Bachelor Recap: And the Winner is...

By: Juliana Marie Swift

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers.

Well, we made it! Last night was the finale of “Listen to Your Heart” and it was truly a rollercoaster of an episode.

We started where we left off last week, with all of the couples traveling from Las Vegas to Nashville to finish out the season. We saw each couple reminiscing on their journey with montages of their past dates and cute moments, which were mixed with some videos of them traveling together to their final destination. Chris and Bri have been solid from the beginning, and have fallen completely in love. Rudi and Matt had more of a slow burn and even a bumpy journey at the beginning, but they balanced each other out very well. You can tell they truly care about each other even if they aren’t in love yet. They’ve also had the most consistently amazing performances, in my opinion. Jamie and Trevor had a bump or two along the way, but were falling in love and seemed extremely happy with each other.

When they landed in Nashville, Jamie yelled, “Who’s ready for the ‘Jamie tour of Nashville!’,” and after some light digging I found out that Jamie is actually from New Jersey, not Nashville. Moreover, if my digging is correct, she hadn’t even lived in Nashville for a whole year before filming this. Regardless, all of the couples were extremely excited to be in this musical and magical city with each other.

Chris Harrison was waiting at their next performance venue and revealed that this time around each couple would be performing two songs, not just one. Before the performances, each couple would get one more date and the option of a fantasy suite, and Jamie was ecstatic, to put it lightly. She truly couldn’t contain her joy at the thought of a fantasy suite with Trevor. Does Jamie remind anyone else of Isla Fisher’s character in “Wedding Crashers”? Because, at least at that moment, Jamie was giving me serious stage 5 clinger vibes.

Anyway, Chris Harrison reminded the couples that it was very important that both people in the couple were on the same page because the most important aspects of this journey were love, commitment, and music. He basically said that if they didn’t see a real and genuine future with their partner after this, then it might be time for them to go. We saw the editors do a hard zoom in on Matt because this comment made him extremely nervous, especially when looking at the other couples around him.

Then, all of the couples went to the Hermitage Hotel, where they would be staying, which apparently is a big deal in Nashville. Matt told Rudi, almost right away when they all got in the suite, that they needed to talk, and it was obvious that he was self-destructing a bit. He was comparing him and Rudi to the other couples, which always ruins the best couples on shows like this. They received their songs and found out that Jamie and Trevor would be singing “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers and “Speechless” by Dan + Shay; Chris and Bri would be singing “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele and “Give Me Love” by Ed Sheeran; and Rudi and Matt had “Saving All My Love For You” by Whitney Houston and “It’s Your Love” by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Rudi explained that although she was excited, it was hard for her to be happy because she could pick up on Matt’s nervous vibes and was extremely worried about their relationship. Rudi felt like she just didn’t know where his head was at.

We then saw Jamie and Trevor practicing their songs and talking about how strong their relationship was. Trevor is apparently moving to Nashville after this is all over, and whether it’s for Jamie or his career, we don’t know.

Chris and Bri were having a conversation about how they couldn’t believe how they fell in love so fast and how they couldn’t wait for their future together. While they were practicing their songs, we saw flashes of Rudi and Matt. Matt was pacing in a hallway somewhere and Rudi was laying on a bed alone, with a pillow covering her face and clearly nervous for what she knew was coming.

Matt finally went to find Rudi to express his feelings, and you could tell how anxious and nervous he was to be having this conversation. He told her how amazing this journey has been with her, and that he truly wouldn’t have been able to go through this process without her. But, after what Chris Harrison said, he couldn’t help but compare them to the other couples because they weren’t in the same place as Chris and Bri or even Jamie and Trevor. He said that singing with her has been the best musical experience of his life, and it was evident that he cared about her, but he was struggling to let his walls down.

Rudi was clearly disappointed and confused, and she said they’re still there for a reason and even if they weren’t at the same place as the other couples, they didn’t continue on just because of their talent. It was obvious that Matt felt pressured, either from production or just from comparison to the other couples, but it was clear that they care deeply for each other. Just because they weren’t there yet, didn’t mean they didn’t care. It also didn’t mean that they couldn't finish out the competition or see where this thing could go just because they’re slower. She started crying and fled to the bathroom.

Matt felt really bad and went to go get her out of the bathroom. He told her that she meant so much to him, he cared about her, and that he didn’t want to upset her. He then started crying and said he just honestly didn’t feel like they were at the place that he felt like they needed to be, even though he did care about her so much. Once he finally said how much he cared about her, she started to be more understanding. They were both so sad and they had come such a long way. Their connection was so real and true, and even though they took themselves out of the competition, it was clear they were happy to have found each other.

When they went in the other room to say goodbye to the other couples, Jamie screamed, and I mean SCREAMED, because her and Rudi were best friends. Honestly, Matt and Rudi handled this all so maturely, and although I am so sad that we didn’t get to see them sing their last songs, I think that leaving may have made them even closer. Their first performance of “Tennessee Whiskey” was playing in the background as we watched them leave the hotel and competition. They were both sad, but it was evident that their journey wouldn’t end there. Rudi said she didn’t know how Matt felt about her until that final conversation, Matt even said he’ll probably question what he did for a while, and they both cried in their limos on their way out. We then saw a little montage of their cute moments mixed in with moments of them crying in their limos home. I was so sad to see them go because they were my favorite couple, and the most talented couple left in the competition, in my opinion.

Jaime and Trevor talk. // Photo Credit: ABC

Next up was the fantasy suite dates. Jamie and Trevor’s date was first and Jamie was very excited, but still slightly hesitant because of her past relationships. She explained to him that she’s been through a lot and has given a lot of people love that didn’t give that love back. Trevor said to her that he’s kind of afraid of love, but she’s worth the risk. I still don’t trust him, but I am happy for them because I love a good love story. They decided they were going to forego their individual rooms and share the fantasy suite together.

Then, it was time for Chris and Bri’s date. Bri was slightly nervous because although they were so solid, she’d been through a lot in past relationships and wanted to make sure the two of them were on the same page. It was so clear that they were so in love. When Bri asked Chris where he saw them after all of this, he told her that she is his future. That is probably one of the most reassuring, beautiful, and meaningful things you can ever say to a person.

Bri then revealed to Chris that she takes intimacy very seriously and that she wasn’t in a rush to get anywhere physically with Chris. She told him she wanted to preserve what they had and Chris basically agreed. They both came to the conclusion that they didn’t want to go to the fantasy suite because they knew they’d be together after this ended, so the fantasy suite didn’t even really matter (see, this was what Peter could’ve done his fantasy suite week, but I digress). Also, I just wanted to point out that the pressure around the fantasy suite dates are so ridiculous, especially considering most couples don’t even have sex in the fantasy suite–they usually just stay up and talk because that’s their only time alone without cameras. And they get to spend about 12 hours straight together, and in the Bachelor world, that’s a lot of time to be alone together. Nonetheless, they chose to go back to their individual rooms and it didn’t really seem to affect them one way or the other.

The next morning, Jamie and Trevor were all lovey-dovey after spending the night together. They both said they could get used to waking up next to each other. Then, in regards to Chris and Bri, the editors really tried to make us think they were falling apart just because they didn’t spend the night together.

In all of the previews leading up to this episode, they really tried to make it look like there was trouble in paradise with Chris and Bri, but as the Bachelor expert that I am, I didn’t believe it for one second. The editors made it look like Chris and Bri’s rehearsal was the day after their date, but it was really the day before. Did they really think we wouldn’t realize that Bri and Chris were wearing the exact same outfits as they were when they arrived in Nashville and said goodbye to Rudi and Matt? Then, they showed clips of Jamie and Trevor in their hotel room being all over each other, and then scenes of Bri and Chris in rehearsals struggling to decide what to do with their songs. This whole part of the episode was just so edited, and frustrating to me because they were clearly trying to manipulate what was actually happening.

The judges for the season finale. //Photo Credit: ABC

Finally, it was time for their last performances. This was definitely their biggest venue and performance yet. The judges for the finale were Kaitlyn Bristowe and Jason Tartick (Bachelor franchise royalty), Taye Diggs, Jewel, and Rita Wilson. Rita said she wanted to see the couples, “Strip naked emotionally, make beautiful musical intercourse, and leave with a song baby.” That was truly one of the greatest things I have ever heard. Rita Wilson, you are a national treasure!

First up, Jamie and Trevor sang “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers. I stand by what I have said every week–Trevor has the most mediocre voice. However, I do think Jamie is very talented and has a sweet pop/country voice. Honestly, I still feel awkward half of the time they’re performing, but I think that’s just the vibe Jamie gives off. Their first performance was pretty good–not amazing and not bad, but pretty good. They stole the dip and kiss move at the end of their performance from Natascha and Ryan’s past performances, but we’ll let them have it since it’s the finale.

Trevor and Jaime in their finale performance. //Photo Credit: ABC

Their next song was “Speechless” by Dan + Shay and I love this song so much, but I think their first performance was better than this one. Trevor barely even sang this song, it was mainly Jamie singing and he sang along with the background singers. To be honest, you could tell they were into each other from their performances, they’re just not the best. The judges enjoyed it, and Rita Wilson said that they’re sweet. Taye Diggs mentioned that while he thought they were adorable, he could tell they were nervous. Kaitlyn, being the Bachelor expert and comedic genius that she is, asked them if they did fantasy suites yet because she thought they either were going there next or just got back from them. Jewel cried and I'm not completely sure why, but overall, all of the judges thoroughly enjoyed Trevor and Jamie’s performances and relationship.

Bri and Chris’ first song was “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele. One word for this performance: WOW. This was one of those performances that just makes the whole room go silent, really pay attention, and zone in. It was so beautiful, genuine, and real. Bri even looked like she was going to cry mid-song because of how in love she was with Chris. I literally had chills the whole time. Jason and Kaitlyn got all mushy and kissed–it was so cute. You could feel Bri and Chris’ love throughout their performance; it was truly magical.

Their next song, “Give Me Love” by Ed Sheeran, did not disappoint. This is also one of my favorite songs and I thought they really did it justice. Their harmonies were so spot-on and beautiful, and they really shared the song well. Their love and connection were so apparent; it just made them light up. The judges loved these two, and Rita said she felt babies happening soon. Taye Diggs got emotional at their performance and said, “I wasn’t crying, you were crying.” He also said he would pay money to see them perform and they should be very proud of themselves, which was a huge compliment. Jewel also thought they were amazing. Jason said the world needs to see them because they have so much to give.

Chris Harrison then revealed that the final decision of who won would be announced in front of the judges and the whole audience. He gave the judges the advice to, “Listen to your heart” before they went off stage to decide who should win. The judges came back with their decision and before announcing the winner, Chris Harrison got a little mushy and basically said how proud he was of everyone for getting this far–both in their relationships and in the competition.

And the winner…Chris and Bri! YAY!

Chris and Bri celebrate their victory. // Photo Credit: ABC

I was so happy for them because they really did deserve it. They showcased what the show was all about––love. They left in a tour bus and handed their final roses to each other on the tour bus. They were so precious and sang their song, “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” one more time. We saw clips of them a few weeks later at a recording studio. They were still together and very much in love.

All in all, this was honestly the perfect show to watch during this crazy time of quarantine. It wasn’t too long and had just the right amount of drama, music, and love. I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have, and remember everyone, listen to your heart!