The anticipated season finale of “The Bachelor” has arrived, promising answers to why Joey Graziadei shed tears in the premiere. From a cast of 32 hopefuls, we’re left with Daisy Kent, a 25-year-old reminiscent of Taylor Swift, raised on a Christmas tree farm, and Kelsey Anderson, a Louisiana native of the same age.
Host Jesse Palmer teases Joey’s journey as “the most surprising, dramatic, and heart-wrenching ending ever.” Will the finale deliver on this promise? Let’s delve deeper.
Meet The Parents
The scene is set in Tulum, where Joey appears conflicted. He envisions a future with Kelsey, describing her as “so stinkin’ cute,” yet he’s drawn to Daisy’s radiant presence.
Seeking clarity, Joey turns to his family for guidance, acknowledging,
“I know I couldn’t do this without them.”
Joining him are Ellie and Carly, his sisters; Nick, his father; Cathy, his mother; and his brother-in-law, Zack.
Even his family harbors concerns; Carly fears a potential proposal might amount to “nothing” in the end.
Daisy is the first to depart, a decision prompted by a technical audio glitch during her speech. Despite this setback, Daisy bravely shares her journey of hearing loss and the use of a cochlear implant.
“Being able to explain that to him and how he reacted, how kind he was and caring, it changed everything for me,” she says, then credits Joey’s family with his disposition. “I just wanted to say thank you,” she says, making his mother cry.
Daisy assures Joey’s sisters that she would unequivocally choose him.
Moving on to Kelsey, Joey expresses confidence that his family will witness the unique connection she fosters with him.
Kelsey acknowledges Daisy’s remarkable qualities and shares her apprehension about potential comparisons between them. Vulnerably opening up about her loss of her mother, Kelsey seeks solace in Joey’s family.
However, during her conversation with Joey’s sisters, Kelsey hesitates to commit to a proposal, stating,
“I think so.”
This hesitation raises concerns for Carly, who notes that while Kelsey was remarkable, she couldn’t match Daisy’s level of commitment.
Yet, when confiding in Joey’s father, Kelsey becomes emotional at the thought of losing Joey.
Their Last Dates
Daisy grapples with her emotions, longing to express her love for Joey but finds herself engaged in what Joey refers to as a “spiritual experience” in a hut.
Expressing her inner turmoil to a producer, she admits feeling hurt by Joey’s uncertainty about their relationship, despite her own unwavering feelings for him.
Finally finding the courage to confess her love to Joey, she is met with his response, “That’s so good to hear,” accompanied by a subtle smile.
Disheartened by the lack of validation, Daisy reflects on the significance of receiving reassurance from him.
Daisy seems to pick up on the distance.
“Something’s a little off. He’s not talking about that potential future with us. I feel like he’s being measured and careful,” she says.
Joey expresses gratitude to Daisy for simply being herself before informing her that he needs to leave.
Sensing a void in their connection, Daisy wonders if the missing piece lies within Joey himself. Reflecting on the situation, she admits,
“If I’m being 100% honest, I don’t think it’s me.”
Observing the interaction, former Bachelorette Rachel Recchia’s facial expressions hint at the audience’s shared thoughts and reactions to the unfolding scene. Resigned to her fate, Daisy fades into the background, becoming a subplot in the episode, while Kelsey takes center stage.
“It’s supposed to be you and I,” Kelsey says. “The thought of it not happening is terrifying.” Joey says he feels “very lucky” to have met her.
Kelsey makes her plea.
“I want you to know how much I love you and how clearly I can see you and I at the end of this and after this and in 10 years from now,” she says. He leans in for a kiss rather than responds.
The question is: Does she feel any more reassured than Daisy? Yes. She leaves feeling “reassured,” she says.
Why Are The Proposals So Different Than In General?
As the prospect of proposals looms, Joey admits to feeling apprehensive, describing the thought as “scary.” Meanwhile, the day unfolds with the girls preparing for the pivotal moment. However, Daisy finds herself spiraling amidst the anticipation.
Instead of heading to the proposal, Daisy makes a bold decision and marches towards a door.
Expressing her resolve, she acknowledges the difficulty of her choice but believes it will ultimately lead to her best interest.
Unexpectedly, Daisy arrives at Kelsey’s door, not Joey’s. Seeking solace, she asks Kelsey to recount her week.
Kelsey’s mention of feeling “validation” strikes a chord with Daisy, offering her a semblance of validation in return.
“I’m going to be completely open and honest with you,” she says. “Our date felt a little bit off. There was something missing between me and Joey. There was no form of validation and confirmation. It was hard and it did hurt.”
Recognizing their mutual love for Joey, Daisy acknowledges that her pain seems to outweigh her affection.
“It shouldn’t feel this way,” she laments, grappling with the intensity of her emotions.
In a breach of protocol, Daisy and Kelsey find themselves holding hands in the SUV, a poignant display of solidarity as they detail the impending moment. Meanwhile, Joey holds the radiant cut ring, preparing for the pivotal proposal.
As they arrive at the scene, Daisy takes the initiative, stepping out of the limo first to confront Joey.
With a sense of resignation, she confronts the inevitable truth: she knows he won’t choose her. Her candid admission prompts tears from Joey, underscoring the emotional weight of the moment.
“As much as that hurts, I know you said you want the best for me, so I’m going to do what’s best for me, and I’m going to go,” she says.
Joey says “his heart is leading him” toward something that’s “more special than someone else.” He calls this the “hardest thing” he’s had to do.
“You don’t understand how special you truly are,” Joey says.
Refusing Joey’s offer to accompany her, Daisy asserts her independence, insisting that she can handle the departure on her own.
In a touching moment, she embraces Kelsey outside the limo, drawing strength from their bond, and invokes the memory of her mother, creating a poignant and heartfelt scene.
“I know your mom’s going to be looking down at this moment and be so happy,” she says. Kelsey cries.
Meet Joey’s Final Choice
With Daisy’s departure, only one woman remains: Kelsey, adorned in wedding white, appropriately symbolizing the gravity of the moment. Finally, Joey finds the courage to express his love for her.
Gazing into each other’s eyes, they share a moment filled with affection as Joey pours his heart out to Kelsey, admitting that he never realized the depth of beauty life could hold until he crossed paths with her.
She tearfully accepts his proposal and says,
“I’m so happy!” In the audience, Kelsey’s dad tears up.
As Kelsey accepts Joey’s declaration of love, she becomes “literally a fiancée,” marking the conclusion of yet another season filled with romance, drama, and heartfelt moments.
