So we already know that New Zealand-born construction foreman Ryan is the villain of this season of ‘The Bachelorette‘. It was obvious from day one, when his smarmy cock-eyed bad boy schtick went down like a ton of bricks with the good viewers of Australia.
https://twitter.com/beckaio_/status/910453499334242305
But tonight he truly showed his arse, both to Sophie Monk, Australia’s new favourite person, and to the disgusted viewers, when he cornered Sophie to neg her (again), criticise her (again) and attempt to harangue her into taking him on a single date.
After reiterating that he wanted someone who “looks after herself” and how much he hates girls who swear, Sophie asked him if he was sure he wanted to be there. He looked deep into her eyes and pulled out what I’m sure he thought was his trump card:
“Unless we have a single date together I can’t give you an answer.”
Is anyone else having flashbacks to that one person you dated who was always pushing your boundaries to the point of discomfort? Who was always making small, snide comments, maybe in front of people, maybe about the way you look or things you’re sensitive about? Who you were always making excuses for to your friends because they weren’t really a bad person, they had good qualities too, they were just hard to see?
Who was, in retrospect, a terrible fucking arsehole absolutely riddled with red flags?
Yeah. Same.
Creepy Ryan also tried to manipulate Sophie into giving him a one-on-one date: “I cannot tell until we have a 1:1.” #Bacheloretteau
— CMcK (@CVMcK) October 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/brodielancaster/status/910452946361401344
Ryan made no attempt to hide his high-level douchebaggery from day dot. He basically opened his interaction with Sophie with a neg. That producers saw no problem with giving a bloke who is definitely exhibiting relationship warning signs – manipulation, attempts to control, open and nasty criticism – is a big fucking deal. These kinds of portrayals of masculinity, even in the context of a dating show villain, normalise abusive behaviours.
Fortunately, Sophie Monk has been around for long enough to normalise a much more important behaviour: telling that slimy fuckwit to jog the fuck on.
She modelled a difficult but necessary interaction that too many young women completely miss out on seeing – putting herself first, setting and enforcing clear boundaries, and refusing to privilege Ryan’s feelings at the expense of her happiness. She is a hero, and she deserves an Order of Australia.
The people watching tonight’s episodes were under no apprehension that Ryan was any good, either, and it’s bloody great to see.
https://twitter.com/EmilyHeyWhatNow/status/915871254632001536
Did Ryan really just say ‘maybe’ to Australia’s greatest living treasure? #BacheloretteAU
— Jo Thornely (@jothornely) October 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/jessicamjones26/status/915869285842509824
Just catching up on #BacheloretteAU. Ryan is legitimately, upsettingly terrifying.
— Michelle Law 羅敏儀 (@ms_michellelaw) September 25, 2017
And just like that, Ryan leaves the mansion for a calm, quiet life of assisting police with their enquiries 🔪 #BacheloretteAU
— Leon Murray Voiceover (@leonjmurray) October 5, 2017
Been waiting for this moment and @sophiemonk did not disappoint 👌🏼
— ThankyouSupernatural (@apositivejl) October 5, 2017
In the meantime, Ryan’s already gone on the record saying that his departure from the mansion was “mutual”, to which we say: sure mate. Someone who’s made a mutual decision definitely walks away from that mutual decision in a black sulk, swearing their head off. Red flag #145626.
Australia right now. #BacheloretteAU pic.twitter.com/YRPAUN7YAC
— #BacheloretteAU (@BacheloretteAU) October 5, 2017
Bye, Felipe.
