Hold onto your roses, folks, because The Golden Bachelor Season 2 is heating up faster than a reality TV romance! With Hometown Week just around the corner, the stakes are higher than ever, and tonight’s episode delivered some jaw-dropping moments that left us all wondering: who’s in, who’s out, and who’s packing their bags before the rose ceremony even begins? But here’s where it gets controversial: as Mel Owens narrows down his choices, the lines between genuine connection and ulterior motives are blurring—and not everyone is here for the right reasons. Let’s dive into the drama, the self-eliminations, and the lucky few headed to meet the families.
While it feels like Season 2 just kicked off, Mel has already said goodbye to three more women this week, officially handing out his three Hometown Week roses. That’s right—we’re barreling toward the endgame, with Fantasy Suite Week, a Women Tell All special, and the finale looming on the horizon. So, who made the cut, who got the boot, and who decided to bow out gracefully? We’ve got all the details.
Tonight’s episode kicked off with Mel’s final group date at Butterfly Mountain, a spiritual retreat aimed at shedding negativity and fostering alignment. Joining him were Peg, Debbie, Cheryl, Nicole, and Carol, who dove into mud baths, ice plunges, and tantric yoga. Mel managed to steal one-on-one moments with each woman, but two contestants stood out—and not in a good way. And this is the part most people miss: while the activities were meant to cleanse, some of the women brought baggage that even mud baths couldn’t wash away.
First up, Nicolle. After weeks of PDA, influencer aspirations, and questionable lemon bar claims, she finally showed her true colors. When Mel asked about her five-year plan, she skipped the romance and went straight to business: monetizing her Instagram and writing a plant-based cookbook. Mel’s reaction? ‘There’s a few things in the conversation that gave me pause…This could have been what Robin talked about.’ Ouch. Despite the red flags, he brushed her concerns aside—until he didn’t. Nicolle was sent packing, but not before she stirred the pot one last time, hinting at a potential Golden Bachelorette run. Bold prediction: ABC, please keep her far away from that role. Let’s keep this show wholesome, shall we?
The second source of tension? Carol. Realizing her connection with Mel lagged behind the others, she made the tough call to self-eliminate. While I adored her genuine, sweet nature, I respected her decision to leave on her own terms. At this point, Cindy and Debbie felt like shoo-ins for roses, Nicolle’s charm had worn off, and the final rose came down to Peg or Cheryl.
Speaking of Cindy, her one-on-one date with Mel was straight out of a fairy tale. A horseback ride to Griffith Observatory, heartfelt conversations about her divorce and daughters, and a star named in her honor? Swoon. Cindy’s declaration that Mel is ‘the sun, the moon, and the stars all wrapped into one’ sealed her spot in Hometown Week.
As the rose ceremony approached, Mel ‘prayed on it’ and made his toughest decisions yet. Carol had already left, but Cheryl and Nicolle were also sent home. Nicolle, ever the provocateur, quipped on her way out, ‘When it doesn’t work out with the one you pick, cause it probably won’t, you call me.’ Thought-provoking question: Is Nicolle’s confidence refreshing or off-putting? Sound off in the comments!
So, who’s headed to Hometown Week? Mel’s Top Three are:
- Cindy Angelcyk Cullers: A 60-year-old retired biomedical engineer from Austin, Texas, whose chemistry with Mel is undeniable.
- Debbie Siebers: A 65-year-old fitness professional from Denver, Colorado, who’s proven she’s in this for the long haul.
- Peg Munson: A 62-year-old from Las Vegas, Nevada, whose connection with Mel has steadily grown.
Controversial interpretation: While Cindy and Debbie seem like obvious choices, Peg’s inclusion raises questions. Does she have the same depth of connection as the others? Or is Mel playing it safe? Let’s discuss!
Next week, we’ll see how Mel fares with the families. Will they welcome him with open arms, or will they be as skeptical as Bachelor Nation was at the start of Season 2? Stay tuned for more drama, romance, and rose-filled revelations. New episodes of The Golden Bachelor Season 2 air Wednesdays on ABC, with next-day streaming on Hulu. Don’t miss it!
