It’s here: hometowns week! Bachelor Ben is taking the next step in all four of his relationships: meeting the families. Ben is meeting four mothers, four fathers and a whole slew of siblings.
Up first is the one everyone has been waiting for: mother-of-two Amanda in Orange County. Roughly 30 seconds of kissing go by before Amanda sees her children and runs to greet them. The whole moment is cute to begin with, but then Ben goes and tears up and makes it even cuter.
The two girls, Charlie and Kinsley, are understandably shy toward Ben, but warm up through some fun sand castle making and chasing. Amanda, along with everyone else, is impressed with his dad skills. The vibe changes a bit when the kids are shrieking in the background and Ben is looking a little squeamish.
It’s about that time for Ben to meet his first pair of parents. Obviously, Amanda’s parents are concerned for Ben’s ability to become an instant dad. Though Amanda disagrees, leaving the date sure that she is in love with Ben and can see him being both a husband and a dad. Ben says he can “see himself as part of this family,” so he is not too freaked out. But, let’s be real, is he actually ready to do that?
Lauren is next up, excited to show Ben her hometown of Portland, Ore. They stroll lovingly down the street to grab some food at Portland’s food trucks. Lauren’s sidebars reveal that she will not tell Ben she loves him until she gets approval from her family. Speaking of family, it’s time for Ben to meet Lauren’s.
Lauren’s mother, father, sister and two brothers (all just as cute and happy as Lauren!) greet Ben with smiles. Lauren’s sister is the first to pull Ben away to ask how he truly feels about Lauren. Of course Ben can’t say he loves her yet, so he does something better: He pulls out the waterworks. Lauren’s sister is touched and later communicates this to Lauren, who reciprocates Ben’s tears and says she feels Ben is “her person.”
Understandably, Lauren’s dad is concerned about his relationships with the other girls and tells Lauren that he does not want “[his] baby LoLo getting hurt.” Lauren is discouraged by her father’s words of worry and sends Ben off without telling him she loves him. Sad face.
It’s Caila’s turn to introduce Ben to her family in Hudson, Ohio. To kick off the date, Caila takes Ben to a toy company where her father is the CEO and the two design and build a toy house. All the while in a sidebar, Caila is talking about building a real house with Ben. Relax, Caila, we still have to get through the rest of the week.
The couple heads to Caila’s home, where Ben meets her mother, father and brother. Caila’s mom takes Ben aside and gives Caila the opportunity to emotionally admit to her father that she is in love with Ben.
After hearing these feelings, Caila’s father is concerned that Ben will pick another woman and Caila will be “crushed.” But come on: After sitting through a televised, non-monogamous relationship with some guy and not be able to stay with him, she would only be “crushed”? Caila’s mom reacts the opposite and instructs Caila to “jump on him and tell him.” No, Caila did not tell him. So everyone can be in love with Ben but no one can tell him.
And here is where we see some intense drama. Here we are in Dallas, Jojo’s hometown, and Jojo walks up to her apartment to find a bouquet of roses with a letter attached. She sits down, reads the letter, repeating how sweet Ben is to do such a thing. (Didn’t he take you to Wrigley Field? He gives you roses all the time!) Though, this letter is not from Ben, but from … “Chad,” Jojo’s ex-boyfriend.
Jojo is beside herself and decides to call him and see what is really going on. This Chad guy is relentless, saying that he loves Jojo and wants to be with her. As Jojo argues with Chad, Ben is walking up to her door. Jojo hangs up-good choice-and gives Ben a hug hello.
She explains what happened and Ben initially wavers at the news. Not to worry, Jojo ensures him that her relationship with this dude is over and she is the happiest she’s ever been with Ben. With a good vibe, the two head to Jojo’s house, where Ben meets her mother, father, sister and two older brothers.
Jojo’s family is highly protective of her and they are not afraid to make that known to Ben. During Ben’s sit-down with Jojo’s brothers, they ask him, straight-up, if Jojo will be happy or devastated at the end of this. Ben is, obviously, unable to answer, which leaves the brothers with the conclusion that Ben is not deserving of their approval yet. Meanwhile, Jojo’s mom tells her to give 150 percent if she really loves Ben. Sticky situation here.
In the end, Ben is disappointed with how it all went down and Jojo is left fearful that she might lose Ben. She’s not alone, all of the women are uneasy about their respective hometown dates. Someone has to go.
Amanda is the one to walk away without a rose, disappointed that the date she believed went really well is the one to send her home. Ben is even too emotional to speak on it.
It’s getting down to the wire here: Ben is starting to say those three words back, but to more than one woman? If so, will he choose the right one? We’ll all be anxiously waiting to binge again next Monday at 8 p.m.!
