Ladies… I think Jesse Palmer was right when he said this season was going to be a crazy one! Last night, I was on the edge of my seat (quite literally)! What I’ve learned from many seasons of watching not only The Bachelor but also The Bachelorette, is to expect the unexpected! So let’s get into the recap!
HOMETOWN DATE #1
The episode starts out strong with Kelsey A. in New Orleans, Louisiana! NOLA is such a fun and historical place to bring home a future fiance, so I had very high expectations for this date! The duo in their matching white outfits rode bikes around City Park, which the audience finds out is something that she did with her mother before she passed away. Of course, the couple gets beignets, which is a New Orleans staple! As they snack on the powdered treats (ugh someone ship me Cafe du Monde rn please!), they see a bride getting her pictures taken, which leads into the talk of how Kelsey feels. They see a jazz band playing and get some beads which is SOOO NOLA! Now it’s time to meet the family!
Kelsey sits down with her family and talks about her journey on the Bachelor with Joey! She says that she saw so many butterflies she has seen and feels as if that is her mom being there with her. Kelsey’s dad pulled out the family photo album, and I pulled out my box of tissues. Joey is also pulling on our heartstrings while talking about Kelsey’s mom.
Time for the family talks! Kelsey gets pulled by her sister who asks all the hard but necessary questions. Kelsey brings up the fear of not knowing how he is with the other girls, but she is glad she is putting herself out there. During their chat, Kelsey’s dad pulls Joey! He wants to make sure that Joey will be Kelsey’s protector (I can promise you this man would jump in front of a bullet for any of these girls). The obvious question is asked about how Joey will know who is the “one,” and he says that he isn’t sure how he will know BUT his feelings for Kelsey are very real.
Kelsey and her dad talk, and once again I need the tissues. Kelsey thanks her dad for being such a good husband to her mom and wants someone just like him for a husband. He begins to talk about how she thinks she is in love with Joey!!!
To wrap up the end of their date, Kelsey and Joey sit outside and talk about their day. Since Kelsey told her dad she loves Joey, I thought this would be the moment she says it to him, but I WAS WRONG… awk! The good thing is that it is not awkward at all for them, and Joey says they are stronger than ever!
Before I move onto the next date, I would be devastated if I did not bring up the fact that we need Kelsey’s dad to be the next Golden Bachelor. That man is pure GOLD! He is everything a woman would want! ABC producers I AM BEGGING!
HOMETOWN DATE #2
The second hometown date is Rachel in Rancho Cucamonga, California! As we all know, Rachel is from Hawaii, but due to production and travel it was not able to be done in her actual hometown.
Before Joey meets the family she teaches him a gesture that is done to show elders respect, and that he needs to do that when he meets her father. Rachel is very nervous to bring a new boyfriend to meet her parents because they ADORED her last boyfriend! Good thing Joey is a golden retriever in human form, so like you should be a-ok, Rach!
When they get to the house, a full-on luau is happening! Joey, being the perfect king he is, executes the signs of respect perfectly and everyone is OBSESSED! Joey eats the ear of the pig which is tradition in Filipino culture for a suitor to do so, and Joey doesn’t even hesitate!
Rachel’s dad seems skeptical the whole time, but ends up being very supportive (YAY)! He gives her some great advice, and Rachel tells him that he will always be the “number one man in her life.” (Hi, can I get ANOTHER box of tissues please)
After conversations with the parents, Joey seems to be worried that Rachel’s parents aren’t loving the idea of their daughter finding love on TV. He does ask for Rachel’s dad’s permission to propose to her if it came down to her being the one because he feels that it would be wrong not to. Her dad says basically if that happens then you can call me, Rachel has my number (okay..um.. help..). Anywhoo after all of that, Rachel tells Joey she is falling in love with him, and he says he’s been waiting weeks for this! Okay yay! Happy ending!
HOMETOWN DATE #3
Don’t even try to get me started on this hometown date because I will never ever shut up about it! Daisy is a real-life princess mixed with Taylor Swift (hello Christmas tree farm!) I will try my hardest not to fangirl when writing this because I want Daisy to be my best friend IRL!!
Daisy brings Joey to her hometown of Becker, Minnesota! She takes him to the Christmas tree farm she grew up on, and everything is all decorated for Christmas! This date once again is giving Hallmark, and once again I’m living for it!
As they are drinking hot cocoa and making ornaments, Daisy is surprised by all of her close friends! There are hugs, laughs, and tears (from me as well!) as she sees all of them! She tells them that she is beyond happy, and Joey really changed her outlook on life. She brings up the fact she was worried about finding love because of her health issues, but Joey has made her feel worthy (AHHHH! As he should, Dais!!)
Now it’s time to meet Daisy Kent’s ‘rents! (hehe see what I did there)
Daisy fills in her family on opening up to Joey when she gets the first one-on-one date about her hearing loss and health issues. It is really sweet to see everyone listening to how Joey has been there for her! Being the queen Daisy is, she asks her brother how he is enjoying college, and she immediately tears up because Harrison’s voice now really sounds like him (AHH lemme Go-Puff more tissues). This is a huge deal for not only Daisy but her whole family as she has had to learn to adjust to her cochlear implant.
Joey first sits down with Daisy’s mom, and she cuts right to the chase. She asks what if Joey doesn’t pick her daughter and if they have said I love you yet. Joey is open and honest with her and says that they do have strong feelings towards each other, but he knows that Daisy wanted to wait until he met her parents to drop the L-word.
Daisy’s mom truly believes that Joey loves her daughter, so as any mom does she tries to get some information out of her! Daisy leaves it all out on the table for her mom and says that she thought she would never feel this way about someone again, and she is scared she’s not going to be able to express it to Joey. DAIS YOU CAN DO THIS! PLEASE FOR MEEE!!!
Daisy and her dad have in my personal (and professional lol) opinion the best father-daughter moment in this episode so far. Daisy’s dad says if you love him tell him and shoot your shot! Then he makes a funny comment about how she won’t lose her hearing over it! This to me shows how cute and fun their relationship is, and I could see Joey fitting right in with the Kent Krew!
As they say their goodbyes, Daisy’s grandma is being so dang cute and I REALLY think she wants Joey for herself. (Get in line, Lady!!)
Before Joey leaves Minnesota, Daisy tells him that she is falling in love with him (I TOLD YOU THAT YOU COULD DO IT) and has been falling in love with him! He says he feels the exact same way, and this is the first type of response that gives any hints about him being in love with someone. Joey says he feels so confident in them and can see Daisy being his wife. And all I’m gonna say about that is that I guess if it can’t be me I’m glad he feels this way about Daisy!
HOMETOWN DATE #4
Last but certainly not least on the hometown tour is Maria. This has been the most anticipated hometown date, so of course the producers put it at the end (you sneaky people).
Once again, they don’t go to her hometown but instead, they go to Niagra Falls in New York. This seems weird to me because like… were y’all not JUST in Canada? Anyways! Let’s get into it!
The two start their date on the Maid of the Mist and do a shot of Canadian maple whiskey. Once they get off the boat, they discuss the whole Maria breakdown spiral that happened last week. She says that she reacted poorly and is just having a hard time seeing him with other girls. Joey wants to make sure that she is 100% certain in them as a couple before he meets her family, and she says she is… Joey isn’t so sure but they go on!
When we thought Joey didn’t seem super confident, it goes down another notch when he finds out Maria has never brought anyone home. LIKE…. EVER. Now let’s put on our seatbelts and hold on because Joey is about to meet the man who could make or RUIN this whole hometown visit.
Maria’s father does not seem too happy to be meeting Joey (dun dun dun), and he says that if Maria gets hurt it will be a major problem for Joey.
Maria goes off to chat with one of her best friends, while Joey gets to talk to the father (yikes!). He begins to say that he and Maria have basically been inseparable since she almost died in a car crash with her mother. He says that she is his princess and that if Joey says he is falling in love with Maria (and also 3 other girls) it means nothing to him.
Joey says that he has not said anything like this to any of the women because he wants to save that for his final woman (#respect). He says that he does have feelings for Maria, and if it comes to him proposing to Maria if he could have his blessing. Maria’s dad says, “If I know you are the guy she chose, I would have no problem giving you my blessing.”
This hometown went wayyy better than I think anyone was expecting (even Maria). Finally, Maria and her dad sit down to talk, and her dad encourages her to tell Joey how she feels.
Their date ends with Joey and Maria watching old home videos *aweee*, and her family is basically creeping on them through the window *not awee*.
Maria is in the perfect spot to tell Joey how she feels, but all she really says that that she feels strongly about him?? Not what we wanted to see, and Maria knows she kinda ruined the moment.
Rose Ceremony
Now it’s time for the Rose Ceremony, and Joey has a tough decision.
Before Joey can give out the first rose, Maria interrupts and asks to talk to Joey for a second.
BABE! This is NOT a good look, this is week TWO of this happening. She explains to Joey that she did not say goodbye to him in the best way, and that she is falling in love with him.
Maria heads back into the lineup of women, and Rachel is NOT happy. I wouldn’t be either, sis! You can tell Rachel is OVER Maria doing this kinda stuff… which is so valid.
The roses go to….. Daisy, Kelsey….. And Rachel! This means that this is the end of Maria’s journey on The Bachelor.
Joey explains that he was trying to get there with Maria, but couldn’t because of the doubts he had. Maria is all it’s okay, I’m fine, but she doesn’t even give Joey a goodbye hug. She explains in the car that it stinks because she should’ve told him sooner.
This episode was a doozy y’all! We still have THREE episodes left, but this season has quite literally flown by! To end I will give my own personal thoughts on this episode!
Personally, I think it was Maria’s time to go. I think she and Joey are not fully compatible, and I would absolutely love to see her be the next Bachelorette or on Bachelor in Paradise! I really hope Daisy is Joey’s final pick by the end, and if not I will be crushed! What are y’all’s thoughts? Let me know!
See ya next week! MUAH! <3
