The Golden Bachelor - Shining a Light on Loss and Loneliness
The new Golden Bachelor series featuring first-time Golden Gentleman Gerry Turner, and is a ratings smash!
As reported by Variety,
“ABC boasts the premiere marks the largest multiplatform audience for any telecast in “The Bachelor” franchise since the Nov. 10, 2020, telecast of “The Bachelorette.”... The series debut also becomes ABC’s most-watched premiere ever on the streaming service, according to the network.”
I, for one, could not be more delighted.
For the one hour that I settle in with my glass of wine, I am immediately transported to a lovely fairy tale world where a charming prince is searching for his equally charismatic and beautiful on the inside and out partner. I love it!
The themes encountered in The Golden Bachelor set itself apart from the popular Bachelor franchise with its younger contestants. Here on The Golden Bachelor, there is a particular theme of topics not discussed on any other show; there are honest conversations around loss, grief and loneliness.
I give high marks for capturing this and not editing it out.
In one scene, Gerry, on his first one-on-one date with 69-year-old Theresa, commiserates at a diner over a shared milkshake and fries, their shared experiences with losing a spouse and the ensuing years of extreme loneliness and craving for companionship.
So, my enthusiasm for this show is for this reason because it’s bringing these not-often-talked-about topics to the forefront and on Prime Time, where perhaps a wider audience might be tuning in and relating on some level.
I look forward to hearing more of the backstories of these women, as I think we too quickly rush to judgment about their lives.
Isn’t this a lesson we learn from our own experiences?
People make assumptions about our lives based on our age, appearance, how we dress, who we vote for, that we have it all when we are actually broken on the inside, and so on.
As for Gerry, I’m also falling a bit in love with him each week.
He comes across as genuine, kind and aware of what matters in a relationship; having a deep, meaningful connection and a physical attraction is a bonus.
But Gerry seems to be authentically himself, which is contagious and puts the women at ease and invites them to be themselves, opening up about their journeys thus far.
Another thing that endears me to Gerry is how self-deprecating, sensitive and emotional he gets at the mandatory Rose Ceremony, where he knows he must send some women home.
It’s heartbreaking to watch because these women are in their later years and dating, and finding that companionship is not easy at their age or any age.
The reality is that time waits for no one, and it’s a challenge as you age when there are fewer opportunities to meet potential partners.
Full confession - I am envious of this group of women because they have the unique opportunity to cement new friendships with each other.
That alone is invaluable.
Finding and making new friendships is tricky as we get older, as some friends move away, and others sadly die off, as seen with contestant Ellen, age 71, who shared that she is doing the show in tribute to her late friend who passed away before the show aired.
While The Golden Bachelor sheds some light on the difficulties older adults face, it also showcases a warm-hearted positive vibe that there are definite advantages to growing older; aside from the usual clichés, being more mature affords you the luxury of having greater self-awareness and clarity about what you want out of a relationship and never giving up hope.
Nothing could have exemplified this more than Gerry continuing to tell Theresa after they chatted about both being to hell and back with loss and grief, not to stop believing in hope.
And just like that, right on cue, the song “Don’t Stop Believin” plays out as a well-timed choreographed dance flash mob carries on outside the restaurant in another cheesy but uplifting moment that will have me savouring the sweetness of my wine and tuning in next week for more of the same.
Will you?
Interested in reading more from Wendy on The Golden Bachelor?;
About the Author:
Wendy Reichental, B.A.,Dip. in Human Relations and Family Life Education, McGill University. Certified in Foot Reflexology, RCRT® Registered Canadian Reflexology Therapist.
Wendy enjoys capturing life’s passages in short essays and opinion pieces. Her writings have appeared in The Montreal Gazette, Ottawa’s Globe and Mail, and various online magazines. Wendy's unique take on those first days of the Pandemic lockdown is now part of the just-out anthology Chronicling the Days by Marianne Ackerman (Editor) and Linda M. Morra (Editor). Guernica Editions, Spring 2021
