The Bachelorette: Week 8 Episode Recap
“Tonight on the most dramatic season of The Bachelorette…” Okay Chris, we get it. We left off last week with a MAJOR cliffhanger. Was JoJo Fletcher seriously going to let country musician Luke Pell go? The answer: yep. Her reasoning: she wasn’t getting the validation that she needed from him. Girl, hold on. Can we back up for a second? I truly don’t understand how JoJo didn’t know how he was feeling. I mean, was his hometown date not straight out of a Nicholas Spark’s book?
He said “my heart is yours” and “I’m falling in love with you” but never “I love you.” And apparently in JoJo’s book, that made all the difference. So America was and still is reeling in pain with the loss of sweetheart Luke. Most of us can agree that this was the worst breakup of the season, even compared to Chase’s exit (which we’ll discuss later on). Luke was in shock, apologetic and, yet, I feel everything was going in one ear and out the other. Even she admitted that she may have made a mistake. So what do you think, did she?
If we rewind to earlier in the season when sweet beautiful Wells was still in the competition, we can clearly remember a heated conversation JoJo had with him in regards to everlasting love. Wells mentioned how his past relationships had all fizzled out, and JoJo explained that she is desperately seeking the type of love that never dies. She said she wanted someone, who, years down the road she would look at and still think “my husband is smokin’ hot.” I think she had that with Luke. The passion, commitment and trust was there. But apparently, she didn’t take that into consideration when choosing her final three. But enough on the Luke subject. I'll get over it.
Up next, was the fantasy suite dates with her remaining three: Chase, Jordan and Robby.
First, was Robby who spent the date obsessing over "Joelle" (like seriously when did he start calling her that?), convincing her she had nothing to worry about with his ex and raving about their hometown date while getting Thai massages. To me, something was just off. I don’t know if JoJo likes hiding her feelings or why she feels the need to constantly keep a straight face, but I simply can’t get a read on how she feels about him. Plus, Robby just doesn’t seem genuine or sincere to me. Perhaps, Luke was still heavily weighing down her emotions/mood. Or perhaps it was the fact that producers constantly make her bring up Ben Higgins. Are they trying to plug him into every episode to increase ratings for Ben and Lauren’s new show (which will inevitably fail)? Enough about Ben already!
At dinner, Robby told her once more that he was in love with her, whereas she kept responding “I know” and “yeah.” But then, the mood changed and they acted like giddy kids when the invite to the fantasy suite was accepted. That’s the first time I got the vibe that she truly loves Robby. It gives me hope that she will end up happy if she happens to choose him. Plus, they looked perfect laying in bed NOT eating breakfast.
JoJo also looked perfect not eating breakfast with Jordan the following morning. So much food is sacrificed on this show, it makes me sad. JoJo always lights up around Jordan and seems very excited to see him. Those two are very touchy-feely which made their date interesting. The two lovebirds went for a hike to see a religious temple. JoJo had to cover up (still looked fabulous of course) and no kissing was allowed. I know I’m not the only one having deju vu here? Kaitlyn and Chris ring a bell to anyone? Been there, done that. The show has to get more creative!
Jordan, who always seems to have all the right scripted answers, hit a roadblock when he couldn’t tell JoJo where he saw himself in the very near future. He could have said anything, truthfully, but instead he just said “that’s a hard question to answer.” NO IT ISN’T! He could’ve said “doing well in my career,” “planning a wedding,” OR I DON’T KNOW “being engaged to you.” Anything would have been better. But of course, JoJo is too smitten to give him too hard of a time and the invitation to the fantasy suite was extended.
My biggest concern with these two are that she is in constant doubt about him. Will she ever fully trust him enough to make a relationship work? I don’t know. He may be at a disadvantage because of his background and famous family, but she needs to put those worries aside at some point or it will never work out. In the morning, she did the walk of shame out of the fantasy suite and Jordan wouldn’t shut up about the two of them taking an important step in the right direction. At this point, JoJo admits to being in love with both Robby and Jordan but doesn’t even want to think about being in love with three men, automatically giving Chase a sour start.
Did anyone happen to catch the end of last week’s episode where JoJo and Chase built a snowman? For the first time, we saw an entirely different side to the medical sales representative: playful! This week gave viewers a second chance to see how full of life Chase could be, even if he seems pretty mundane at times. I think what JoJo and Chase had was a really fun relationship. I enjoy watching their chemistry the most. Plus, that makeout in the ocean.. um, HOT. They had it all, physically, emotionally and spiritually (we remember that yoga date!). The day date was great, until Robby decided to crash the party. Like seriously, dude? Stop.
She saw it as a sweet, much-needed gesture that maybe even placed him above Jordan. But, it also made her think about falling in love with a third person and I think that really ruined the rest of Chase’s date. She wrote him off because it would have been too hard. Chase stumbled over his words and finally opened up to her after accepting the fantasy suite key. But after he admitted his love, JoJo needed some fresh air and then let him go. He was, rightfully so, thrown off and pissed. Being hurt, he reacted very poorly to her rejection, point-blank saying “you didn’t even give us a chance.” I agree with him wholeheartedly. It was the most raw moment of the season and definitely hard to watch. It’s also obvious that JoJo doesn’t like people upset with her and she always tries to fix things. Yet, the only thing that would have fixed Chase’s heartbreak was time. She had to just let him leave in a sad state.
At the rose ceremony, Jordan and Robby were told that Chase would not be coming as she had let him go the night before. The men, shocked but smug, smiled knowing they would be JoJo’s final two. But then, low and behold, Chase entered from stage left, leaving everyone confused.
Here is what I think happened: producers made Chase come back and leave on better terms in order to increase his chances at becoming the next Bachelor. Regardless of the reasoning, I was glad to see his handsome face again and I think that closure helped both JoJo and Chase, leaving them on better terms.
Back at the rose ceremony, JoJo gives her first rose to Jordan. Was anyone actually surprised by this? Then JoJo gives her final rose to Robby. And there we have it: JoJo’s final two players, uh I mean, men. What did you think of this week’s episode? Were you sad to see Luke and Chase go? And, who do you want JoJo to end up with next week? Do you think the relationship will last? Cause to be honest, I don’t! I think JoJo is retreating back to what she knows, and that happens to be the men who just aren’t ready to settle down. They love parties, the ladies and their careers way too much. I, obviously, hope and pray she ends up with someone who makes her happy for a really long time. I just don’t know if I see this season ending well. R.I.P. to the two good men, Luke and Chase, who would've given JoJo the world. But, we all know we’ll be seeing one of those two in the fall as the Bachelor, right?
Comment below and tell me your thoughts of this week's episode. And don't forget tomorrow is another Bachelorette episode of Chad Tell All, I mean, Men Tell All. Can't wait to see her face the men once again. Let's hope poor Luke's heart has healed.