'The Bachelor' Recap: Season 17, Episode 11

On the finale of The Bachelor, Sean’s family meets the final two contestants and Sean gets down on one knee to propose to his future wife.

Still in Thailand, Sean equally sees Catherine and Lindsay as his wife. He worries he will not know who to choose, but he hopes his family will provide clarity to help him make the final decision.

When his parents arrive, his mom’s advice is to not propose if he does not already have a girl in mind.

Catherine is the first to meet his family. She is nervous about making a good first impression.

Sean’s dad, Jay, is immediately taken by her charm, and likes that she was the only girl on an all boy football team in sixth grade. Jay makes her tear up when he admits that if she is chosen, he will be her biggest fan and support her as if she was his own daughter.

His mom, Sherry, questions how she knows she is truly in love. Catherine tells her how their relationship blossomed through silly notes which Sean started to reciprocate by the third week. She reveals she would say ‘yes’ if he proposed because he makes her feel comfortable with herself.
Lindsay appears less nervous to meet his family, and Sean knows they are going to love her. She hopes she can live up to their expectations.

They immediately bring up her wedding dress fiasco, mentioning that she had a lot of nerve to show up the way she did.

Jay asks some of the same questions of her, like how she knows for certain she is in love. Lindsay admits that she just knows because Sean gets her and challenges her like no one else can. He says he and Sherry have been praying for Sean to find a wife, and she may be the answer to their prayers. Upon hearing those words, Lindsay breaks down crying because there is nothing more she wants in life than to be in love the way she is with Sean. Lindsay ends the conversation with a joke when she asks for Sean’s hand in marriage. His dad laughs, and gives her his permission as long as it is what Sean wants.

Lindsay tells his mom that everything clicked with Sean during their second conversation when what they wanted, what they believed in, and their family life all aligned.
On their final date, Sean and Lindsay have a relaxing ride down a river on a raft.

Lindsay can picture growing older with Sean, and it is an overwhelming and scary thought to think she may lose him.

At the end of the date, Lindsay has a surprise for Sean. A tradition in Thailand is if you write a wish on a lantern and send it off into the sky, the wish will supposedly come true. She emerges with three lanterns to represent happiness, love, and family- three key ingredients to make their relationship last forever.

Catherine’s final date with Sean consists of riding around the jungle on an elephant.

Because it is their final night together, she realizes she needs to open up to him about her feelings. However, it is difficult because, in the past, being vulnerable has gotten her in trouble.

As they are about to say their goodbyes, she whispers, “I love you,” but doesn’t get the reaction is hoping for. In fact, Sean doesn’t give her any sort of signal that he wants t spend the rest of his life with her.

A jeweler arrives to help Sean pick out a wedding ring. The one he chooses is symbolic of his feelings that are never going to change.

As the girls prepare for the final rose ceremony, Lindsay is confident in her relationship with Sean, and excited for him to not have to hold back his feelings. On the other hand, Catherine is emotional, confused, and unsure of herself because she is venturing into the unknown.

Lindsay emerges from the car, and she views this as the best day of her life. Her calmness is turning into excitement because she believes she is about to get engaged.

Sean is not on the same page. Although Lindsay has every quality he is looking for in a wife, he cannot give her his heart because it belongs to Catherine. After praying, he had finally gotten the clarity he was seeking, and he had to say goodbye to her. It was the hardest decision he has ever had to make in his life, and the worst part is he still loves her.

Lindsay cuts him off as he tries to explain the fact the break-up has nothing to do with her because she is an incredible woman. She is already in too much pain, and can’t imagine living without him. In a sick and twisted way, she is happy that he found love- even though it is with someone else.

Chris Harrison returns to Sean with a note from Catherine. In it, she tells him she knows they are perfect for each other and is excited to build a family.

As she stands before him, she is shaking as he tells her he hates their goodbyes, and he no longer wants to say those words to her. He proceeds to get down on one knee and propose, and she eagerly accepts. They both teasingly argue over who is the luckier one.

The two ride off into the sunset on an elephant.

Were you surprised at Sean’s choice? How do you think Lindsay handled rejection? Do you think Sean and Catherine’s love will last?

image: ABC