The second season finale of The Golden Bachelor wrapped up Mel Owens’ journey to find love later in life, with his final choices being Peg and Cindy. However, the After the Final Rose event was not just about Mel and his Golden Gals.

Jesse Palmer, the host, introduced a lively group of Golden Gals, featuring not only former contestants from Mel’s season but also familiar faces like Theresa Nist, the Season 1 winner of Golden Bachelor. Among the supportive audience were Joan Vassos from Golden Bachelorette and her fiancé Chock Chapple. Adding to the evening’s surprises, Jesse also welcomed the original Golden Bachelor star Gerry Turner, who appeared with his new fiancé, Lana Sutton.

That was a twist no one saw coming in Bachelor Nation!

“Tonight, we have Gerry, our inaugural Golden Bachelor, here with his new fiancé Lana,” Jesse announced enthusiastically. “Congratulations to both of you on finding love! We’re thrilled for you!” (In case you missed it, Gerry and Lana, a retired teacher in her mid-50s who reached out to Gerry via Facebook, got engaged just last month.)

Later in the evening, after Mel and his chosen partner joined Jesse on stage, the spotlight turned to the other Goldens in the audience. Jesse sought advice from Gerry, who humbly responded, “Mel did a fantastic job all on his own. He doesn’t need advice from me. But it’s comforting to know there’s another guy who has walked this path.”

It should go without saying — but apparently not, because here we are having to say it! — that Gerry’s attendance at the finale, especially with his new fiancé?! In the presence of his ex, as he’s currently making headlines for criticisms he wrote about her and their relationship in his newly published memoir, Golden Years: What I’ve Learned from Love, Loss, and Reality TV?! And after Theresa alleged he joked about killing her, chopping up her body, and hiding it in a shed?!? was shocking, unexpected, awkward, disrespectful, and weirdly tone deaf to say the least.

Members of Bachelor Nation watching at home were stunned to see Gerry and Lana in the same room as Theresa, and the move definitely gave franchise damage control vibes.