‘The Bachelorette’ Recap: Jenn’s Hometown Dates Strengthen Some Connections While Calling Others Into Question

SPOILER ALERT! This post contains details from Monday’s episode of The Bachelorette.

Four men are left vying for Jenn Tran’s heart on The Bachelorette, and it’s time for hometown dates.

Monday night’s episode began with yet another cold open, this time featuring Jonathan’s sister-in-law explaining that she and his brother said “I love you” after three dates and moved in together within two weeks of meeting online. That is to say, they understand moving fast in untraditional dating environments!

As for whether that means Jonathan’s family is on board, we have to wait and see, because Devin’s hometown date in Houston, Texas, is actually up first.

Jenn meets him in a park where he surprises her by planning a mile-long jog with some of the friends from his run club. After taking a loop around the park, they take some time to chat with his friends, who all seem to give their stamp of approval. Jenn also gets to meet the most important girl in his life, his dog Charlie.

After playing catch and lounging in the park with Charlie, it’s time to meet the rest of Devin’s family. The couple is greeted with a sign in the front yard that reads, “Welcome Home Devin, Howdy Jenn.”

Jenn seems to make a great first impression. Devin tells his dad that he loves Jenn and he wants to spend the rest of his life with her, but he is afraid to tell her because he doesn’t want her to turn around and say that to someone else. He looks to his dad not only for advice but also to tell him if he sees any red flags in Jenn that Devin might have missed. His dad says that, while the other men in the mix do worry him, he still sees potential for Devin and Jenn.

Devin’s mom opens up to Jenn about her own previous relationships, explaining she doesn’t think she always modeled the best example for Devin and his brother. In her current marriage, she says she finally got her happy ending, but she knows things haven’t always been easy for her sons.

Devin talks to his mom and he tells her it’s been a “weird” experience for him. His mom’s biggest advice is just to ensure that both of their intentions are real. He says that he loves Jenn, but he’s been afraid to tell her. His mom tells him not to hold anything back and to tell her exactly how he feels, because “you’re not gonna be the one if you don’t.”

After their meeting, Devin tells Jenn he loves her. She doesn’t say it back quite yet, but she tells Devin that she’s falling for him and, in confessional, she admits she could see herself in love with Devin.

Next up is Fairfield, Connecticut, for Jeremy’s hometown.

Their date begins with something Jeremy always did as a kid — grocery shopping at Stew Leonard’s. It’s a regional grocery chain that is fairly wacky, with animatronics all over the store and snacks for hungry shoppers. The pair goof around for a while, juggling avocados and enjoying some ice cream, before they check out with a haul of groceries and finish the trip with a lobster roll. They also make a bouquet of flowers for Jeremy’s mom.

Jeremy’s family does seem a bit skeptical from the beginning, as Jeremy’s mom admits that when Jenn was named Bachelorette and she heard her describe what she looks for in a man, she thought that didn’t sound like Jeremy.

Jenn talks to his younger sister, who asks what she sees in Jeremy. Jenn says that they have a lot of laughs but they haven’t expressed their feelings, and she is confused on where his head is at. Jenn leaves the conversation fairly unsettled after his sister says he might not be ready for an engagement, because it is a fast timeline, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be committed to her as a partner.

Speaking with his younger sister, Jeremy says he does see a future with Jenn, and he’s surprised to hear that Jenn thinks he’s holding back. However, Jeremy’s mom doesn’t think her son has opened up much at all, considering that when she asks about their relationship all he can say is that they have fun together. His mom says they need to get deeper in their conversations before she could feel comfortable with the relationship.

His mom also keeps her cards close to her chest in her conversation with Jenn, who asks if Jeremy is ready for an engagement. His mom says she doesn’t know, because she just met Jenn and doesn’t know anything about their relationship. It’s not exactly what Jenn was hoping to hear, and she leaves the date a bit disappointed that his mom doesn’t seem hopeful about the relationship.

Before sending her off on her next hometown, Jeremy tells Jenn he’s falling for her.

The leading lady then jets off to San Diego, California, to see Jonathan.

Jenn’s goal with this hometown is to get Jonathan to open up more to her. Things are off to a promising start when Jonathan plans some time for them to play lacrosse together, a sport they both played in high school. It’s a good bonding moment for the two of them, and it sets the tone for the latter half of the day with his family, as they go into it hopeful they can come out stronger.

Here is where Jonathan’s brother and sister-in-law come in, explaining they also moved fast in their own relationship. However, Jonathan’s brother is still very skeptical of the process that Jenn and Jonathan have gone through, especially because there are other men involved.

Jenn ultimately gets the thumbs up from Jonathan’s mom and sister, which appears to be exactly what he needed to take the next step. After meeting the family, Jonathan tells Jenn he’s falling for her.

Last, but certainly not least, is Marcus’ hometown in Tacoma, Washington.

While his adoptive parents aren’t present, his sister and many of his friends — including some parental figures — are there to welcome her.

As he’s talking to a friend, Marcus admits that he’s not in love with Jenn yet, and he’s worried about whether he’ll be able to get there. He also thinks they both might be holding back from each other because neither will say their true feelings until the other does, out of a sense of fear. Marcus is worried that, if he doesn’t open up, he might lose Jenn and really regret it.

Little does he know, Jenn is feeling the exact same way. She tells one of his friends that she thinks she’s been holding back from Marcus because she doesn’t know where his head is at.

Jenn and Marcus both find clarity after speaking with his sister, who reassures them both that they seem like a good match, and they should take the leap of faith. At the end of the date, Marcus also says he’s falling for her.

Before the rose ceremony, the men meet for one last hoorah before they all go their separate ways. Since fantasy suites and the engagement are fast approaching, this marks the last time they’ll see each other outside of a rose ceremony.

They all share details about their hometown dates, and everyone is feeling confident. That is, except for Marcus, who says that he’s nervous hearing that the other men have let go of all their reservations about Jenn and the relationship, but he still has some.

The good news for Marcus is, he has more time to explore those feelings, because he does receive a rose. So do Devin and Jonathan. Jenn sends Jeremy home.

The Bachelorette airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.