This week, JoJo is traveling coast-to-coast to visit the families of her final four suitors. Warning: episode may fail to induce laughter and excitement, because that’s hometown dates for you.
CHASE (Highlands Ranch, CO)
Chase greets JoJo in the snowy, mountainous terrain of Colorado. He reminds JoJo that he’s a child of divorce–a divorce so messy that he introduces JoJo to his parents separately.
At Chase’s house, JoJo meets Papa McNary. Chase feels NOW is the opportune moment to ask him why things didn’t work out with his mom, as if he didn’t have time in the last 20 years to bring it up. His dad admits that once he “started climbing the corporate ladder,” he became an absentee husband. JoJo has an aha! moment, finally realizing why Chase has struggled so much with sharing his feelings.
Once alone, Chase and his dad have an intense exchange. Despite his father’s concerns about the other men in the picture, Chase says he’s diving into this one with a “clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose” attitude. YOU GO, CHASE.
That night, JoJo meets Chase’s mom, stepdad, brother-in-law, sister and baby nephew, whom he describes as his “closest family members that mean the most to me.” *Throws shade at Dad*
JoJo and Chase’s mom Sandy bond over “knowing how to have fun.” Chase’s mom is not like a regular mom, she’s a cool mom.
Later, mother and son sit down and get sentimental.
Sandy: “[JoJo] has a great laugh, loves dogs, hates fish, and is fond of you.”
Do you think Chase knew any of that prior to this talk?
Sandy: “You have been the most amazing son, and you deserve the most amazing girl, and she might be here tonight. And crying is NOT our style.”
Yes, Chase IS wiping away a tear with a smile. Robots do have feelings!!
Before sending her off, Chase drops the L bomb to JoJo. JoJo knows he means it because he “never says stuff like that.”
JORDAN (Chico, CA)
Jordan takes JoJo to visit his old high school, where “it all started for him.” More like where he peaked. When they come across a classroom that houses old pictures of Jordan and Aaron, the questions start rolling in.
JoJo: So I know Aaron won’t be here today, but, like, are you sure we can’t talk about him?
JoJo meets Jordan’s mom, dad, Luke (the other brother, who shares Jordan’s love of sporting a quiff) and Luke’s girlfriend. All is fine and dandy until JoJo brings up the CONVENIENTLY EMPTY seats across from her and Jordan. We’re on to you, producers.
JoJo: “I know they all probably wish Aaron was sitting in one of them.” –> I really wish Aaron was sitting in one of them.
In private, JoJo asks Luke about Aaron’s estrangement from the family, to which he, like Jordan, replies that it’s not something they like to talk about. Make like Elsa and let it go.
Luke says he can read Jordan really well, and his ESP tells him that Jordan really likes and cares for JoJo.
JoJo: “I know who Jordan is, and I know who he is to me. He is nobody’s brother. He is a man that I’m falling in love with.” –> Aaron’s absence means NOTHING to me!!! It’s fine, I’m fine.
Jordan tells his mama he professed his love for JoJo, and she starts talking about Jordan’s “destiny” like it’s written in the stars.
After saying goodbye to the family, JoJo admits she’s still worried that Jordan will dish her a déjà vu ending à la Ben.
ROBBY (St. Augustine, FL)
JoJo joins her third boyfriend, King of the Swamp People, for a carriage ride through St. Augustine. They discuss Robby’s past relationship again, which, given how recently it ended, JoJo wants to make sure is dead and gone.
The two head to Jacksonville to meet Robby’s family, whose vivacious spirit might have just jolted this episode out of epic boredom.
JoJo voices her concerns about Robby’s recent breakup to Robby’s mom. She fears that if they end up together, Robby will later regret not taking time to be single. Mama Hayes says if Robby sees a future with JoJo, he’s in it for the long haul. JoJo then tells her she’s falling in love with Robby. *GASP*
Not so fast, happy ending. Robby’s mom tells her son that his ex’s roommate (seriously, are you four?) is spreading rumors about Robby breaking up with his ex so Robby could go on the show. Robby starts to panic, since he just told JoJo his past was in the past. He decides to tell her about the rumors immediately, but this doesn’t assuage JoJo’s trust issues any less. JoJo demands honesty from Robby, but he continues to stand by his feelings and ask that she trust him.
LUKE (Burnet, TX)
JoJo completes the hometown circuit in her home state of Texas to meet Luke’s family. What JoJo doesn’t expect is Luke’s family and 50 of Luke’s dearest friends (the entire population of Burnet, probably) awaiting their arrival. Unsurprisingly, JoJo has no trouble fitting right in with Luke’s squad.
After JoJo indulges in a classic Texas barbecue with Luke’s family, Luke pulls her away for some alone time in a hay bale couch, made by the romantic himself (we think).
Luke says everything JoJo wants to hear EXCEPT that he’s falling in love with her. Only instead of telling her, he shows her with a grand gesture–a heart made of flower petals. Luke tells JoJo his heart is hers and they kiss, with that damn Dan + Shay song from their first one-on-one date playing in the background.
As you can see, I once again don’t have much to say about JoJo and Luke because the two together are effortless perfection.
ROSE CEREMONY
This week’s rose ceremony takes place in an airport hangar, with a plane ready to whisk away JoJo and her top three to paradise while a jilted lover stands alone to wallow in his misery.
JoJo steps out out of the limo looking regal AF in a royal blue dress, a fact I start to ignore once she tearfully tells the producers she thinks she needs to say goodbye to Luke. Excuse me, YOUR DATE WAS PERFECT!!! LUKE IS PERFECT (minus his forehead wrinkles)!!! Don’t be stupid.
Sometimes I forget that the producers will throw you for a loop right when you least expect it. Just before JoJo hands out the first rose, Luke asks to speak with her. He tells her he’s in love with her, and she thanks him for telling her.
JoJo has been waiting for Luke to say this the whole time, and now that he has, she thinks it could change everything. We leave JoJo breaking down on the tarmac, torn about what to do. Thanks for blue-balling us again, ABC. Until next week…
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