The Bachelorette: Finale Recap

It's here. It's finally here. Honestly, Desiree's finale couldn't have came sooner. This season was absolutely exhausting for me as viewer, especially towards the end. I don't particularly like watching TV and then going to bed emotionally drained from someone else's dating problems. Not normal. After last week, I was unsure that there was even going to be a finale, but after checking my TV Guide and seeing "The Bachelorette" for THREE hours, I confirmed one last time with Morgan and Lindsey for our girls night. 

The episode begins with yet another interview with Chris Harrison. After many tears, dramatic pauses, and ridiculous questions from Chris, Desiree decided that she would like to have the rose ceremony and continue her relationships with Drew and Chris. The rose ceremony was awkward and hard to watch as she broke down in tears after mentioning what happened with Brooks. Although both Drew and Chris received a rose, I knew Desiree was far from choosing either one of the them as her fiance. Or so I thought.

Drew's Departure: As Desiree approached Drew for their "date", it was clear that she was completely closed off and they were heading straight for break up town. It was only a matter of minutes (on the show) before Des pulled the classic "I need to talk to you" line and Drew settled in for heartbreak. She explained that she didn't feel capable of loving him like he deserved to be loved. Drew was incredibly mature, receptive, and composed during this entire conversation, earning him more bonus points in my book. (As if that was even possible.) After a tough goodbye, Drew headed home to Scottsdale, where thousands of women were eagerly awaiting his arrival.

(If you didn't read this in the Spongebob narration
voice, we can't be friends.)

Chris' Date: So, I'm not entirely sure what switch this girl flipped overnight, but she was bright eyed and bushy tailed for her date with Chris. Like nothing ever happened. The two spent the day on a private catamaran in each others embrace. Desiree was her usual giddy, goofy self and it took me by surprise. ABC did some serious editing this season because these strong feelings for Chris were never this evident until now. Of course. Dinner, conversation, and the rest of the evening flowed perfectly. My skeptical glasses were definitely on at this point.

After spending the day with Chris, Desiree tells the camera, "How could I not have loved him from the beginning?" Hmm. Interesting. She decides that she wants Chris to meet her family. Bring on the brother. Chris is very excited and eager to meet her family and ask her dad for his blessing. Nate, Des' brother, grills Chris similarly to as he did Sean last season, but gives Des his approval in the end. Bravo. Des' parents are really quirky and at this point I decided that the two families would get along quite well, actually. Chris gets the dad's approval, and it seems like we will be moving forward with this whole process. Again, interesting.

Enter Neil Lane with his classic six gorgeous engagement rings. Chris is so excited and is 100% sure of his decision as he selects the ring for Desiree. I would be ALL FOR THIS if the whole Brooks thing had not gone down. I will try my best to support Desiree and Chris as I truly wish them the best, but it's just all a little confusing for me. Desiree looks stunning in her "final rose" dress, nothing new. She looks so happy to see Chris as he arrives, though he's looking rather nervous. He begins pouring his heart out as every proposer does and as he goes to get on one knee, Des stops him. Hold up. A fleeting moment of panic and excitement...quickly destroyed as Desiree just professes her love to him, clears up the whole Brooks thing (quite well, I might add) and gives him the go ahead to propose. More or less. She accepts Chris' proposal amongst tears with the words, "Yes. A thousand times yes." Beautiful, although stolen from Pride and Prejudice. Less beautiful. The episode ends and we arrive at the Live studio audience for the "After The Final Rose" show. 

After The Final Rose: Desiree enters with the ring on her finger and a smile on her face. Chris congratulates her on her engagement, but wastes no time going into the tough questions. Brooks is the main topic of discussion, as he should be. Everyone was a bit confused how she could still pick someone after what happened with Brooks, and if Chris would trust her. She has nothing but positive things to say...so Chris brings out Brooks. Despite her claim that she was not nervous to see him, I immediately noticed a change in her demeanor. I could literally see her thinking as her eyes were constantly darting around the room. The conversation between the two is super awkward. However, Pro: Brooks cut his hair. Con: He didn't cut it short enough. Brooks leaves the stage, not fast enough for either of them I can imagine. For the rest of the show, Des just seems uncomfortable. Her meeting with Drew is nothing more than cordial conversation, though she did look more at ease with him next to her. 

Chris comes on stage and the two make their debut as a couple. Yay. Their relationship looks a bit forced to me. I don't think Desiree had enough time to get over Brooks and fall for Chris, and definitely not enough time to get engaged. Heavens no. Chris tortures the audience with one final exit poem; I wouldn't expect anything else. I hope they stand the test of time and turn out to be as an adorable of a couple as Sean and Catherine, though that's shooting for the stars. 

Undoubtedly the best part of the entire finale was the announcement of Juan Pablo as the next Bachelor! I am so pumped I can barely stand it. His season (I predict) is going to be absolutely hilarious, filled with adventures, and extremely entertaining. Word on the street is that ABC's website crashed last night from the flood of applications it received after announcing Juan Pablo as the next Bachelor. I believe it. 

I will definitely be blogging about Juan Pablo's season, starting in January. Until then, keep an eye out for random posts, videos, and/or a new series on my blog! Thanks for going through this exhausting journey to find love with me!