‘THE BACHELORETTE’ REVIEW: Season Recap

Ashley Hebert, this season’s bachelorette, has been through a crazy journey with so many twists and turns and a cringe factor that tops all previous seasons. Not only were the fans eagerly awaiting the “final rose” ceremony, but I am sure Ashley has been counting the days until the end of her tumultuous season on ABC.

Ashley began The Bachelorette as the all-American girl next door with a doe-eyed immaturity, but that was quickly erased. Ashley’s bright-eyed, bushy-tailed nature was more than tested by some of her prospective mates. On the first night, Ashley was presented with a wide array of bachelors, including Tim, a liquor distributor, who got so drunk he passed out and could not be woken; Jeff, who turned on the charm by wearing a Zorro mask for the first few days; and last, but definitely not least, Bentley.

Bentley was “the one” in Ashley’s eyes. She found true love! But what she couldn’t see until the episodes aired was Bentley’s alter-ego. He was in it from the very beginning for the competition and nothing else.

During candid interviews, he would comment on how much he disliked Ashley, how he thought she was unattractive and annoying, all while doing his best at wooing her. The insults piled up for weeks behind poor Ashley’s back, until he made up a lie that he missed his daughter and needed to leave the show. This left Ashley in tears and heartbroken, but at least she was free to focus on the other contenders.

The finale came down to two men that ABC did a great job of editing into perfect specimens of male integrity, delving out an abundance of romance and chivalry. Did I mention they are charming, handsome, charismatic, funny and loyal?

J.P. and Ben left the viewers guessing, who will it be? The catch: they needed to meet Ashley’s family first.

Just when Ashley thought her heartbreak was over, her big sister brought her to tears by authoritatively proclaiming J.P. was definitely “not the one.” This was a complete shock to viewers who thought J.P. had a slight advantage over his male cohort.

After the family meeting, Ben definitely took the lead after performing his infamous dog voice and ultimately winning over Ashley’s older sister. This left a mid-episode cliffhanger that only The Bachelorette could effectively pull off. Does she follow her own heart, or does she take her family’s advice?

After globe-trotting to lavish romantic getaways, it all came down to both suitors getting down on bent knee and asking Ashley for her hand in marriage in Vomo Island, Fiji.

J.P. was the chosen one. This was shocking after Ashley’s family’s opinion of him and her extremely sensual mud bath and overnight stay with Ben just hours before. Ben did give a heartfelt, tear-jerking proposal only to get shot down.

J.P. proposed and Ashley accepted (cue corny 80’s music). It was a long journey with a cliffhanger payoff.