This article contains spoilers
Falling in love is one of the most magical and intimate human experiences. While doing so on reality television is a hard pass for most, the women on season two of “The Golden Bachelor” (2023-) celebrate this unconventional process. Throughout the new season, the older women put themselves on display, both for the bachelor and the world, exposing their most vulnerable moments and defying societal age barriers with the hope of finding love.
Season two of “The Golden Bachelor” starred former Los Angeles Rams linebacker Mel Owens and aired from Sept. 24 to Nov. 12. As a spin-off of “The Bachelor” (2002-), “The Golden Bachelor” offers moments of vulnerability and desire among older contestants, confronting the idea that life stops when one gets older. The women fully enjoy their experience on the show, throwing fun pool parties and getting dolled up while also having intimate conversations about their past relationships and children. These women are active, full of life and absolutely ready for love.
With 23 women pursuing the same man, drama was inevitable — and every reality television program needs a villain. Enter Nicole: This season, the 64-year-old woman stoked heated arguments by kissing Mel in front of the other women, prompting questions about her motives for appearing on the show. In recent years, accusing contestants of being on the series’ parent show “The Bachelor” for the “wrong reasons” has become a cliched witch hunt, often stirring unnecessary drama. In early episodes, Nicole received more screen time than other women, shifting the season’s focus from romance to controversy, unfortunately distracting from the focus of the show: building relationships and witnessing older individuals fall in love.
Nevertheless, the show featured many joyous moments. Two contestants from season one of “The Golden Bachelor,” Kathy and Susan, returned to throw a slumber party for the women. Kathy and Susan shared some tips for how contestants could deepen their connections with Mel and played a game of “Never Have I Ever” with the group. In these wholesome moments, the audience received a much-needed opportunity to understand the women outside of their relationship with Mel.
As the finale approached, there was no clear winner of Mel’s heart. While the bachelor had a connection with both remaining women, Peg and Cindy, each offered different traits that Mel wanted in a partner. The adventurous, extroverted and active Peg kept Mel on his toes. The calm, soft-spoken and level-headed Cindy kept him grounded.
At the end of each season of “The Golden Bachelor,” show producers create final dates that are big, bold and romantic experiences for the couples, with each date having its own unique edge. The dates typically consist of an activity during the day and a romantic dinner in the evening, which both lead to the long-awaited fantasy suite. These dates hold immense weight, as they expose contestants’ insecurities and fears about their relationship.
While Peg and Mel’s date was fine, culminating in an awkward moment in which Mel said he felt “good” about their relationship, Cindy’s ended with drama.
During Mel and Cindy’s dinner, she asked him about their potential future and marriage, which Mel was unsure of, leading Cindy to leave her final one-on-one date early and skip the fantasy suites, which typically provide time for intimate conversations. By leaving early, Cindy missed her chance to develop her relationship with Mel further. While fantasy suites are not absolutely indicative of the final result, they have historically been a defining factor in who will receive the final rose and who goes home empty-handed. The host gave Mel a chance to speak to Cindy before she left, but he declined, reflecting a potential lack of trust or interest. Perhaps Mel felt scorned by her decision, but his lack of interest demonstrated his inability to see her in his future.
At the end of the finale, Mel and Peg met on the beach, where they proclaimed their feelings for one another. Although the pair did not express love, they committed to exploring their connection in the outside world. Mel gave Peg a ring to symbolize their future, but not an engagement.
Mel’s hesitancy in an engagement was warranted, as the show is fast-paced but also confusing. The purpose of the show is to find a life partner and leave engaged, not with a pinky promise and some bling. Regardless, endings similar to Mel’s are common in this franchise, so while disappointing, it was not unprecedented.
“The Golden Bachelor” is a must-watch reality show. As a spinoff from “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” franchise, viewers still get the romantic one-on-ones, exciting group dates, special guests and, of course, drama that are foundational to the original series but with an entirely different generation. The traditional shows have fallen a bit flat, as it has become overwhelmingly predictable with no excitement involved in the viewing process. However, “The Golden Bachelor” shares an entirely new experience for viewers, as we watch older contestants fall in love again, experience youthfulness and find joy in aging.
