'The Bachelorette' Is Close To The End. Could A Surprise Guest Shake Things Up?

I’m surprised that I’m kind of loving the drama of this all. I think it’s partly because of Xavier’s departure. If Xavier had professed his love to her confidently and was still around, I’d think this was completely pointless. But I think Charity’s loving the grand gesture of it all, and as a hopeless romantic, I’m loving it too. I still don’t think she should pick him, but this moment does add to the fairy-tale-ness of this whole thing. I kind of hopes she sticks with last week’s decision and sends him home, again, though. — Erin

My initial thought about Aaron coming back was “Why does he get to do this?” but 1) drama and 2) she did suggest she wasn’t fully confident in her decision. Some guys just return because they can’t take the L ― I think Aaron probably also can’t take the L but he had other reasons and I can accept that. And she’s happy to see him so I guess he wasn’t wrong. But I do think she is far enough along with Joey and Dotun that Aaron’s going to go again. ― Elise

I’m going to be a hater and say nothing about grand gestures like this is romantic to me – I don’t like being caught off guard! Also, Aaron fully gives me the ick. Like I can’t believe one of the first things this grown man said to her was “I love the fit.” Please be serious. And now you’re telling me he’s going to be part of the finale? Noooo way. It feels a bit disrespectful to Joey and Dotun, who are so much further in their relationships, to be “competing” against Aaron at the end. — Alexandra

So Dotun ALSO has something he needs to reveal. It ends up being that he’d never watched the show and didn’t know what to expect at the end until a few weeks prior. Thankfully, he’s accepted and is happy to end the journey with a proposal, which definitely would have changed things for Charity if he wasn’t ready. This date goes swimmingly, quite literally, so no other notes from me. — Erin

Not watching the show is the definition of a green flag! Also, the way Charity talked about Dotun’s family really solidifies to me that he’s her choice. She was really moved by his mom praying with her, and I think she can see herself joining them in a way she just can’t with Joey given the not-bad-not-great hometown they had. ― Elise

I have watched a lot of seasons of "The Bachelorette," and I honestly cannot recall a couple that has as much chemistry as Charity and Dotun do. It is palpable and contagious, and all of a sudden I’m sitting here like am I also falling for Dotun? ― Alexandra

At last, Charity tells Dotun she’s in love, too. Took her long enough to say this! We’ve seen it for weeks now! — Erin

Dotun and Charity can’t stop making out as they walk into their date and I continue to be so charmed by them. “I’m smitten and in love with Charity,” Dotun says. I love him! I love them! Their only barrier was him waiting for her to say “I love you” and now she has. And she looks so incredibly happy the next day. My heart! ― Elise

Omg not Dotun unbuttoning his shirt as Charity is closing the curtains! I know she said “I love you” to both guys, but it just felt different when she said to Dotun. I don’t know, it's just so much more real and raw, and I fully believe that they are in love. ― Alexandra

Uncle Joe be damned, Joey and Charity’s chemistry really is undeniable. Their ATV date is so cute even when the four-wheeler breaks down. What I love most about Joey is his very direct communication with Charity. When he brings up how he was feeling after hometowns, it was great to see his vulnerability there. I can easily see why Charity is falling in love with him. — Erin

These two are cute together. You can tell they have so much fun. This was a tiny moment, but I loved how she suggested he try the ATV when she couldn’t get it to work, and he was like, not sure I’d do anything differently! So many men would be certain they could magically fix a machine through their man-touch. (I know, the lowest bar, but I clocked it.) ― Elise

I think being able to go-with-the-flow is such an important quality in a partner, and I love how Joey is so calm and easy going ― he’s just happy to be there with her! I’m glad they squashed Charity’s doubts right away with the conversation about his hometown. Also, this waterfall date is hot. Loooove them together. — Alexandra

This is the second date where the guy is like “there’s so much I’ve been waiting to tell you.” I’m confused about this. Why are they waiting to say these important things? And why are these dates framed around it? In Joey’s case, it’s definitely less dramatic than Xavier’s issue, at least. Another thing: So this bugs me because it feels wasteful. But notice how the food is already on the dinner plate when Joey and Charity arrive to the table? Then they have a long conversation without seemingly eating anything? Are they just eating a cold dinner after all this? Seems like poor planning. Anyway, Charity being on cloud nine after their fantasy suite night has me wondering if her connection with Joey is actually just as strong as it is with Dotun. “ A love with Joey feels eternal?” Excuse me? She better say something just as lovely about Dotun! — Erin

As a seasoned Bachelor viewer, I can tell you they never eat the food. They eat beforehand. The food is just a prop! I think it is technically real food but it’s not for eating (something about microphones).

To the more important stuff: His confession was very sweet and relatable to Charity, clearly. “He is the definition of a perfect person and the person I prayed for,” she says in a voiceover. I still think Dotun is the final pick, but man, that’s going to be a rough breakup. ― Elise

I love how Joey’s confession is that he’s scared he is being placed into a manic pixie dream girl box; protect this man at all costs. He is so sweet, but I agree with Elise that I think she’s going to pick Dotun and I’m going to be so sad watching Joey get heartbroken. ― Alexandra

So they’ve been teasing Charity having an eye-opening conversation with someone, and for some reason, I kept thinking they were gonna throw a curveball and it was going to be a super heartbreaking conversation with my fave, Dotun. So when Xavier reveals he cheated on his previous girlfriend, I knew immediately that this was going to shatter Charity and end their relationship. That conversation was so hard to watch because they kept going in circles with it. Xavier’s brutal honesty shot him in the foot, as I was sure it would weeks ago. He’s so unsure of himself, but then shares these “honest” perspectives that make it seem like he actually is certain about so many things. It’s frustrating to watch because he seems like a nice guy, but he definitely has a lot of growing to do. I kept wanting him to just get up and see himself out. BYE to my knitting king! — Erin

I knew something was off about this man, I knew it!!!! WHY would he tell her this huge piece of info less than two weeks before she’s expecting an engagement. Snake behavior. Also, I would like to note that he said to her, “I don’t ever want to be unfaithful with you.” What he didn’t say was, “I will never be unfaithful to you.” Biiiiiig difference between “I don’t want to” and “I won’t.” Charity gave him entirely too much time to run his mouth about whatever excuses he had to make. When she asked him if he can assure her that he doesn’t have doubts and he responded, “I need to see more first,” is this man saying he needs to have sex with her in order calm his doubts???? I am SICK to my stomach. Good riddance, liar! — Alexandra

Charity’s face at this comment from Xavier really said it all: “Is it going to be hard to do that [stay faithful to a wife]? Hell yes, because I never have been in a position where you have to just choose one woman for the rest of your life, and that freedom is gone. Gone.” I gasped. That is 100% not the answer to hear from someone you’re considering marrying. I think he is overall not the worst guy, but he needs to grow up a LOT and develop some introspection and a filter (he seems to think honesty absolves all, which is incorrect). Charity deserves better, and the fact that she knows it and was able to articulate it so clearly was pretty great TV. “This isn’t Build-a-Man Workshop” ― put it on a T-shirt.
Do you think there’s any chance she was glad to skip an overnight so she could get some sleep? That was my main thought when she did the morning-after-wakeup shoot in her room solo. Looked nice! ― Elise

Also! Not him saying I love you as he hugged her goodbye! — Erin

For some reason, I’d really convinced myself that this was gonna be a fakeout with the “mystery” guest. Like, it’d actually just be Charity’s brother. I can’t believe Aaron is ACTUALLY getting on a plane to Fiji. It is incredibly romantic even if just a ploy made up by the producers. I don’t want Aaron to win Charity’s heart, but at least he’s actually sure about her. — Erin

I wish everyone reading this could see how far my eyes rolled into the back of my head when it was revealed that this is happening. I really thought the person surprising her would be an ex, but maybe that’s just me wanting more drama than this show would actually ever give. Aaron, let it go my guy. — Alexandra

Erin, I also thought it’d be Charity’s brother! However, I am not with you on this being incredibly romantic. Save it for paradise, Aaron. ― Elise

One thing I’ll say about this private island date? I needed to see more of Xavier with his shirt off a long time ago. Whew. Him calling her a “woman king” was so adorable as the Fijians carried her on a throne in their native clothing. I do always feel ... some kind of way when shows like this go to distant islands and incorporate the local people there. (Thinking about “Survivor” here, too.) Like, I want to learn about the culture of the places they go to, but sometimes it feels a little icky. I hope the local people were treated nicely by all of the cast and crew. Anyway, I can already feel myself getting annoyed about this date. Charity keeps referencing how she’s unsure if Xavier is ready, and I keep wanting to say, girl, he’s not! Kick him out! Or at the very least, ask him a very direct and quick question: Are you ready to propose or nah?? — Erin

I agree on the ickiness of the “gawk at the local culture” dates. That said, Charity and Xavier seem to be ― and I say this with love ― big nerds, and they came off as genuinely interested in the entire thing. There was laughter, but it wasn’t “LOL this is so WEIRD” and I appreciate that. They seemed to be vibing so well the entire day date (that hello kiss was steamy!) that I almost forgot that they’re not as far along than the others. But then they had their little talk and I was quickly reminded. ― Elise

OK, so I’m mostly happy with this final three. I have zero notes for Dotun, and I hope that Uncle Joe was wrong about Joey. But I’m really concerned about Xavier. He still hasn’t convinced me that he is actually ready to propose to Charity in a couple episodes. He keeps phrasing things like “if she is the one for me,” and that keeps on pissing me off. He also has been looking a little distant in the eyes, like he is either half telling the truth or is not totally there. Xavier and Charity are the same age, but she just seems way more mature and sure of herself than he does. Anyway, I wish I was in Fiji because it looks so beautiful. — Erin

HuffPost trip to Fiji?? It does seem absolutely beautiful there, and Charity looks RADIANT in vacation mode. I agree with Erin: I’m sold on Dotun and Joey, but I’m still unconvinced that Xavier is actually into this relationship. Also, the ominous preview about someone coming to surprise Charity already seems so forced. I’m nervous! — Alexandra

I am IN for Fiji. And I agree ― it feels so obvious that Dotun and Joey are the top two that Xavier’s presence seems a little pointless. I like him but he’s not winning this thing and maybe he just knows it, too? That said, we need someone to be the bad guy who makes Charity cry and it better not be Dotun. ― Elise