LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
Bachelorette Clare Crawley breaks 16 hearts after finding her fiancé early on in production
Even if you aren't a regular viewer of ABC's popular reality show The Bachelorette, you might have heard something about how the star, 39-year-old Clare Crawley left the show in the middle of production after falling for one of the contestants — something that has never happened in the show's 18-year history.
Thursday's two-hour episode involved Crawley simultaneously breaking up with 16 men; a surprise proposal; and the introduction of the second Bachelorette, Tayshia Adams.
Crawley and Dale Moss's love story was exceptionally speedy. On Night 1, Crawley gave Moss her first-impression rose, remarking that she sensed a special energy between them and that she felt she had met her husband. On last week's episode, which was just this season's third instalment, a group date essentially became a one-on-one as Crawley and Moss disappeared for extended makeout sessions.
So at the start of this week's episode, host Chris Harrison sits down with Crawley to have a serious talk.
Crawley spills all: Because the season was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, she had time to check out all the contestants on social media. She learned a lot about Moss and instantly connected to him. Then when she met him in person on the first night, their chemistry was immediate.
Later, Harrison shows up to get the details and Crawley tells him she's officially done. She's met the man of her dreams. Slight problem: She still has 16 other boyfriends. Before she and Moss can get engaged, she has to send the rest of them home.
Imagine 16 men who waited for months for the chance to leave their isolated pandemic existences so they can date a woman on television. They arrive at a resort in Palm Springs, Calif.; quarantine; pass coronavirus tests; and then all of a sudden they get to interact with strangers, including one they might fall in love with. Instead, she addresses them as a group to say the contest is over before it's barely begun. The men don't take it well.
Meanwhile, Crawley has a moment of panic about getting engaged so quickly and whether she's putting too much pressure on Moss. But in the end, Crawley gets what she was looking for.
“You made me feel like everything I've ever been through, all the ups and downs in other relationships, it was all worth it because I've got you right now,” she says. “From the moment I stepped out of the limo, I knew this was special. And I know you and I, we both felt it immediately, and there was absolutely no denying it,” Moss says. “I'm not going anywhere, and I want to make you happy each and every day ... Clare, will you marry me?”
They pledge their eternal love for each other, and then it's time to move on, because the show has 16 angry men waiting.
As Harrison stands outside the resort, a limo pulls up. Out walks Adams, 30, a finalist from Colton Underwood's 2019 season of The Bachelor. She's stunning in a dark green sparkly gown. A peaceful transfer of power.