Well, rose lovers, this hometown episode had EVERYTHING… except travel.
But we were still treated to plenty ofBachelorettehometown date staples: Skeptical relatives!
Declarations of “love”!
Michelle and Brandon.ABC
That’s brotherly love, folks.
The date begins with our first run-and-jump hug of the season.
Nowit feels like hometowns.
Noah for Bachelor!.ABC
“I’m embarrassing the s— out of myself.”
At least he’s got a sense of humor about it.
That night, Michelle and Brandon arrive at a posh rental townhouse where his family is staying.
Brandon’s mom.ABC
Before we go any further, let’s like take a moment to appreciate Noah’s lewk.
It’s all on point.
No notes, sir.
Rodney and Michelle.ABC
The Bachelorette reports that she absolutely can see herself with Brandon for the rest of her life.
Doesn’t she look convinced?
Don’t answer that.
Literally the cutest.ABC
“She’s great,” says mom.
“She’s so much like him I was kind of surprised by that.”
Even Noah is impressed by how much his parents like Michelle.
Rodney’s mom.ABC
Watch out Nayte and Joe looks like you might have some competition!
Dang it, these two are so cute.
Apple picking is followed by some apple tasting followed by a bike ride through the apple orchard…
Michelle and Joe.ABC
Okay, okay, we get it.
Rodney showed up dressed as an apple.
Let’s move on!
Joe’s adorable parents.ABC
Oooh, pressure’s on, Michelle!
That’s gotta be love, right?
“It does scare me that you would be broken-hearted at the end of this,” says Carrie.
The sounds of awkward silence.ABC
“That’s a little worrisome for me.”
Rodney says Michelle is worth the risk of heartbreak dang it, that is so sweet!
Someday,after the other one!
Joe drops the l-bomb.ABC
Mom is so moved to hear that Rodney is falling in love with Michelle, she bursts into tears.
And she LOVES it.
“Most romantic date ever!”
Michelle and Nayte.ABC
“I don’t know if anyone has done anything this sweet for me.”
I’ll admit it, rose lovers this is definitely an A+ romantic gesture.
Side note: How cute are Joe’s parents?
Michelle and Nayte.ABC
I officially love them.
Hanna informs us that the Coleman men are generally quiet, especially when they’re nervous.
“You’ve still gotta express yourself to her.”
I love him.ABC
Then things fall quiet.
Don’t answer that.
I wonder how things are going with Michelle and Julie?
Nayte is confused.ABC
“I see how excited he is being next to you, sitting downstairs,” says mom.
“That was cool.”
Okay, no problems here.
Charles tells it like it is.ABC
What does sister-in-law Hanna have to say about the situation?
Dang girl, why must you look like you’re smelling something unpleasant while you ask Joe that question?
Joe says he’s “falling” for Michelle and is even ready to propose.
There, there, Nayte.ABC
So far, Joe’s brother Dan hasn’t said much.
He prefers to let his wife do the talking, I suppose.
Finally, Joe and Michelle sit down with chatty Hanna and silent Dan for one last interrogation.
Serena and Bri are here for some reason.ABC
Ultimately, Hanna gives Michelle her seal of approval.
But will Joe have enough emotional stamina to declare his feelings for Michelle?
Nice work, Minnesota Joe!
The final four.ABC
On to the final date.
I mean, it doesn’t even lookcomfortable.
Can’t deny it these twodomake a cute couple.
Farewell, sweet Rodney.ABC
Nayte warns Michelle that his family might be a little “protective” of him.
“Honestly, I have no idea what to expect,” he admits.
Gird your loins, rose lovers.
It’s “meet the family” time!
Honestly, it only took me about 15 seconds to fall in love with Nayte’s stepdad.
Look at that dreamboat!
“I’m here because of Nathaniel,” explains Charles.
“I’ve been supporting him and being there for him for a long time.”
And Nayte’s mom, Leanna, is no slouch, either.
“My worry is he’s gotten kind of swept up in the process,” Leanna tells us.
The conversation continues on that theme when mom sits down with Nayte.
“Are you prepared to… Nayte says he’s on his way, but not quite ready yet.
It’s a real head-scratcher of a question for Nayte.
“One’s a feeling, and one’s a commitment.”
Next, Charles sits down with Nayte, and once again, he does not mince words.
“If everything is so new, how do you know any of it is real?”
“It’s all good,” he says, fighting back tears.
“I wouldn’t be the person I am if it wasn’t for you.”
“Never doubt that I am proud of you,” he says.
Now Nayte’s full-on crying, and he tells Charles for the first timeever that he loves him.
Great, now we’reallcrying!
Still, Nayte is flying high.
“What a night!”
he raves to Michelle.
“Look at you, bringing family together!”
Well, at least one of them is happy.
“I’m feeling nauseous, worried,” she says.
“Tonight is going to be the toughest rose ceremony yet.”
But it’s still daylight outside, so producers have some time to kill.
You know what that means, rose lovers:
Uh, okay.
Hi, Bri and Serena.
Good to see you, I guess?
So glad we had this time together, guys.
On to the rose ceremony!
Eyes on the prize, boys!
Rose ceremony roll call: The final three roses go to Brandon, Nayte, and Joe.
Alas, we now much say goodbye to Rodney sweet, funny, very-dumb-about-apples Rodney.
Our goofy hunk just flew too close to the sun.
Outside on the Bye-Bye Bench, Michelle tries to let Rodney down easy.
“I need you to know that who you are is enough,” she says.
“It’s just feelings moved quicker in other relationships.”
“I can never, ever forget the moments we shared here,” he says sadly.
It just wasn’t meant to be, I guess.”
And so we are down to the final three, rose lovers.
Are you happy with Michelle’s picks?
Do you think any of the men are truly ready for marriage?
Post your thoughts below!
Check out ourdaily must-see picks plus news, celeb interviews, trivia, and more onEW’sWhat to Watchpodcast.
