It ended like any other mid-season dismissal: Andi Dorfman's platter of successful, handsome men turned stale as soon as they began to show their true colors after too many beers. What contestant on the show hasn't experienced a similar come-to-Jesus cocktail party around week 4 or 5? The only difference was that no one from seasons 1 through 9 died post-production or post-limo home.
As I see it, the franchise had two choices. It could either cut footage of Eric and Andi's awkward blowout or air it in its reality TV glory followed by damage control. As everyone knows, the franchise chose the latter option. Chris Harrison's interview with Andi (that aired after the show instead of the Rose Ceremony) was more than cringe-worthy. At least Andi avoided the typical sugar-coating that happens after "real-life" deaths. She didn't focus on Eric's finer qualities or pay him the types of compliments one would expect from a funeral eulogy; instead, she was real. She expressed regret that her last words with him were harsh, no matter how strongly she felt them at the time, and ended with the common realization a young person feels following the death of someone around them: Life is too short for grudges.
The Bachelor franchise--as entertaining and trite as it often is--has blessed us over the years with some useful lessons. Physical attraction is fleeting. Overcoming adversity with someone forges attachment. Trust the judgement of your father or brother. And here comes one more...
Life is short.
