Gerry Turner’s Golden Bachelor trip has officially begun in his hometown. He had to choose which three ladies he’d take to meet their children and loved ones throughout the country in the Oct. 26 edition of the show.
The newest chapter opened on a high note, with the sight of the surviving women relaxing in the pool. However, the question of who would earn a hometown date loomed, and because the season was cut short, only three women (rather than the normal four) would take that crucial step.
“Knowing that there are not four hometowns, but three,” Ellen Goltzer confessed in a confessional.
So, who went home alone—and who got to keep going with Gerry? Here’s a look back at The Golden Bachelor Week 5 as seen by fans who followed along on X (previously Twitter).
The first date in the episode was a one-on-one, which Jesse Palmer described as “magical” and “once-in-a-lifetime.” Faith Martin was naturally overjoyed when she was called up.
Faith spoke up about her traumatic background on a magnificent helicopter flight that culminated in a boat. “I lived a lot of time alone, like a homeless teen,” she said, adding that the trauma she had made it difficult for her to be vulnerable in subsequent relationships.
Gerry was impressed by Faith’s candor, gifting her a rose and confessing in a confessional that he saw a future with her. “A life with Faith would be really amazing,” he went on to say. “I think she could be the one.”
Fans on X were moved as well, with one calling Faith the season’s “dark horse” and another calling their relationship “so damn cute.”
Getting the season’s dreamiest one-on-one can sometimes cause envy back at the Bachelor Mansion, and that’s precisely what occurred when Faith returned and detailed her “dream” date to Susan Noles.
Fans sympathized with the other ladies, and one user joked that Ellen was “channeling her inner Kathy [Swarts],” referring to the latter’s dislike of hearing about other women’s dates.
The tension persisted throughout a group outing to the Santa Monica Pier. Despite the fact that it appeared to be a great night, numerous ladies voiced apprehension about the next rose ceremony.
“There’s a lot at stake tonight,” Theresa Nist stated. “It is pretty scary.”
Leslie Fhima, for one, admitted to Gerry that she’d been having “hard days” seeing other ladies go on dates. “It brings up past feelings from other relationships, because I have been cheated on,” she went on to say.
Meanwhile, Ellen confessed to Gerry that she was falling in love with him and that she’d be “devastated” if she didn’t win his rose.
Gerry presented roses to Theresa, Leslie, and Faith during the following rose ceremony. This meant Ellen, Susan, and Sandra Mason would have to return home by themselves.
Gerry was especially devastated to lose Ellen, characterizing her departure as “the night’s lasting memory.” He also admitted to Ellen that it was his “most difficult decision” during his Golden Bachelor adventure thus far.
Viewers expressed their support for the three ladies on social media, with one calling Ellen’s leaving “the most shocking Bachelor goodbye in years” and another urging Sandra and Susan to return via Golden Bachelor in Paradise. All we can do is hope!