Hometowns:

The first hometown date of the evening belonged to Zack, who, to put the cart before the horse, Des sent home. But who didn’t see that coming?  In truth, I was sad to see him leave because I had really warmed to the guy. He was a tiny bit goofy looking, but he was confident, charismatic, mature, built, wealthy, and his family was crazy perfect for TV. He gave Des a gorgeous antique promise ring, which as viewers knew sounded his death knell from the beginning (literally of the show). I think Zack could make a decent Bachelor, but they probably wouldn’t go with him, simply because he might actually get married and they’re success rate with Bachelors just shows lack of good judgment.

The second date was at Drew’s. Drew’s family is incredibly sincere and loving. It was obvious Des felt comfortable there.  She met his severely mentally challenged sister and I was surprised at how sensitively the show handled it. He is a great guy and the way he took care of her showed real depth to him as a person.  When Des talked to his dad, his dad asked her if she believed in angels and if she’d ever met one.  He told her she had met one in Melissa.  I admit, I cried.  Anyway, Drew said I love you to her when she left and she likes him a lot. The previews make it seem like she likes him more than she does.  She’s definitely fallen the hardest for Chris and Brooks. Drew would make an OK Bachelor, too…a little saccharine for my taste, but I’d still watch.

Chris’s hometown date was adorable and a little scary.  The editing made it seem like there was a real chance his mom didn’t like Des, but she did and she cried about her son being in love.  Chris has it bad for Des. But, I think Chris might just have it bad for love.  I could see Chris bounce back and find love again as the Bachelor. They played baseball together, she drew him pictures, his dad gave her some kind of medical massage, which was weird enough, but then his dad used and instrument to clean out Chris’ sinuses on TV! I did not need to see Chris’ snot and it actually lowered his Bachelor stock a bit for me (yuck!). Still, they have mega-chemistry and she loves him.

The hometown with Brooks was interesting.  Brooks seems like he’s taking this whole thing really seriously and he hasn’t told Des he loves her because he’s actually not sure. But she thinks he is.  She thinks he’s just not ready to say it or she wouldn’t be keeping him.  This could be delusional, but I think she’s right.  The man has a very close and thoughtfully intelligent family.  The questions his brothers asked him were sensitive, right on, and showed how much they loved him.  His conversation with his mom was honest and real.  Brooks in one word is genuine.  So, is Des, I think. That’s why no matter how much she likes Chris or Drew, Brooks is and has been the one all along.

Brooks for the win, with lots of made up drama between now and then (like the conversation with her brother that isn’t even worth recapping it was so staged).