Indecent proposal

Nick Viall finally proposes in The Bachelor finale

After spending four long seasons attempting to find love on reality television — all while having his true intentions called into question time after time by television viewers — this year’s Bachelor Nick Viall proposed to the trilingual Canadian teacher, Vanessa Grimaldi, over southern belle Raven Gates in Monday night’s Bachelor finale.

Viall previously had his “heart broken” by Bachelorettes Andi Dorfman and Kaitlyn Bristowe, after which he attempted to “find love” on the spinoff series Bachelor in Paradise — a true last ditch effort for Bachelor and Bachelorette castoffs. But if there was anything that could be said about Viall, it was that he was ceaselessly entertaining, particularly after making it clear he is a regular partaker in the fantasy suite, where contestants can have some “alone time” together.

Despite his reputation, Viall turned in a rather dull performance at the head of the table on this season’s Bachelor, narrowing the competition down to one woman who was overeager, and another who was perhaps not eager enough.

In selecting Grimaldi, Viall chose the one person who seemed to be the most obviously wrong choice, as the two could not agree on relocating to either Montreal (Grimaldi’s hometown) or Los Angeles (where Viall currently lives). Nearly every moment spent between them seemed fraught, from the moment Viall kissed Grimaldi after she vomited on their first date, to when he revealed he had been aggressively “fighting” his feelings for her during his proposal. Leading up to the finale itself, when, in her confessionals, Grimaldi sounded as if a rejection would have been a relief. This led many a Bachelor fan to wonder if anyone would even accept Viall’s proposal at the end of the night.

The couple looked visibly grim during the show’s finale, something Twitter had no problem calling out. But when they made their first appearance together on Monday night’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, the two played and passed The Newly Engaged Game with flying colours, even after Grimaldi suggested that Kimmel probably knows Nick better than she does. After four long years of his attempts at love on reality television, we all probably do.

When asked the big question by Kimmel, where they plan to live, Viall answered, “We have to figure that stuff out. She’s going to be spending as much time with me as possible out in L.A. where I am currently living.” After all, how would Viall continue to pursue his reality TV career without living in L.A., where he will be seen next on the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars.

What a way to start a marriage. Here are four statements the couple made about the current status of their relationship: “We are taking baby steps.” “We have a long way to go.” “We’re being realistic.” “We’re taking things very, very slow.”

And they say romance is dead. Unsurprisingly, the two have delayed wedding plans and have yet to set a date.

The Bachelor finale mercifully concluded with an appearance from Rachel Lindsay, the new Bachelorette and perhaps the one woman in Viall’s season who actually seemed to be the right fit for him — until he eliminated her before the finale. Then again, when you think you’ve found love twice before only to be rejected, maybe it’s better to change things up.

As for Lindsay, as the first Bachelorette of colour, she will be looking for love in a sea of subpar bachelors this May. Let’s just hope Viall doesn’t make yet another “surprise” appearance.

Nick Viall