This week’s episode of “The Golden Bachelor” had Mel Owens meeting the families and friends of Peg, Debbie and Cindy.  Previously, viewers had the surprise eliminations of Cheryl (before hometowns) and Debbie after hometown dates, who were both part of “The Golden Bachelor: The Women Tell All” taping.

The woman who was not in attendance was Diane, who had a family commitment.  Almost the full cast of women from this season were on stage to give their take on numerous events. They included: Amy, Mylene, Debbie, Terri, Carol, Monica P., Roxeanne, Nicole, Carla, Gerri, Andra, Alexandra, Robin, Monica B., Cheryl.

Immediately addressing the elephant in the room, host Jesse Palmer got into business by questioning the women about someone not being there for the right reasons.  The same thing that Robin tried to warn Mel about. Hmm….who could that be? It was funny how the women were talking around Nicole.

“Lemon Gate!”

Then Jesse poked again. This time, he asked about the lemon bars!  Which has become known as “lemon gate.”  First we had “shrimp gate” from Clayton’s season; another dating show, “Love Island” season 7 had “pancake gate.” And, now back to “The Golden Bachelor” we have “lemon gate.” 

The women explained that it actually started with Debbie who had told the women, after her date, that Mel revealed to her that he loves lemon desserts.  This gave Nicole, who is a chef, the idea to create a recipe for lemon bars to make for Mel.  She brought the handwritten recipe as evidence!

They Did Her Dirty!

The show did do Nicole slightly dirty by showing the women working hard on the making of the lemon bars, then inserting footage of Nicole in the hot tub (in full face mask mode).  It didn’t exactly happen like that.  Nicole said she did about 80 percent of the baking of these lemon bars.

The ladies really did drag Nicole extensively about the lemon bars.  I’m guessing most of which probably will not air due to time constraints.  It was the most contained and civil arguing of a group of women I’ve ever seen on any of “The Bachelor: Women Tell All” episodes. 

Nicole intentionally failed to give credit where credit was due to the other women who helped her with the lemon bars.  Terri and some of the other ladies spoke up about how disappointing it was to hear all the things that Nicole was saying to the cameras behind their backs.

ABC’s “The Golden Bachelor” stars Mel Owens. (Photo: Disney/Michael Kirchoff) Rt: Nicole

Apparently, most of the women really liked Nicole.  She tried to make herself look good and gave a PR response.  Ultimately, Nicole gave an inauthentic apology by simply saying “sorry” and “I’ll do better.”

Why Did Debbie Get Dumped?

Debbie asks Mel if the story she shared with him at Red Rock during her hometown date was the reason he didn’t choose her, and/or was it because she had never been married and doesn’t have any kids.  Mel had an answer for her.  You’ll have to watch. 

To refresh viewers minds, her conversation with Mel at Red Rock included an incident that was weighing on her.  She told Mel about how her ex-boyfriend took his own life a week after their break-up.  She also said that it took her ten years to get over. 

At ‘The Women Tell All,’ Debbie also delivered a message to other women in her same position to not be ostracized for never being married.  She told viewers, don’t buy into the stigma that there’s something wrong with you.

The comedian who helped the women roast Mel was in the audience.  Some outtakes not shown from Mel’s roast, supposedly “unedited” are shown in this Women Tell All episode.

Robin’s Fair Warning:

Robin addressed Mel when he came out and said she felt like he dismissed her when she tried to tell him about Nicole.  He said that he did not do that intentionally.

Susan and Kathy from Gerry’s season stopped by and sat in the audience. They also came to visit the audience before the show to promote the Bachelor cruise.

Cheryl was the only one to officially take the hot seat with Jesse.  Though Debbie was also in the hot seat.  It seems that it won’t air.  As she was talking to Jesse about Mel, Mel came out from backstage briefly to answer her questions.  Then, later, they shot another version of that with Debbie seated with the rest of the women.

Finale Teaser:
At the very end, Mel said there will be “twists and drama” in his finale episode.  He said he didn’t expect it.  The final two women are Peg and Cindy.