By Olivia Ritter ’17

After a total of 22 hours not including the discussions and arguments with friends, the time has finally come. The time for Bachelor Ben to pick his wife. This is the end of Ben’s journey and his polyamorous relationships with women. Hopefully.

THINGS TO KNOW FOR THE SEASON 20 FINAL ROSE:

Ben Higgins will be choosing between Jojo Fletcher, the woman Ben is “more himself” around or Lauren Bushnell, his “love at first sight,” to be his wife. There’s a slight problem. He professed his love to both of them. The issue now is figuring out which woman he loves more.

In previous episodes, there have been teases of Ben second-guessing his choice in winning contestant and calls another woman. Who is who? Does Ben break two hearts in the matter of one episode?

Squeezed into not two, but three hours, Ben will make his decision. Gone with the group dates, gone with the jealousy. Broken hearts will remain in not only the losing woman, but all of America because Ben will be engaged.

The show opens with the one and only Chris Harrison who describes the finale as potentially “the most emotional in ‘Bachelor’ history.” The nerves right now.

Ben makes it very clear to both his parents and the rest of the world that he is in love with both women and has no idea what to do. First things first, the two “completely in love” women have to meet Ben’s family, who are equally confused as you are.

After meeting Lauren, Ben’s parents understand how in love she is. It is Ben’s mom that somewhat doubts Lauren’s capacity to be a wife. But after meeting Jojo, Mr. and Mrs. Higgins are impressed with how happy she makes Ben. It still seems like Ben’s parents are a little questionable about the whole ‘Bachelor’ thing and incredibly confused about what Ben is going to do.

But they each have one date left!

Entering Lauren’s date, Ben is a little frazzled — yes, frazzled. Lauren gets a little emotional but a little making out fixes that. There is too little of the date and too much of Ben’s words of confusion and doubt. We get it, Ben. You don’t know what to do. Welcome to the life of a ‘Bachelor.’

Now it’s time for Jojo’s date and we’re well equipped to handle more of Ben’s baffling side interviews. Jojo says that she is “confident [she] will be Ben’s wife.” Careful, Jojo. Don’t forget the entire other relationship going on. (I’m halfway convinced these people have no idea they’re on ‘The Bachelor.’)

During her date, Jojo pulled Ben away from the cameras, almost demanding to know his feelings for Lauren. He tells her that he also loves Lauren, and Lauren knows that. A lot of tears happen after that. We know this because the microphones are still on. What’s the point of doing this in private?

Both dates ended with the words “fear” and “sick to my stomach.” There are a lot of doubts in the air and there is not a single hint telling us who he’s going to choose. Too many I love you’s are going on.

The day has come for Ben to choose his wife. Neil Lane comes around to show Ben some gigantic rings. It’s only when Ben picks up the ring that he has an epiphany. He’s figured it out! It only took him an hour and a half of this episode! This show was quickly becoming the beginning of “Sister Wives.”

After a long monologue, Ben concludes that he loves one woman more than the other. It’s clear that the first helicopter to arrive is the first woman to go.

The woman in the first helicopter? Jojo.

Of course, Jojo doesn’t know her fate so she goes on to give Ben a speech about her love for him. That’s when Ben breaks the news. Jojo is speechless and “blindsided.” Ben is also at a loss for words. Nothing was emotional compared to Jojo leaving and Ben crying over her.

Ben pulls out his phone and calls up none other than Mr. Bushnell, Lauren’s dad, to ask for his blessing. Lauren better get ready because she’s getting engaged.

There are tears and so many “I love you’s” (the right ones) and “I’m lucky’s.” It’s all really adorable and beautiful, of course, because it was produced by a TV show. Off they go, into a helicopter into the sunset forever. And Bachelor Ben isn’t a bachelor anymore!

It’s been a fun ride bingewatching with you, Ben … now we’ll just wait for the next round of hapless, hopeful lovers next season!