The Bachelor Universe has become accustomed to having the rose ceremony during the beginning of an episode instead of the end of the episodes, like the classical structure of reality TV shows. During the first episode, I always forget they give out the roses on the first episode, and it makes sense, so many people tune in exclusively for the first episode to decide whether they keep watching. Watching their preseason favorite get the rose on night one will keep people bought in, and it sets a precedent for the “this season on”.

When the second episode rolls around, I feel disappointed when the rug gets pulled out from under me that we are not going to get an elimination. It feels after two hours to have gotten no elimination and left at a cocktail party is like atonal music. We are waiting for the finality of the piece, and instead they leave the cliffhanger for the next episode. By that point the rose ceremony feels anticlimactic. Getting the big wrap up after 10 minutes feels way less satisfying than after two hours.

Let’s look at the Pros and Cons of doing the Rose Ceremony before the episode is over

Pros

Finality. We get to be disappointed or happy and talk it about for a week online.

Weekly spoilers get trashed. We knew Rachel would be on hometowns the week before the final four rose ceremony. People spoil online too!

Makes 2 hours feel satisfying. Imagine sitting at a restaurant for two hours to take your food to go.

The exit interviews are often meme material. Getting a meme to walk away with for the rest of the week is what I live for.

Cons