Good morning, bachelor nation! Phew, was a doozy. I’ll be shocked if I surprise anyone, but hopefully everyone’s hearts are healed now. Let’s dive in.
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Gilles Mingasson/Disney
What happened this week 📺
Pascal shook Joan’s trust a few weeks ago, but when the time finally came, we all knew she would choose the man who… Here’s how it played out.
Who chose Joan: You could see Joan thinking about that Neil Lane ring — — as soon as Chock Chapple gave her a heart-shaped heart to symbolize the place he wanted them to buy in New York City. [People/Entertainment Weekly]
How the number two reacted: Joan, and producers milked him while crying in the rain. On stage at the live reunion, he asked what was missing between them and got the obvious answer: it was just ‘timing’. [Variety]
Have they announced a Golden Bachelor: No, but us did buy one from Grant Ellis Bachelor season, premieres on January 27. It seems he didn’t know who to choose until the last second. This is about him. [Insider/Yahoo Entertainment]
Joan Vassos’s son Nick (ABC)
Seniors superlatives 🏆
1️⃣ Most recognizable: Nick Vassos
Joan’s son became the star of the finale by making the world’s most unamused face when Chock kissed Joan in front of him, seconds after they met. (See.) Honestly, I was there with him. Uncomfortable! [Entertainment Weekly]
2️⃣ Best BFF: Nancy
I still think of Nancy telling Joan earlier this season, “Lonely is a place you walk through,” and during the finale that she let Pascal’s rejection ruin her experience. We all need a Nancy. [TVLine]
3️⃣ Best crowd photo: Hakeem
To remind ? He entered the competition, with his facial expressions earning him buzz. When Guy went home, the live audience camera shot straight to Hakeem – and he didn’t disappoint. [Today]
4️⃣ Must be a couple: Jack and Susan
Bachelor producers don’t do anything by accident, including seating charts. Did anyone else notice and vibrate next to each other in the audience? Now that is a couple I would trust to throw a good dinner party. [Us Weekly]
5️⃣ Best Editing: The “Crazy About Joan” montage
Did you know that Chock is crazy about Joan? Of course you did – he about it! God bless the comedic genius who linked the “crazies” together. Now let’s leave the phrase forever. [Parade]
Can I go there? ✈️
It feels like kismet that Joan’s finale has flown us to Bora Bora, which was voted world champion in 2024. There’s a reason why Snoop Dogg brought his here. Bora Bora is chock full of beautiful resorts (and some). Wait a minute, my finger slipped and opened Expedia… [Travel & Leisure/Travel Noire/InStyle]
Can I steal you for a moment? 💬
A one-on-one with Katie Campione
I asked Deadline’s Katie Campione to explain Joan’s final choice and what this season looked like as a whole.
Laura: Do you think Joan and Chock will do that? ?
Katie: I do! Their connection was clear from the start, and I thought they would end up together. He clearly adores her. I’m rooting for them!
Laura: Something like that The Golden Bachelorette that you wish would come through to the rest of the world Bachelor universe?
Katie: The diversity, in every sense of the word. It’s not about this franchise, but I think the Golden series has done a better job of casting people from all walks of life. The flagship shows increasingly don’t.
Laura: If you had to rate this season, what would it be?
Katie: B+. I’m a big fan of Joan and it was fantastic. They really let their personalities shine. I mean, who wouldn’t you fall in love with? But I need some drama on my reality TV, and this season was lacking in that department.
Rank the endings: What are the five most shocking of all time?
Gilles Mingasson/Disney
Golden visibility✨
This isn’t exclusive to older daters, but it was striking to see both Joan and Chock explicitly tell her children that he will be their late father, John. Places of residence are different when you’re golden: suitors reassure the children, not the parents. [Entertainment Weekly/People]
😢 This season’s cry counter: I counted three crying sessions in this finale (for a total of 61 this season), but that doesn’t quite account for the emotion we all felt it when Guy went home. No wonder heaven wept with him!
The Golden Bachelorette airs Wednesdays at 8pm ET on ABC.
About in reality: If Wednesday nights are anything to watch The Golden Bachelorettethen Thursday mornings are for diving into every detail with Laura Bradley, our Golden bachelorette correspondent. Register.
