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

@GuardianAngel Thank you for the information on the No spoiler threads. I will definitely check them out.

leavers wrote:
I know people are reacting to Rachael's social media 'history', but if you took that out I think people would be really into them as a couple. Their interest in each other and their chemistry is obvious, IMO. Not saying I think they're a final couple who will get married, but I do think there's genuine feelings and attraction there. Moreso than there is with anyone else, including Michelle.

MJ is coming across as pretty awful and I agree Katie is aiming for 'ette, I loved Katie at first but now I feel like she's strongly playing the game to the borderline of being manipulative.

I'm seeing a rather intense crush on both sides that would be rather cute in a high school couple or perhaps even a college couple. Maybe you could call it bubble love, or puppy love as Nick Viall said. I'm not sure that it amounts to anything more than that.

As for Katie, she's made some good moves, but I'm not quite sold on her. Not sure why. There are times when it feels like she's playing to the camera.

Amethyst wrote:
I'm seeing a rather intense crush on both sides that would be rather cute in a high school couple or perhaps even a college couple. Maybe you could call it bubble love, or puppy love as Nick Viall said. I'm not sure that it amounts to anything more than that.

As for Katie, she's made some good moves, but I'm not quite sold on her. Not sure why. There are times when it feels like she's playing to the camera.

That's exactly how I see it. I did see chemistry between Matt and Rachel, however she just graduated May/19. She's 24yrs old according to her bio. What has she done since graduating. They may both be in the partying stage and are well suited. How many relationship has Rachel experienced to know that Matt is the one she's waited her whole life for.

I realize we can say that about every season's contestants but at least I felt there was a chance. This season seems so young and immature for me. JMO's.

So, we know production loves to splice and frankenbite.  Do they coach  and coax contestants to say certain things that could be taken for future use to create whatever narrative they are trying to push?

ETA: Also, is the storyboard loosely written pre-production or is it all fleshed out based on the outcome. Meaning are characters created before or after the finale?

luvnunity wrote:So, we know production loves to splice and frankenbite.  Do they coach  and coax contestants to say certain things that could be taken for future use to create whatever narrative they are trying to push?

ETA: Also, is the storyboard loosely written pre-production or is it all fleshed out based on the outcome.  Meaning are characters created before or after the finale?

BBM JMO but based on various interviews, books etc it's both.

There was one season, I forget which, where we actually saw a storyboard written on the wall. It was a tweet? promotion ad? can't recall but it was in plain sight.

Also, speaking from experience, @MiniDiva and I found a producers picture saving program during Ali's season. They were scoping out locations. Pictures had captions, F1 picnic on the beach, F2 swimming with the sharks, etc. It was wild seeing it come to life on TV.

I think Rachael not being “allowed” to speak on the allegations is because it will be a part of the show. Matt’s constantly praising her for her honesty and authenticity. I think she disclosed her past most likely in prepping him for HTD. FWIW, I think TPTB knew full well what they had when they cast her and I think it’s disgusting.

luvnunity wrote:I think Rachael not being “allowed” to speak on the allegations is because it will be a part of the show.  Matt’s constantly praising her for her honesty and authenticity. I think she disclosed her past most likely in prepping him for HTD.  FWIW, I think TPTB knew full well what they had when they cast her and I think it’s disgusting.

Does she even have that level of self awareness? I tend to think not.

luvnunity wrote:I think Rachael not being “allowed” to speak on the allegations is because it will be a part of the show.  Matt’s constantly praising her for her honesty and authenticity. I think she disclosed her past most likely in prepping him for HTD.  FWIW, I think TPTB knew full well what they had when they cast her and I think it’s disgusting.  

As soon as they cast Matt I wrote this was going to happen. I would have said the same no matter who the first black Bachelor was. After the racist on Rachel's season of the Bette, I expected no less from production. That sadly is a reasons that I don't enjoy this show like I once did. I am always expecting something more and more disgusting every season. That he would chose her for F1 must have them rubbing their hands in glee.

Sprite wrote:

luvnunity wrote:I think Rachael not being “allowed” to speak on the allegations is because it will be a part of the show.  Matt’s constantly praising her for her honesty and authenticity. I think she disclosed her past most likely in prepping him for HTD.  FWIW, I think TPTB knew full well what they had when they cast her and I think it’s disgusting.  

As soon as they cast Matt I wrote this was going to happen. I would have said the same no matter who the first black Bachelor was. After the racist on Rachel's season of the Bette, I expected no less from production. That sadly is a reasons that I don't enjoy this show like I once did. I am always expecting something more and more disgusting every season. That he would chose her for F1 must have them rubbing their hands in glee.

Exactly! Look what they did to the first black bette! Cast a racist, edited her f1 in a very physical way and highlighted f2...
When we finally got a true love story in Tayshia, the ratings were not good, so maybe TPTB decided to have drama and more drama this season.

IMO, Matt is not looking for a wife, just a flig, so he picked a hot girl to have some fun.

In reading all the posts regarding Matt and Rachel I have to wonder if Matt specifically was chosen because he had no BN experience outside of being Tyler's friend.  The machiavellian producers had a perfect lead to play this part.  No prior exposure to their manipulations, no suspicions as to what traps they might lay,  and someone who is easy going and would just go along.

@Sprite Yes to this about POC leads. I do feel Matt is under pressure (self-imposed?) to chose a woman of color. But we all applauded Tayshia and Zac's love story. And with Tayshia the manipulations, if any, were a minimum. Just goes to show that maturity is what makes a good show for the viewers. Maybe not so much for the producers.

@pavalygurl Yes to your thoughts too! Mike Johnson wouldn't have stood for this crap! But he probably wouldn't have attracted such a young, cute contestant pool, either!