Four states, four hometown dates, and one heartbreak.
Four states, four dates, and one heartbreak.
hollers Jenn, as she runs across a local park to meet him.
Devin and Jenn on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
Man, our Bachelorette really loves a nickname, doesnt she?
Last week, we learned she calls Jeremy Jer-bear, and now this.
Cant wait to find out what she calls Marcus and Jonathon.
Devin and his pooch on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
(Marky-Marc and Jonny Boy, perhaps?)
Devin has brought Jenn to the park for an impromptu jog with his running club.
Im sorry, hes making her go running?
Jenn gets a festive welcome on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
But the Bachelorette doesnt mind.
Maybe its because the club brought them cutesy t-shirts.
ABC
Do you think love is a sprint or a marathon?
Devin drops the l-bomb on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
Devin asks Jenn as they jog through the park.
Love is a relay race!
she replies with a giggle.
Jeremy’s “favorite park” on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
Sick burn, maam!
Finally, they stop on a pedestrian bridge and share a smooch while the other runners cheer.
After that, its time for Jenn to meet Devins pooch, Charlie:
Okay, now were talking.
Jenn and Jeremy bust a move in the produce department on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
Running on a date?
Dogs on a date?
Once in the house, everyone greets Jenn warmly even stepdad Todd, who Devin almost forgot about entirely.
Jeremy and his aunt on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
Devin tells his family about theirThunder from Down Under group datein Australia, and everyone shares a laugh.
Dad pulls him aside first into a room decorated with a creepy, taxidermied fox (I think?)
Devin says he is in love with Jenn, but hes afraid to tell her.
Jenn greets Jonathan with a #huju on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
We havent been the luckiest family with relationships, he says.
Ive seen mom struggle.
Ive seen you struggle…
Emily and Zach on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
I want so hard for it to be different this time.
What can dad say other than, I dont want you to get hurt?
(Which is, essentially, what he says.)
Jonathan with his mom on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
In another room, mama Jennifer is grilling Jenn on what she finds special about Devin.
It took me a while to get to my love story, she admits.
And I didnt always model the best relationships for Devin and Pierce.
Jonathan declares his feelings on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
Way to be refreshingly honest, Devins mom!
I aspire to that kind of parental transparency!
Of course, mom is also still worried that her son will get hurt.
Marcus' friends and family greet him on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
I love her, he confesses.
And this, I think, is the first time that Ive been in love for real.
Jennifer urges him to tell Jenn how he feels.
Jenn and Gabriella hug it out on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
Youre not gonna be the one if you dont, she adds.
I want you to know that I am falling so hard for you, she informs Devin.
I feel like my feelings have grown exponentially…
Marcus shares his feelings on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
I do see a future with you.
Good luck topping that, next guy.
This is why so many of us prefer the indoors.
The final four toast to rejection on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
Thats right, folks.
To give Jenn the true, suburban Connecticut experience, he took her to a grocery store.
And not just any grocery store aStew Leonards, home of the Wow the Cow mascot.
Devin, Marcus, Jeremy, and Jonathon on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
Jeremy, my man, Im so sorry for underestimating you.
This place is very nostalgic to me, Jeremy explains.
Just as hes feeding Jenn a lobster roll, Jeremy looks up and cries, Oh my God!
Jeremy says goodbye to Jenn on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
You guys know how cynical I am about this franchise, rose lovers, but Jeremys surprise seems genuine.
I wonder if Aunt Debbie was doing a big shop for the hometown-date meal that no one will eat.
Speaking of, its time for Jenn to meet the family!
breaks the ice with a joke.
How did you guys meet?
Little sister Emily is also visibly displeased by the story.
Hmmm… that doesnt sound promising.
(LOL, love the trolling.)
Mom treads lightly when she sits down with Jeremy.
So, youve had fun together, she begins.
Have you talked about anything else seriously?
Her son says he doesnt feel the need to rush into deep stuff which is a bit dismaying.
Jer-bear, youve seen this show before, correct?
You ARE expected to propose at the end of this, so a little rushing is in order.
Karen says as much.
Its one thing to have fun, she says.
Its not a game, its not a show.
Oh, and dont forget, Shes dating three other guys!
Jeremy deflects with humor, as he is wont to do.
She was dating 24 other guys in the beginning, he jokes.
Mom is understandably skeptical, and she brings that caution into her sit-down with Jenn.
Youre dating four guys, which has to be crazy like, keeping everything in order, she says.
Do you think you and Jeremy have a bond that really goes beyond the fun part of it?
Jenn admits that she does worry that theyre too comfortable with the goofy, joking-around side of their relationship.
AMEN TO THAT, MOM!
The Bachelorette picks up on her doubts, and she does NOT love it.
It scares me that she doesnt seem super hopeful about the relationship, she says.
Before bidding farewell to Jeremy, Jenn asks him point-blank if he is ready.
He reiterates that hes ready for it with the right person.
I just love being with you.
Welp, its a start.
Will it be enough, rose lovers?
Hold that thought while we move on to the next date.
She clearly really likes him because he gets the seasons first official#huju!
Anyhoo, todays date activity is something Jenn and Jonathon both enjoyed in college: Lacrosse!
They run around a bit, and then sit on the field for some real talk.
I dont want to say love if Im not fully there, he says.
The Bachelorette understands, but shes still worried.
If Jonathon cant give her the emotional intimacy she needs ASAP, how could he possibly propose?
Perhaps Jonathons family can help.
Its always SO frustrating when we dont know someones name until halfway through the hometown date.)
Jonathons sister-in-law kicks things off with her endorsement for rapid-fire love.
We met online, she says.
And we said I love you on the third date.
Weve been together seven years, married for four…
If its the right person, time doesnt really matter.
Do you feel like youre falling for any of the other guys?
Awwww, I love that theyre holding hands.
Does she think he and Jenn could work?
Absolutely, says Lisa.
She really loves that Jenn never once mentioned how freaking handsome Jonathon is.
Like Kristy, she encourages Jonathon to put it all out there.
Cut to:
Jonathon Johnson, Im also falling for you, she replies shyly, and they smooch.
Three down, just one to go, rose lovers.
Marcus and Jenn meet on a rocky beach and walk along the water.
Theres no real day portion of the date.
(Marcus adoptive parents arent there, but were not told why.)
After the hugs and the opening chit-chat, Marcus sits down with Scott for a private chat.
I think Im stuck between really, really, liking someone and loving them, he admits.
Maybe Im beating myself up because Im not in love with her yet.
Ugh, thats the problem with this process.
AND YET IVE WATCHED EVERY SEASON FOR 22 YEARS!
I forfeited the right to complain about a decade ago, right rose lovers?
Thanks for letting me vent, though.
Scott offers a sympathetic ear but not much actionable advice because there isnt any.
Meanwhile, Jenn sits down with Gabriella, who is understandably reserved.
Do you love him?
she asks with a smile.
Jenn starts tearing up.
Ive been holding back a little bit because Im scared, she says, her voice breaking.
Im definitely falling in love with him.
Pretty soon, Gabriella is crying too.
I genuinely think that hes happy, she says.
Hug it out, you two!
The visit ends with Marcus having a heart-to-heart with his sister.
Gabriella tells him she likes Jenn a lot and wants to know if her brother thinks hes in love.
Gabriella offers some advice: Love is scary, but its definitely worthy at the end of the day.
Okay we know where this is going.
Thats four for four, rose lovers.
Jenn lets Marcus knows shes falling for him, too, and then they share a smooch goodbye.
With that, were back in Los Angeles.
Cool, cool, cool.
After the guys raise a glass, theres a brief, awkward silence.
Jeremy breaks it with a joke.
So… which one of yous going home?
Devin, as usual, says what everyones thinking.
Marcus shares his reservations about getting engaged so quickly, but the other men claim that theyre doubt-free.
Lets get to the rose ceremony, shall we?
Oh fun, were back at the Hummingbird Nest Ranch.
I didnt spot anyrats, but Ill admit my eyesight isnt great.
At long last, its time.
Rose ceremony roll call!
And Jenns final three are… Devin, Jonathon, and Marcus.
Sorry, Jer-bear, but its the end of the road for you.
Would you like to pause for a moment with Jenn on the Bye-Bye Bench before saying farewell?
He handles his final moments with grace and class.
Like, obviously, it sucks, but I had the best time, Jeremy says.
Im at peace with it, because I know that whoever is in there will take care of you.
What a whirlwind, rose lovers.
Were you surprised to see Jeremy go?
Who are you rooting for going into next weeks double-header?
(Gah, I hate two-episode weeks.)
And have you ever gone on a date to a grocery store?
Let me know your thoughts on Twitter@KristenGBaldwinor on Bluesky at@kristengbaldwin.bsky.social.
