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Counting On needs more appearances from Flame

Courting and engagement and babies, oh my! While the Duggar gals seem like lovely people, there’s only so much of their antics I can take week after week. Perhaps there is something to be said for the petty drama of Keeping Up with the Kardashians and the Real Housewives after all.

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Thankfully, after several weeks of hearing the word “babe” way more than I ever anticipated on a Duggar show, Counting On is exploring other themes. Yes, Jinger and Jeremy continue to take center stage, but there’s somebody far more interesting entering the picture: a rapper!

Yes, Flame is a Christian rapper, but aside from his faith, he has little in common with the Duggars. He’s urban, he’s overcome poverty, and — elephant in the room — he’s black. This is not the first time the Duggars have spent time with black people, but it does appear to be the first time most of them have encountered rap, as evidenced by their laughable attempts at defining the music genre last season.

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The story line with Flame seemed very contrived, as is true of many plotlines on this show. But contrived or not, it was interesting. I already knew how Ben and Jessa Seewald (and the adorable little Spurgeon) would behave around Flame after seeing him last season, but I was eager to see other members of the Duggar clan interact with him as well.

Although Flame predicted a “culture clash,” things went well, for the most part. He had to change his outfit and help the Duggar menfolk outside. They managed to avoid saying anything overly offensive, but did seem a bit patronizing at times. Ultimately, he decided that, while there are merits to the Duggar approach to life, he prefers living in the city.

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Even more interesting than Flame’s appearance on Counting On? The response he generated on Twitter. Viewers raved about the rapper, with a few going so far as to ship him with Jana… and Jessa!

I very much doubt a Flame courtship is in Counting On‘s future, but that would be interesting. Until then, I’m just glad to see something, anything, that even slightly alters the Duggar family’s very limited worldview.

What did you think of Flame’s appearance on Counting On? Comment and share your opinion below.

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