The Bachelorette
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!, then this is a safe space for you.
This is your home.
& Mrs. Smithlooking dress.
Lets get to it.
Were still in Minneapolis, The City That Always Lakes!
No, that cant be right.
I do not have this many sides.
Im an insufferable monster in every situation and context.
Honestly, this was a way more low-key and more fun way to do Hometowns.
Much like me, my mom is the same in every context and situation.
At least let her get some airline miles out of the experience.
Besides, if she is different in any situation, you definitely want to meet Vacation Mom.
Shes buying fries for the table and inviting everyone back to the hotel lounge for a game ofYahtzee.
Brandon is up first!
He opens up the garage and its a skate park!
Suddenly Brandon makes complete sense.
Brandon is terrible at skateboarding.
He falls down almost immediately and basically never does a successful trick.
Hes so blinded by his love for Michelle.
Uh … youre allowed to do that?
Listen, I knew all these men were light-skinned, but … they all have white moms?
What are the odds of that happening?
And Michelles family consists of a white mom and a Black dad.
What are the odds ofeveryoneleft on this franchise having the same parental makeup?
Nobody got a Black mama?
Nobody?!?!
Theres a larger conversation to be had here about colorism and howThe Bachelors casting is affected by that.
and So, Carrie and Leannas second husbands are also Black?
Lets just ruminate on that quietly during journaling time.
Anyway, Brandons family.
Silk Sonic really answered a lot of sartorial questions for light-skinned dudes.
The subplot of Brandon is not actually that smooth also persists throughout this episode.
She has a crush on this family.
Up next is Rodneys hometown date.
He weirdly themes his hometown date around an apple only found in Minnesota.
Rodney is saying, This is my home now.
Relocate me, maam.
Rodney puts a blindfold on Michelle and they sample butterscotch and chocolate sauce.
Michelle asks, Is it normal to be blindfolded this much early in a relationship?
I mean … if you want it to be.
Normalize casual, quaint sensory play.
Rodney asks Michelle if she had fun.
Awwww, you lil sweetie.
You dont have to ask her if shes having a good time.
You planned a real fun date.
Its cute, buddy.
Michelle says that she can be any version of herself with Rodney.
Im very concerned about how many versions of self these people are containing at any moment.
They contain a multiverse of blue checks within them.
They head to meet Carrie and Tyree, Rodneys mom and stepdad.
And Carrie is full-on weeping at the sight of her son.
Rodneys mom is like, Umm … thats very cool, but do you think hes hot or something?
No one wants to hear their sons chief qualities are funny and underdog.
Thats not exactly a reciprocation, but itll do for now.
Joe shows her various hallways and Michelle says, Oh, your high school was fairly diverse.
Have these two met before?
This is a severe hometown advantage.
No one had anything remotely this elaborate.
Rodneys wasnt even California-themed!
), his brother Dan, and his sister-in-law Hannah.
Hannah will have to serve as the narrator for the Coleman family because these men arent saying a word.
I dont think we even hear Dans voice.
Dan, kindly, speak your truth.
Joe sits down with his dad.
Remember what I said about dads not being good communicators?
I was specifically talking about this dad, who literally has no follow-up questions and fewer notes.
I love him and we all must protect him.
David, any thoughts?
Michelle is astonished that she and Joe can express emotions to each other.
Joe is Michelles lifestyle match.
If they got together, neither of them would even have to move.
If they find out their jobs are on the same bus line, thats the makings of true love.
Nayte wants to bring a bit of Austin to Minneapolis, so this means that theyre paddleboarding!
Its just another excuse for Nayte to remind Michelle of his incredibly long body and many tattoos.
Later, Nayte explains that Michelle is going to be meeting his mom Leanna and his ex-stepdad Charles.
Okay, hang on.
Were dealing with a Dan Hedaya and Paul Rudd inCluelesssituation?
Nayte really wants to remind everyone thatwe dont talk about emotions.
I never brought anyone home.
We do not talk about girls here!!
!Its basically written in crayon on the door of the Airbnb for Naytes family.
Michelle says that she matches with Nayte on so many levels, including intellect.
Girl, hes hot and 6-foot-13.
Nayte is Michelles chemistry match.
Shes incredibly hot for him and she cant hold it in.
Michelle sits down with Naytes stepdad, and hes not exactly positive about this or any situation.
He says that theres a difference between being in love and being engaged and being married.
Charles says clearly Nayte has a good vibe, but hes not ready for an engagement.
Nayte sits down with Charles and talks about how they never talk about anything.
Charles, what the fuck?
Support your former stepson!
Everyone is growing and changing and its all because of Michelle and the power of love!
Nayte sums up the day by going, Feelings.
Weve got a long way to go.
Before the Rose Ceremony, Bri and Serena stop in to see how Michelle is doing.
They vaguely recap the episode, offer no advice, and go on their merry way!
Thanks for stopping by, friends!
Michelle offers to walk Rodney out.
Remember when Rachel doubled over in tears when she sent Matt home?
They hug for a long time.
Rodney says as he drives away that things just werent meant to be.
May you live forever in our hearts and find love in Paradise.
Next week is the Men Tell All and we get a preview of … Claytons season?
But also, how is his catchphrase Everyone loves an underdog.
HES NOT THE UNDERDOG!
RODNEY IS THE UNDERDOG!
RODNEY FOR BACHELOR!!!!!
!
