As The Bachelorette spoilers predicted, Rachel Lindsay’s final three men all went to Dallas and Spain with her on the penultimate episode.
What no one could’ve predicted was the scrutiny Rachel would face for her response to Peter Kraus’ thoughts on (not) getting engaged.
Monday’s dramatic ending of The Bachelorette featured none of the three remaining men being eliminated, but Peter dropping a bombshell.
Kraus’ doubts about marriage and uncertainty about the engagement that typically comes at the Final Rose ceremony were a shocker.
It’s not that anything Peter said in particular was all that shocking, but in the context of The Bachelorette, such candor is unheard of.
To make a long story short, Peter told Rachel that he only wants to get engaged once, because he sees marriage as a given after that.
Furthermore, he didn’t know if they were there yet as a couple, despite the fact that things are moving very positively in that direction.
Sounds reasonable, right? So what’s the problem?
Well, if you ask Rachel … the editing is the issue.
Lindsay’s response, as seen on ABC, was basically saying that an engagement wasn’t marriage, and that she’s not looking for a boyfriend.
Plenty of fans on Twitter immediately questioned why she didn’t think an engagement is akin to marriage, prompting her to reply.
Rachel addressed that as such on Twitter:
“This was the chopped and screwed version of my response. Obviously engagement means marriage 2 me. It’s all I talk about.”
Some people defended her. One said:
“I understand what Rachel means she’s not looking for a boyfriend. She wants an engagement with someone who is sure about her.”
Another Lindsay fan added, “That has to be so frustrating. I couldn’t imagine saying one thing and it being portrayed completely differently.”
Anytime anything happens to anyone who doesn’t like it, they always hide behind editing; Rachel may have a legit gripe here, however.
Without a doubt, it’s a popular show with a vested interest in keeping viewers hooked, and that was tailor made for a dramatic cliffhanger.
As for Peter’s comments, many viewers applauded him for his honesty, and speaking his mind despite it breaking with show tradition.
Rachel’s parents seemed skeptical that one can fall in love and commit to marriage after two months, but rarely does a suitor say this.
While tons of people gave Peter props, others were suspicious, accusing him of leaving himself an out or “playing the game” with this.
There’s talk (largely due to his high school yearbook comment that he would be The Bachelor) that he wants to be the next Bachelor.
He may well get to live that dream.
Regardless, however, it’s a bit of a stretch to think he choreographed that scene last night just to give himself some more wiggle room.
As for whether this dooms Peter’s chances, Rachel wasn’t divulging any Bachelorette spoilers (follow the link for those if you like).
She did Tweet a finale teaser:
“I want somebody who wants what I want AND wants it with me… Stay tuned to see who I found that w/ on the finale 2 weeks!”
You can bet that we will.
