This week on “The Bachelor,” Eureka native Clayton Echard met the final four contestants’ family and friends.
While the four women – Susie, Rachel, Serene and Gabby – all told Clayton they were falling in love with him, the “Hometown Week” produced few standout moments.
Clayton has yet to say the “L-word” to any of the women, although he did tell host Jesse Palmer he was falling in love with each of them right before the episode’s climactic Rose Ceremony that saw him send home Serene
Clayton’s whirlwind trip to see where the four women grew up started in Susie’s hometown of Virginia Beach, Va. Susie gave Clayton a jiu jitsu lesson before taking him to meet her parents and best friend.
Susie’s father told Clayton he had his blessing to marry his daughter, and Susie said she could see herself marrying Clayton.
Up next was Gabby’s hometown of Denver, where the pair went for a hike and shared time in a hot tub. Clayton also met Gabby’s aunt, uncle, cousin and grandfather, but he did not have a face-to-face meeting with her father or her father’s longtime girlfriend because of COVID-19 health concerns.
However, Gabby’s dad made an appearance while standing outside a home where her family and friends were gathered, and he relayed a message to his daughter “Love Actually” style, wishing her luck with a series of messages written on poster board. It was a sweet moment that moved Gabby to tears.
In Serene’s hometown of Oklahoma City, the two went through an obstacle course, and Clayton showed a vulnerable side. The former football player is afraid of heights, and he whined his way through the obstacles as Serene showed she has nerves of steel. The segment had me in stiches as Clayton’s tough-guy persona took a hit.
After the obstacle course, Clayton met Serene’s mother, brother and best friend. Her brother was protective of her, saying he was worried about how quickly the relationship was moving and that he didn’t want to see her get hurt. Serene had a heart-to-heart with her brother, who said he trusted her but wanted her to be careful.
The final hometown was Clermont, Fla., where Rachel grew up. Clayton met her parents and best friends after Rachel had warned Clayton that her father was tough on her past boyfriends.
The man lived up to his reputation, grilling Clayton about his daughter and giving him a hard time about dating four women at once. In the end, Rachel’s dad softened and told Clayton he was OK for his daughter.
Next week, we get a double dose of “The Bachelor,” with episodes on Monday and Tuesday. Nearly all the women will be back on Monday to tell us what really has been going behind the scenes, and on Tuesday, Clayton likely will narrow his options to two women as we get closer to the final rose being handed out.
Who do you think Clayton might propose to at the end of the season? I am hoping to see Clayton pop the big question to Susie at the end of the season. Go vote in our poll and tell us who you want to see Clayton end up with, only vote for one person this time.
