As the latest iteration of The Golden Bachelor is coming to a close, Bachelor Nation is waiting with bated breath to see whom this season’s lead, Mel Owens, might select as his future bride. That is if he does even propose. In anticipation of the upcoming finale, host Jesse Palmer has alluded to an unpredictable showdown, openly teasing a potentially shocking end.
“The final hours in Antigua are so full of twists and turns that nobody saw coming — including Mel,” the former contestant told Entertainment Weekly. “He will be faced with an incredibly difficult decision, and he is going to do things his way.” With a decision between Peg Munson and Cindy Cullers —or even to propose at all— Owens is determined to end his journey as the titular lead on his own terms rather than by the franchise playbook. While many in Bachelor Nation love the potential of Owens ending his journey on his own, it is equally gripping as him getting down on one knee.
Mel Owens Will End His ‘The Golden Bachelor’ Journey On His Terms
In the follow-up to Gerry Turner’s tenure in 2023, lawyer and retired NFL linebacker Owens has put his heart on the line, hoping for a second chance at love. With 23 contestants hoping to woo Owens, the Laguna Hills native whittled down the potential bachelorettes to two. Since the original series debuted in 2002, the show has always had a “proposal-or-bust” formula. Along the way, there have been ends when no proposals have been made, and Owens’ season may be one of those. With Palmer alluding to “twists and turns” that even the Golden Bachelor did see coming, it’s clear that there will be a big escalation from the usual “dramatic finale” tease attached to most seasons of the franchise. So, what will these twists and turns be?
In the early days of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, it was expected that the season would end with a happy ending. It was formulaic and necessary for the tropes of reality television. But as the show has evolved, the expectation has fallen to the back burner in favor of a genuine ending. Mel is going to do things his way, and if that means leaving Antigua alone, that’s what’s best for his journey. Bachelor Nation should respect his decision. By straying from the norms — and potentially preventing a painful breakup off-screen — the show minimizes real-world heartbreak instead of celebrating a viral moment just to uphold a reality TV precedent. But how he gets there will keep viewers engaged. Perhaps the unexpected twists are how Owens reaches his ultimate decision —surprising even himself —while straying from a neatly planned result, which is why the franchise is one of the longest-running on television.
‘The Golden Bachelor’ Deserves a Genuine Ending, Not a Guaranteed Proposal
Many of us couch quarterbacks watch the show and think it’s unfathomable for the leads to feel a flurry of feelings, but we’ve never been in their position. So, as Palmer reveals that Owens is “truly conflicted” and developed “feelings for both women,” it shouldn’t be shocking that he was sacked by emotions. If there is emotional turmoil on screen, it’s not just edited for drama’s sake; it’s legitimate indecision. The love triangle is bigger than ever, thanks to Owens’ unresolved feelings.
During his chat, Palmer alluded to many intriguing moments that will leave fans gasping for air, including Owens and Cullers’ uncomfortable conversation about their future. Things became awkward when Owens was unable to provide concrete answers about their next steps. As Palmer shared, Cullers was “hoping for reassurance” but ultimately “didn’t get any.” To us, Cullers may feel like a frontrunner, but Munson is still top of mind. With doubt in her mind, could Cullers make Owens’ decision for him and cut the cord? It’s certainly a viable option.
So, how does Munson play into the finale decision? She may be a casualty of love, in the sense that, if Cullers is “the one,” despite Owens’ inability to assure her, if Cullers leaves him on the beach, and he’s not truly prepared to move forward with Munson, all signs could point to no one in the end. This isn’t the happy ending you’d expect on The Golden Bachelor, but it’s one that reflects reality. Finale night will give us one of the following: a non-proposal, a late pivot, or an unconventional commitment. Regardless of how the journey concludes, Owens’ season was one for the Hall of Fame.
The Golden Bachelor airs Wednesday at 8:00pm on ABC. All episodes are available to stream on Hulu.
