Introduction

Before going on The Bachelor, I was a closet viewer for many years. I watched as a guilty pleasure and often wondered about the unseen aspects of how this show and its relationships worked. I wondered how authentic everything was, if it was scripted or staged, how the sausage was made.

After going on The Bachelor as a contestant, I knew I couldn’t continue to watch in the same way I had before. I decided that, moving forward, I would recap the show from the perspective of a former contestant, of someone who had been on The Other Side. My goal was to write the sort of recap my pre-Bachelor contestant self would have wanted to consume: some behind-the-scenes intel, some editing/production analysis, homemade .GIFs for visuals, and a whole lot of discussion on behavior and interactions within the Bachelor “bubble”. I have a Best/Worst Dressed fashion section at the end of each recap, and in more recent years, I’ve linked out the the fashion worn (as well as any wallet-friendler dupes I stumble across).

A bit about my perspective when I write: I am fascinated by the psychological impact the filming environment (the Bachelor “bubble”) has on its casts and how it influences their thought processes and behavioral choices. I love contestants who break the 4th wall, who strike the right balance between skeptical and sincere, and who are authentic above all else. I am critical of contestants who appear to be “playing the game”, who strike me as unnaturally “on” or performative, and who treat the experience as a means to an end (aka, to quit their job and become an influencer). I think there’s a lot more to observe on The Bachelor than just pretty people kissing each other, and I strive to flesh out those in-between moments.

My readers often tell me these recaps have changed the way they watch the show and have made them more observant yet compassionate viewers, which to me is the ultimate compliment. Thank you. This family has grown through word-of-mouth alone, with no advertising of any kind, and I am very proud of the kind and thoughtful community we’ve built here together.

Below you’ll find six years’ worth of in-depth recaps on The Bachelor and Bachelorette, followed by loads of thought-provoking discussion in the comments sections. If you’re new, I recommend perusing the Bachelor Glossary as those are terms I use frequently. Most importantly, don’t be a stranger! I have continued to write these because of YOU, my beloved readers, so please join the conversation by sharing any thoughts you have.

Welcome to the panda family and enjoy!

The Bachelorette

 Inside Scoop

The Bachelor Glossary

My Bachelor Fashion