What Will The Producers Of The Bachelorette Do Now?

What Will The Producers Of The Bachelorette Do Now?

Greg, a 28-year-old marketing sales employee from New Jersey, has been positioned as the front runner on this season of The Bachelorette from the first episode. Katie gave the first impression rose to the sad-eyed, floppy-haired Greg, and with the aid of producers, she chose him for the first one-on-one date and — this is unusual — a second one-on-one date after that. Unlike season villains like Thomas, the real estate broker who made the mistake of saying he wanted to be the Bachelor, Greg has been the Good Guy in every episode. I figured he'd "win" the show and propose to Katie until last night, and that all the other storylines — like former contestant Blake showing up halfway through the season — were just for fun.

I was mistaken. Last night's show featured the three remaining contestants setting up "hometown" dates in the same New Mexico resort where they've been trapped for the whole season. The first two went off without a hitch: Blake, who resembles a Canadian cartoon version of Vanderpump Rules' Jax Taylor, introduced Katie to Canadian concepts like "maple syrup," and Baltimore native Justin introduced Katie to two of his friends after his parents said, "We're not going on a reality show with you at the height of the pandemic, but thanks anyway." Then it was Greg's time to tell Katie about... his feelings.

Greg revealed to Katie that he was in love with her after a lengthy stay with his mother, brother, and closest friend and that she was the only thing that had made him happy since his father's death. Katie, who had earlier indicated that she would not tell any of the candidates that she loved them until the very last moment, kept her word and told a tearful Greg, "I love looking at you." No, no, no. Greg implored her to abandon the conventions and be "genuine" through angry tears. Greg informed Katie that he was quitting the show, and therefore, her, after more tears, miscommunication, and a foot chase down a fluorescent-lit staircase. Katie locked herself in the bathroom and wept through the door to co-host and former Bachelorette Kaitlyn. Producers broadcast a type of In Memoriam piece to Katie and Greg's brief romance at the close of the episode, highlighting the fact that it is clearly gone. (This was odd because the post-credits sequence is normally a joke or a blooper.) 

Katie shared an Instagram Story a few hours after the program aired, hinting at her feelings about Greg's dramatization. It was one of those explanatory Instagram cards, and this one focused on the meaning of the term "gaslighting." Yikes. Unflattering allegations about Greg arose early in the season on the Instagram gossip page @deuxmoi, according to fans. Greg, whom the producers cast as a hero from the start, appears to have joined up for the program for the feared "wrong motives."

Greg, they said, "scrubbed" his LinkedIn to erase proof that he attended acting school and is interested in a Hollywood career, according to an anonymous tipper to Deuxmoi. He also has "serious rage issues," according to them. Greg was accused by another tipper of being harsh in his breakup with her buddy. Another report revealed that Greg was out on the town with a slew of ladies, dispelling any question that he is still dedicated to Katie in any manner.

So, what is the next step? It's difficult to envision any viewers cheering for Katie to be paired with one of the other two competitors. Justin, a 26-year-old investment sales consultant, appears kind, but his family is plainly opposed to him appearing on the show, and Katie was irritated by their absence. Then there's Blake, who, apart from being Canadian, is known for his dedication to being on television. (On the last season of The Bachelorette, he dated both Clare and Tayshia.) aIt’s hard to remember a past season of The Bachelorette or The Bachelor with so little hope for romance going into the finale.

If we don't receive a satisfactory proposal at the end of this voyage, I'm hoping Greg will be on the "After the Final Rose" program next week so Katie can explain gaslighting to him in person.