After weeks of accompanying Ali and her suitors on their journey to find love, the night has finally arrived where one man receives the final rose! My viewing buddy and I went out for a special dinner to celebrate the finale and are now camped out and ready to see how the final hours unfold. Below, our musings:
- From the couch, "Bora Bora. A place so nice, they named it twice!"
- First recap clocks in at 9 minutes.
- Roberto wins over Ali's sister and brother, and then her mother in a really sweet one on one conversation. During which, Ali's mom speaks some seriously butchered Spanish in an attempt to level with Roberto. Roberto of course plays it off like she just recited a Pablo Neruda original.
- Ali's dad gives Roberto his blessing should Roberto decide to propose.
- Roberto teaches an impromptu salsa class! Throwback to the first episode. Sweet.
- Ali is dressed like a ragamuffin when Chris comes to meet her family! Downgrade from yesterday's cute sundress.
- Ali's father and sister are teachers, just like Chris was. Precious.
- Ali's dad proposes a toast to "Ali and Chris, hopefully a member of our family some day." Gee, I wonder if he likes Chris at all.
- Ali's mom asks Chris about his mom. Um, a little insensitive I think, given how recently she passed away and how little they know each other.
- Chris describes his day with Ali's family as "wicked awesome." Oh, Boston.
- Chris also gets Ali's father's blessing. Her dad is not holding onto her too tightly.
- Ali is wearing yellow for her date with Roberto. Shocker!
- Ali and Roberto ride jet skis and swim with sting rays. Then kiss in the rain. Quite magical.
- Roberto gives Ali a framed picture of them with a message written on the back. Ali eats it up.
- The Ali/Roberto make out goes on for QUITE a while.
- From the couch, "Chris has been wearing a lot of those polos. I want him to bring back the red hoodie." Amen!
- Ali arrives to her final one on one date with Chris, totally frenetic and panicked. She tells him she's in love with somebody else and she doesn't want to put him through proposal day. She feels she has to let him go here. WHAT? Stunned.
- Ali breaks up with Chris and he sees a rainbow while he's standing on the porch of his beach hut. I have to admit, that's kind of amazing.
- Chris is so rational and humble about this whole experience. He's incredibly mature. Is he accepting applications for wives? I'll submit.
- Roberto meets with jeweler Neil Lane and picks out a ring. Then launches into a monologue about doing "what's right for him" and not feeling the pressure to propose. Hmmm.
- After making us sweat it out, Roberto proposes to Ali!
- Then we get to watch a montage of their relationship set to "Can You Feel the Love Tonight." Get it? They were in the Lion King together.
Now onto "The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose!"
- Ali comes out in a white dress. How fitting.
- Cannot bare to watch Frank break up with Ali again. No thanks. Fast forward.
- Frank has backed out at the last minute. He will not be appearing tonight. Lame sauce!
- Chris comes out to talk with Chris Harrison. He is still so calm about this break up.
- Ali comes back out to see Chris for the first time since Tahiti. He asks her, "What did you learn from our relationship?"
- Of course we have to talk about the rainbow.
- Ali gushes about her love for Roberto, giving him the first impression rose, the decision to dismiss Chris, etc. From the couch, "I really hope they actually last." Let's face it, this show doesn't have the best track record.
- Ali cries while watching the footage of her proposal from Roberto in Tahiti.
- Ali and Roberto describe how they have been seeing each other during the "top secret" waiting period. Cute.
- Ali and Roberto have decided to move to San Diego. They already have a place and Roberto is moving his business.
- Off to Catalina they go!
Do you think Ali made the right choice? Who is going to be the next Bachelor? Chris? Kirk? A completely new specimen? Leave your thoughts below!
