[SPOILER] Totally Won The ‘Bachelorette’ Hometowns Episode
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Buckle up, folks. This week was a *very* pivotal one for Bachelorette Charity Lawson.
After a few weeks of a rather expedited dating process, Charity headed to her remaining suitors' hometowns.
This episode was particularly exciting event because the "hometown episode" marks the moment when Charity was sent home during Zach Shallcross'season of The Bachelor. So, she already knew it was a make-or-break moment for the contestants, and boy, did she take it seriously!
In case you need a quick refresher: the set-up is pretty simple, and generally involves some up-close-and-personal dates with the contestants and a mom or two. The Bachelorette gets to see where her men grew up, and meets some of their family members. Charity seemed to totally charm all of the remaining contestants' families.
Unfortunately, for most of them, that will be the last they see of this season's Bachelorette.
If you couldn't tune in last night, don't sweat it. Women's Health has all the deets on Charity's upcoming Hometowns episode and what's in store for the remaining contestants. Everybody say, "Thank you, Reality Steve."
Warning: spoilers ahead!
The final four got hometown dates with Charity.
Xavier Bonner, Aaron Bryant, Dotun Olubeko, and Joey Graziadei all had hometown dates last night.
They look pretty serious in this IG post.
Charity also traveled all across the United States to meet her men for their dates, including pit stops in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and California.
Aaron Bryant
First up on Charity's trip around the States was in Houston, Texas. While Aaron is currently a software salesman in San Diego, California, he took Charity on her third, and final, date in his home state of Texas.
Sadly, Aaron's super charming family wasn't enough to win Charity over. Throughout her trip to the Lone Star State, Charity was giving big break up energy. She sent Aaron home last night.
Even though he wasn't given a rose during the final rose ceremony, this won't be the last Bachelor Nation sees of this contestant. In addition to being a total shoo-in for Bachelor in Paradise, he will apparently make an unexpected appearance in Fiji. Stay tuned.
Xavier Bonner
Next up, Charity travels to the great land of Cleveland, Ohio to visit Xavier's family. The date was originally filmed on April 11, per Reality Steve. Although Xavier's parents are totally charming, and have been married for over thirty years, Charity can't seem to shake the feeling that Xavier reminds her of an ex. Hey, when you know, you know.
Still, Charity chose to keep Xavier around a little while longer, and he does, in fact score a rose during the ceremony.
FYI: The rose ceremony takes place on an airplane hangar—which is pretty typical for the hometowns episode, but feels oddly Top Gun: Maverick-esque!
Joey Graziadei
Next up is Joey, whose hometown date was originally filmed on April 13, Reality Steve says.
Joey won big last week in the one-on-one date department, so I suppose it was only a matter of time before he lost some points with Charity. What goes up must come down, as they say.
Listen, it wasn't all bad. Joey introduced Charity to his sisters, Carly and Ellie (yeah, if you couldn't tell, Joey is a "I have sisters"-type of guy). He also got to show off his tennis pro skills a bit when he took Charity to play a game with him.
Still, Joey's Uncle Joe may have totally blown his chances at getting engaged this season. At one point, he tells Charity that he doesn't feel Joey is being his "full self" around her.
This moment kind of defines the entire episode, IMO. It also leaves Joey and Charity in a pretty rocky place. Still, he receives a rose and will move on to overnights next week.
Dotun Olubeko
Dotun, my personal favorite, and his family definitely won this episode. First, his parents return spontaneously from their trip to Nigeria to meet Charity. Do you know how long that flight is? Over 17 hours!
Still, Dotun's mom was happy, energetic, and didn't look the least bit jet lagged. She gave off a uniquely kind mother-in-law energy, and even brought Charity gifts. It doesn't look like this season's Bachelorette is not going to fumble this perfect in-law set up, either. She totally hit it off with Dotun's fam.
Dotun was somehow able to top his family's charm by taking Charity to a drive-in movie theater, which coincidentally is something Charity knows her parents did while dating. These two are simply a match made in heaven. I can't wait for the proposal.
The hometown dates were filmed in multiple locations.
While it just aired last night, this episode was recorded over the span of a week in April 2023, according to Reality Steve. Xavier Bonner's hometown portion kicked off on Tuesday, April 11, with Joey following on Thursday, April 13, Aaron on Saturday, April 15, and Dotun on Monday, April 17.
Here's where all the hometown dates took place:
Xavier’s date was filmed in Ohio on April 11.
Joey’s date was filmed in Pennsylvania on April 13.
Aaron’s date was filmed in Texas on April 15.
Dotun’s date was filmed in California on April 17.
It's unclear why Xavier and Aaron's dates were swapped during the episode, but I'd guess it was due to Aaron getting sent home.
Who goes home after hometowns?
Sadly, with every new episode of the Bachelorette, there's at least one goodbye.
This time, Aaron B. is sent packing. While Charity's visit to Texas seemed to go as well as it could've gone, it didn't seem like enough to reignite the spark between her and Aaron.
However, Steve says this won't be the last time Bachelor Nation sees this contestant. Apparently, he's going to come back during the overnight episodes to try to win Charity back. Still, it seems it doesn't go in his favor.
"I think it's safe to say Aaron did not win," Steve said on a podcast episode. "In fact, I will say it: Aaron didn't win."
Who does Charity end up with?
Dotun, Joey, and Xavier all had somewhat successful hometown dates, but only one will end up actually proposing to Charity.
Major spoiler: Dotun ends up winning the whole season, and is currently engaged to Charity, per Reality Steve.
Since the next Bachelor hasn't been announced yet, it's probably safe to assume he's one of Charity's runner-ups. Perhaps Uncle Joe will approve of Joey being the next Bachelor? Or will Xavier get a second chance at love?
When does the hometown episode air?
The hometown episode aired last night, July 31, 2023 at 8 p.m. ET.
You can catch up on all the Bachelorette episodes you missed on Hulu.
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