ABCThe Bachelorette says every finale is "the most dramatic season finale ever," but Monday night's episode might have actually lived up to its tagline.
During The Bachelorette Finale, Part I, Desiree Hartsock was heartbroken when Brooks Forrester essentially friend zoned her on Barbuda. Poor Des sobbed, telling Brooks he was "the only one" of her remaining suitors she could say "I love you" to.
Brooks cried as well, calling this "the hardest day of my life." But as he told Chris Harrison, he just didn't feel Des was "the love of my life." (The cynical hearts among us might think he was hoping a dramatic exit would bolster his chancer at being the next Bachelor, but let's give him the benefit of the doubt.)
Well, peace out, Brooks, but Drew Kenney and Chris Siegfried are still in the running to be Desiree's one and only. And while she did have the strongest feelings for Brooks, these two have their own merits.
Neither one of is Brooks, but let's take a look at how Drew and Chris compare.
Most Importantly, How Does Des Feel About Each Guy? Des describes Drew as "passionate and romantic," noting that "the caliber of [his] looks is off the charts." (He does have that human Ken doll thing going on!) She said if the twosome were to end up together, they "would have a deep connection and a deep love."
Chris, on the other hand, isn't always the smoothest dude, but Des "[loves] his awkwardness, because sometimes I can be a little awkward, and I think he gets me." Now that's cute. On a more serious note, she says he "is everything I'm looking for in a husband, and I would be very lucky to end up with him."
And How Drew and Chris Feel About Des? Drew told Des the moment she met his family, he knew he wanted to spend his life with her. "I've been waiting a long time for this moment. I've finally found The One, my soul mate," he said to camera. "I would get on a knee today and ask her to marry me."
Chris' attempts at courting Des have centered on writing poems about their relationship. He said in part one of the finale he's "truly, madly deeply" in love with her (and Savage Garden, apparently), adding that the brunette beauty "makes me feel vibrant."
What Was the Chemistry Like During Their Final Date? Drew and Des appeared to legitimately enjoy their time together in Antiqua. They did the limbo, danced, had a picnic in nature and—also pretty important—spent the night together in the Fantasy Suite.
Chris also spent the night in the Fantasy Suite with Des, and yes, read her a poem he wrote about their relationship. He did, however, tell her how much he loves life in Seattle and wants to raise a family there. Des feels California will always be home for her, but says she would be "open" to moving for true love.
What Are Their Actual Chances at Getting Engaged to Desiree? The Bachelorette was clearly devastated when her frontrunner left. "It throws everything off, having Brooks gone," she said. "It breaks my heart. It breaks my heart knowing that I have two amazing, unreal guys who do love me. I just can't love them as much...And that's not what they deserve. Honestly, for me, it's over."
That doesn't sound too good for Drew and Chris. But, as Chris Harrison wrote in his Entertainment Weekly blog, part two of the finale will be about Des "trying to figure out what, if anything is left for her here." It's reality TV, people! Anything can happen.
And Chris didn't think Brooks intentionally misled Des, but he praised Drew and Chris for consistently knowing "exactly how they feel" and being able to "easily" convey that.
Well! There are numerous spoilers floating around pointing to some drastically different endings to Desiree's love story. We'll have to wait until Monday night to find out if this The Bachelorette Season Finale, Part 2 to see who gets that final rose.