“The Golden Bachelorette ”recap: Hometown dates end in confusion for Joan

This week on "The Golden Bachelorette," Joan went on four family visits that she hoped would bring her clarity. They didn't.

Ninety minutes, four families, and one man sent packing — welcome to hometown dates week on The Golden Bachelorette!

Let’s recap.

“The last time I did this was in 1983 with John’s family,” says Joan. While the Golden Bachelorette admits she’s not at the “love place” with Pascal, Jordan, Guy, or Chock, she’s “moving in that direction.” She’s hoping that hometowns will help her advance from like to love with at least one of the men — but as we know from the preview I posted earlier today, these dates leave her feeling more confused.

Sorry, I’m getting ahead of myself. Time to meet the families!

Hometown No. 1: Guy
Location: Lake Tahoe, Nev.
Relatives present: Guy’s siblings Greer, Gary, Greg, and Gayle; his sons, Glenn and Hank; his daughter, MacKenzie; his grandson Idan; and his son-in-law.

I always forget that Nevada isn’t all desert. Lake Tahoe does look beautiful, especially by boat.

Guy is feeling things for Ms. Vassos, but he’s afraid to share said feelings with her “because it could all be over in a flash.” Suck it up, doc! It’s now or never. Back on land, Guy is honest with Joan about how he tends to guard (and protect) his heart. Still, he knows that “the prize at the end is worth taking any risk for.” (Don’t love him calling Joan a “prize,” but whatever.)

Joan is honest, meanwhile, about how much she’s been thinking about her late husband, John. “I have this guilt that keeps creeping in,” she says sadly. “I have to let go of John a little bit to do this.” Guy gets it, and he tells her to take all the time she needs. Good answer, sir!

Holy cow, Guy has a big family.

Hugs all around, and then Joan begins filling the family in on her “journey” with Guy. She also shares the story of how Guy gave Charles — oh, how I miss him! — closure by answering a lingering question about his wife’s death. “He wouldn’t be one of the last four people if I didn’t have strong feelings for him,” says Joan.

Guy has a heart-to-heart with his daughter, MacKenzie, who encourages her dad to keep putting himself out there. Joan sits down for a chat with Hank and Glenn, but to be honest I wasn’t really listening to what they talked about because these boys are just so darn cute.

Related: Joan Vassos says she'd trade her Golden Bachelorette pick for Rob Lowe in 'one second'

You just KNOW the producers sent all their info to the casting department for a future season of The Bachelorette.  After their conversation with Joan — who they say “fits right in” with the family — Hank and Glenn proceed to interrogate their dad about his feelings for their potential new stepmom. On a scale of 1 (eh) to 10 (love), Guy says he’s at a 9.5 (!). Even more surprising, he says he’s ready to propose!

Maybe I’m alone, but this really seems to be coming out of left field. I guess it could be because we haven’t really seen Joan with Guy much beyond their one-on-one date. Either way, Gayle and Greer are 100 percent on board with making Joan a sister-in-law.  “We’d love to have her in our family,” gushes Gayle. This validation means so much to Guy, he gets emotional. “Never in a million years would I thought I’d be saying this,” he begins, choking up. “That I can love again, that I can be loved again.”

By the end of the visit, the whole family is hoping that Joan will fall in love with Guy and choose him at the end. But everyone watching at home knows that something like that is contractually prohibited from happening until Guy drops the l-bomb. Cue the Opening Up?!

Eh, close enough. Onward!

Hometown No. 2: Pascal
Location: Chicago, Ill.
Relatives present: Pascal’s daughters Natalie and Sara; his son, Maxim; his grandson, Pryce; and his friends John, Steven, and Jinjer (pronounced "Ginger").

“Pascal and I have kind of a unique relationship,” says Joan. The Frenchman reminds her of a little bit of her late husband, because like John, Pascal makes “everything big and epic and fun.”

Naturally, the first stop on Pascal’s guided tour of Chicago is his very own beauty salon. The staff — including Lisa, the salon director — greets him like a conquering hero. “My people!” he bellows, raising his arms above his head in triumph.

“I am extremely proud to show Joan my salon today,” he says, leading the Golden Bachelorette through the busy space. He even puts Joan to work. (Hello, young man! Would you mind if this 61-year-old woman who you've never met — and who doesn't work here — touches your hair?)

After treating Joan to a short spa treatment and some champagne, Pascal is ready to have a more serious conversation. “You know, I got my heart broken many times,” he says. “I was in a relationship, and I got hurt big-time last year, and so if I seem a little guarded, just give me time to build the trust.”

I mean, sure. But again, tick-tock, buddy! Production is on the clock here — the time for being “guarded” is almost up. Still, Joan gets it. She, too, has a wall up after the heartbreak of losing the love of her life, but she also longs for a companion. These two are cute together, but I honestly don’t see a real spark. Perhaps his family will feel differently.

Little Pryce gets right to the point: “Did you sleep in a bedroom just full of old, other grandpas?” Why yes, son, he did! Pascal boasts about kicking out one of the other grandpas for snoring too loud and explains that he had to sleep in a child-size bed.

Maxim pulls Joan for a one-on-one chat first. (And yeah, production is totally sending the casting team his info, too.) Joan wants to know if Maxim thinks his dad — who’s had “a lot of girlfriends” — is ready to settle down. “One hundred percent,” says Maxim. “He’s so sick of dating.”

Both Maxim and Natalie think Joan is a good match for their dad; Natalie even calls them “the hottest couple I think I’ve ever seen.” When Pascal sits down with his son, he praises Joan as a “classy lady,” and that there is a “physical attraction” between them. Remembering the card Maxim wrote for him on night one of the “journey,” Pascal gets emotional. “When I read the card, I had tears in my eyes because I felt like…” He pauses, overcome. “…I’ve done a good job as a dad!”

Wow, I made it almost 40 minutes without crying this week. Way to go, me!

Maxim says his dad’s “level of happiness” is way higher than usual, and he’s also surprised to see his dad cry. “For as long as I’ve been alive, I’ve never seen that,” he marvels. Uh, that’s not great. Normalize fathers crying in front of their children!

During her chat with Natalie, Joan asks if Pascal is ready to open his heart. She’s worried that even if she picks him, Pascal won’t accept her rose. “I do think that there’s a connection there,” says Natalie. “I truly don’t think that he’s not going to pick you.”

Everyone be quiet! Little Pryce has the floor!

The Golden Bachelorette cannot tell a lie: Yes, she and Pascal have smooched. Don’t worry, kid — only a few million people saw it.

The date ends on a happy note, but Pascal does not offer much in terms of emotional validation. There’s no “I love you” or “I’m falling in love with you” or even “I’m falling for you” — and yes, this bothers Joan. “I have stronger feelings for him now than I did yesterday,” she says. “I’m not sure if he’s ready… I’m getting scared.”

Hometown No. 3: Jordan
Location: Chicago, Ill. (again!)
Relatives present: Jordan’s daughters Ali and Jamie; his brothers Larry, Dan, and Mark; and Ali’s partner, Kodee.

Sure, Joan knows her relationship with Jordan isn’t as far along as it is with the other guys, but she likes that he has a “very young attitude.” She’s not wrong. The guy barely looks 56, let alone 61. And like any young gentleman, Jordan loves pizza — so he takes Joan for a pie at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria.

Oh, good God — it’s deep dish, or what Jon Stewart would call the casserole of pizzas. Their food tour continues with some rainbow cake and then a shot of Jepson Mal?rt, aka the “Chicago Handshake.” I hope production has some Tums on hand, because Joan does NOT love it. “That is the worst thing I’ve ever tasted in my entire life!” she chokes out.

Shake it off, ma’am. It’s time to meet Jordan’s loved ones.

Related: Golden Bachelorette's Gary says godmother Tina Turner would be 'proud' of his journey

Immediately, Joan starts regaling Jordan’s family with tales of his “epic fall” during their ice-skating date, and Jordan LOVES it. “Making fun of me is the family pastime,” he says. “So, she fit in perfectly.” Jordan’s brother Dan, meanwhile, believes that getting engaged after two months isn’t that crazy an idea. “I met my wife in June. We knew we were going to get engaged in August,” he says. “Now, it’s 36 years later!”

When Larry and Dan sit down with Joan, they rave about how great Jordan is as a dad. In another room, Jordan admits to his daughter Jamie that he won’t be able to say “I love you” or pop the question to Joan in just two weeks’ time. That’s a totally reasonable sentiment — which means, of course, that it has no place in the Bachelorette universe.

In her conversation with Ali and Kodee, Joan reveals that of the four guys she has left, two of them — Jordan and “another man” (Pascal, I’m assuming) — are not very open with their feelings. And just as she’s afraid that Pascal might not pick her, Joan shares the same doubts about Jordan. “It comes from a place of fear, probably,” says Ali of her father’s reticence, noting how hard her parents’ divorce was for him. It was so hard, in fact, that he hasn’t really dated in 10 years. Dang!

Of course, Ali immediately reports Joan’s concerns to her dad and suggests he might want to start talking about his feelings more. “It’s getting, like, to the wire,” she reminds him. Alas, Jordan doesn’t really Open Up? much before saying goodbye to Joan — other than to say that her meeting his family was a “big step,” and he hopes they can “make more big steps.” As you may be able to tell from Joan’s face, rose lovers, she is NOT super impressed.

“I feel confused,” she says with a sigh. “Do I take a leap of faith with Jordan?” The Golden Bachelorette gives him a passionate farewell kiss, but she is not feeling great overall about her trip to Chicago. “The fact that two people in two days are having the same battle, makes me feel like, ‘Oop! Time to put my guard up.’”

Hold that thought, ma’am! You have one more hometown date left.

Hometown No. 4: Chock
Location: Wichita, Kan.
Relatives present: Chock’s dad, Jay, and his stepmother; Chock’s children, Taylor and Tyler; and his brother Michael. Also joining are various friends, as well as Tom Sr., the father of Chock’s late fiancée, Kathy, and Kathy’s brother.

No, those aren’t Chock’s hay bales. Today’s visit is taking place at a ranch owned by Chock’s friend Roger, who graciously let production use his picturesque midwestern land for the shoot. And there’s a really big group waiting for Chock and Joan when they arrive.

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Once all the hugs are done, Chock addresses his assembled friends and family. “For the record, I got the first date, I got the first kiss, and I’m gonna get the last kiss!” he announces. Eeesh, that’s kind of obnoxious. There’s confidence and then there’s… hubris. It’s not just up to you, pal!

As we know, Chock’s mother, Jill, passed away a few weeks before this, and the family takes a moment to honor her legacy by planting an oak tree in her memory. Several people offer heartfelt words remembering Dr. Jill, including Chock. “I was very fortunate to have a mother like I did,” he says. “She was a great mother. She was an inspiration. She helped people… I’m just so happy that my friends and family are here for this.” With that, he scoops up a shovelful of dirt and scatters it around the base of the newly planted tree. By the end, everyone is bawling, including Joan. “I just feel very honored that I got to be here and be a part of this,” she says.

The rest of the afternoon is much more upbeat. Joan has a nice chat with Tyler and Taylor, and another with Tom Sr., who says he hasn’t seen Chock so happy since Kathy was alive. “That was the ultimate compliment,” says Joan. Chock’s father, however, admits that he’s still in a little bit of shock that his son chose to look for love on TV. “It’s just not like you,” says Jay. “But after meeting Joan, I see what you’re doing.”

And after spending some time with the couple, Jay says he thinks they’re in love. “That’s what I saw earlier today,” he explains. Though Chock will only admit to having “very strong feelings” for Joan, Jay insists, “I think you are in love.” Then they give each other a very reserved, older-gentlemen hug.

The day goes really well, but once again, Joan is plagued by guilt over “moving on.” This time, though, the Golden Bachelorette chooses to view it as a positive thing — if she didn’t have real feelings for Chock, she wouldn’t be feeling guilty about them. It’s a bittersweet sentiment, but a feeling I’m sure anyone who has lost a partner can relate to. Though Chock doesn’t drop the full l-bomb, he does bid Joan adieu with, “I’m falling in love with you.” The feeling, rose lovers, is clearly mutual.

With that, it’s time to go back to Los Angeles.

As she heads to the mansion for the final rose ceremony before Fantasy Suites, Joan admits that she’s “in a funk” because she’s not feeling very confident about her relationships. While Guy and Chock are 1-800-ALL-IN, Jordan and Pascal are still “noncommittal,” and it’s really bumming Joan out. “Tonight, I’m going to hand out three roses, and I don’t know what to do!” she frets.

Uh-oh, our Golden Bachelorette is in trouble. Somebody activate Jesse Palmer and his Sympathetic Listening Face?!

The host lends a handsome ear as Joan shares her doubts about making the right choice, her fears that Pascal and Jordan aren’t ready, and her lingering guilt over moving on past John. With that, it’s time to make a cruel cut. Let us commence with the rose ceremony roll call. Your final three are…

Congratulations, Chock, Guy, and Pascal! So sorry, Jordan — but something tells me you’re also a wee bit relieved. Joan walks him out, and they share a friendly hug goodbye. “I wish you nothing but happiness,” he says.

Next stop, Tahiti!

It’s interesting, rose lovers — I really thought Joan would cut both Jordan and Pascal and go with the two guys who aren’t so reserved in their feelings. But maybe she really just has the hots for Pascal and wants to take him to the Fantasy Suite even if he won’t commit later. You get it, grandma! How are you feeling about the final three? Would you want to see Jordan as the Golden Bachelor… or do you think he’s a little too boring? And is deep dish actually pizza? Let me know your thoughts on Twitter @KristenGBaldwin or on Bluesky at @kristengbaldwin.bsky.social.

The Golden Bachelorette airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.