SPOILER ALERT! This post contains details from Wednesday’s episode of The Golden Bachelorette.
Joan Vassos is on the move this week, visiting her final four suitors in their hometowns.
First stop: Lake Tahoe, Nevada to see Guy. Upon Joan’s arrival, Guy immediately takes Joan out on the water for a romantic boat ride. Joan is hoping to deepen her connections with all the men during these trips, which Guy seems to be on the same page about. He says in confessional that he realizes he’s been holding back a bit from Joan, and he wants to find ways to be more vulnerable with her while she’s there.
So far, so good. After the boat, the pair grab drinks on the beach and get deeper into their conversation. Joan admits she’s having a hard time letting herself fall in love with someone else, and she’s feeling guilty about moving forward after John’s death. Guy assures her that she should take all the time she needs, and he’ll be there when she’s ready.
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Now, it’s time to meet the family. Joan is visiting with Guy’s siblings, as well as his kids and grandkids.
Very quickly, Guy’s sisters see how happy their brother is with Joan. They tell Joan that he’s had a “couple of rough years,” and they’re looking forward to the idea of him getting a fresh start. Meanwhile, Guy tells his daughter that he’s feeling a bit nervous about the other men who are still in the picture. She encourages her dad to continue putting himself out there, and hopefully it will pay off.
Joan tells Guy’s sons that she felt a “slow burn” with him, but she’s starting to really develop feelings for him. After that conversation, Joan seems to have earned the stamp of approval from everyone. While they’re nervous that he might get his heart broken, they are excited by the prospect that he and Joan might be engaged at the end of this. Guy admits that he’s fallen for Joan, and he’s ready to propose.
Next up, Joan is in Chicago, Illinois, for her first of two hometown dates in the Windy City.
Pascal is first. They meet at a local coffee shop, where Pascal has a drink already waiting for her. After they catch up for a bit, Pascal takes Joan to his salon, where she’s introduced to his entire staff. They teach Joan the basics, before she gets her own salon treatment from Pascal.
Before meeting his family, Joan and Pascal open up about how much they’ve been guarded throughout this process, but they’re ready to be more vulnerable with each other.
On this date, Joan is meeting Pascal’s children and grandchildren, as well as a few of his friends. Once again, Joan makes a great first impression. His son says Joan seems “down to earth,” and he thinks she’ll be a great fit for Pascal. When speaking with his son, Pascal becomes very emotional as he discusses the prospect of finding love with Joan. His son says it’s the first time he’s ever seen Pascal cry.
Joan also makes a great impression with Pascal’s daughter and grandson, the latter of whom is a little grossed out by the idea that Joan has kissed his grandpa. He’s willing to look past it, though.
The next day, Joan is still in Chicago, but she’ll be spending it with Jordan. Before her date, Joan says that she thinks her connection with Jordan is also a slow burn, but she’s very hopeful about where things can go after this date.
She meets Jordan by the Chicago River, and he immediately takes her to his favorite deep dish pizza spot for lunch. When she says she’s also a dessert person, he knows the perfect place. They cap things off with a shot of Malört to loosen up before meeting his family.
On this date, Joan is meeting Jordan’s brothers, as well as his kids. They’re all very excited to meet Joan, embracing her with open arms. Speaking with Jordan’s brothers, Joan asks more about his daughters. The brothers say he has complete, unconditional love for his kids, who both cried when they saw their dad for the first time in weeks. Jordan admits to his daughter Jamie that he might not be ready to get engaged in a few weeks, but he is hopeful about his connection with Joan. She says she isn’t surprised he’s had a bit of a slower burn, especially because he hasn’t dated much since his divorce.
His daughter Ali tells Joan something similar, but she can see that her dad’s emotional capacity with other women is expanding. Joan says that she worries Jordan wouldn’t pick her, if she were to choose him. Ali says she thinks her dad might be holding back out of fear. Speaking with her dad, Ali tells him that he should try to be more vocal about his feelings with Joan.
Joan leaves this date a little less secure than the last two, because she thinks that Jordan is still confused about where he stands. She says it would require a large leap of faith to give Jordan another rose.
Last but not least, Joan is off to Wichita, Kansas, to see Chock. They meet at Chock’s friend Roger’s ranch before the meeting with the family to catch up with each other. He tells her she’ll be meeting his siblings, as well as his kids. He’s also going to introduce Joan to his ex-wife Kathy’s family. On the heels of Chock’s mom’s death, Joan knows this will be an important and emotional meeting.
They’re all excitedly waiting on the ranch for Joan and Chock, raising their glasses when they see the couple arrive. This meeting is also going to be a celebration of the life of Chock’s mother, Jill, which Chock is very glad Joan will be able to participate in. After each saying a few words about Jill, they plant a tree in her memory.
Joan tells Chock’s kids that she sees a future with their dad, and she admits she was relieved to see Chock return to the show after his mother’s passing. Chock’s friend tells him that he seems “really smitten” by Joan, and Chock agrees. He says he’s crazy about her.
Joan also has a conversation with Kathy’s father, who says that he hasn’t seen Chock act that way toward a woman since his daughter, which Joan takes as huge compliment. To get that blessing seems to be the most important of all to Joan. He tells Joan she’s family, if she wants to be.
Chock’s own father thinks his son is already in love with Joan, though Chock hesitates to admit that just yet. His dad encourages him to shed the fear of vulnerability and put his heart out there in hopes that it will be rewarded. At the end of their date, Chock tells Joan he is falling for her.
Just like that, it’s time for another rose ceremony. Joan extends roses to Chock, Pascal and Guy. She sends Jordan home.
Fantasy suites are up next! New episodes of The Golden Bachelorette air on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
The post ‘The Golden Bachelorette’ Recap: Hometowns Bring Clarity For Joan As 3 Men Advance To Fantasy Suites appeared first on Deadline.
