At long last, order is restored in Bachelor Nation. After four painful weeks of The Bachelorette Season 20 airing at 9 p.m. ET, the series returned to its original 8 p.m. ET time slot, likely because of low ratings, fan complaints, and Decider’s very own “Call Me Old, But The Bachelorette Is On Too Late” article. You’re welcome!
Five weeks in, Charity is already giving out Hometown Date roses, and with four out of six men to choose from, the stakes have never been higher. Episode 5 follows the group to New Orleans, Louisiana, where Charity shakes things up a bit format-wise. The traditional cocktail party and rose ceremony are canceled, and Hometown roses are handed out during two one-on-one dates, an awkward two-on-one date, and a group date that’s unexpectedly cut short.
Looking for a recap of The Bachelorette Season 20, Week 5? Wondering who went home Week 5? Or who received a Hometown Date rose? Decider’s Season 20, Episode 5 recap breaks down all the juicy details. Just be mindful that spoilers lie ahead.
Charity kicked off Week 5 by inviting Joey Graziadei on her first NOLA one-on-one date. The choice came as a surprise, because the 27-year-old tennis pro from Lawai, Hawaii already had his fair share of one-on-one time, while other guys like Tanner and Sean were still hoping for theirs. But Joey and his record-breaking kissing skills left quite the impression on Charity, so she chose him to accompany her by horse and carriage on a day filled with Louisiana cuisine, dancing to live music, tarot card readings, and street poetry.
Though the two shared a delightful day together, they knew dinner was the time for crucial, pre-Hometown Date convos, and Charity wasted no time diving in. After asking Joey how he felt about Hometowns and introducing her to his family, she asked how he feels about being in an interracial relationship and shared a past relationship of hers started off great, but after being out in the world together, her partner showed “a lack of awareness and ignorance.” Charity acknowledged it wouldn’t be easy in today’s world, but she’d need a partner who would want to educate themselves. Joey told Charity she’s the first Black woman he ever dated, but that the idea of bringing her home to his parents didn’t worry him at all. He expressed his desire to have children, said his family knows that love is love, and he sees her for the entirety of who she is.
Did Joey Get The Rose? Yes! After an emotional beat, Charity offered Joey the rose and he told her he was falling in love with her. Next stop, Hometown Week!
Ah, it’s time for the terrible two-on-one experience. In hopes of getting clarity, Charity invited the two guys who hadn’t had one-on-one time on a two-on-one, and it went about as well as you’d expect. The trio headed to the bayou for a swamp tour and spent the day making small talk about gators with Captain Tom, who commented, “You’re both out with the same girl? I don’t know how that’s gonna work.” Same, Captain Tom. Same.
The day left Sad Boy Tanner feeling like a bit of a third wheel, while Sean felt more confident than ever he was getting a rose. But after chatting more at dinner, Charity developed a stress rash from fear she’d regret sending the wrong person home.
Who Got The Two-On-One Rose? If you struggled to imagine giving a Hometown Date rose to a guy you’ve never had a one-on-one date with, you’re not alone. Charity ultimately decided not to give the rose to either guy just yet, which left Tanner relieved and Sean more confused and insecure than before.
In another surprise one-on-one choice, Charity invited Dotun, a 30-year-old integrative medicine specialist from Brooklyn, who just had a one-on-one last week on another date. The two ran (well, largely walked) NOLA’s Crescent City Classic wearing tutus and boas. And Dotun said it was the “most normal, real-world day” he’s had since starting the process. At dinner, the contestant opened up about his fear of failure and said any time he’s really wanted something and gone for it he’s fallen flat on his face. He thanked Charity for teaching him that sometimes a good thing is just a good thing and told her he’s definitely falling in love with her. Charity said the words lit up her whole face and body as if she were electrocuted, and though she didn’t tell Dotun she was falling in love with him, she came pretty close.
Did Dotun Get The Rose? You bet! Charity told Dotun it all makes sense when they’re together and he makes her “feel a million good things.” He accepted the rose and she told cameras she could see herself navigating life with him. Next stop, Hometown Week!
After Dotun returned with the rose, the four remaining men in the house (Aaron B, Sean, Tanner, and Xavier) were feeling the pressure. They were set to accompany Charity on a group date, but Sean — still shaken from his unsuccessful two-on-one — couldn’t wait and headed to Charity’s suite to share his disappointment in not receiving the rose. He told her he was falling in love with her, but she told him she had stronger connections with other guys. Because she wasn’t sure if she could get there with him in time, she walked him out. And then there were three.
With families soon to be involved, the group date was all about business. Aaron B, who’d had one of the hardest weeks of his life due to not getting a one-on-one and having a chance to show Charity around NOLA (where he lived for seven years), was the first guy to receive a rose. But after chatting with Tanner (who admitted having their first one-on-one at his parent’s house would be scary) and Xavier (who said he needs zero doubt before proposing to someone), Charity realized she wasn’t ready to give the final rose of Week 5 just yet.
Later that night, before meeting Tanner and Xavier, Charity had a moment of clarity, knocked on Tanner’s door, and said that realistically it wouldn’t make sense for them to move that quickly in their relationship. She sent Tanner home, and though she didn’t have to give out a fourth rose, she offered it to Xavier and he accepted.
Who Got The Group Date Roses? Aaron B. and Xavier
To recap, Charity said goodbye to Sean and Tanner this week, which means her final four — the lucky guys who get to bring her home to meet their families — has been decided.
Who Are Charity’s Final Four Guys? Here’s Who’s Getting a Hometown Date Next Week:
After a look at Trent Ryan, Bachelor Nation’s Luggage Guy, we got a glimpse at the heartwarming, dramatic Hometown Week ahead. It looks like Charity has an emotional goodbye ahead of her. So we’ll see you back here next week for another chapter of her unconventional love story.
New episodes of The Bachelorette Season 20 premiere on Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Episodes are available for next-day streaming on Hulu.