I Think Last Night’s ‘Bachelorette’ Meltdown Was All for Show & Here’s Why

*Warning: Spoilers ahead*

Last night’s episode of The Bachelorette was unusual on multiple accounts. Not only did Hannah Brown let Luke Parker stay after everyone advised her otherwise, but she also had a mental breakdown that resulted in a lengthy powwow with Chris Harrison.

So, why did the 24-year-old star need a break from the drama? Well, I think it was all for show, and here’s why.

Season 15, episode six of The Bachelorette picks up right where we left off in last week’s installment, with Brown refusing to give Parker the rose. After some begging, Brown decides to let him stay sans rose, which sparks controversy among the other contestants.

During the cocktail party, Brown is at her breaking point, since the entire night is revolving around the men fighting with Parker. “Everyone thinks that it’s just Luke that makes me feel psycho and irritated right now. It’s truly all of you,” she says through tears. “So, I don’t want to do this.”

Although she goes through with the rose ceremony, the episode takes an interesting turn when Brown sits down with Harrison to debrief about recent events. “I thought I would have a better understanding by now of my feelings and emotions,” she explains. “Like, I’m kind of flailing.”

Later on, Brown has another interview with Harrison, but this time, it’s a formal setting…at the Bachelor mansion. While it’s supposed to address why the episode suddenly came to a halt, it doesn’t. Instead, Harrison walks Brown through the season’s most dramatic scenes, along with a few never-before-seen moments.

So, what is the point of Brown’s meltdown-turned-recap special?  I’m not entirely sure, but all signs point to the fact that they’re trying to switch it up for ratings.

I’m not saying that Brown isn’t struggling with her emotions—she is. I am, however, questioning why producers interjected a random hour of reminiscing in the middle of the episode.

While one might guess that they’re running out of footage, I don’t think it’s so simple. My first theory is this: Are the producers trying to make Brown seem more personable? Since the majority of Americans can’t comprehend the fact that Luke P. is still on the show, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were hoping to highlight a different, more vulnerable side of Brown. 

Or second, I can’t help but wonder if they’re stretching out this meltdown on purpose. It seems the only reason they’d spend an hour recapping what we already know is to drag out something—Luke P.’s drama, perhaps?—to span as many episodes as possible. 

Either way, I just hope it’s a one-time occurrence. The Bachelorette returns to ABC next Monday, June 24, at 8 p.m.