'Bachelor' recap: 'I'm not fighting it any longer'
Editor's note: Waukesha native Nick Viall is searching for love during his fourth appearance on a "Bachelor"-franchise show. Will he find it? Our reporters will keep you in the loop with weekly updates.
What happened: Fourth time really was the charm for Nick. He finally wasn't blindsided before being able to pop the question. While teasers would lead you to think otherwise, she said yes. But more on that later.
RELATED: Waukesha's 'Bachelor,' Nick Viall, bestows his final rose
We joined Nick and his last ladies, Raven and Vanessa, in Finland for the final week of dates and their meetings with Nick’s oh-so-ideal Wisconsin family, accents and all. Eight members of the Viall clan — Nick’s parents and a smattering of brothers and sisters — made the trip to Finland.
Raven, who had already met Nick’s parents and befriended his sweet little sister, Bella, during their date in Waukesha, was up first.
Nick’s dad, Chris, made a standout appearance as counselor to both Raven and Vanessa asking questions and giving tough love.
“When I was talking to Raven she had a maturity about her that I didn’t expect,” he said.
Raven told his mom, “The flame has been so effortless.”
Though Nick was in the driver’s seat this time around, his family was still uneasy. One brother said, “They can still say no, given his track record is not the greatest.”
RELATED: Episode-by-episode recaps of Nick Viall's season of 'The Bachelor'
Coming in cold, Vanessa introduced herself saying the feelings that overcame her after their first date are what she’s searched for. Apparently she’s searched for nausea, because their first date involved her throwing up while in a zero gravity simulator. Vanessa shared her misgivings, too.
“Do you think it’s weird that I can’t say one-hundred percent that I’m ready to be engaged?” she said to Nick's mom.
Nick sat down with his dad to discuss how the special needs teacher is very much his type.
“You haven’t had a lot of success,” his dad said. “It’s easy to love someone when it’s all a fairy tale.”
Chris shared wisdom from his decades of marriage when Vanessa asked, “Is love enough to make a relationship last?”
“No, not just love,” he said, eyes welling up with tears. “You have to be willing to give up. You have to sacrifice. No, love is not enough. It’s commitment. It’s selflessness.”
On that note, Vanessa and Nick started their final date in the “Bachelor” world. The pair rode horses through the woods, ending at a small cabin. Nick knocked on the door and an old man with a great white beard — Santa — emerged. The 36-year-old Nick told Santa love is at the top of his wish list. Vanessa asked to end up happy with the person she loves.
First, she had to endure a painful search for answers with Nick.
“If I end up with you because my relationship is slightly greater than someone else's, I’m not comfortable with that,” she said, wanting assurance from Nick. Vanessa revealed at the live “After the Final Rose” special that aired after the finale that she never watched a full season of "The Bachelor" before, so she was woefully unaware of the constraints placed on the show’s lead about confessing feelings.
Nick ended the week with Raven and “since skating is our thing,” the pair laced up ice skates for some, as Corinne would say, unplanned dancing to Sixpence None the Richer’s “Kiss Me.” Raven and Nick have some tried and true moves from their date in Wisconsin roller blading at Skateland in Waukesha and the Milwaukee Art Museum.
“I’m really confident in our relationship right now,” she said. “I have no hesitations. No reservations,” she said. That meant, she was done.
After a contemplative moment next to a fire, Nick made his final decision and picked out a ring for the final woman.
“I’m really rooting for you,” said jeweler to the franchise Neil Lane. “Everyone is rooting for you.”
Raven arrived first (code for loser) to the log cabin in a nude dress. After she told Nick “I couldn’t be more sure,” he confessed “my heart is somewhere else.” A stoic Raven was glad she laid her cards on the table.
“I’m going to miss you,” Nick said.
“I know,” she replied. Don’t worry. With a ticket to "Bachelor in Paradise," she’ll do just fine sipping margaritas on the beach.
“I’ve been falling in love with Vanessa for a very long time and I feel like sometimes I've been fighting it,” Nick said. “I’m not fighting it any longer.”
Vanessa wore a black sequined gown accessorized with a black fur coat and her too-perfect loose curls for the final rose ceremony.
“So much of me being here has to do with the past but when I look at you all I see is my future,” Nick said before bending down on one knee and popping the question, multi-carat diamond in hand. A sobbing Vanessa accepted before they rode off in a sleigh.
Number of mentions of Wisconsin: 3
How it came up: Raven won this category, bringing up Nick’s home state three times in the final episode. When meeting his family, she mentioned how they had met before during their first one-on-one date.
After Nick said he want to brag about Raven, she replied coyly, “OK, Nicholas from Waukesha.”
In her last moments before being denied Nick’s final rose she said, “our date in Waukesha changed everything and I really got to know the true you.”
What we learned about Nick: He was “really in love with Andi and Kaitlyn.” Oh wait. We’ve heard that before.
Best quote of the night: Raven, arms full of squirming puppies, said, “This is the best day of my life.” She never really wanted to end up with Nick, right? Raven just needed a pup.
Women remaining: 1
Coming up next: Nick will put on his dancing shoes and compete in the “Dancing With the Stars," which premieres Monday, March 20 on ABC.
Rachel Lindsay started her journey as “The Bachelorette” in an unconventional manner on “After the Final Rose.” With filming set to begin in just a few days, Chris Harrison pulled a fast one on the attorney and Marquette Law School graduate by starting the season a little early, bringing the mansion to her in the studio. Four men introduced themselves to Rachel on live TV with tickets to Vegas and corny lines. Her season premieres May 22.
