Tayshia and Ivan get real on BLM

Reality TV became real in week 7 of “The Bachelorette”.

Unlike last week’s episode, which was mostly about manufactured dramas, the last episode was shockingly genuine.

The show aired a moving conversation between Métis cast members Tayshia and Ivan about the Black Lives Matter movement and the racism they experienced. Even though they are on a show like “The Bachelorette,” the two stars possessed the ability to have a difficult and meaningful discussion. What was The surprise was that ABC gave their Bachelorette, the second black star in 16 seasons, the opportunity to have a conversation about something some viewers might have found controversial.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this season is unfolding in a bubble, hidden from the virus attacking the outside world. But in a way, every season of the franchise before that has also: it’s fantastic land. Current events, whether destructive or personal, do not exist in the series. But Tayshia made it clear that not everyone has the privilege of upholding the act.

The series and its male counterpart have been widely criticized for their lack of diversity. By airing Tuesday night’s prolific conversation, the longtime show’s producers showed viewers they can change.

Authenticity and honesty are essential to fall in love. They are also scheduled to appear on a show about falling in love.

Here’s what happened in week 7.

The date of the group (part I)

The seven men who weren’t fortunate enough to be on the last group date (which you may recall involved cage fights) didn’t come out without scot. Bennett, Ivan, Blake, Riley, Demar, Zac C. and Kenny had to write and perform an original love song for Tayshia. Boy group manager Kenny didn’t perform an NSYNC style dance, sorry to say. Bennett struck. Demar sang about Tayshia’s ex-“Bachelor in Paradise” John Paul Jones, which I’m surprised didn’t come further to. But the song of the king of karaoke Ivan got him a tête-à-tête.

One-on-one

The 30-year-old bachelor and her 28-year-old date had an exciting ‘the floor is lava’ game, a pillow fight and a Twister match.

But the real magic happened when they bonded to be biracial. Ivan spoke of helping raising his niece when his younger brother went to jail. The couple broke down, crying while sharing how they were affected by the Black Lives Matter movement and events, such as the death of George Floyd, which led to his blowout (the show filmed this summer).

It was an incredibly refreshing conversation, especially for “The Bachelorette”. Of course, Tayshia gave Ivan a rose.

The date of the group (part II)

The failed singers got a second chance to hang out with Tayshia, playing the truth or daring as a team (of course) for love (why not). Becca Kufrin and Sydney Lotuaco from Bachelor Nation came to supervise.

Challenges included drinking a cow’s gut smoothie, having Chris Harrison autograph their asses, and faking an orgasm over the speaker. Bennett isn’t particularly good at it, a real surprise to absolutely anyone.

But the Harvard man first opened up at the after-party, telling Tayshia he had canceled a past engagement.

Zac C. also had time with our principal lady, telling her how nervous he was with her. Tayshia was “intrigued” by their chemistry and gave her the date rose.

The pre-match

Worried about not having enough time with his love before the rose ceremony, Ben went to Tayshia’s room in the middle of the night. Ed had the same idea but ended up in Chris Harrison’s cabin instead. The guys got drunk, while Ben and Tayshia reconcile – last week Tayshia was disappointed that Ben hadn’t tried hard enough to put her aside. Over night, he vowed not to let this happen again.

The cocktail

Noah without a mustache asked Tayshia to help defend him against the other guys, who were angry that he crushed a group date in the last episode. Noah told her that the other men thought she had given him a rose to stir up the drama. She was furious and couldn’t believe the guys would think she was inauthentic.

Defending her honor, Tayshia canceled the drinks and delivered a speech to her 16 men that she was nothing but intentional in her actions. The party was over, it was time to send some guys over to their place.

The rose ceremony

Joe the anesthetist (a Twitter favorite), Chasen, Kenny, and Jordan C. all left the station in SUVs.

Prediction

Last week, I said the show was floating around without the added amount of travel. Tonight he seemed to be shining for that exact reason. I want more real conversations between Tayshia and his men. Sadly, it looks like Bennett and Noah will continue their little fight instead.