The Bachelorette
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I, Nick Quah, will be your humble chaperone in her stead today.
How Ive missed this!
The pick should come as absolutely no surprise.
After all, Joes from Minnesota, which makes him a geographically appropriate date.
Minnesota Joe also has atongoing for him, in addition to having literal home court advantage in this episode.
The dude,as Kevin Durant would say, is a hooper, much like Michelle.
Hes slid into her DMs in the past (though hedidend up ghosting her in that interaction).
), being the quiet and reserved throw in.
As the Fountains of Waynejoint goes, the guy hasall kinds of time.
We get a lot of sports action this week.
Here is where my brain drifts, wondering what, exactly, is Joes mold as a baller.
Is he a pass-first guy?
Who does he model his game after?
He definitely seems like a Damian Lillard throw in.
Meanwhile, the embers oflast weeks cocktail-party firecontinue to smolder.
(Get you a bromance as cozy asConnor B. and Gregs from last season.)
Boy, I do love it when the guys seem to genuinely love each other.
And so, back at the hotel, Naytes feeling the heat a little bit.
Joe opens up further to Michelle, recounting a truly devastating turn in his life.
He was never the same player after that.
The loss of that identity crushed him, bringing him to very dark places.
Ball was life, and that life is gone.
Its a really moving moment, as is his polite follow-up right after: Thanks for asking.
One might even go so far as to say this season is probably Joes to lose at this point.
Time for the group date.
Through football, he seems to believe, he will be able to best express himself to Michelle.
… except theres a twist: There will be no football on this day.
But there will bevikings!
The men are confronted by three cosplaying Vikings, who make them take turns shouting manly war cries.
I watch, so I may understand.
The whole thing is a stark contrast to last weeks spa-tastic group date.
Clayton, a mountain of an individual, acquits himself well with the war cry.
He ultimately doesnt get any alone time with Michelle, which deepens his descent.
(Somebody watches the show.)
(I mean, who doesnt, at this point?)
They seem satisfied with Naytes response, and warm up to him in general.
Its all very sudden, frankly.
I wasnt particularly sold.
He talks about wanting to preserve an inner child in his relationships, which, sure.
This gives a lot more context to her previously shared fears about not being seen.
Nayte is incredulous, but Michelle grants the request.
The guy, obviously, doesnt have very much to stand on.
With the authoritative diplomacy of any veteran school teacher, she expresses appreciation for his attempt to … Maybe Joes lead isnt so wide after all.
The cocktail party is mostly drama-free.
Rick gets some dance time.
Rodney adorable, precious Rodney declares fealty to Minneapolis on a rooftop.
Brandon gets a birthday cake … well, theres a bit of drama.
The look on Michelles face as hes made to explain himself will be seared into my brain forever.
Will we ever get a chance to learn what Martin meant to say?
As it turns out, maybe we will.
Casey, who has intense dad energy, and Leroy, who has amazing glasses, are sent home.
Were now heading into theintensestage of the season, and Im pumped.
Thanks for letting me sit in for Ali.
It was a pleasure.
