Our final six arrive in New Orleans and are ready to let the good times roll.
How is it possible that we’re already down to the final six?
It feels like this season is flying by.
Charity and Joey on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
(Um… is it me or does that sound a little weird?
Don’t answer that.)
Joey, meanwhile, is loving life.
Charity and Joey kiss on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
“I just miss you.
Whenever I see you, I’m just excited to get more time with you.”
I’ve gotta say, these twoarepretty cute together.
I like to make all my hard decisions in the bayou as well.ABC
Of course, I think Joey is correct when says Charity is “too smart” for him.
The Bachelorette seems to think it’s possible.
“I just love everything about him,” she says.
Manspreading is real.ABC
“He’s open.
He’s a great communicator, and with him, I really do feel really safe.”
It’s all very, very cute.
Charity and Sean smooch on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
“They understand that love is love.
They truthfully look at what’s on the inside.”
Still, Joey knows that there’s a lot he doesn’t know.
Tanner and Charity.ABC
“I never want you to doubt that I can be someone like that for you.”
Awww, man, this conversation is so sweet.
Charity is moved to tears.
Charity opts for procrastination.ABC
“Thanks,” she whispers.
“That means a lot.”
As tears start to roll down her face, Joey offers her a hug.
Charity climbs Mt. Dotun on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
You know what happens next, rose lovers:
Congrats, Joey!
And Charity feels the same.
I might even support him as… the next Bachelor?
These two are tutu cute.ABC
Sorry, I’m getting ahead of things.
Let’s check back in at the hotel, where the guys are anxiously awaiting the next date card.
Dotun retrieves it from the Accent Table of Doom and reads off the name… Sorry,names.
Charity and Dotun on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
A two-on-one date in the bayou!
This should be interesting.
“I’m confused.
Aaron is 1-800-OVER-IT.ABC
I’m pissed,” says Sean with a sigh.
“This is f—ing bulls—, dude.”
But it’s bulls— you signed up for.
Land shark.ABC
Now go pack your suitcase and get ready to face the awkward music.
“Y’all out with the same girl right here?”
the cap’n asks Tanner and Sean.
Charity and Sean on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
“I’m not sure how that’s gonna work.”
It’s not, Captain Tom!
That’s the whole point!
Tanner, Aaron, Charity, and Xavier on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
Everyone’s trying to make the best of the situation as they float down the river looking at alligators.
Sean’s gone into “competition” mode, talking a lot and trying to monopolize Charity’s attention.
Seeing this, Tanner determines that he’s to “step up” his game and make a move.
Get this woman some Pepto!.ABC
Even Captain Tom thinks the Bachelorette is leaning more toward Sean.
Captain Tom for Bachelor?
I’d watch it.
Tanner comforts Charity.ABC
Come ON, Tanner!
Will she, though?
(He also has a really hard time understanding theproper useofan apostrophe.)
It’s casual Friday on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
Run, and just keep on running!
Don’t get within 100 miles of that family.
(Something tells me there is more to that story, but okay.)
Now, though, Tanner says he’s ready to Open UpTM again and let love in.
But does she love it enough to give Tanner that date rose?
In fact, Charity can’t decide which guy she wants to send home.
“I’m getting, like, a stress rash because I don’t know,” she confesses.
“I really don’t know.”
After pacing around outside for a bit, Charity chooses a wise course of action: Avoidance!
“I’ll see you both very soon.”
Once again, the guys have very different reactions to this twist.
“I’m upset,” he says.
“Now I’m questioning everything.
How can I be so sure of something and still have this girl unsure about us?”
Back at theRoyal Sonesta Hotel, Aaron is also getting a little antsy.
Two one-on-one dates in a row congrats, king!
Aaron, however, cannot hide his frustration.
“It confuses me that I don’t have a one-on-one here in New Orleans,” he grumbles.
“This is not cool…
I’m f—ing pissed.”
Stay mad, honey.
It’s Dotun’s time to shine again!
Today, Dotun and Charity will be running the Crescent City Classic 10k, complete with decorative tutus.
Ugh, I love them together so much.
After two hours and thirty-eight minutes, they cross the finish line and celebrate with a smooch.
That night, this absolutely gorgeous duo sits down for dinner and to discuss hometown dates.
“I’m learning sometimes a good thing is just a good thing,” he says.
“That’s okay.”
And yes, Dotun does tell Charity that he’s falling in love with her.
I’m not crying you’re crying!
Who are we kidding?
Give him the rose already!
Okay, I’m sorry, but these two are endgame.
Let’s just wrap this whole “journey” up now, folks.
What’s that, producers?
You still owe ABC somewhere between eight and 10 hours ofBachelorettecontent?
[Heavy sigh] Fine.
The final date of the week goes to Aaron, Xavier, Tanner, and Sean.
Once again, Aaron is devastated at not getting a one-on-one.
But at least you’ve had a one-on-one before.
Sean, as he can’t stop telling us, hasn’t had one yet.
He even leaves the room rude!
as Dotun is telling the guys about his date with Charity.
“I’m confused.
I’m mad,” he says.
“I don’t know what else to do.”
Dude, I was joking!
This is a terrible idea.
But you do you, I guess.
“I need an answer,” he says.
That’s all Charity needs to hear to attain the clarity she’s been hoping for.
“Looking at it all, and understanding the magnitude of everything,” she says.
“There are connections that are stronger.”
Speak for yourself, bro!
Also, c’mon read the room.
“And I’m very fearful of not being able to get there.
I don’t think that I can.”
Okay, Sean, you heard the lady.
c’mon pack up your cashmere scarves and go.
See you and your hair at theMen Tell All.
Smash cut to the next morning, where Charity looking beautiful in a pink (or lavender?)
dress greets Aaron, Xavier, and Tanner for the final date of the week.
There’s no real activity planned it’s just down to business with the one-on-one chats.
“The only thing that helped me get through it is just our time together,” he says.
“I can see it being an amazing time.”
Xavier and his fantabulous sweater go last.
And boy, did this man bury the lede.
“You’re looking for your forever partner,” says Xavier.
“Today, I just wanted to be fully transparent… That idea scares me.”
When Charity asks why, Xavier admits it’s because “it’s something I’ve never done before…
I want to do it once; I want to do it right.”
I’m sorry, is this man saying that he’s never been in a monogamous relationship before?
Or is he just expressing fear about getting engaged-slash-married to the wrong person?
Whatever the case, Charity looks like she’s about to throw up.
Meanwhile, Xavier is still talking.
“Do I think I can get there?
If you’re the one, I don’t want to pass that up,” he says.
“But previously, it has scared the f— out of me.”
“And for that reason, I won’t be giving out a rose right now.”
Cocktail party for three, anyone?
Yeah, that makes sense.
Tanner is a nice guy, but the Bachelorette is just not feeling him.
“It’s hard,'” says Charity, her voice breaking.
“I want to be able to, like, not be the person who lets you down…
It really does pain me because you are truly an incredible person.”
With that, Charity walks Tanner to the elevator.
“I know it was really hard on her,” says Tanner, wiping away a tear.
“That girl deserves the world, man.
She is special.”
That she is, sir!
Anyhoo, it’s time for Charity to put Xavier out of his pins-and-needles misery.
She makes her way to his room, where Xavier is waiting in his suit.
“I just sent Tanner home,” says the Bachelorette.
“I don’t have to give this rose out.
But… it’s something that I want to do.
I want to meet your family.”
Nice fake out, ma’am!
Despite his admitted fear of long-term commitment, Xavier gets the rose.
Well, rose lovers, we have our final four.
How are you feeling about Xavier, Joey, Dotun, and Aaron?
Would you like to see any of these guys as the Bachelor?
And should we send out an APB on Jesse Palmer?
Let me know on Twitter@KristenGBaldwin.
The Bacheloretteairs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
