First up: Baltimore with Eric. Wasn't sure how this would go since he told Rachel he didn't get love from his mother. And because Eric hasn't brought a girl home since the damn prom. But his mom was there, along with a ton of other family members. They were excited and happy to meet Rachel, and she felt the same about them. There was even some dancing. LOVE. Rachel talks to Eric's aunt about being the black bachelorette, surmising that love has no color (preach!), and explains to his mother that he challenges her and she likes that. She's IN. Eric tells her he's falling in love with her, and then oddly has to explain what that means (he cares about her, duh). But Rachel chalks it up to a good first hometown.
Next: Bienvenidos a Miami with Bryan. Who, as we recall, ended his last relationship because there was tension with his mother. Rachel is understandably apprehensive about meeting his mother Olga. After playing dominoes with the locals and sampling typical Miami fare (as well as salsa - the dance, not the dip), it's time to meet the Madre. And she's tough - complete with closed captioning to break down the thick accent. She tears up toasting her only child - the "most precious thing I have in my life" (oof) and pulls Bryan aside to show her skepticism for this whole experience. He has dated SO MANY WOMEN and can meet SO MANY MORE - why this one?? Bryan says he thinks - no, he knows - that Rachel is the one. Olga reminds him that no matter what happens in marriage, blood is blood - mother is mother. Alrighty then. Rachel learns that the previous gf wanted Bryan all to herself and didn't want to share him with his mother. So when she talks to Olga she makes sure to mention that she is excited about marrying his family too. Olga is happy enough with this response, but threatens to kill Rachel if she hurts Bryan. Rachel laughs but I don't think she's kidding...#cuepsychomusic
Bryan tells Rachel he's in love and we have another successful hometown date in the books.
Third trip: Madison, WI to see Peter. Rachel is thrilled but wary - is he going to be ready to propose in 3 weeks? She didn't come all this way for a boyfriend, guys. Girl needs a husband. Come on, gap tooth. Man up. After a tour of Madison, Peter introduces her to some of his racially diverse friends. And admits to his boys that he is terrified about the idea of proposing in three weeks. Hmmm. (Props to his buddy for telling him not to eff it up.) Rachel loves seeing him with his family - especially his niece - but his mom doesn't calm her fears by saying although Peter is ready for commitment, he's not necessarily ready for marriage. Peter doesn't help matters by refusing to say he's falling in love with her. He's "happy," which is all she's going to get at this point.
Finally: the Most Dramatic Hometown of All, Aspen with Dean. We know Dean doesn't really want to do this - he hasn't talked to his father in years and they have been estranged ever since his mother died over 10 years ago. But producers convince him to suck it up buttercup, and here we are. After riding ATVs, Dean confesses to Rachel how terrified he is. She asks if he tried to communicate with his father, and he comes back with "is it MY job to maintain a relationship with my dad??" (A feeling I have possibly shared personally about my father, but bygones.) The most important thing we learn before meeting the family: Dean's father converted to Kundalini Yogi Sikh and now goes by a self-given name of Paramroop Singh Khalsa ("divinely beautiful.") He's married to a woman also in the Sikh faith who goes by Santantar, and Dean has only met her twice. Holy crap this is going to be good.
Rachel and Dean head into Paramroop's home and join everyone on the floor. Dad wants to play the gong for the group, and asks everyone to lie with their heads pointed towards the gong. Rachel is such a good sport - she's digging the energy, man. (Whereas Dean looks like he might vomit.) Paramroop (I just like writing it at this point) gives feathers to Rachel and Dean as a symbol of his late wife and even tears up talking about the "most amazing woman he's ever met" (aside from his new wife, seated right next to him). A healthy dinner centered around the mung bean is next, but too bad Dean ate beforehand. (?) Dad and son have a chat, but it doesn't go well. Dad messes up by saying he must be a great dad because look at his son! They end up yelling at each other and Dean accuses Paramroop of not being there emotionally (albeit financially) after his mother died. Paramroop says he was angry at his late wife for dying and did the best he could. He wishes Dean well and leaves the house. Rachel tries to talk to P (whose positive chakras have since departed), and he basically tells Rachel she is welcome to come back, but for now, he's out. Dean tells her he's falling in love with her, and she says she's falling, too! #mungbeanpower
In Dallas (!) for the rose ceremony, Rachel is hit with the severity of the night. She doesn't know who she's going to send home. But somehow figures it out - bye, Dean! He questions her saying she was falling for him, but she says she meant it. I feel like he blames his father for this, which won't help the family dynamic any time soon...
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