Ninety minutes, four families, and one man sent packing welcome to hometown dates week onThe Golden Bachelorette!
The last time I did this was in 1983 with Johns family, says Joan.
Sorry, Im getting ahead of myself.
Guy and Joan enjoy Lake Tahoe on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’.ABC
Time to meet the families!
I always forget that Nevada isnt all desert.
Lake Tahoe does look beautiful, especially by boat.
Guy’s family greets Joan on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’.ABC
Suck it up, doc!
Its now or never.
Still, he knows that the prize at the end is worth taking any risk for.
Guy’s adorable sons on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’.ABC
(Dont love him calling Joan a prize, but whatever.)
Joan is honest, meanwhile, about how much shes been thinking about her late husband, John.
I have this guilt that keeps creeping in, she says sadly.
Guy shares his feelings with Joan on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’.ABC
I have to let go of John a little bit to do this.
Guy gets it, and he tells her to take all the time she needs.
Good answer, sir!
Joan gets to work on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’.ABC
Holy cow, Guy has a big family.
Hugs all around, and then Joan begins filling the family in on her journey with Guy.
She also shares the story of how Guy gave Charles oh, how I miss him!
Pascal introduces Joan to his family on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’.ABC
closure by answering a lingering question about his wifes death.
You just KNOW the producers sent all their info to the casting department for a future season ofThe Bachelorette.
Even more surprising, he says hes ready to propose!
Maxim hugs his dad on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’.ABC
Maybe Im alone, but this really seems to be coming out of left field.
I guess it could be because we havent really seen Joan with Guy much beyond their one-on-one date.
Either way, Gayle and Greer are 100 percent on board with making Joan a sister-in-law.
Jordan and Joan eat deep dish pizza on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’.ABC
Wed love to have her in our family, gushes Gayle.
This validation means so much to Guy, he gets emotional.
Never in a million years would I thought Id be saying this, he begins, choking up.
Jordan introduces Joan to his family on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’.ABC
That I can love again, that I can be loved again.
Cue the Opening UpTM!
Eh, close enough.
Joan sits with Jordan on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’.ABC
Pascal and I have kind of a unique relationship, says Joan.
Naturally, the first stop on Pascals guided tour of Chicago ishis very own beauty salon.
The staff including Lisa, the salon director greets him like a conquering hero.
Joan greets Chock in Kansas on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’.ABC
he bellows, raising his arms above his head in triumph.
He even puts Joan to work.
(Hello, young man!
Chock’s family and friends greet Joan on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’.ABC
You know, I got my heart broken many times, he says.
I mean, sure.
But again, tick-tock, buddy!
Chock and his dad share a dude hug on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’.ABC
Production is on the clock here the time for being guarded is almost up.
Still, Joan gets it.
These two are cute together, but I honestly dont see a real spark.
Joan and Chock smooch on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’.ABC
Perhaps his family will feel differently.
Why yes, son, he did!
Maxim pulls Joan for a one-on-one chat first.
He’s Jesse Palmer, and he’s listening (‘The Golden Bachelorette’).ABC
(And yeah, production is totally sending the casting team his info, too.)
One hundred percent, says Maxim.
Hes so sick of dating.
Chock, Guy, and Pascal on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’.ABC
Remembering the card Maxim wrote for him on night one of the journey, Pascal gets emotional.
When I read the card, I had tears in my eyes because I felt like…
He pauses, overcome.
…Ive done a good job as a dad!
Wow, I made it almost 40 minutes without crying this week.
Way to go, me!
For as long as Ive been alive, Ive never seen that, he marvels.
Uh, thats not great.
Normalize fathers crying in front of their children!
During her chat with Natalie, Joan asks if Pascal is ready to open his heart.
Shes worried that even if she picks him, Pascal wont accept her rose.
I do think that theres a connection there, says Natalie.
I truly dont think that hes not going to pick you.
Little Pryce has the floor!
The Golden Bachelorette cannot tell a lie: Yes, she and Pascal have smooched.
Dont worry, kid only a few million people saw it.
The date ends on a happy note, but Pascal does not offer much in terms of emotional validation.
I have stronger feelings for him now than I did yesterday, she says.
Im not sure if hes ready… Im getting scared.
3:JordanLocation:Chicago, Ill. (again!
The guy barely looks 56, let alone 61.
And like any young gentleman, Jordan loves pizza so he takes Joan for a pie atLou Malnatis Pizzeria.
Oh, good God its deep dish, or whatJon Stewartwould callthe casserole of pizzas.
Their food tour continues with some rainbow cake and then a shot ofJepson Malort, aka the Chicago Handshake.
I hope production has some Tums on hand, because Joan does NOT love it.
That is the worst thing Ive ever tasted in my entire life!
Shake it off, maam.
Its time to meet Jordans loved ones.
Making fun of me is the family pastime, he says.
So, she fit in perfectly.
Jordans brother Dan, meanwhile, believes that getting engaged after two months isnt that crazy an idea.
I met my wife in June.
We knew we were going to get engaged in August, he says.
Now, its 36 years later!
When Larry and Dan sit down with Joan, they rave about how great Jordan is as a dad.
Thats a totally reasonable sentiment which means, of course, that it has no place in theBacheloretteuniverse.
And just as shes afraid that Pascal might not pick her, Joan shares the same doubts about Jordan.
It was so hard, in fact, that he hasnt really dated in 10 years.
Its getting, like, to the wire, she reminds him.
As you may be able to tell from Joans face, rose lovers, she is NOT super impressed.
I feel confused, she says with a sigh.
Do I take a leap of faith with Jordan?
Time to put my guard up.
Hold that thought, maam!
You have one more hometown date left.
No, those arent Chocks hay bales.
And theres a really big group waiting for Chock and Joan when they arrive.
Once all the hugs are done, Chock addresses his assembled friends and family.
Eeesh, thats kind of obnoxious.
Theres confidence and then theres… hubris.
Its not just up to you, pal!
Several people offer heartfelt words remembering Dr. Jill, including Chock.
I was very fortunate to have a mother like I did, he says.
She was a great mother.
She was an inspiration.
She helped people… Im just so happy that my friends and family are here for this.
By the end, everyone is bawling, including Joan.
The rest of the afternoon is much more upbeat.
That was the ultimate compliment, says Joan.
Its just not like you, says Jay.
But after meeting Joan, I see what youre doing.
And after spending some time with the couple, Jay says he thinks theyre in love.
Thats what I saw earlier today, he explains.
Then they give each other a very reserved, older-gentlemen hug.
The day goes really well, but once again, Joan is plagued by guilt over moving on.
Its a bittersweet sentiment, but a feeling Im sure anyone who has lost a partner can relate to.
The feeling, rose lovers, is clearly mutual.
With that, its time to go back to Los Angeles.
Tonight, Im going to hand out three roses, and I dont know what to do!
Uh-oh, our Golden Bachelorette is in trouble.
Somebody activateJesse Palmerand his Sympathetic Listening FaceTM!
With that, its time to make a cruel cut.
Let us commence with the rose ceremony roll call.
Your final three are…
Congratulations, Chock, Guy, and Pascal!
So sorry, Jordan but something tells me youre also a wee bit relieved.
Joan walks him out, and they share a friendly hug goodbye.
I wish you nothing but happiness, he says.
Next stop, Tahiti!
You get it, grandma!
How are you feeling about the final three?
And is deep dish actually pizza?
Let me know your thoughts on Twitter@KristenGBaldwinor on Bluesky at@kristengbaldwin.bsky.social.
The Golden Bacheloretteairs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
