'The Bachelorette': Season Finale and After the Final Rose

At long last
This season has had no shortage of drama: Two Bachelorettes, many men walking away; à la Tony and Brody, men having complete meltdowns; hi Kupah and Ian, and let’s not forget about the much buzzed about sex scandal; cue moaning in the background. Alas, after thirteen long weeks, the rollercoaster known as The Bachelorette is finally coming to a halt. Tonight, Kaitlyn Bristowe will either walk away with a fiancé, or she'll walk away solo.

It’s time for the live season finale! We begin the show with Chris Harrison and a live studio audience watching the season finale together in LA. Here we go!

Meeting the Family
Nick: Prior to Kaitlyn’s family meeting Nick, Kaitlyn asks them to have an open mind. Her family is skeptical about Nick’s intentions due to his tainted history with Bachelorette Andy. She also tells her family that she and Nick had sex before the fantasy suite date. Kaitlyn’s mother and her family grill Nick about his intentions. Her mum is a straight shooter, I like that. Nick and Kaitlyn’s mother share an emotional moment, which almost has me in tears. Nick also wins over Kaitlyn’s father, and gets his blessing to propose to Kaitlyn.

Shawn: The family is anxious to meet Shawn, especially after such a great day with Nick. Kaitlyn’s mother is also nervous because she is concerned about his jealousy and insecurities. She talks to Shawn about whether he can forgive Kaitlyn for being intimate with Nick. Her mother is impressed with Shawn’s answers and maturity. Shawn gets Kaitlyn’s mother and her father’s blessing to propose to her. Kaitlyn’s sister confesses that she is officially team Shawn.

Final Dates
Nick and Kaitlyn go on a boat for their final date. Their connection is undeniable. In the beginning, it seemed like it was only physical, but it has clearly grown into something much deeper. PS, that gift was adorable. I'm definitely team Nick. To me, he always seems so genuine and their relationship is so easy. I should probably point out that I did not watch Andy’s season, so I lack any prior bias.

Shawn and Kaitlyn’s date starts out very awkwardly. They have long uncomfortable silences, and they just can't seem to find their rhythm. Shawn confesses during his interview that if he didn’t get answers and feel more comfortable before the end of the night, he wouldn't be getting on one knee tomorrow. The latter part of their date goes much better, and they finally reconnect. Shawn gifts Kaitlyn with a jar filled with pictures and notes, mementos from their journey on The Bachelorette . I worry that if Kaitlyn chooses Shawn, she is going to be in for more awkward silences. I just don't see them sustaining a happy, healthy, relationship outside the show. They just don't seem to have too much to talk about outside of the show.

It's Time
Nick and Shawn pick out their engagement rings. In funny little moment, Nick is nervous to open the door because it might be Kaitlyn at the door, not Neil Lane, à la Andy’s season. Kaitlyn looks absolutely beautiful in a sequined dress. Nick arrives first, uh oh, not a good sign. He pours out his heart to her, but she stops him just before he proposes. She tries to explain that everything was real, but Nick does not believe her, saying that he knows she doesn’t love him. It’s a heartbreaking scene, especially considering that he’s been through this before. It’s also tear-jerking to hear him say that he is the world’s biggest joke. Sidebar: It sucks that Nick’s family members are sitting in the live studio audience watching this. Seeing his mum and little sister sitting there is just heartbreaking. I can’t even imagine what they must be feeling.

And the winner is...

Shawn Booth! To be honest, “Snapchat gate,” the photo that leaked of Kaitlyn in bed with Shawn, kind of ruined it for me. I was hoping that maybe one of the producers planted the story so that they could really get us in the end. But alas, that was not the case. Shawn proposes, Kaitlyn accepts, and they ride off in the limo together.

After the rose
Shawn and Kaitlyn walk out like giddy teenagers, kissing, and clearly in love. They show a picture that Shawn supposedly sent to one of his buddies of Kaitlyn from her stint on The Bachelor. Guys, that moment was undeniably fake. Maybe I am too much of a skeptic, but there is just no way that picture was real and readily available. I mean, which guy sends such pictures to their friends? Stay woke guys! This all seems a little fake.

Nick is next in the hot seat. He confesses that he felt blindsided, understandably, especially because Kaitlyn had told Nick that she loved him many times before. Shawn joins Nick on the couch, and Chris Harrison asks Shawn why he had such a strong dislike for Nick. Shawn says that he just got a bad feeling from Nick. Shawn also acknowledges that he wasn't as jealous as the show painted him out to be. They both agree that the drama was petty, unnecessary and immature. Shawn and Nick end on an amicable note.

Next, Kaitlyn joins Nick in the hot seat. Nick asks Kaitlyn why she said I love you, then didn't pick him. Kaitlyn explains that she did truly care for him, she just loved Shawn more than any of the other guys, see what I did there. They both acknowledge that they did have a connection prior to the show.

After looking back at the day of the proposal, Nick tells Kaitlyn that he is hurt by the fact that she waited so long to break his heart: She let him pick out a ring, give a proposal speech, and almost get on one knee, before telling him that he wasn't the one. Kaitlyn tries to explain that she didn't know what the best way could possibly be to break someone’s heart. At the end, Nick tells Kaitlyn that he wishes her the best. Gotta say, I admire the maturity with which Nick has handled this whole situation.

The ride is finally over. Shawn and Kaitlyn look happy. I wish them the very best.

Next stop, Bachelor in Paradise