On Monday night’s key ‘hometown’ episode, Covid-19 style, the three remaining suitors for Katie’s heart all were bringing a little of their geography to Katie whether it be: Canada (Blake Moynes), Baltimore (Justin Glaze) or New Jersey (Greg Grippo). Although Katie did not travel to meet the parents or siblings or friends of the competitors, she did meet them at the resort they were filming this season of The Bachelorette at; with a few exceptions.
Justin’s parents did not make the trip to meet Katie, which upset Justin, so he had two of his buddies there to meet and grill Katie about his relationship with her making for some awkwardness, and Katie thinking it was a bit odd that his parents were not there to meet his “girl”. But, this was also filmed earlier this year during Covid-19, so you could give the parents a pass there. Justin’s friend told him he had to open up to Katie with only two weeks left if he wants to be the last man standing at the end of her journey to find love. Problem is, Justin is always so guarded with using the word “love” and gets scared off. However, as Katie was getting into the limo van after their ‘hometown’, Justin manned up and kinda, sorta, told her he was falling in love with her, which we think would be music to Katie’s ears, but who knows at this point, right?
Photo: ABC
Blake’s hometown featured his mother and sister doing some talking with Blake. He has not told Katie he loves her. Blake’s sister reminds him, that he fell head over heels for Clare, and then Tayshia in last season’s start and re-start of The Bachelorette, so why is Katie the one this time? Blake assures her he has never felt like this for any other woman (didn’t he say that about Clare and Tayshia last time out?), but is getting to the point where he is ‘in love” with Katie. When it was time for their ‘hometown’ to end, Blake still could not get the words out of his mouth to Katie and she got in her limo van and drove away.
The big finale of the two-hour episode was quite an emotional one when it was Greg and Katie’s date and for her to meet his mother, his brother and his friend. As has been talked about throughout the season, Greg’s father passed away and he has been devastated at the loss of the man he loved and admired so much. After an amazing one-on-one date proceeding the family gathering, complete with more faux-rain at the snap of Greg’s fingers to show Katie it rains in New Jersey, not only in her hometown of Seattle, we meet the Grippos.
Photo: ABC
There were so many tears, and mostly from Greg. First, his sisters sent him a videotape which his mom played to him and Katie wishing them well, and being sorry they could not be there. One of his sisters who was pregnant, mentioned to him how proud his dad would be of him. More tears followed.
But here is the issue that plagued Katie. She made this decision to not tell anyone she’s in love with them or falling in love with them, while she is dating other men. That decision cost her, because playing it down the middle, looks like it lost her the man she wanted to be with at the end of her season.
Privately, Katie told Greg’s mother and brother, in separate conversations, that Greg would be one of her finalists, and was going on to the next show and would be around for awhile, to assure them she was not intending to break Greg’s heart. Greg’s brother told Katie that he has not seen his brother this happy since before their father died, and it’s because of her. Later, the family sorta urges Greg to tell Katie he loves her, which he eventually does. He says to Katie that she brought him back to life and fixed the hole that formed in his heart after his father died, adding “Honestly, I haven’t been this vulnerable with anybody in my life.”
However, Greg told his mother that he was really needing, and desperate, to see Katie share more of her feelings about him expressing: “I need her to be fully vulnerable with me and tell me exactly how she’s feeling,” That prompted Greg, alone with Katie, to tell her how much he was falling for her and her response came off ice cold. Greg added, “I don’t know what else to show you at this point, or what else to do, I’m not going to get down on one knee twice. It’s a one-deal thing for me.” He explained its not about getting a rose, or moving on in the show, its about loving her and wanting to be with her.
Courtesy/ABC
Katie struggled to find an appropriate response, and instead smiled at him and replied, “I just love looking at you.” Greg was immediately taken aback and pulled away from her. She kept saying she did not understand what he wanted her to say. Greg said. “I just don’t get it.” Then she replied, “Am I wasting my time? I’m telling you everything, and you still don’t even believe me… I’m losing you, I’m losing my mind here. This whole thing was for nothing if you leave.” But what did she really tell him that he needed to hear? Greg defiant says, “I deserve more than what I’ve been given on your side. I’m not happy here anymore… I’m done here.”
The whole break-up was oft-kilter and seemingly odd, because Katie had told producers during testimonials that she was falling for Greg. Why would she left him walk way? Greg then walks out and goes outside the resort. Katie follows, where you think the two will reconcile, but they still can’t seem to get on the same page, and he leaves.
So how does this episode wind up? Katie telling the producers she’s done and locking herself in her hotel suite bathroom crying on the floor. Co-host Kaitlyn Bristowe is sent in to try to get her to open up the bathroom door and talks Katie through her emotions and the “process”. Katie says that there’s no way to Greg back he is gone and Michael’s gone, so, what’s the point? When Kaitlyn gets inside the door of the bathroom to hug Katie, she asks her what she wants to do next. Katie replies: “I want someone to book my flight home.”
When the credits role we are given a soap-opera style love montage of the history of Katie and Greg’s relationship before we fade to black. So now what? Is Katie going to have ‘fantasy suite’ dates with Blake and Justin as we head to the finale, or should we just stop this madness right here and Katie should call it quits and truly go home?
What did you think of Greg and Katie’s break-up? How do you think Katie’s journey will end? Will Greg be back by the finale somehow, someway? Comment below.
