'The Bachelorette' Reaches A Crucial Decision Ahead Of Hometowns

As predicted, Tanner and Sean are out of here! I’ll miss Tanner, my seemingly tall king. But I have to ask, did we historically have four hometowns? Or was it three? — Ruth

I have no clue, but for a second, I definitely thought she was going to send Xavier home too. — Erin

Tanner, you deserve the world <3. A king fr. — Alexandra

Seeing Xavier and Charity kiki about chemistry ... I know that cheeky little smile and I love that interaction lol. However, I don’t love hearing about uncertainty and aversion to commitment this far into the process.

I’m SCREAMING at producers forcing Charity to wait until the evening rose ceremony to give that final hometown rose. I cackled. Guffawed. — Ruth

It was already odd to me that Charity decided to do a 3:1 date, but I don’t think my guy Xavier was thinking straight when he decided to be “honest” about his uncertainty. Sure, he must be a little hesitant, but he seemed to think he was doing himself a favor by speaking up about it. I could see Charity recoiling during the conversation. It almost looked like she was trying to hold herself together. He seemed oblivious that she wasn’t taking that well. Poor guy, but ... oh well. — Erin

Xavier has this weird tone when he speaks that comes off as nonchalant and almost dismissive. Him having this conversation with Charity was so weird, and then he had the nerve to say, “Every time I’m honest with a woman, it puts doubts in their head.” Have you ever considered that the things you’re saying to them are what’s putting doubts in their head, Xavier?? There’s only one common denominator here, buddy. — Alexandra

This moment was just so awkward. I immediately knew Sean was about to beg his way into getting a hometown date and I’m so glad Charity wasn’t here for it. There was no way that she was feeling him enough to meet his family. They’ve barely spent time together. Sure, they’ve had a couple of laughs, but this should have ended a while ago. Needless to say, I’m glad Charity finally sent him packing! Also, I still can’t help but think of Brayden saying Sean looks like the prince from “Shrek.” Still funny. — Erin

I need Sean to be so real about his connection with Charity. I do not believe that he is “in the process of falling in love with her,” whatever that means — the man was just trying to save his ass. Also, you can tell someone how much you care about them as much as you want, but it does not mean that they have to feel the same way back; furthermore, if you really care about someone, you wouldn’t force them to feel something they don’t. Goodbye to Sean! — Alexandra

Laughing at everyone clapping during the race because I wonder if they knew that Charity was this season’s lead. Also, where did they find that man who had been married for 58 years? I know that wasn’t a happenstance interaction...

Overall, I loved that date between Dotun and Charity. Excited to see him in the final three, hopefully. Sean was like, “If she throws a rose on Dotun’s chest, all hell is going to break loose.” Well, stink, I have bad news for you... — Ruth

LOL! I was laughing at the Black lady standing next to Charity who was sooo confused about what was happening at that race. She was looking like, “Am I supposed to know this lady? Is she famous? What is happening?” I loved how easygoing Dotun seems on every date. He put on that tutu with pride! Their evening date was so nice and it was good to see Dotun open up again to talk about his fears for the relationship. I can’t say it enough: Their connection is electric. — Erin

If someone took me on a date to go RUNNING, I would be outta there before they finished lacing up their shoes. I’m laughing at them running together though, because Dotun’s jog is like a sprint for Charity due to their height difference lol. Dotun is so sweet and chill though, I couldn’t be a bigger fan of his. They look and feel absolutely radiant together, and I do think they’re endgame. — Alexandra

Aaron B.’s reaction to Dotun getting that date, bruh ... I just ... Sean, Tanner and everyone are really thrown off by the lack of control and clarity they have regarding this process, which is one of ten thousand reasons I’d never sign up for this show. If you’ve ever watched it before, you know what you’re getting into. Stop acting otherwise. — Ruth

I really liked Aaron B. in the beginning. A lot. But the last couple episodes have really shown me … well, it’s a no for me, dawg. Get his whiny ass outta here. — Erin

I honestly laughed out loud at Aaron’s face when they announced Dotun’s name on the date card. I’ve started to get the ick from Aaron big time — he’s so serious and intense in a really needy way, and I’m not about it. — Alexandra

Oh, I’d be SICK if somebody else got a carriage ride and you took me to the swamp. I love some crawfish and a good seafood boil, but be serious. Tanner saying, “I definitely don’t feel great right now” — yeah, I don’t feel it for you either, pookie! To me, it signals that she’s going to let these two go. — Ruth

Yeah, this felt like the nail in the coffin for both of these dudes. Even though I don’t care for either one of them, they should have at least gotten a 1:1 date. Sean taking it super hard doesn’t bode well for him, though. Charity seems to find Sean amusing, but Tanner has been holding back seemingly the whole time. The man has a great body though! — Erin

The DRAMA from Sean about this 2:1 ... have you seen this show before, my guy? The theatrics are making me laugh. I really respect how mature and composed Tanner is about everything thrown his way, I feel like it’s a really strong indicator of a good partner. — Alexandra

“How would your family possibly feel about meeting me?” Is that Charity’s subtle way of simply asking, “Would your family be comfortable with a Black woman as their potential daughter-in-law?” Glad somebody asked on this lily-white network, because *gestures broadly* duh.

AH, YES! She asked the question outright, which former "Bachelor" Matt James did not, if I can recall. (In fact, during the “After the Final Rose” special, James told guest host Emmanuel Acho that it didn’t occur to him how “different” he and final pick Rachael Kirkconnell could be until those antebellum-esque photos came out.) Seeing Charity tear up over his response was real. I don’t want a “colorblind” partner; don’t come my way if you’re not coming correct.

As I’ve said before, I do believe that when you marry someone, you marry the family. If your parents are incapable of accepting their Black daughter-in-law, do not come on this show and rope Charity into a hazardous environment unless you’re willing and ready to challenge your folks or cut them off. I also question why the casting department would let someone on the show who was uncomfortable dating a Black woman, but we’ve seen other racist incidents and racial issues arise throughout the series before, so I can’t put it past the network. — Ruth

Charity also mentions that her ex lacked awareness and had a lot of ignorance, so it seems like she has learned from her mistakes of assuming that her partner will be able to see and appreciate her as a Black woman. Joey saying “I see you for the entirety of who you are” kind of made me tear up because it was clear that that was exactly what Charity needed to hear. I love Joey, so I’m glad to see him get that hometown rose — even though I still think he’s going to be the next Bachelor. — Erin

I mean, we know I’m a stan. I love how candid Charity is about all of her needs and concerns, and I think Joey had a really lovely answer about being in an interracial relationship — but I am nervous that he didn’t decisively say his family will be supportive. I’m worried that something messy is going to go down at hometowns! But I’m rooting for them and I think their relationship is very cute. —Alexandra

So there are six guys left: Dotun, Joey, Tanner, Sean, Aaron B. and Xavier. Do they always go to this many places before hometowns? I was kind of surprised that they went to New Orleans for this episode. It feels like forever since they’ve been in the mansion. I’m still very much Team Dotun right now so I really only want to see Charity go to his hometown. Their chemistry is unreal. — Erin

Are we down to six men? Already? I’m presuming they’re going to stretch out the hometown visits across multiple episodes and/or force a dramatic double-header moment. If I can recall, Michelle Young’s season of “The Bachelorette'' consisted of 11 episodes.

I also want to point out that this appears to be the most monoracial Black suitors to make it thus far in the entire franchise, between both “The Bachelorette” and “The Bachelor.” By this point on “The Bachelor,” colorism has reared its head, with light-skinned, biracial or white women solely taking up the final spots. I’m pleasantly surprised and quite pleased.
I actively laughed when Sean asked for another round of drinks to quell his uneasy spirit after seeing Joey go on a date with Charity, but I also have to agree with Tanner, because he has been a tad bit overlooked! A horse carriage ride seems so cute in theory, but with that New Orleans humidity? I don’t know if I’d make it. — Ruth

To quote Aaron B: “The city, baby, the city!” I cannot believe hometowns are next week, this season has ZOOMED past us. Also, I can’t look at Sean the same anymore after Brayden said he looks like the prince from “Shrek” last week lolllll. — Alexandra