Color me actually surprised, rose lovers!
Brendan gave himself the boot?
Producers are still trying to make that gross “body-paint date” idea happen?
Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin
The last segment of Tayshia’sBachelorette"journey" is off to a nutty start.
“It’s definitely getting harder being around you guys,” says Zac with a weak smile.
“It’s just a strange dynamic at this point,” agrees Brendan.
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In a bit of foreshadowing, Brendan admits to being nervous about proposing since his last divorce.
Notes Zac, “I don’t think there’s anybody that wants to stack divorces.”
Oh man, poor Brendan looks legitimately terrified, doesn’t he?
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Hear that, Brendan?
“Ivan’s a good dude,” says Zac.
“I would let my sister date him.
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I don’t know how I feel about my girlfriend dating him.”
Fantasy Suite date No.
For Ivan and Tayshia’s day date, they’ve gone back to the Guinness World Records well.
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“Paulie, you were an orphan boy that was found on a glacier.
You are no stranger to ice and ice baths,” says Harrison.
“What is the secret to getting through this?”
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(I’m pretty sure none of that is true, but then again, who knows?)
Congrats, you too!
But is Ivan ready to drop the L-bomb?
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“It’s hard for me to, like, really show my feelings,” he says.
And she LOVES it, of course.
In this case, though, their destination is less “Suite” than “Airstream.”
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Enjoy your tin can, you lovebirds!
Well, this isn’t awkward at all.
“It was a great night.
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Had a ton of fun,” Ivan says, as Zac and Brendan slowly die inside.
But now it’s Ivan’s turn to spiral, because Zac just left for his overnight date.
Fantasy Suite date No.
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2The date card said, “Let’s explore each other.”
If that sounds cheesy in theory, in practice it’s even worse.
Of course, Tayshia and Zac’s artistic endeavor devolves into a very messy make-out session.
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These two clearly have chemistry, but I appreciate the fact that Zac never takes anything for granted.
I can’t speak for her."
At dinner, they make goo-goo eyes at each other and talk about their first kiss.
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Does she buy it?
The Bachelorette is overcome with emotion.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way before.”
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Welp, okay then.
Is it game over, rose lovers?
Okay, camera crew, time to make yourself scarce!
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The good times continue the next morning, as Zac and Tayshia giggle and dance on the bed together.
They exchange a few more “I love yous” and then part ways.
“Brendan’s had my heart since day one,” she says.
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Welp, on to the next!
Fantasy Suite date No.
Because Brendan is the most hesitant to propose with good reason!
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producers have put together the most uncomfortable date for him possible.
The jeweler starts draping Tayshia with diamond bracelets and earrings, while Brendan looks on.
Gee, what a fun date this is turning out to be for him!
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“A girl can never have too many diamonds, right?”
That’s when Neil breaks out the engagement rings and wedding bands.
Brendan sweats, literally and figuratively.
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“I’ve been here before, I’ve looked at rings before,” he says.
I don’t know."
It doesn’t take long for Tayshia to figure out that Brendan is not having a great time.
“I just can’t read him!”
“I don’t know where he’s at.”
“You were my first one-on-one,” she says.
And that made me so excited."
So how does Brendan feel?
There’s a big part of me that still needs time to heal."
Not to sound like Bennett or anything, but hooray for emotional intelligence!
I’m sure Big Paulie, wherever he is at this moment, is also devastated.
They begin the long walk to the Reject SUV, as Tayshia laments this turn of events via voiceover.
“I really thought I was going to be with him,” she says.
“I really thought I was going to end up with Brendan.”
(Girl, what?
Yesterday you told Zac you love him!
What is happening?)
Both Brendan and Tayshia are in tears as they say goodbye in the driveway.
“Thank you Tayshia,” says Brendan, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“God bless you, okay?”
Gah, that was brutal!
through the screen, but I don’t think she heard me.
Oh good, more “girl talk.”
Former Bachelorette and frequentfranchisecriticRachel Lindsay is here to give Tayshia some moral support before the rose ceremony.
Welp, that was fun!
(Also, the carbs were ignored once again.)
Wait, I’m sorry, what is Ivan wearing to the rose ceremony?
Is that a blazer over a… short-sleeved mock turtleneck???
My God, where does anyone even procure a short-sleeved mock turtleneck?
And can we like have the law shut that store down?
Alas, we’ll have to put a pin in this discussion, because look who’s back!
Having returned to LaQuinta (or maybe he never left?
“I’m in love with Tayshia, and I need to tell her.”
I feel like that timing will be just perfect.
Doesn’t she look pleased?
Looks like someone’s going to need a bigger glass of wine.
“Of course,” she whispers to herself as she and Ben walk to the couch.
They exchange uncomfortable pleasantries for a few seconds, and then Ben dives right in.
“The feelings that I’ve had for you… “I blew it by not telling you in the moment.”
Once again, Tayshia is speechless.
“I’m going to need a minute, okay?”
says the Bachelorette, before shutting herself in another room with a producer.
she gasps, as a camera films her through the blinds.
“I just want to cry.
I don’t know what to do!”
Do what we’re all going to do wait until tomorrow night!
So before we sign off, rose lovers, hit me with your hot takes.
Does Ben stand a chance?
Do you think Tayshia should have encouraged Brendan to stay, even if he wasn’t ready to propose?
And how can “red and black” be someone’s favoritecolor?
Post your thoughts below!
