The two-part Golden Bachelor season 2 finale kicked off with host Jesse Palmer welcoming lead Mel Owens to Antigua. Mel talked about how he has two great women to pick from, and they are both so special in their own way.
Jesse called Mel out a little bit on how he hasn't really told either woman how he feels about them — which Peg is worried about — but Mel had a great response.
"I don't want to use the word [love] loosely…it's a big deal. You can't use it and not mean it," said Mel.
Total respect for that response. There have been seasons of Bachelor franchise shows where it really felt like the lead was saying the same thing to both finalists, or even the top 3. And that's really unfair to the one(s) who aren't chosen at the end.
RELATED: ‘Golden Bachelor’ Season 3: Everything We Know So Far
No one! This was only the first half of the finale, so the show ended after the two Fantasy Suite dates. Next week, the second half of the finale is two hours, so tune-in alert — it starts at 8 p.m. ET/PT instead of the usual 9 p.m. The first hour will be the rest of the finale and possible proposal, while the second hour will be the After the Final Rose reunion special.
I have to say, after Hometown Dates (right up until the kind of awkward moment at the end of Cindy's date at her condo), I thought Cindy was the absolute frontrunner to win Mel's heart, but I don't think that anymore. I think Peg is going to be the one that he proposes to. I hadn't seen it until this episode, but I see it now between Mel and Peg.
Also, the show teased that the final two ladies will get to meet Mel's sons Lucas, 20, and Andre, 18, while they are in Antigua, so that's something fun that they saved for next week.
RELATED: Who Will Win Mel Owens ‘Golden Bachelor’ 2025? Here Are All The Spoilers
Peg's Fantasy Suite Date
At the top of the hour, Peg addressed the fact that Mel hasn't really been that forthcoming with his emotions, saying, "I definitely can see myself falling in love with Mel. That's just gonna take some more time and some more communication and being vulnerable…but it's hard to take that risk, it's scary. Because I don't know how he feels about me."
It is nice that it seems like Peg and Mel are kind of on the same page — I'm not there yet, but I'm willing to keep exploring and see if I get there.
Hilariously, Mel was the most cautious dune buggy driver ever, and Peg was like get out of the driver's seat, old man, I got this. And she put the pedal to the metal, cackling wildly. Man, if Peg isn't the winner, she'd make a helluva Golden Bachelorette.
RELATED: ‘Golden Bachelor’ Mel Owens Teases ‘Brilliant’ Finale With ‘Twists & Turns’ Fans Won’t Believe
While marveling at her driving ability, Mel said some incredibly lovely things about how great he thinks Peg is and how perfect she is for him, and honestly, they do seem like a really good match.
That night at dinner, they both said that they felt like their feelings were real, though they didn't go super deep, but that's OK.
The Fantasy Suite was this absolutely gorgeous beachside villa.
Cindy's Fantasy Suite Date
To contrast Peg's comments about Mel's feelings, Cindy said, "I am falling in love with Mel. Last week, at Hometowns, Mel wouldn't open up. It's scary not knowing exactly how he feels. This week, I hope he and I can just be present with each other."
It definitely feels like Cindy is more invested in the relationship than Mel, which makes me very nervous for her in the rest of the finale. Though if Cindy does get her heartbroken, she would have plenty of time to recover if they wanted to make her the next Golden Bachelorette. Not like how the Bachelor schedule used to go, where The Bachelor would end and the Bachelorette would start filming like right away.
RELATED: Who Should Be the Next ‘Golden Bachelorette’? Vote Now!
Anyway, Mel and Cindy went for an absolutely amazing boat ride and drank champagne, then they got to swim with stingrays. It was kind of hilarious how nervous Mel was to swim with the stingrays, while Cindy just jumped right in. They were all over her too, just like she said — like "puppies" — while Mel refused to touch them. C'mon, dude! Eventually, he tried it, and he did give Cindy credit for making him feel comfortable enough to try.
That night at dinner, the conversation was much the same as with Peg — trying to get Mel to give any kind of indication about his feelings. But this conversation felt much more pointed and more intense, more high-pressure. Cindy really wanted answers and was not being fun and casual about it the way Peg was. Mel looked and sounded very uncomfortable.
"I hate to push you because it's unfair, but I really would like to know…do you see a future with us? How do you feel about us? How do you feel about me?" said Cindy, and Mel said a lot of nice things, but again, he was fairly non-committal.
I do have to say — do contestants not understand that the lead has to play it pretty coy for dramatic purposes for the show?
RELATED: ‘Golden Bachelor’s’ Father Was a Negro Leagues Hall of Famer
There was also a very strange segment where Cindy basically grilled Mel about his marriage and waiting to get married until he was older. I have lots of thoughts about that, if you're interested in reading them here.
But honestly, it kind of felt like this was the moment that Cindy lost. She still might win. I don't know for sure who wins, but that was very off-putting. And it, of course, ended on a cliffhanger of Mel saying of their relationship, "Where there's a will, there's a way," to which Cindy asked, "Is there a will?"
Tune in next week for the "explosive" finale and After the Final Rose reunion. It airs from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.
? SIGN UP for our The Bachelor newsletter to stay up to date on the latest Bachelor Nation news, exclusive interviews, episode recaps & more ?
Hence then, the article about two very different fantasy suite dates who went home on the golden bachelor tonight was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Two Very Different Fantasy Suite Dates! Who Went Home on 'The Golden Bachelor' Tonight? )
Also on site :
- The Supreme Court Cast Its Lot With Trumpism. It Should Be Very Worried.
- UN renews Sudan ceasefire appeal over ‘unimaginable suffering’ of civilians
- Israeli forces continue ceasefire violations with attacks across Gaza