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The much-anticipated finale of “Golden Bachelor” in New York was set to unravel whether Mel would finally open up about his feelings. The episode revisited Mel’s earlier chat with Peg, where he barely conveyed his emotions, despite admitting to the cameras that his feelings were growing. Meanwhile, his date with Cindy left viewers wondering if they would make it to the Fantasy Suite as she too sought clarity on his emotions.
Jesse Palmer kicked off the live segment, with numerous familiar faces from Bachelor Nation gracing the audience. Joan and Chock shared a heartwarming update, celebrating nearly a year of happiness since finding love together. Gerry attended with Lana, while Jess and Spencer excitedly revealed that she would be relocating to Dallas in just two weeks.
Gina: We can’t get enough of our beloved Bachelor Nation alumni!
Back on Mel and Cindy’s date, Mel admitted he felt conflicted between her and Peg, though he assured Cindy of his growing affection. Cindy, trying to remain composed, expressed concern over the limited time they had. When she asked if he was ready for a proposal, Mel candidly replied that such a decision needed time, suggesting a two-year timeline. Cindy, taken aback, confessed this wasn’t what she had envisioned.
Mel, acknowledging Cindy’s autonomy, reminded her she had a choice too. Cindy, wanting a partner who feels an intense connection, was unwilling to wait. “It’s not what I want,” she declared, deciding to leave. As she departed with a heartfelt farewell, fireworks erupted overhead, a bittersweet juxtaposition to the moment. Mel, now without a decision to make, found himself at a crossroads, unsure of his next move.
Gina: Oh, Cindy. My heart goes out to you, girl. You could feel all her pain as she was saying goodbye. Also, Mel is “shocked” she left? WHY? You’ve given her no indication that you want her to stay!
Jesse Palmer then walked over to where Mel was sitting to see if he was ok and what he wanted to do. Jesse asked him the obvious question, didn’t you think that these women would want to be engaged? Mel said, “not all of them.” Mel said that he thought he might have been starting to fall in love. Jesse said that this is the part where a lot of people get scared. Mel seemed to think that Cindy was quitting. I probably would have thought he would have not let me leave if I was going to be the one. Jesse told Mel that he had to give them some validation. He then revealed that Cindy was still there and asked if he had the chance to talk to her again, would he want it?
Gina: Mel said he tells his sons to always stay in the game because you never know when it’s over and almost blamed her for leaving. But why? Because he “might” have been “starting” to fall in love? If you don’t have any feelings by this point, why would she want to stay?
Back on the live show, Jesse welcomed Cindy out! This was a shock. I thought we would see Mel talking to her first, but no, Cindy comes out looking incredible. She said she was glad to see the show played back because she started to question everything that happened in her mind, and she was right, Mel was giving her nothing. She said that he did not come find her after the dinner, and she didn’t want him to, her decision was made. “He did not want the kind of relationship that I did,” Cindy said. The best line she had was, “I don’t think I need to convince a man to love me.” And, she said about him saying she didn’t finish the game, “I was in the wrong stadium.” She is secure in her decision to end things.
Gina: I jumped off my couch and cheered when she said she didn’t need to convince a man to love her. She is absolutely right, they were definitely in separate stadiums. She is so lovely and I am glad that she stood up for herself the way she did.
Mel came out on the stage to see Cindy for the first time since their breakup. The complimented each other’s outfits and shoes and laughed a bit. But then, the tone shifted when Cindy asked him, “When did you know you weren’t ready for something?” Mel said that he was ready, but not finished and he couldn’t give her those answers yet. “We still had the fantasy suite,” Mel said. He added it was for the extra time to talk, not just intimacy. “You said more to Jesse than you did to me,” Cindy said. “What you wanted was a proposal, not the person there,” Mel said. “You had to continue the journey.” Cindy said, “I just operate differently than you and we just weren’t aligned and it took me by surprise because we had gotten so far.” She just didn’t feel like she would get a commitment at the end of it. Then she said to Mel that she truly did love him and that she thinks he is a great guy and she prays for him everyday and she wants him to be happy with our without her. Mel agreed with that sentiment. She said that her heart is open and she is ready to meet her future husband. Jesse agreed and said he knows the right guy is out there for her.
Gina: Mel seems to be mad at her for calling his bluff and leaving when he told her she had a choice. Cindy handled that in the exact right way. Also, Jesse telling her she is the embodiment of class told me a lot.
Peg is now the last woman standing. She’s excited to meet Mel’s boys. But, before she could do that, Mel visited her room to talk to her. He told her that his feelings for her won’t change no matter what happens. He reveals to her that Cindy left because she wanted a proposal and to get married and he was honest with her. “Before we even had our overnight she decided to leave,” Mel said. “Stop it!” Peg said. She was shocked and she didn’t know what to think. The fact that he couldn’t answer Cindy did worry Peg. She isn’t sure if he’s ready to commit to her or what he’s looking for as far as their future.
Gina: Yeah, girl! Keep that in your mind as you move along this process.
Mel’s college friend Diane, and his sons Andre and Lucas, were there to meet Peg! He was so happy to see all of them and it’s clear that he’s a really loving father. They were all shocked when he said there was only one woman left. He explained what happened and his sons were shocked but Diane said that she respected Cindy. Ha, even Diane agrees with Cindy! They were all impressed with the fact that Peg was a firefighter and on the bomb squad. His sons felt that she sounded like someone who could be a good match for their dad.
Peg gave everyone hugs and she was so excited to meet them all and see how Mel acts around them, if it brings out a different side of him. The boys asked Peg to go have a chat and they asked her what she thought about Mel, and she said she thinks that she is a lot like him and she respects the way she is with raising his sons. She played a word association game that she does with her daughter. The words described their dad and they had to pick one. They both agreed he is analytical, not emotional, but it’s in there if she digs. His sweet boys were nervous meeting Peg, but they felt a weight off their shoulders once they met her. They both really liked her! She seems to fit in really well.
Gina: The other word in the game that struck me was accountability over avoidance. It just feels like this whole season, he’s avoided tell anyone anything about his feelings!
Mel said that when she expressed how much she wanted to meet them, it made him realize that she could be the one. Getting the thumbs up from his kids really made him feel reassured about Peg. Diane and Peg had a chat and she said that she’s not falling in love yet, but that there’s the potential there. Hm, maybe they are on the same page! Diane said she hoped that Mel’s big heart was winning the battle and he could think with his heart more than his head.
Gina: Diane asked if he’s articulated her feelings. He says they had the time to really talk behind closed doors. My assumption after hearing that is that he just doesn’t want to admit anything on camera so it could be kinda thrown back at him in any way
It’s finale day and we saw Peg and Mel getting dressed for their big decision. Would they start a happily ever after together? Peg sure hoped so! Mel said he woke up feeling nervous, but he wants a partner he can share his life with. He said his painful divorce caused him to put up walls but the journey has taught him to get rid of those walls and take them down. Peg feels ready to love again, too! Peg took a boat ride over to Mel, and the salt water splashed on her beautiful satin dress! Mel’s face lit up when he saw Peg.
Mel told Peg that she looked beautiful and that “This is our time, this is us!” Peg said that she and her daughter made a vision board and one part of her love story still hasn’t been filled in, but now it could be. She said that in meeting Mel, she’s met her match. She said that she will trust him to take the wheel, “But I still have to drive the buggy!” Mel said that he’s learned about listening and loving. He then rattled off all the things he really values about Peg. Mel took out a diamond ring! “This represents our commitment to love and to figure out our future and what our future holds,” Mel said. “I agree!” Peg said. So I guess they aren’t engaged, just committed to love? And Mel said, “Will you accept this golden rose?” “Yes!” Peg said. Peg added that they aren’t for everybody, but they are for each other! Cute! OK – I am happy they ended up together, but no proposal?!?! Boo. Also – will they finally ever say I LOVE YOU?
Gina: You know what? I am not even surprised about how this came to a conclusion. We got as much as we were ever gonna get when he said that Peg was helping him open his heart. I’ll take it and wish them well!!
Back on the live show, Mel and Peg made a big entrance and he kissed and dipped her a little. They were both very excited they could live their relationship in public now. Mel said that he didn’t need 23, he just needed one, and “I found the one.” Peg said, “He doesn’t have integrity, he is integrity.” I think the crowd was a little confused at first by that statement. They said their relationship really grew in the fantasy suite. The conversations they had there made a big impact. They showed some clips from their “happy couple” visits and it seems like they are having a great time together.
Neil Lane is in the audience and Jesse talked about how nice Peg’s ring is, which she wears on her left hand, by the way. Then Jesse asked where things stand and if there has been any talk of an engagement and Peg said they are continuing to grow their love. Mel said, “I am in love with her!” Finally! “And I’m in love with him, 100%” Peg said. “It worked!” Jesse exclaimed. He’s been pushing for them to get there SO MUCH! Peg said they are learning how to open up to each other.
In the audience, Chock said he wanted to welcome them to the “Bachelor” family and he said his prediction is they are going to get married! “I can see it!” Gerry said, “I think he did a great job on his own he doesn’t need advice from me, but it is finally nice to have one other guy who has walked in that position.”
Gina: Well, it was nice to see they could both admit they love each other! I’m happy they’re happy and wish them the best.
Jesse then showed a chat with our new “Bachelorette” Taylor Frankie Paul! Taylor revealed she has some crushes already and she is shocked. It’s not clear how far into the journey she is during this interview. Jesse tells her that she has a great group of guys. Taylor says that PDA is a fear of hers, and she has never really kissed anyone on camera before. She is doing this journey her own way and throwing the book out of the window. Taylor also joked that she wants to eat the food on the table. She said that she will also, and actually did, send someone home whenever she felt like it. Taylor is keeping these guys on their toes! It is also revealed that she has a DWTS group date and also the MokTok crew gives her some intel that helps her make some important decisions. Taylor said that her husband could be in that group of guys! She said that sending people home and their real feelings is hard, and also being away from her family and children. But the unknown of the future keeps her going!
Gina: Look, the MomTok ladies know Taylor better than her own family at times, so it makes sense that they would ask them to be a part of her journey! I honestly cannot wait to see Taylor as The Bachelorette. I think she is going to surprise us in all the best ways.
Then it was time for bloopers, which are always entertaining. It was fun to see some of our favorite women from this season like, Debbie, Cheryl, and Carol, just to name a few. The cheerleading looked to be really tough on Paula Abdul. We also got to see Terri’s puppet again. Missed her, and it was fun to see Mel’s puppet, Wild Boy. Ha!
Another funny thing, Mel wasn’t supposed to eat the food, but he did anyway! Good for Mel! He likes to eat! Jesse apologized for his sloppy eating on his season which led to the show stopping the leads from eating on camera. Next up, they are traveling to Las Vegas, Michigan, and even attending the Super Bowl! Then, the show is sending Mel and Peg to wine country in Napa Valley for a getaway to celebrate their love. “We’re so happy for you, so happy you found each other,” Jesse said.
On Thursday, stay tuned for a new episode of “Playing the Field” where we’ll interview Mel and Peg!
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