Welcome to week 7 of A Local Rose, a fairly chaotic column recapping the 20th season of The Bachelorette. We are following Carrboro resident Xavier Bonner as he looks for love with The Bachelorette, Charity Lawson. Buckle up friends, because week 7 means we’ve made it to overnight dates, where should she choose to, Charity will spend a full day + night with each of her final three suitors – Xavier, Dotun, and Joey. These dates are a big deal because it’s the first time the cameras won’t be rolling during a date.
Sidebar before we start – I’m so glad they swapped The Bachelorette with “Claim to Fame” so I don’t have to watch the most confusing 8 minutes of reality TV I’ve ever seen (and that’s saying something) while I wait to watch Charity search for love.
One more thing before we start – because of the nature of this episode and where we are in the season, this article won’t feature any rankings, nor will it include X Marks the Spot, because frankly, they are in Fiji and we are in Chapel Hill.
In a conversation with host Jesse Palmer, who is more than Kenough with his pink shirt and perfect teeth, Charity shares the concerns she wants to clear up with each of the guys at this point in their relationship. As we’re all aware, there is an emotional wall up between her and Xavier, Joey’s uncle has put some confusion in her mind about him, and maybe Dotun is too good to be true. (Charity, girl, that last one is made up and we all know it.) Hopefully ‘Charity finds Clarity’ during her Fantasy Suites!
Charity’s day with Xavier kicks off with such a special and unique experience. Together, they go through a traditional Fiji wedding ceremony on one of Fiji’s private islands and look absolutely gorgeous while doing so. What a beautiful glimpse into how love is celebrated in such a beautiful place. They seem to be clicking even more now that they’ve had some extended alone time.
Unfortunately, the celebration of love comes to a screeching halt during Charity and Xavier’s dinner. In an effort to be honest and open with Charity, Xavier shares that he was what can only be described as ‘excessively unfaithful’ in his last relationship, a confession that completely derails their date. There’s a lot of back and forth between them, including Xavier’s inability to tell Charity he wouldn’t cheat again, but ultimately the issue between Xavier and Charity remains the same as it’s always been – he’s not ready for any of this.
Maybe Xavier didn’t expect to make it as far as he did, or he realized he wasn’t in the same place as some of the other men after hearing how intensely they feel for Charity, but either way he is putting on a master class in self-sabotage. After he made it so easy to root for him all season, this is a big blow to #TeamXavier.
As someone who has watched a lot of reality TV, I’ve learned that it brings out a side of people they themselves may not recognize, and while the tweets were hilarious, I’m not going to judge someone for their worst moment in front of the cameras. Xavier’s final moments on The Bachelorette were difficult to watch (The Men Tell All will be worse) but I’m not writing him off as a bad person. They call this a “journey” because you aren’t really sure where it’s going to take you, and in the case of Xavier, it took him on a path to the realization that he really needs to grow up.
With the sharp turn their date took, Charity and Xavier’s time together has come to an end. The silver lining of this whole debacle is that we get to watch Charity step even more firmly into her power and confirm what we’ve known all along – she deserves a man who is nothing but sure about her.
Charity could not be more ready to get to her date with Joey. She’s not only coming off a rough night with Xavier, but her hometown date with Joey ended on an uncomfortable note and they need to clear things up together – and that they did. Not only did they spend the day together exploring and kissing under waterfalls, but their dinner really proved that they see the best in one another. When asked about the situation with Uncle Joe, Joey explained that sometimes people fall in love with the “idea of him” (weird way to say you’re perfect on paper, Joey) and that he doesn’t meet their expectations when that happens. As someone who seems to hold herself to a higher standard, Charity clearly understands what this means to a people-pleaser.
Charity shared with Joey that she is in love with him, and their date continued to the Fantasy Suite. Seeing them wake up together, not wanting to say goodbye just reminds me that Dotun is still very much in the picture and Charity does not have an easy choice ahead.
Speaking of Dotun, he and Charity seem like they haven’t seen each other in months when they each arrive on their date. They have a day of fun in the Fiji sun planned, including jet-skiing and lunch on a sandbar in the middle of the ocean. My favorite part of their day together is that this might be the first time we’ve seen Charity let down her hair – literally – and be completely comfortable looking less than perfect. Ever since their early connection over their childhoods, continuing into the way Dotun’s family treated Charity, she and Dotun bring out a really special authenticity in one another – even in front of the cameras.
A quick highlight of their time together – Dotun didn’t even know The Bachelor/Bachelorette typically ends in an engagement! If this man ever does one of those Buzzfeed interviews with puppies, I may actually faint.
Speaking of the cameras, it’s time once again to say goodbye to them because Dotun and Charity are heading to the Fantasy Suite. Again, I have no idea how Charity is going to choose between her final two.
“Not so fast, Ali” – you, reminding me that Aaron showed up in Fiji.
Yep, Aaron takes a ten-hour flight from California to Fiji, with all the time in the world to think about what he’s going to say, only to show up and tell Charity he likes her ‘fit. Also, I really hope they gave a huge bonus to whatever producer made him ask the front desk what room Charity is in. Hilarity of his arrival aside, Aaron is back and wants another chance. Conveniently, there is a spot available in Charity’s top three due to Xavier’s departure, but if I had to guess what her decision will be, Charity seems like the type to make a choice and stick to it. I don’t see her going back on her decision to send Aaron home. Hopefully he at least gets to stay a night or two in Fiji.
We won’t find out for two more weeks though, because next Monday we will be treated to “The Men Tell All.” If you haven’t experienced this reunion before, go ahead and figure out what anxiety-reducing activity (other than knitting) you will do during the show. These episodes are traditionally a disaster where everyone is fighting for screen time and an invite to Bachelor in Paradise. There are a few who will be on their best behavior because they’re auditioning to be the next Bachelor, but the ones who know their 15 minutes are almost up will be putting on a show. The only men I trust to behave are Tanner and Gerry, the Golden Bachelor, when he stops by.
Finally, on August 21st, we’ll get to see who Charity chooses to be her future husband in the finale of The Bachelorette. This is rumored to be a three-hour event, including a two-hour finale plus “After The Final Rose,” where Jesse Palmer will chat with the runner up, as well as Charity and her (hopefully) new fiance. Even though we started this column because of Xavier and he’s been eliminated, I’m going to finish out the season with all of you, because we’re on this journey together and I really want the chance to talk about Cowboy Caleb one more time.
One last thing – If you guys see shirts that say “This isn’t Build a Man workshop” will you send them my way? Anyways, see you next week for The Men Tell All!
Ali Evans is a three-decade Chapel Hill resident currently living in Mebane with her husband Brian, dogs Cameron & Macaroni, and cats Brooke & Dexter. Ali is a Marketing professional in Durham, and a reluctant reality TV expert. She currently serves as President of Leadership Chapel Hill-Carrboro through The Chamber For a Greater Chapel Hill Carrboro. Ali loves all things local – food, drinks, people and places and is a really big fan of trains. You can find Ali on twitter @helloalievans, or get in touch via email – helloalievans@gmail.com.
