'The Bachelor' Recap

It's time to meet Mommy and Daddy.

Finally, the time has come for Jake Pavelka to meet the parents and visit the four remaining women's hometowns.

First off, Jake goes to New York City to meet Gia. They start the date by taking a boat ride to view the city's skyline. Gia mentions her previous relationships which left her very hurt. Despite this serious moment, they enjoy the rest of the boat ride, goofing around and taking pictures in front of the Statue of Liberty. At dinner, Jake meets Gia's family who is very protective after having seen Gia hurt in the past. Gia has a heart-to-heart with her mother and says, "I just want it to work so bad." After the dinner, Gia takes him to watch and listen to the city from a stoop. Jake asks her, "Have you ever kissed on a stoop?" Gia answers no. They of course both take the initiative to change that.

Next, Jake goes to see Ali in Massachusetts, her childhood hometown. They enjoy the fall scenery, but things get emotional as she takes him to her grandmother's house where she grew up. Her grandmother was very close to her and she would have wanted her to meet him. Jake is very touched and Ali feels that her grandmother is smiling down on them. He then meets her family. Following the dinner, Jake and Ali sit by the fire and she tells him that if he asked her to marry him right now, she would say yes.

Afterwards, busy Jake visits Oregon to see Tenley. She takes him to her old dance studio where she performs a lyrical dance to Pachelbel's "Canon in D major" (ahem... hint hint). Following the dance, Jake meets Tenley's family. After he confirms that Tenley is over her ex-husband from Tenley's mother, he proceeds to ask her father for her hand in marriage, who gives Jake his approval.

Last but not least, Jake makes his stop to Florida to meet Vienna. As they float around the lake laughing and looking at the alligators, Vienna mentions how important her father's opinion is to her. At dinner, Jake meets Vienna's family. The family thinks Vienna's struggle in the house with the girls is no surprise and that she has been a competitive fighter her whole life. Vienna's father then chats with Jake to make sure he would treat her right. Jake assures him he would treat Vienna like royalty.

Finally, all the hometown dates are at an end. Jake returns to the hotel and finds Ali, in tears, at his door. To make a long story short, after an emotional conversation, we find out that Ali has to choose between staying and returning to her job in San Francisco. She says she will let him know at the rose ceremony.

The rose ceremony comes around. The four women anxiously await Jake. Ali suddenly asks to speak to Chris who takes her to Jake. After we wait for her to sob and complain for a really long time, she finally makes up her mind to leave. It is a sad farewell as we see tears in both of their eyes. In the limo, Ali questions her decision asking, "What did I do? How could I have left him?"

On the bright side, back at the hotel there will be no rose ceremony since Ali has left. Jake, Gia, Tenley, and Vienna become excited as they all will travel to the tropical island of St. Lucia. Things are going to heat up!