And Nate Mitchell, a former member of Team Gabby, faced hard questions following his recent cheating scandal. Season 19 of the show has been the first of the franchise to feature two women looking for love. After host Jesse Palmer hit the stage with the eliminated men in front of a studio audience, he first introduced episode 8’s segment featuring Rachel’s final hometown date.
What happened on Rachel & Aven’s Date?
Rachel met Aven in Salem, Massachusetts, famed for the witch trials, and was nervous about meeting his parents because they hadn’t approved of other girlfriends he’d previously brought home. Aven’s dad A.J. and mom Dawn, who had separated years before, met them for dinner. Skeptical A.J. wondered to the cameras about how The Bachelorette process would transfer to the real world. He asked Rachel: “What attracts you to Aven?” and she called his son “incredible.” Rachel also told Aven’s mother, “I feel so strongly for him.” Aven told his father he was ready to get engaged, which won over A.J., who said, “I like her. I hope it works out.” Rachel was all smiles when leaving the restaurant, feeling like the meeting had gone well. “They see how happy I am with you,” Aven told her. “I am falling in love with you.” Rachel told the cameras she felt the same! Host Jesse said all of Rachel and Gabby’s remaining guys had received roses, confirming that both had three guys left in the running. While Rachel had Aven, Tino, and Zach, Gabby would choose between Erich, Johnny, and Jason.
What went down on the “Men Tell All”?
Magician Roby, who had been quickly axed from the show, shocked the crowd by appearing with platinum blond hair. Jacob, aka Fabio/Tarzan, had earlier insulted Gabby by saying he wouldn’t have stayed on the show if she were the only Bachelorette. The guys attacked him over that, and Jacob admitted, “I was rude. I was selfish.” Chris, who was thrown out of the mansion, didn’t even show up for the “Men Tell All” taping, and was slammed in his absence. Hayden, who showed more affection for his dog back home than Rachel and called Gabby “rough around the edges,” was also a no-show. “His character showed how cowardly he is not to be here,” Mario commented. Logan hit the “hot seat,” admitting the fact he took a rose from Rachel while pining for Gabby could be seen as a “bitch move.” He wished he could have pulled both women aside to tell them he preferred Gabby sooner. Other guys criticized him for switching teams, but he had no regrets, and Jesse announced Logan would be appearing on the upcoming Bachelor in Paradise on ABC! Nate then hit the “hot seat” to discuss rumors that he’d been involved with two women simultaneously and allegedly kept the existence of his daughter, 6, a secret from one. Nate explained to Jesse that he’d had “a traumatizing time” during a divorce and a “foundation that was built around my daughter was pretty much crumbled.” He said he put a wall up to protect his little girl “from the instability of my dating life.” After Jesse brought up how Nate had reportedly been seeing two women at the same time without their knowledge, Nate told the audience, “I’m deeply sorry for the way that I acted. I should have been more communicative. I should have been more clear in my intentions and I pray that you forgive the man that I was because I’m not that same person.” Nate claimed every emotion he had shown with Gabby was real.
What was host Jesse’s reaction to Nate’s tell all?
After the “Men Tell All” taping, Jesse told Parade.com about Nate, “There’s obviously been a lot swirling on social media in recent days and this was an opportunity for Nate to come and address….his side of the story.” When asked if Nate satisfied Bachelorette viewers with his comments, Jesse told Parade.com, “Time’s gonna tell. It’s hard to say. I think there are a lot of die-hard Nate fans out there, come hell or high water but I do think he’s got some critics that maybe question some of the things he said to Gabby or the way he felt about Gabby. I’m curious to see what the fans are going to think once the show airs.” Jesse said Nate behaved exemplarily on the show with the bachelorettes and all the guys, adding, “I personally am a massive fan of Nate. I think he’s a great guy, a great dad.” On Monday night’s episode, Jesse also promoted Bachelor in Paradise with several members of the new cast. Then Rachel and Gabby appeared to audience cheers. They affirmed their friendship and thrill at sharing the season together. Rachel told Jordan V. she was sorry for dumping him after their zero gravity date. Jacob got tearful when apologizing personally to Gabby, and Tyler indicated Rachel did the right thing by following her heart when she left him on the Jersey shore. After Nate’s scandal, Gabby stood by him by hailing him on camera for “how well you treat women.” Bloopers and a promo for the new gay romantic comedy movie called Bros followed, and as he had early in the season, “Meatball” poured spaghetti sauce over his body again.
How will the season end?
A preview for the final two episodes of The Bachelorette showed the gals kissing their guys as fantasy suites loomed. Rachel and Zach were apparently shown having a tiff, and Gabby feeling like Jason “never loved me.” It will all culminate in a “shocking ending no one is going to see coming,” host Jesse promised.
