesterday.
As Matt James leaves Heather to “consider” her offer, she dawdles off to make friendship bracelets with the remaining women. Obviously, they want nothing to do with Puka Shell Barbie. A light layer of bullying smatters their interjections before Heather decides to cry it out in a Nemacolin boardroom. She never meant to cause trouble!
Our Host Chris Harrison is called in to gauge where Matt James’ “head is at.” Raise your hand if this phrase drives you nuts? His head is literally on his neck. (Note my use of the word “literally.”)
Matt James eventually tells Heather that she’s gotta go and escorts her right through the revolving door to her waiting minivan. Matt James returns to the gaggle of women and casually explains that Heather will not be on his journey to find love. He lazily smiles and says, “No one will be joining us who is not on that couch.” Then he apologizes to Pieper for rudely cutting off their alone time.
This reaction results in all the women fanning themselves in a way that depicts hot and bothered. They find his respectful behavior extremely attractive.
ROSE CEREMONY / REJECTION #2
Along with Michelle Obama Arms, Pieper, and Bri, roses are quickly handed to Rachael, Serena P, Kit, Jessenia, and Abigail. Chelsea and Other Serena are out, and neither seems heartbroken about it.
FIRST ONE-ON-ONE
SERENA P.
“Can Our Love Go Deeper?”
Serena P. excuses an impressive Jump & Straddle) right into the arms of her new tantric yoga partner.
Come again now?
Although Serena P. is hella flexible, managing to touch her toes to her head whilst Matt James holds her high above his body using only his feet (go with me on that description), Serena P. does not have the time of her life. No matter how much she resembles Baby during the big lift in the final dance at Kellerman’s.
My favorite part about this date is when Matt James asks Serena P. if she enjoyed herself. She honestly answers that it was THE WORST. Matt James absolutely loves her response and throws his head back in a boisterous laugh when she deduces that tantric yoga “isn’t for me.”
On the one hand, Matt James wonders if he and SP are on the same wavelength. On the other, he is happy that she is not telling him what he wants to hear. He is ecstatic to discover that Serena is grateful for time with Matt James, even if her nether regions were squished up against his in the name of entertaining television.
Matt James gives her the date rose, then takes her ice skating in a parking lot rink, complete with fake snow flurries. My gut tells me that Serena is not feeling it at all, and Matt James knows it.
GROUP DATE
“Love Will Always Find a Way”
Here’s the deal. Abigail, the first impression rose winner, is on this group date and understandably wonders why she hasn’t had a one-on-one date? Heading into the reading of this date card, at least she and Jessenia are in the same boat. Sadly, when Jessenia’s name isn’t included in the list of “lucky” recipients, After six weeks, I myself would have drawn the same conclusion as Abigail: “What am I doing here?”
Suddenly, a weird thing happens. We see Matt James casually pedaling in the Orange Zone on his Peleton bike in his green shorty shorts. Then we see all the ladies in their cocktail dresses cuddling around a couch, toasting a wonderful day and an even better night.
Did I miss something? Did I zip right through some date where they have to play Simon Says in the forest? Or smack into each other at the Neapolitan Roller Derby?
Nope. We have bigger fish to fry, and the producers wanted to give ample time for what’s to come.
We begin with Bri, who decides to finally tell Matt James something that she’s kept from him this entire time. It turns out that a few days ago, she gave up her high-profile job at a media relations company to stay in the competition. In her mind, Matt James is worth it, given that she has totally fallen in love with him. There’s nothing anyone can say to make her think differently.
REJECTION #3
Abigail asks for some alone time with Matt James and fights back the tears when she confesses, “It’s been hard.” She manages not to smack him in the face when he responds with a quizzical, “Why do you say that?”
Abigail daintily explains that she wants more than a little time here and there. She thinks they have great conversations and have been vulnerable with one another, but if he really pictures in his mind what he wants in a wife, is she it? She’d rather know now if that answer is no.
Which it is most definitely. The answer is no. I’m very proud of Abigail for ripping that Band-Aid and getting the inevitable over with now instead of later.
Matt James has reached the portion of his journey where all excuses land somewhere in the “I’m following my heart” or “My relationships with other women have moved further along.” But he does apologize to her before walking her to the rejection SUV.
In true Bachelor form, he gives her a token of hope, declaring that he wished they had more time to see where things could have gone. That, my friends, is a dagger to the heart. Because you did have time. And you spend two one-on-one dates with Serena P. What’s Abigail supposed to think?
AND THEN THERE IS THIS!
Kit is feeling very much like she’s on the B Team. She approaches her time with Matt James from a defensive stance. She goes in hot, laying everything on the table in the spirit of truth.
Kit: “There are things I have seen for my life trajectory. Ones I’m not willing to compromise. I want to finish school, travel, figure out my career, and I want a cheerleader to help me through all of that. Which means marriage and children are going to be pushed down the road. I wouldn’t want kids until I’m twenty-five or so.”
Excuse me while I barf in this bucket I have handy for certain necessities one might need during a sudden snowpocalypse.
- If you’re not ready for marriage, why are you on The Bachelor?
- You are twenty-one years old. WHY ARE YOU ON THE BACHELOR?
- Are you sure you want to wait until twenty-five to have kids? Won’t your eggs be dust balls by then?
- How is Matt James not laughing at this life trajectory being planned out in front of him?
- And how can she say she’s suddenly falling in love with him when he has yet to agree to said life trajectory?
- Should we be surprised when Kit thinks she has the rose in the bag, considering Matt James didn’t shut that pipe dream down right there in the Neapolitan?
The clutch move is when Matt James gives the date rose to Rachael, then waves as he whisks her away to eight-grade slow dance to the vocal stylings of a dude named Aloe Blaac, who is totally cool with quarantining for two weeks as a trade for thirty seconds on national television. Easy decision. I can’t say that his piano accompaniment guy thinks the same.
REJECTION #4
Kit is L-I-V-I-D and knows that if she has any chance of attending Stagecoach, should they actually have one this year, she needs out of this hellhole. Matt James opens his suite door to find the posh pocket person looking miserable.
She doesn’t want Matt James to “figure it out.” She wants to know if she’s the “rest of his life.” Matt James calmly tells Kit that he is attracted to her and extremely happy that she’s around. He like her being in his entourage!
But Kit doesn’t want an entourage. She wants a husband. Down the road. Who will wait patiently for her to graduate and enjoy a gap year before taking over her mother’s business. THEN she will be ready to walk down that aisle.
Kit shuts Mat James down and he is secretly happy that he’s the one who didn’t have to send her home.
SECOND ONE-ON-ONE / REJECTION #5
Jessenia
Poor Jessenia’s date felt exactly like Kate’s date. Even though it was an adrenaline-filled car crash in the back forty of the property, it was very Friend Zone. The fact that she had to prompt him to pick her up and sprawl her body out on the hood of the red sports car for a quick make-out sesh was the nail in the coffin.
I don’t remember the dinner portion of her date, other than the fact that it was decorated like a prom unmistakably themed “Enchantment Under the Sea” or “Knight to Remember.” But instead of crowning her queen, Matt James takes the date rose, wafts it under her nose, and then tells her that he can’t give it to her because there is no spark. Ouch.
REJECTION #6
At the rose ceremony, Matt James wastes no time quickly handing roses to Michelle Obama Arms and Bri. I have to admit that I was slightly surprised that Pieper didn’t make it to the other side. She was equally as surprised and is probably still crying.
OUR HOST CHRIS HARRISON
This entire situation makes me sad on many levels. Rachael’s decisions or lack of respect were not okay and make me sad. Harrison’s comments were careless and insensitive and make me sad. I wrestle with levels of consequences and grace. I wonder about my own college experience and am thankful it wasn’t captured on social media. I hope that everyone, including me, continues to grow and learn from these events.
Thank you for this recap Lincee- and taking time out of an unreal week to write this. I apparently had my head under a rock as I never realized the full extent of what was happening. I’m thankful you are ok, and hopefully things will turn to a sense of warmth and normalcy for Texans again.
I was really surprised Piper didn’t get the rose either. I really liked her and Matt together.
There was definitely a lot of cleaning house this week- but I get that is what Matt has to do when the producers keep dropping more women on him!
I hope the producers focus more on the relationships and less on the drama from here on out- I want to see the connections!
I figured when I didn’t see your recap that you were caught up in this weather/end mess. I’m glad you’re okay. How’s Some Guy?
So glad to hear you’re safe! This week as been a debacle. We got lucky with a house that’s on a hospital power grid.
I like Matt’s final four. I think they could all be a good fit. I like him and Rachael the best. Her family looked a little rough in the previews though. I’d probably pick Michelle for the win.
I did not expect a recap this week but secretly hoped for one. You make my life better.
I can tell this has been marinating in your brain for a while bc you brought it tonight. So funny and insightful!
You hit the nail on the head with this stuff with Chris Harrison. What I know now is more than I knew five years ago. I wish I knew it then. I hope for grace for my mistakes and willingness to grow in my own heart.
I love the way you worded your last sentence.
Very well said! I feel this way too.
I never connected the weather to the delay. All is forgiven.
Pieper wasn’t necessarily the prettiest or most effervescent of the lot, but since the first night, I thought that Pieper was the best match for Matt. The others were unbothered by deep thoughts. There was some intellectual depth to Pieper.
Too bad Matt didn’t see it the same way.
So glad you are ok. I was worried. It’s been such a crazy week I was just glad to see your post. I don’t even remember what happened on the silly show. And honestly I really don’t even care.
So glad you’re okay, Lincee! This week was so nuts.
I’m really sad about the Harrison thing too. I think he was trying to defend Rachael because probably Matt picked her in the end… if that’s the case, it’s a crummy situation all around. I hope the social media people ease up on the criticism, if anything, for Matt’s sake. That said, this incident unfortunately shows how far the Bach still has to go on tackling it’s racism issues. It’s also really taken the fun out of the show.
I agree …sadly…no fun at all
So much has taken the fun away. Racial tensions at the forefront. The show used to at least seem real and natural. Now it is all production cobtrolled. Like heather “knew “ how to find Matt, etc. the producers are forcing fake drama, which in turn eliminates the real drama. Every season it is more contrived.
Glad you survived the arctic blast in Texas. I have relatives there and it was unreal what they dealt with.
The whole Heather mess was I guess an attempt to bring more drama to an otherwise boring season but it backfired in a big way. Why in the world would she think she could waltz in at the last minute and capture his heart? Not really feeling any real connection to the final four and doubt he and whoever will stay together past the required time deemed acceptable by the powers to be at the franchise.
Glad you’re okay Lincee! I’m up in Canada and usually we snicker about how things shut down with 1 cm of snow in the southern US (and really, this happens in temperate parts of Canada too). But surviving cold and snow happens here because our infrastructure is prepared for it, we have winter tires, shovels, and winter attire. There’s no reason for it in warm climates, so why would Texas be set up for it? If we didn’t have all that, we wouldn’t be so ‘tough’ either. I’m glad you’re through it and safe!
I live in a cold climate as well, but I can’t imagine being without power in 5 F weather. We had a power outage last winter and it got to about 50 F in our condo. It was nowhere near freezing, but it was completely miserable! Texans got it so much worse.
This season is a big yawn and I’m glad you are safe and sound. I must be in the twilight zone…… what actually is the beef about Chris? I thought the girls in 2018 were dressing up for a particular event. I don’t understand the racism accusations. Dumb de dumb. I still like Chris. Everything has to be turned sideways these days. I can’t imagine there being malicious intent.
Seriously??? How dumb are you?
If you mean she’s dumb for not bowing down to the latest cultural-taboos then, yes, she’s dumb. Chris Harrison is the sacrificial-lamb being crucified so all of us, ‘white ‘people can feel righteous. There was no malicious intent, but, even if there was, so what? Are black people’s sensibilities any more precious than any other racial group? But, yes Grace, you are correct. Nowadays, it is dumb to think for oneself. President Johnson said it best, “The best way to get along is to go along.”
Let us make this simple. Would you go to a party celebrating the holocaust? How about one celebrating pow camps?would you partake in a party celebrating school massacres? I sure wouldn’t. Nor would I go to one celebrating a culture that believed in and condoned slavery. Malicious intent? Maybe not, thoughtless discrimination for sure. celebrating slavery, absolutely. Assuming you have Black friends would they fit in at that ball. Dumb be dumb sure applies to you
I don’t think there was malicious intent either. Laurie, I feel the other comments made to you after asking for clarification were malicious and I wish people would stick to the TV show. I would rather hear more from Kevin, the funny dog!
I don’t think there was any malicious intent either… however, there was a lot of ignorance. How would a black person feel at a theme party where they would have been a slave? I wonder if there were any people of color at that party (I bet not… which is a whole other issue). So yes, very stupid decision to participate in an event like that and Chris shouldn’t have defended it the way he did. But… I also don’t think people’s lives should be ruined over a dumb party. Rachael doesn’t strike me as a racist person. All the over-the-top outrage kind of dampens the teachable moment here.
To add to Allia’s explanation, that type of party was banned in 2016, so these kids cannot claim ignorance regarding what impersonating and romanticizing the era of American slavery signifies. I’m not saying they did it maliciously (impact is always more important than intent), but they did choose not to care. Literally playing slave owner dress up. If that doesn’t completely nauseate you, I recommend providing yourself some further education of what slavery was actually like in this country beyond what you learned in school. I recommend the 2018 reboot of Roots (it has the hot guy from Bridgerton in it if you need further persuasion).
Obviously I don’t know Rachael, but other details have come out over the past weeks that don’t speak to her being very racially conscious, such as liking posts containing Confederate flags, accusations of her making fun of white girls who dated black men in highschool, dressing in Native American ceremonial attire for Halloweens past. Some of these things haven’t been substantiated, or are more easily forgiven (who didn’t have at least one friend who dressed up as Pocahontas back in the day), but they don’t make her look very good. Chris Harrison going so hard to defend her implies the she probably wins or makes it to final two, and having a secret racist win the season of the first Black Bachelor is a really unfortunate look for the franchise in 2021. I understand why Chris tried to defend her to do some damage control, but he did it so so poorly. Say “woke police” one more time, Chris.
Another thing regarding her not having “malicious intent.”
People don’t give the same benefit of the doubt to black and brown people. No one shows black and brown people “grace” for their mistakes.
Boy, Libby! You got that right!
Hi Laurie, as a white woman myself who grew up in the northwest I was not aware of the reasoning behind people being upset about Rachael attending a party, and then I educated myself. I didn’t know the meaning or significance. I educated myself because I heard that it was hurting people and I wanted to know why. Again, I am a white woman, but I can imagine if I was black that it would cut me deeply to have people continue to defend a white woman who was, as Liz put it, ‘thoughtlessly discriminating’ versus coming to my defense, the person who is and has been viciously and/senselessly oppressed.
Rachael seemed remorseful in her apology and I do feel bad for her having to learn in such a public way, but I feel WAY worse for those who were hurt by her actions. There can be shame that comes from these situations and that is not helpful; I think people are asking for accountability, sincere remorse, and educating one’s self in attempt to not repeatedly hurt others (and bonus points if you’re able to lift those who are oppressed in the process).
Lincee, I’m so glad you are all right. I thought of you and your family and friends multiple times throughout the week.
Two things: First, I also hate when people ask where “your head is at” as well as any question said with the word “at” at the end of the sentence. “Where are you at?” is not needed. Saying, “Where are you?” does the trick. Second, I think your statement is profound about wrestling with levels of consequences and grace. There are (and should be) consequences for things. However, I want to be someone who has grace for others. Finding the balance isn’t always easy.
I don’t mind that phrase. The similar one that bothers me is “you’re in your head” or “you’re too much in your head.” Short of having an out of body experience, where else is my brain supposed to be?
If I have to hear the word “literally” one more time, I will throw myself off a cliff. Can no one speak without using “like” every third word?
I was so worried about you, so I’m glad to see the recap. It was a mess in Texas and as an employee of a power generation company, we are continuing to see the repercussions. I’m glad you have power and water again and hope Some Guy is also safe and warm.
This season has been an incredible disappointment. All the way around.We certainly have had a benefit that our stupidity wasn’t captured on social media and shared ad nauseum and I hope we have all learned from our stupidity. I am definitely not the same person I was even 5 years ago and I feel like I’m seeing mob mentality with all the stupidity that has been done in the past. I’m not excusing the behavior, but the pile on is less than gracious. Maybe benefit of the doubt isn’t a thing any more or giving someone the chance to apologize (or not) for their past behaviour. But isn’t this the chance to educate someone as to why their actions can be so damaging?
I thought Pieper was a hometown date girl too. But, oy, all those tears! She seriously just met the guy. She’s like whatshername–she needs to learn to love herself–oh wait–RuPaul says that too–if you aren’t gonna love yourself, how the hell you gonna love somebody else!
I really like Michelle more than all of them.
I wanted the full story on the whole Rachael/Chris Harrison thing, and I found this super-informative article: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/a35521241/matt-james-rachael-kirkconnell-racist-bachelor-controversy-explained/
I’m incredibly proud of Michele’s post and Rachel Lindsay’s grace and willingness to have important, and uncomfortable, conversations. Also, if you read Rachael’s whole statement, I’m hopeful that she might be genuinely remorseful and maybe learned something that will help her be a better human moving forward. Fingers crossed…
Most people do not want to have an, uncomfortable-conversation. We have our own problems to deal with. Like the uncomfortable-conversation one might have with one’s spouse about how we are going to afford this months morgage.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I am sorry for all that you and your fellow Texans are going through. What a terrible experience. I sent some contributions to groups that are helping, and I’m hoping for everyone’s swift recovery from these troubles. and for better times ahead. Keeping you all in my thoughts here in NYC!
Rather than sending money to charities, do you not know of individuals you can help?
I think you’re in the wrong place, Joe.
I’m definitely Team Michelle at this point. Loved how genuine her “hometown date was, with the kids from her class.
Re the Old South, I grew up in Virginia and some aspects of “that” were a part of the mindset. I never personally understood or could fathom it But I knew many that did… racism as I perceived it then and more recently have come to understood and attempt to process the institutinalized factor.
I love this blog and the comments! I also am grateful that this extended conversation is happening here.