Who Joan Vassos picked as her final pick, how the runner-up reacted — and more

On November 14, 2024By Littum

Good morning, Bachelor Nation! Whew, that was a dud. I will be shocked if anyone is surprised, but hopefully everyone’s hearts are healed now. Let’s dive in.

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What went down this week

Pascal shook Joan’s confidence a few weeks ago, but come finale time, we all knew she’d choose the man who . Here you can see how it played out.

Who chose Joan: You could see Joan thinking about that Neil Lane ring – – as soon as Chock Chapple gave her a heart-shaped one to symbolize the place he wanted them to buy in New York City. (People/Entertainment Weekly)

This is how the runner-up reacted: Joan and producers milked him crying in the rain. On stage at the live reunion, he asked what was missing between them and got the obvious answer: It was just “timing”. (Black)

Have they announced a Golden Bachelor: No, but we did get one of Grant Ellis’s Bachelor season premiered on January 27. It seems he didn’t know who to pick until the last second. Here is about him. (Insider/Yahoo Entertainment)

Joan Vassos' Son Nick (ABC) — Joan Vassos’ Son Nick (ABC)

Senior superlatives

1⃣ Most related: Nick Vassos

Joan’s son became the star of the final by making the world’s most shameless face when Chock kissed Joan in front of him seconds after they met. (See .) Honestly, I was right there with him. Awkward! (Weekly Entertainment)

2⃣ Best BFF: Nancy

I’m still thinking about Nancy telling Joan that “lonely is a place you go through” earlier this season, and during the finale she let Pascal’s rejection ruin her experience. We all need a Nancy. (TVLine)

3⃣ Best crowd shot: Hakeem

Remember? He competed on , where his facial expressions gave him buzz. When Guy went home, the live audience camera shot straight to Hakeem — and he didn’t disappoint. (Today)

4⃣ Should be a couple: Jack and Susan

Bachelor The manufacturers do not do anything by mistake, including seat strips. Did anyone else notice and vibrate next to each other in the audience? Now it is a couple I would trust to throw a good dinner party. (Weekly Us)

5⃣ Best Editing: The ‘Crazy About Joan’ montage

Did you know that Chock has a crush on Joan? Of course you did – he about it! God bless the comic genius who spliced the “crazy” together. Now let’s withdraw the sentence for good. (Parade)

Can I go there?

It feels like kismet that Joan’s finale flew us to Bora Bora, voted the world in 2024. There’s a reason Snoop Dogg took his here. Bora Bora is full of beautiful resorts (and then some). Give me a second – my finger just slipped and opened Expedia… (Travel & Leisure/Travel Noire/InStyle)

Can I steal you a moment?

One-on-one with Katie Campione

I asked Katie Campione of Deadline to break down Joan’s final choices and how this season was as a whole.

Laura: Do you think Joan and Chock will ?

Katie: I do! Their connection was obvious from the beginning and I assumed they would end up together. He clearly adores her. I root for them!

Laura: Is there anything from The Golden Bachelor you wish would come through in the rest of Bachelor universe?

Katie: Diversity in every sense of the word. It’s not about this franchise, but I think that Golden the series has done a better job of casting people from all walks of life. The flagship is increasingly not showing.

Laura: If you had to give this season a grade, what would it be?

Katie: B+. I’m a huge fan of Joan and I was amazing. They really let their personalities shine. I mean, who wouldn’t fall in love with? But I need some drama in my reality TV and this season was lacking in that department.

Rank the endings: What are the five most shocking of all time?

Golden visibility

This isn’t exclusive to older daters, but it was striking to see both Joan and Chock explicitly tell her children that he wants their late father, John, who . Hometowns are different when you’re golden: Suitors reassure the kids — not the parents. (Entertainment Weekly/People)

This season’s cry count: I counted three crying sessions in this finale (61 total this season), but that doesn’t quite say it emotion we all felt when Guy went home. No wonder heaven wept with him!

The Golden Bachelor sent on Wednesdays at 20 ET on ABC.

About in reality: If Wednesday nights are anything to go by The Golden Bachelorthen Thursday morning is for diving into all the details with Laura Bradley, our Golden Bachelorette correspondent. Sign up.