Hometown on the Horizon: Bachelorette Week 6
It’s another week on the water for these Bachelorettes, and they’re heading to Amsterdam, carrying some stress in the water with Hometowns on the horizon.
The first 1-on-1 is with NATE. I absolutely love how chill Johnny is about it, giving them space and acknowledging their connection. I don’t know if we have ever seen something like that on the show. It really makes me like him more, feeling secure in his relationship with Gabby and breaking the fourth wall that’s often crafted on the show, like they aren’t actively experiencing everything we see.
But it isn’t long into the date before the couple is in tears, Gabby nearly choking out the words that she doesn’t feel secure enough to be another little girl’s mom without sorting through her own trauma caused by her mother’s neglect. It seems sudden in terms of the episode, but we’ve seen it coming based on Gabby’s heart-to-hearts with the guys. It’s one thing to work through that trust with a prospective partner. It’s another to position yourself in that same role and trust yourself enough to make a better environment for someone you don’t even know, especially when that first meeting has the possibility to be hurtful for both parties if things go wrong. My heart physically breaks for Gabby. The fact that she said she feels so hurt every time she sees him, even though she’s falling in love with him. OOF. I’m hit.
There has been some tea swirling around TikTok about NATE’s former girlfriend of 1.5 years and whether or not he told her about his daughter. I personally want to give him the benefit of the doubt based on the mature and respectful ways that he’s addressed drama and relationships on the show, agreeing with Kaitlyn from her comments on the PEOPLE podcast that “there are always three sides to the story, her side, his side, and the truth.” It is absolutely possible they had been dating but weren’t super committed or were on-and-off. We don’t know. I am hoping we can gather some more insight in the future. I’m sure Bachelor Nation will figure out a way to get it out. One thing’s for sure, NATE absolutely got a Bachelor edit.
ZACK takes another 1-on-1 date as well, this one with a better omen. I really like him and Rachel together. He feels very down-to-earth and grounded and mature, something I feel Rachel isn’t necessarily prioritizing but is important to her. Everything is picture-perfect, from the long lines of Dutch Tulips to blonde little children coincidentally selling lemonade on the side of the road, pedaling in picnic bikes with clogs in their baskets, finished off with a drip in a hot tub. Sounds like a super tame paperback romance novel. The way she looks at him the whole time is love. He is Top 3. No question.
At the late-night portion, they bond over therapy and ZACK admits that he’s falling in love with her. They couldn’t look happier. And yet, Rachel talks more about the “process working” than ZACK himself. It gives me pause.
Gabby’s group date starts out with some wow factor, starring a leather-clad dominatrix woman with a whip. The men are so scared they almost shrivel when asked “How many of you know how to treat a woman in the bedroom.” Not sure if that’s a great sign for Gabby’s future sex life. They all seem very embarrassed and almost macho about talking about oral sex, masturbation, and general women’s pleasure. It makes for an awkward date.
It’s JOHNNY that finally breaks the ice, taking off his clothes and being tickled on a wooden sex chair. As the guys opened up, we saw more of their playful side. ERICH and JOHNNY really stuck out as good matches, having fun, getting into the date, and sharing chemistry with Gabby. LOGAN tested positive for COVID (not sure how considering they’re all quarantined and the other guys are fine), canceling the after-party. Jesse doesn’t tell any of the guys. The cocktail party and rose ceremony are still on the next day, making me wonder what’s really going on.
On Rachel’s group date, ETHAN eats cheese even though he’s lactose intolerant because she likes cheese and I’ll say it right now, that’s love. The guys compete in a “strongest man” contest, encouraged to take off their shirts. Rachel rubs sunscreen on their bare chests. Poor Ethan looks like he collapsed after he finally let the cheese blocks down, taken down by dairy in more ways than one.
When talking about hometown dates, I love AVEN’s response to Rachel’s nervousness. “They’re going to love you. They’re going to love how I am with you.” That is a man who has thought about their relationship and the implications of next week and their future. I see him as Top 2. Have since Night 1. Meanwhile, Mr. Surfer Boy TINO is “stoked” to have her meet his family. But I can’t tell if he’s confident or cocky. That said, I am extremely surprised when Tyler gets a rose. He was my pick to go home.
Afterward, TINO is sulking in the corner, saying he “hit all the points [he was supposed to when talking],” giving off some disingenuous energy.
“Me and you didn’t win shit,” AVEN jokes, anused by TINO’s outburst, ETHAN adding “and I’ve still got a better attitude about it.” I love ETHAN sweet soul. Please have him on Paradise. I’m begging.
RACHEL: Zack, Tyler, Aven, and Tino.
GABBY: Erich, Jason, and Johnny.
The competition’s getting hot. This journey® is coming to an end. And unlike previous seasons, I’m fairly confident our leads will find love.
