I'm generally not a fan of The Bachelor's Women Tell All episode. I don't come to the show invested in the drama, and I know that this episode harps on drama as its primary focus. I also did not care to hear a single syllable from this season's two infamous offenders, Shanae and Cassidy; however, I couldn't let the episode pass me by without weighing in on a few hot topics.
I was pleasantly surprised that Teddi and Serene were given ample space to reflect on their breakups with Clayton. I liked that they were both vulnerable, open, and honest about their reflections on their time of the show. Both of their hot seat moments and Jesse's tweets about them make me slightly hopeful that they're in conversations about becoming our next leads, but then again, I have no faith in the franchise at this point.
Sierra carried the episode. I appreciate her taking up space directly and attempting to get some definitive answers to the many tiring issues of this season. If the show and the viewers aren't interested in holding Clayton and Shanae accountable, Sierra will pick up the slack. Keep your foot on their neck, sis! I wish more women would have spoken up, though.
I loved that Marlena and Kira both tried to uplift Clayton and add some fun to the show's ending because he might not have been lying when he said he was broken in that preview. Teddi also asked Clayton if he was "ok"; all of this was undeserved, but it also made me a little more sympathetic than I had been before. Black women save the day once again.
As with all season, Shanae took up way too much space. She embodies unchecked privilege and an altogether lack of self-awareness, and that's putting it mildly. After a whole season of her histrionics and behavior, we only got more of the same. Sadly, Shanae has followed in the footsteps of villains past to create a monster, who will not disappear anytime soon. More potential contestants will continue to display this type of behavior in the future, with no accountability in sight. From her using a negative caricature of a Black woman as her alter ego to the weaponization of her femininity, she was allowed to take up space that would never be condoned from a woman of color, see Sarah.
Clayton seemed open to accepting responsibility and sitting with the damage his decisions made for all of the women on his season. This finale must be bad because he looked like he was in a tough spot.
Once again, the BIPOC women of this season were not given equal treatment as we've seen from night one. I don't recall Eliza even speaking in this episode. I don't particularly appreciate that Clayton used Serene as a tool for him to open up to the final three women on his season. "Thank you for teaching me to be better for the next one" was not it, my guy.
The BIPOC women of this season deserve to be in consideration for the next lead, and if not, their dominant love story awaits them in Paradise.
Side note: Teddi does not need any Echard versions of Chet Hanks in her dms! Miss her with that.
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