A. Холостяк #23 Colton Underwood

barish

He was still upset, of course, but he had clearly been talked off the edge of peacing out, The Truman Show-style. He also seemed suddenly resolute in his new plan to pursue Cassie.

The Powers That Be routinely poke the beast, eagerly film while it inevitably reacts and then massage the wound.

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“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

Despite how much of the production—and producers—this show has been increasingly willing to show, I still wish we could be shown more.

Last night, there was no denying the realest emotions from our star came from his interactions with producers.

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“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

The night he ran away, we saw Colton shift from angry to sad while the voice of a male producer empathized with him next to a car. (Compare that to the many times he coldly told Chris Harrison, “I’m f-cking done.”)

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“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

After sending Hannah G home, we saw him appear to be talking to himself when it was obvious
a producer was just out of sight.

Cameras were at the ready to capture Colton’s crying face, zooming in on his tears, past the faceless female producer he was hugging. It felt like Peanuts, where adults are never shown and the brass of their “mwa-mwa-mwa” is incomprehensible. The thing is, I WANT to hear what they’re saying, how these conversations are going down. What was said between Colton getting into that car last night and Chris Harrison knocking the following morning? I’m not saying we should come to know each producer by name or that I expect regular cameo appearances week after week, but I do think, as viewers, we’ve evolved past this level of pretending. I think it’d be OK for us to hear the voice Colton’s responding to, or to see their faces while a conversation takes place. We’re past the ultra-forced, seemingly staged conversations between Colton and Chris Harrison. .

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

Not only did these exchanges feel fake and contrived, Colton couldn’t even get past the stony-faced stage with Chris Harrison, so uninvested is he in their relationship and so little rapport do they have.

It’s clear he feels no kinship toward our host, which is fine (to be honest, I actually find it a bit amusing). But, us being force-fed that these two grown men are having a real, substantial heart-to-heart feels a bit insulting to our intelligence. It doesn’t line up with the lengths the show goes to get real reactions out of its leads, only to then have them describe their emotions in an impersonal and unnatural conversation.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

This episode was so wrought with tears it almost felt like an act of schadenfreude to even watch but, on a positive note, I thought every action taken last night was both correct and commendable.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

Colton was right to not follow through with Hannah G’s overnight date.

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“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

He was right to have sent both his ladies home so he could pursue Cassie.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

He was right that it was a risk from the “bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” perspective, but he was also right that risk is necessary; he needs to SHOW Cassie how he feels, not just TELL her. (Show versus tell—what I’m always harping about!)

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“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

Tayshia was unbelievably kind and understanding in her breakup,

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“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

while Hannah G was decidedly angrier

—both reactions were valid and I thought both women handled and articulated themselves
with so much class and poise.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

(I was particularly happy to see Hannah G’s own “beast” emerge; she didn’t let Colton off easy, and in doing so, we got to see more of her personality in about 10 minutes than her edit showed us this entire season.)

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“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

In general, it felt like good, reasonable choices were being made in the midst
of terrible circumstances.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

Here’s hoping it works out for Colton tomorrow night.

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“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

You’d have to be pretty cold-hearted to not have felt for him and his plight, and I both hope and predict that Cassie will be moved by his efforts.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

This show has once again worked its magic; yet again, here we all are, on the edge of our seats.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)