Let it be known, if ever you find yourself watching this season of The Bachelor and hear Matty J utter some variation on the words, “I thought I’d take her…” and talk about some intricately planned date, just know this: you’re buying into a big old lie.
Why’s that, you ask? Well, after three single and two group dates, it’s become apparent Matty J is basically the etsy of the dating world – a place where vintage dates of seasons past go to find new life.
Don’t believe me? Take a look, friends.
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Single date 1: Matty and Elora on a boat.
Boats. Oceans. Endless views of sunsets and possibility. It’s all so meaningful. Or at least it would be if there hadn’t been boat dates on just about every other season before this.
The water trend began all the way back in season one when Tim Robards took Ali Oetjen on a boat in Cairns. It then came around again in season two when Blake Garvey hit the high seas with Sam Frost. And in season three when Sam Wood enjoyed a water pash with Lana Jeavons-Fellows. And in season four when Richie Strahan took to the waves with Rachael Gouvignon early in the season and again with Alex Nation during the final two dates.
During the first season of The Bachelorette, Sam Frost upped the ante, heading to the water not once, but three times, with Sasha Mielczarek, Michael Turnbull and a double date with Davey Lloyd and Tony Strugar. Oh, and there was also that time on season two of The Bachelorette when Georgia Love took MATTY BLOODY J on a boat date.
Single date 2: Matty and Lisa engage in some sports.

Top Comments
Did it even cross your mind that it's all planned by the producers? Everything is planned, he just has to go along with it. It's obvious and a little worrying that it took you this long to realise these repeated similarities
Does this even need to be said? The only strange thing in this piece is that the Bachelors from the earlier seasons are being credited with 'planning' the same formulaic dates already being used in the original US version, and presumably created by the show, rather than the gents themselves.