This week, Joey met four families and then sent a frontrunner home.
Kelsey greets Joey with a#huju, as required by Bachelor law.
ABC
The matchy-matchy duo rides a tandem bike aroundCity Park, which Kelsey last did with her late mother.
Kelsey and Joey on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
I woke up a couple times last night.
I felt like she was there, says Kelsey of her mom.
I wish that she could meet Joey.
Kelsey and Joey smooch on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
It is difficult, she adds, her voice cracking.
Awww, man were not even 10 minutes into the episode.
Am I seriously already tearing up?
Joey, Kelsey, and Kelsey’s dad on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
Later, as Joey and Kelsey stuff their faces with beignets, they spot a bride being photographed nearby.
Joey wants to know how that makes Kelsey feel.
Then a brass band just happens to stroll by with some Mardi Gras beads.
Kelsey’s dad, Mark.ABC
Now, its time to meet Kelseys family.
Did I cry again when Kelsey hugged her dad, Mark?
Yes, I did.
Joey eats the ear on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
I was like, Shes here!
And shes trying to get on camera!
Oh man, now Mark just pulled out the family photo album to show Joey photos of Kelseys mom.
Rachel’s dad gets misty on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
Shes beautiful, says the Bachelor.
I cant tell you how much Ive wanted to see a picture of her.
This MAN, yall!
Rachel’s dad has advice for Joey.ABC
He is a gem.
Not really, says Kelsey.
The only thing is I dont really know where hes at with the other girls.
Joey and Rachel share a goodbye smooch on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
This is the main source of Taylors fears, too.
I dont want you to have your little heart broken, she frets.
Kelsey has a good attitude about the whole thing, though.
Joey and Daisy on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
Meanwhile, dad pulls Joey aside for their all-important one-on-one chat.
In a normal dating situation, ideally you would date one person at a time, says Mark.
How do you know when you actually find the right one?
Santa visits Minnesota early on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
Short answer: Emotional.
Okay, sorry, but I must interject with a tangent here.
Look at Kelseys dad.
Joey meets the Kent family on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
If my (admittedly cursory) internet research is correct, this handsome man is 72 years old.
And unless were missing something, hes single.
ABC must cast him onThe Golden Bachelorette, right?
Grandma Gloria and Joey.ABC
Or maybe he can be the next Golden Bachelor?
Before he leaves New Orleans, Joey sits down with Kelsey outside the apartment.
They were so loving and so honest, he says of her family.
Maria and Joey visit Niagara Falls.ABC
Im really, really happy.
Welp, on to the next!
But before he meets the parents, Joeys going to need a little tutorial on Filipino culture.
Maria’s father, Nick.ABC
That breakup, my dad and my mom took it really hard, she explains.
exclaims Noela, who is pleased at how Joey really honored and respected my husband and me.
Our boy does not hesitate.
Joey downs a stuffed pepper on ‘The Bachelor’.ABC
Man, this is going so well!
Even Rachels dad, whos looked pretty skeptical this whole time, is supportive in his own measured way.
If it doesnt happen the way you want it to happen, even-keel.
Maria’s brothers Steven and Soto. I have so many questions.ABC
Dont get too high or too low about something, he says.
you could go on in life, and you know you always have us.
But even dad gets emotional when Rachel assures him that he is the number-one man in her life.
Maria cannot believe her ears.ABC
Am I crying AGAIN?
Joeys sitting down with Mama Noela!
Is she ready to give Joey her blessing?
Maria can’t quite get the words out.ABC
Cant blame you, mom.
Noela gets emotional as she talks about her worry that Rachel will be hurt again.
My concern for her is that there are three other women involved.
The women gather in the ‘Bachelor’ franchise’s favorite airplane hangar.ABC
Rachel sits down with her mom next, and things get emotional quickly.
Just guard your heart, sweetheart, says Noela, tearing up.
Youre such an amazing young lady and I dont want your heart to be broken.
Joey’s already made up his mind, folks.ABC
Hakim echoes this sentiment when he talks to the Bachelor.
I dont want to see my daughter hurt ever again, he says.
I see that her mom and her dad might not fully believe in this, he says.
If that time comes, she has my number, says Hakim.
you’re free to call me man-to-man.
If you ask me, thats a great answer, but the Bachelor does NOT love it.
It wasnt a no, but it just wasnt a yes, he says.
All he can do now is ask Rachel how shes feeling about her parents doubts about this process.
They take a seat outside, and Rachel needs a minute to collect herself.
These arent bad tears!
Though her parents urged her to protect herself, Rachel decides shes just going to go for it.
Im definitely falling in love with you, she says.
And I see a future with you…
I do choose you.
Awwww, that is very sweet.
Joey thinks so, too.
Ive been waiting for this for weeks, he says.
We begin with #huju number 2.
Just when Daisy thinks the day cant get any better, her friends show up to surprise her.
Hugs, tears, squeals all around.
I know what I deserve.
Oh, my Lord, am I crying AGAIN?
Damn it to hell.
All right, folks lets meet the Kents!
Daisy then asks her little brother how he likes college, and when he answers, she tears up.
Harrisons voice sounds like Harrison!
Now theyre hugging, and Im crying again!
At this point, I need to buy stock in Kleenex.
Joey sits down with Daisys mom first.
Have you guys said, I love you to each other?
Im just worried that Im not going to be able to, like, express it.
Daisy shares these fears with her dad, and he understands.
I think its totally normal, he says.
If you think that youre falling in love with him… then shoot the shot.
And if Joey isnt feeling, says Brandon, whats the big deal?
Its not like youre gonna lose your hearing over it!
Gah, I love a family who bonds through gallows humor.
Oh my gosh, my dads awesome, says Daisy.
He just brings me back to, its all about the love.
Wow, is the visit over already?
That was a quick one.
Too bad we didnt get to see more of Grandma Gloria.
Have a good rest of this… adventure, she tells Joey as they hug goodbye.
Look at how cute she is!
With the goodbyes over, Daisy knows shes got to do one more thing before Joey leaves Minnesota.
You make me so happy.
You know he LOVES it.
I leave tonight feeling very confident, says Joey.
I can see Daisy being my wife.
Put a pin in that thought, sir.
Youve got one more family to meet.
Two questions: Why arent they meeting in Canada?
Also, did producers add that rainbow in post?
An auspicious beginning, right?
Maybe there wasnt time for Maria to blow-dry her hair before the family dinner?
After disembarking, Maria and Joey sit down to talk about her minor(ish) meltdown last week.
I dont know what I was doing, admits Maria.
Youre literally the epitome of what Ive ever wanted in a man.
It was just hard to see you with anyone else.
Maria says she is all in, but the Bachelor isnt sure.
I want to believe what shes saying, he explains.
I guess I just feel like I should feel a lot more confident than I do right now.
Okay, so maybe this isnt such an auspicious beginning.
Buckle up, Joey-Joe.
Its time to meet the man who could make (or break) your day.
Papa Nick is clearly not looking forward to meeting the man who could take his daughter from him.
What are you gonna do if theyre hand-in-hand?
one of the kids asks him.
Ooof, says Nick.
Ive never seen Maria affectionate with a guy.
This should be fun.
Sorry, but time for another quick tangent.
Marias brothers are ridiculous, and I mean that in the best way possible.
Sotos choice of dinner jacket!
Does MTV Canada have their own version ofJersey Shore?
If so, sign these dudes up now.
While Maria has a BFF chat with Brittany, Nick grills Joey like a stuffed pepper.
So, he begins, after an awkward silence.
I know you have feelings for my daughter, right?
I would hope so.
Shes my princess, he says.
But the Bachelor says he does have feelings for Maria and that hes trying to be respectful as possible.
That went better than I expected.
He looks like he cares about you, and you look like you care about him, says Nick.
I know you got your guard up.
Give this a chance.
Hes a good guy!
Maria is shocked shocked!
to learn that Joey asked her dad for his blessing.
Wait, I dont know if you were supposed to tell me that, she whispers.
(Who wants to tell her that the Bachelor almost always asks every set of parents for a blessing?
you’re free to do it.
We have faith in you!
Cut to:
Dammit so close!
Maria knows she flubbed it.
I dont know why I didnt say it, she sighs.
It sucks that hes going to leave today not knowing how I really feel.
Aaaaand were back in Los Angeles.
You dont want your friends heart to be broken, she says.
Fortunately, producers dont make Joey pretend like he just arrived on that private plane in the background.
The plane is just there for ambiance, people!
Girl, this is not a great look.
I dont want to have regrets coming out of this, says Maria.
Rose lovers, its too little, too late.
Just look at Joeys face.
Having stated her case, Maria heads back to the potential wife line-up.
What was that about?
I dont know, Maria whispers back.
Rachel, bless her, is so over Marias antics and shes no longer trying to hide it.
You dont know, but you asked him to talk?
A flustered Maria says its something she had to do in the moment, and apologizes.
Welp, time for the rose ceremony roll call!
Our final three women are… Daisy, Kelsey, and Rachel!
That means it’s the end of the road for Maria, our wonderfully weird queen.
I hope you know I was trying my best to get there, says Joey.
Its understandable; who among us havent had our flight response activated after a bad breakup?
It sucks, she says, as the SUV drives away.
I should have told him how I felt a lot sooner than I did.
Okay, rose lovers, weve only got three episodes left!
How are you feeling about Joeys trio of finalists?
Would you like to see Maria as the Bachelorette?
And who do you think leaves Joey the we need to talk note shown in the preview?
Let me know your thoughts on Twitter@KristenGBaldwinor Bluesky@kristengbaldwin.bsky.social.
The Bachelorairs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
