From Massholes and missing families to Mormons, the Hometown dates on The Bachelor were full of drama. Let’s dive into the highlights!
Date No. 1: Juliana
Location: Newton, Massachusetts
Family members in attendance: Juliana’s mom Donna, dad Carl, sister Dominique, aunts Cheryl, Candy, and Lyn, uncles Paul, Tony, and Liam, cousins Andre, Marco, Marissa, Alana, and Danny P., friends Mercedes, Paige, Nicole, Ali, second cousins Vinnie and Dana. (Note: As a former resident of Massachusetts, I can affectionately use the term “Massholes.”)
Grant describes his connection with Juliana as romantic, intense, physical, emotional, and mental. Quite the laundry list! Hopefully, we’ll get more clarity on their relationship.
Today’s date takes them to Newton, Mass., where they visit a local pizzeria and make heart-shaped pizzas for Juliana’s extensive family. They then head to a gathering with a large crowd of family members and friends, all eager to meet Grant. Juliana expresses her nerves about their reactions, especially her protective Italian family.
Amid the gathering, Grant tries to make a good impression on Juliana’s family. Carl, Juliana’s dad, shares his concerns with Grant, expressing his hopes that Grant will treat his daughter well. Grant, in turn, commends Juliana’s character and loyalty, winning Carl’s approval.
Overall, the evening proves to be a success as Grant impresses Juliana’s family with his thoughtful demeanor and respectful attitude. Stay tuned for more romantic developments on The Bachelor!
ps is very happy to give his full blessing. “I adore him,” he shares with her. “He appears to be prepared.” Just before saying goodbye to Juliana, Grant confesses his feelings by saying “I’m falling for you”. While it may not be the typical “I love you” or “I’m falling in love with you” declaration we are accustomed to on The Bachelor, it is more than sufficient for Juliana.
Date No. 2: Zoe
Location: New York, NY
Family members present: Zoe’s sister, Faith; her Aunt Cherise; her Uncle Dave; and her friends Kat, Alex, and Mare
Grant’s visit to New York City begins with him offering lukewarm compliments about Zoe. He describes her as “wonderful” and possessing many qualities he seeks. He hopes their date will progress to the next level.
The couple meets for a walk in Union Square Park, with shots of Central Park interspersed to give the impression they are there. Grant expresses his willingness to relocate to New York City, which aligns with Zoe’s strong interest in him.
The date features a wedding-themed photo shoot for Brides magazine, showcasing Zoe’s modeling skills. While the setup deviates from the typical hometown date activities, Zoe highlights her comfort in this scenario. The photo shoot ends with Zoe in a wedding dress tossing the bouquet to Grant, adding an element of surrealism.
During a rooftop champagne toast, Zoe shares that Grant will not meet her adoptive parents due to their troubled history. Instead, she introduces him to her chosen family, including her sister, aunt, and uncle.
In discussions with Zoe’s family members, Grant expresses his commitment and understanding of Zoe’s complex family dynamics. He acknowledges their delayed connection but emphasizes its significance and assures them of his intentions.
Ultimately, the date captures the essence of the show, showcasing orchestrated experiences rather than authentic moments. Despite its peculiarities, the interactions between Zoe and Grant reveal their growing connection and mutual understanding.
And Grant finds himself in the middle once again. It’s not the most promising start for a hometown date with Faith, but she leaves the conversation feeling optimistic about Grant’s potential as a good match for her sister. Zoe, on the other hand, doesn’t express any deep feelings as she bids farewell to Grant. She feels “confident and hopeful” instead. Moving on to the next date.
Date No. 3: Litia
Location: Star Valley, Wyoming
Family members present: Litia’s mom, Maurie, dad, Rob, brothers Ethan and Jackson, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Grant expresses how Litia complements him as they meet in the beautiful Wyoming countryside. He sees her as a potential great mother and wife. Their date involves horses, even though Grant admits he’s more of a city guy. He embraces the cowboy spirit, hinting that Litia could be the one he’s falling for. However, Litia’s faith as a Mormon presents a significant hurdle. She hints at wanting Grant to consider converting to her religion, as her family is deeply rooted in Mormonism.
Grant is open to understanding Litia’s faith, but he also wants to ensure they are aligned on religious matters. He shares concerns about potential conflicts, drawing from his own family experiences. Despite feeling nervous about meeting Litia’s large LDS family and his differences from their beliefs, Grant is reassured by Litia’s father that their family values acceptance and unity above all.
Questions about how their future children and family dynamics would fit into Mormonism linger in Grant’s mind. While these questions are implied, the show doesn’t depict Grant directly discussing them with Litia or her family. He observes their lifestyle and values, contemplating if he can envision himself as a part of their world.
Litia’s father emphasizes the importance of family in their culture and hints at Litia’s desire to start a family soon due to her age. It’s clear that if Grant chooses Litia, a quick engagement and starting a family could be on the horizon.
The Bachelor finds comfort in Litia’s mother’s words, who believes that as long as he values God in life and raising a family, he is suitable to marry Litia. While Litia and her family may not require Grant to convert, it is likely that they anticipate him to raise their children as Mormons. Therefore, he should be prepared for this expectation before proposing. During a heartfelt conversation with her grandpa, Litia expresses her love for Grant, to which her grandpa approves and wishes her happiness. As Litia contemplates confessing her love to Grant, despite her concerns about the approaching Fantasy Suites, her mother encourages her to take the risk and express her feelings. Grant reciprocates Litia’s sentiments, expressing that he, too, is falling in love with her. Following their emotional conversation, Grant heads off to his final date with Dina in Chicago, where she reveals that her family, particularly her pastor father, is not participating in the show due to personal beliefs. Despite the absence of her family, Dina reassures Grant of her feelings for him and her hope for him to meet her family in the future. Despite the initial disappointment, Dina and Grant try to make the best of their day, enjoying carnival games and a corn maze with the support of Dina’s friends. Grant expresses his growing feelings for Dina and his regret at not meeting her family, while Dina’s friends observe their connection and offer their support.
“Roses are red, violets are blue, and on this week’s episode of ‘The Bachelor,’ it’s all about love and drama too. Are you ready for the rose-filled journey ahead? Let’s dive into the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles, where the magic unfolds. Oh my stars, guess who graces our screens? It’s none other than the sweet angel baby himself, Joey Graziadei! Remember when he stole our hearts as the Bachelor? Those were the days, weren’t they? Now, he’s back to share some wisdom with Grant, the current leading man. “Take a moment to pause when emotions run deep,” advises Joey. “There are crucial steps ahead that require an open mind.” Wise words, you charming cherub.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the producers gather the women for a candid chat about their hometown dates. Excitement fills the air as they recall the joy of introducing Grant to their families. Yet, amidst the joy, Dina’s heart sinks as she reveals, “He didn’t meet my family. It was tough.” Despite the setback, Dina maintains a positive outlook, finding solace in the support of her friends. As the women bond over shared experiences, Grant receives one last piece of advice from Joey – “Trust your instincts, they never lead you astray.” And with that, the stage is set for the rose ceremony.
Surrounded by the grandeur of the Los Angeles Theater, the tension mounts as Grant prepares to make his final decision. Drumroll, please! The chosen three are… Litia, Juliana, and Zoe. Alas, Dina, your family’s absence did give Grant pause, leading to a bittersweet farewell. As Dina graciously exits, the remaining trio raise their roses in a symbolic toast to new beginnings.
In a poignant and cordial exchange, Grant and Dina bid adieu, cherishing the memories they shared. “I’ll always treasure our time together,” Grant reflects. “Thank you for the moments we had,” echoes Dina. With a heartfelt goodbye, they part ways, each carrying a piece of the other in their hearts.
As the journey nears its end, the anticipation builds. How do you feel about Grant’s final three choices? Eager for the drama of the Women Tell All? And could Paradise hold a future for Dina? Share your thoughts as we await the next chapter in this romantic saga!
Join us every Monday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC for more twists and turns on ‘The Bachelor.’ And for all the latest TV news and exclusive content, sign up for Entertainment Weekly’s free daily newsletter. The drama continues, rose lovers. Stay tuned!”
