*SPOILER ALERT*
“The Bachelor” never disappoints with good, yet cringe-worthy television, and Season 20 was no exception. The finale Monday capped nearly two months of tears, drama and delusion.
While host Chris Harrison insists the finale “is the most dramatic yet” every season, he wasn’t kidding this time. Though Bachelor Ben Higgins ultimately chose Lauren Bushnell as his future wife, the road to their happy ending was far from smooth.
One episode prior to the gut-wrenching finale, Higgins professed his love to two of the final three contestants, sending a devastated Caila Quinn home in tears.
But after fans got over Quinn’s shocking exit, they moved on to the fact that Higgins had landed himself in a pretty sticky situation. Bushnell and runner-up to be Joelle “JoJo” Fletcher had heard those three magical words from the man of their dreams, but had no clue Higgins expressed the same to the other contestant.
According to Harrison, this wasn’t normal protocol for “The Bachelor.” Never before had the leading man confessed his love for two women at the same time.
https://twitter.com/theyearofelan/status/709539937771606016
On the bright side, Higgins eventually came around to telling the truth (though he never lied about it in the first place, just omitted one tiny detail) when Fletcher practically begged him to be honest with her. Naturally, she was a little upset.
“I just feel so foolish,” Fletcher said. “I’m so tired of competing.”
Amen, because you shouldn’t have to vie for one man’s attention on a reality competition show to find your husband.
Despite this letdown, Fletcher went to meet Higgins one last time, confident and bright-eyed as usual, to discover their fate as a couple. When Higgins revealed to her he “loved someone else more,” Fletcher criticized him for blind-siding her.
With this final exchange and a painful hug goodbye, a teary-eyed Higgins stared into the distance as Fletcher’s limo took off. One commercial break later, Higgins was as chipper as ever as he dialed up Lauren Bushnell’s dad to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage, and whooped in delight upon the confirmation.
Ultimately, Higgins got down on one knee and popped the question to Bushnell, and the couple hopped into a helicopter to begin their new lives together. End credits.
All criticism aside, the newly engaged couple seems to be genuinely happy from the looks of post-finale interviews. They’ve had almost four months together since becoming engaged, and according to Higgins, things are going pretty well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5cnen-gyeo
But what about Fletcher? She sat down with Harrison and Higgins during the “After the Final Rose” special to graciously gain some closure, revealing she now understands why Higgins picked Bushnell after watching the show.
To “The Bachelor” nation’s surprise, Fletcher was selected as the newest Bachelorette, even though initial rumors suggested it would be Caila Quinn. Nevertheless, it’s safe to say people are pretty happy, including none other than former Bachelorette Andi Dorfman.
Congrats to the beautiful @JoelleFletcher! There are some lucky men out there we can't wait to see fight for you on TV #TheBachelorette 🌹
— Andi Dorfman (@AndiDorfman) March 15, 2016
With Higgins and Bushnell engaged and Fletcher promised a fresh lineup of men, “The Bachelor” Season 20 has officially wrapped. Only one question remains: Will Fletcher’s brother come around to kick Higgins in the butt?
