Last week on “The Bachelorette” season 19 hometown dates all of the men except Aven had their hometown dates.  Now that things are getting really serious, as in, there’s only a couple of weeks left before an expected engagement for ‘Bachelorettes Gabby and Rachel, there were some new revelations made.

Rachel realized that she wasn’t that into Tyler.  So, she broke-up with him in his hometown of Wildwood, New Jersey just before meeting his parents.
“The Bachelorette” show decided to add-in the footage of Tyler telling his family that Rachel had just broken-up with him.  This is something that the show typically leaves out, and it was a refreshing change that they decided to show that.

It was a huge revelation when both Jason and Johnny told their parents that they weren’t ready to propose to Gabby.  That leaves Erich, who was distraught about his father’s cancer sickness.  He did manage to tell Gabby that he’s falling in love with her.  More important was that Gabby said it back to him.  The episode was dedicated to Alan, Erich’s father.

Pictured: ETHAN, RACHEL RECCHIA, TINO / Photo: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Tino’s father had a lot of questions for Rachel and made her feel very unwelcome.  He’s not a fan of the ‘Bachelor process.  This put a scare into Rachel and made her question her and Tino’s relationship.  But, then Tino told Rachel that he’s falling in love with her.  Rachel reciprocated.   Then there’s Zach who is a strong contender for Rachel.  A nod was given to Rachel and Zach’s first date when his family sat through a montage of video clips of him and Rachel up to that point in their journey on the show.  Zach is  almost too perfect.  Which is why he most likely won’t be the last man standing.  Zach also told Rachel that he’s falling in love with her.  But, she didn’t say it back to him.

In the final hometown date, Rachel joined Aven in his hometown of Salem, Massachusetts.  ALL of the men, btw, except for Tino are from the East Coast.  Tino is from Santa Clarita, California.  Rachel went into Aven’s hometown date with extreme nervous jitters knowing that his parents didn’t like any of his past girlfriends.

The two paid a visit to Lorelei, “The Love Witch” of Salem, first.  She did her famous love spell on Rachel and Aven.  Rachel said she’d try anything because she was super nervous about meeting Aven’s parents.  She said Aven is the only one who’s told the least about himself.  Lorelei did a chant then told them to have a “beautiful, magical night.”  Upon exiting, the love spell fell off the table onto the floor along with the table!  Rachel joked, “is that bad luck?”

Rachel met Aven’s Mom Dawn, and his dad Arthur (A.J) at a seafood restaurant.  A.J. was suspicious and wanted to let them know that the show doesn’t represent real-life very well.   It turned-out that Rachel had nothing to worry about because both of Aven’s parents loved her.  A.J. told Aven to not stop fighting for Rachel “because she’s a good catch” and he likes her.

After their talks with the parents, Aven told Rachel that he’s falling in love with her.  Rachel had a big smile on her face.  She said she felt so lucky and happy because she wanted him to say that for a long time.  In her confessional she said she felt like she’s falling in love with Aven.

After their hometowns, Rachel and Gabby decided to keep all of their men and didn’t send anyone home.   This Rose Ceremony was unaired, but can be seen on the ABC website.

THE MEN TELL ALL: 

The men who returned were Roby (newly platinum blond), Jordan H., Termayne, Jacob, Jordan V.,  Alec, Quincey, Alec, Spencer, Mario, Meatball, Logan, Tyler, and Nate.

Pictured: LOGAN / Photo: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Logan said the best part of dating two Bachelorettes was “the lessons learned.”  The three men who rejected Rachel at the Rose Ceremony were there – Termayne, Meatball, and Ethan.   Two controversial men were not there – Chris, who was thrown out of the house after talking about Fantasy Suites way too early, and Hayden who dumped Gabby after calling her “rough around the edges.”

Host Jesse Palmer asked Ethan how hard was it to figure out which one of the two to pursue?  He said after the first two weeks, he was certain.  Roby reacted towards Jacob by telling him he was too blunt and an “ass” by telling Gabby if she was the only one there, he’d leave.  Roby, who was eliminated on night one, was very vocal and opinionated at the top of the show until Ethan told him to stay quiet because he didn’t have any emotions from forming a relationship with either woman.  Roby did stay quiet after that.

Meatball said he didn’t know who he was more into at that time he rejected Rachel’s rose.  Spencer said it was day two, and Chris was talking about the Fantasy Suites.    Nate said “real men hold other men accountable,” and was glad that the men brought it up to Gabby and Rachel.

Next, another guy who was thrown off of the show by Rachel, was not present.  That was Hayden, who called Gabby “rough around the edges.”  Nate said if he treated Gabby like that, then he doesn’t deserve Rachel either.   Spencer reacted that he guess he likes girls rough around the edges because he loves Gabby.

The men vinted to Logan because their group date was cancelled after he broke up with Rachel right before that group date.   Jesse called Logan up to the “hot seat” to elaborate more on his experience on the show.   Logan was asked about being on Team Rachel until he wasn’t.  He said looking back, he would have liked to have pulled them to the side to talk to both of them.  Logan said he doesn’t regret leaving Rachel to pursue Gabby.

The blatant ad all season long from Virgin Cruise ship resurfaced in ‘The Men Tell All episode when Jesse Palmer announced that the cruise line was gifting every audience member a free cruise!  It also seems that the show had to work this into a segment in order to get big reaction shots of the audience members for the teaser ads, since this ‘Men Tell All was virtually drama-free!

Nate was next to sit in the “hot seat.” Jesse told Nate that his vulnerability and maturity was really impressive.  Nate said saying “goodbye” to Gabby was one of the toughest goodbyes ever.  Nate said it was hard to hear Gabby say she was afraid of being a “bad mom.”  He said she has the attributes that would make her the best mom.  He said having his daughter in his life is the greatest treasure he has.  With tears, he told his daughter that he’s a better man because of her and he’s going to be the best man because of her.

Nate got to acknowledge the drama surrounding him on social media.  He said when he went through a divorce, he wanted to protect his daughter.  He would never bring her into an unstable situation.  He answered the allegations of dating two women at once. He apologized and said he was “deeply sorry” for the way he acted and should have been more “clear” in his intentions.  For people who second guess everything he said to Gabby.  He answered that everything that he experienced with Gabby was real and he committed as her boyfriend.  Alec vouched for Nate by saying that he made him a better man just by being around him.

BACHELOR IN PARADISE SNEAK-PEEK!

Pictured (l-r): SERENA PITT, GENEVIEVE PARISI, VICTORIA FULLER, ANDREW SPENCER / Photo: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Past ‘Bachelor and ‘Bachelorette contestants Genevieve, Andrew S., Serene and Victoria Fuller came out onto the stage to talk to Jesse about the upcoming season of  “Bachelor in Paradise.”  A lot of sneak-peek footage was shown.  All we can say is we’re thrilled that Andrew S., and Rodney will be there, and some surprises were that Branden (from Michelle’s season) will also be there.  But also, Aaron is back!   Of course Shanae-nae will be on our screens again.  No surprise that these beauties are also on the show – Serene, Teddi, Sierra, and Kira.

GABBY & RACHEL:

Gabby said the way her and Rachel were able to give support to each other is something that others in their position haven’t been able to receive before.  They wouldn’t have it any other way.  It made their experience “that much better,” said Gabby.   She also stated that the hardest and most unpredictable thing to navigate was how the men reacted to the two of them.

First Impression roses. Gabby gave her rose to Mario.  Rachel gave her rose to Tino.  Gabby said she didn’t know which side Mario was on.  Mario responded that they had a great connection.  But, he said Gabby did him wrong.  Gabby said with Mario, she didn’t feel “chosen” by him.   Jesse asked Rachel about Jordan V.  She said they did have a connection.  But, she didn’t want him to feel strung along and apologized to him.

Jacob, who told Gabby that if she was the only ‘Bachelorette there he’d leave, said it was hurtful to watch it back.  He admitted to not having any self awareness which is what Gaby told him.  Jacob said he’s working on bettering himself and apologized.  Gabby accepted his apology.

Rachel said being the Bachelorette is definitely a crazy position to be in that no one can foresee how to navigate.  She said having Gabby as support they were able to make it through it.  Gabby said by her and Rachel having support, they were able to vocalize it for the first time.  They were “transparent about how hard the role is.”

Jesse asked Rachel about Logan.  She said she was hurt and wished he was honest earlier.  Logan explained that he was waiting for “the perfect time,” and wishes he didn’t wait.  Rachel apologized to Tyler, Meatball, and Aven for having their date cancelled because of Logan.  Jesse asked Rachel about her breakup with Tyler on the boardwalk before meeting his family.  Rachel said she didn’t think she could get there with him in the end.  He told her that he respects her and her best attribute is that she wears her heart on her sleeve.

Pictured: NATE / Photo: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Gabby told Nate that he had such an impression on her journey.  He said they had one of the best friendships that lead into a relationship.  “It was real and it was raw.”  He told Gabby that he still adores her.

Two stars – Billy Eichner and Luke Macfarrlane,  from a new romantic comedy movie called “Bros” stopped-by to promote it.  It’s the first gay Rom Com movie made by a major studio.   They played a game with Gabby and Rachel on the dos and don’ts of dating.  One of which was Meatball pouring sauce all over his body.  Then Billy had a large jar of sauce brought out so Meatball could do it again!

Rachel said she has no regrets at all.  When Jesse asked Gabby if she stands by all of her decisions.  She said “yes” and if not, she’d never tell Jesse!

Pictured: JESSE PALMER, RACHEL RECCHIA, GABBY WINDEY / Photo: ABC/Craig Sjodin

NEXT WEEK: We still have to get through Fantasy Suites!  In Rachel and Gabby’s ‘Bachelorette finale preview, we saw a lot of concerns. Gabby said she’s in love now.  There was a scene with Gabby and Jason, and Gabby saying Jason never loved her.  As pointed-out earlier, it seems that Jason and Johnny can both be counted-out due to their unreadiness to be engaged.  It seems that we’ll be looking at Erich for Gabby (or maybe no one for Gabby), and Tino for Rachel.  Jesse promised the most “unpredictable” and “insane” endings to The Bachelorette ever.