The Golden Bachelorette finale: Who are the top 2?

The Golden Bachelorette has reached its climactic finale, with the suspense peaking in episode 7, released on Wednesday, October 30, at 8 pm PT/ET on ABC.

Titled The Finale, Part 1, this episode sees 61-year-old Joan Vassos confronting the intense reality of choosing between her last two suitors, after an emotional journey that brought her from an initial pool of 24 contenders to her final two.

In a surprising turn of events, Pascal, who had become a frontrunner, made the difficult decision to step away, expressing that he could not move forward in the relationship.

This unexpected self-elimination left Joan with her final two: Chock and Guy. In this episode, the three suitors join Joan in Tahiti for Fantasy Suite week as she inches closer to a potential engagement.

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The Golden Bachelorette: Fantasy Suite week

During Fantasy Suite week, a hallmark of The Golden Bachelorette format, Joan was provided with her first opportunity for private time with each of the remaining men, free of cameras.

These moments offered her the chance to understand each suitor on a more personal level and to assess her own feelings in depth. Yet, the decision to spend time alone with these men also brought with it some personal boundaries.

“I’ve put a lot of thought into the Fantasy Suites,” she shared with Guy, one of the final three suitors.

“We can talk, and we can discuss intimate things, but when it comes to the physical part of that, I'm not going to do that with three different people. I’m not going to do it with anyone right now.”

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The Golden Bachelorette: The final 3

Joan entered her Fantasy Suite dates with three men: Frenchman Pascal, 69, Chock, 60, and Guy, 66. Each brought a unique connection and set of experiences to the table.

Guy

Guy’s time with Joan included a memorable snorkelling date in Tahiti’s sparkling waters. Reflecting on their day, Joan called it “one of the best days I can think of.”

The pair’s chemistry was evident, and Guy was eager to move forward in their relationship. His enthusiasm and readiness for a deeper commitment were apparent, though Joan had yet to settle fully into her feelings for him.

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Chock

Chock’s date was action-packed as the two took an exhilarating ATV ride around the island. Joan described him as making her feel “safe and sexy.”

Chock - The Golden Bachelorette (image via ABC)

Chock, ever confident and hopeful, toasted “to our future” over a glass of champagne as they entered their Fantasy Suite, clearly envisioning a life together with Joan.

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Pascal

Pascal’s date stood out for its traditional Tahitian bonding ceremony, a custom meant to symbolize unity. Although he was initially open to the experience, he later confided in The Golden Bachelorette host Jesse Palmer that his walls were still up due to a recent breakup.

Ultimately, during dinner, Pascal told Joan he couldn’t move forward in their relationship, choosing to leave the show despite their connection.

“I care about you as a friend,” he told her, “but I’m not in love.” This moment marked a challenging turning point for Joan as she processed the end of their journey.

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Episode 7 highlights

This episode saw Joan at her most vulnerable, especially following Pascal’s departure. Joan opened up about her struggles with loss and vulnerability, feeling the intense challenge of opening her heart again. Reflecting on her experience, she admitted,

“It’s hard to be vulnerable again once you’ve been hurt, so, like, the walls are up again, and I feel like a failure.”

As The Golden Bachelorette nears its end, these final two suitors leave viewers wondering whom Joan will ultimately choose, if anyone.

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Interested viewers can catch The Golden Bachelorette at 8 pm ET on ABC or stream it the next day on Hulu.