Bachelor Happy Hour: “A Waltz Away from Hometowns!”
February 25, 2025
Hosts: Joe Amabile & Serena Pitt
Podcast: Bachelor Happy Hour (iHeartPodcasts & Warner Bros)
Episode Overview
This episode recaps the pivotal “week before hometowns” on Grant’s season of The Bachelor. Joe and Serena break down the rapid-fire eliminations, shifting dynamics among the remaining women, behind-the-scenes context, and what it means going into one of the most emotionally charged episodes of the season. The hosts also dive deep into the group date drama, notable one-on-ones, and offer insights into whether certain “iconic” dates signal long-term connections.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Season’s Fast Pace & Reduced Cast
- Shorter Season, Fewer Contestants:
- Serena: “It is a quick season because it's... only eight episodes where we usually see 10 episodes.” (04:20)
- Joe: “I prefer a bigger cast because we are now down... this episode felt a little, like, naked to me.” (04:44)
- The hosts discuss how the smaller pool creates more intense episodes earlier and forces contestants into the spotlight faster.
2. The Set-up: Edinburgh & Gloomy Romance
- Location Reaction:
- Joe: “We're in Edinburgh, a place I really want to go, actually.” (06:25)
- Serena (on Scottish weather): “It's not really my weather of choice, but it is your weather of choice. You love gloomy rainy vibes. Super cozy, super romantic.” (06:32)
- The romantic scenery and European castle vibes serve as backdrops for “princess dates” and relationship-defining conversations.
3. One-on-One Date Debates: The Importance of Timing
Juliana’s First One-on-One
- Joe: “If a one-on-one date is offered to you at this point in the show before hometowns, I think you should take it.” (08:43)
- Serena argues that late-in-the-season one-on-ones rarely lead to winners, but recognizes Juliana’s example as a possible exception.
- The classic “princess date” (trying on kilts, castle visit):
- Serena: “We see it almost every season...we give you the princess treatment. You get to try on all these pretty outfits, you get to drink champagne... It's just very telling because typically the person who gets the princess date goes far, but...it's coming pretty late in the season.” (10:22)
Notable Quote:
- Joe (about the awkward ballroom dancing): “How awkward is the dancing moment on that date...?” (10:55)
- Serena: “You would hate that moment.”
- Joe: “I would hate that moment.” (11:11)
Juliana Opens Up at Dinner
- Conversation about vulnerability and relatability:
- Joe: "She said she's falling in love with him, and when he said his interviews, he felt the same way.” (13:07)
- Serena: “It actually pushed their relationship forward a lot.” (13:35)
- Both hosts agree Juliana is hometowns-bound now.
4. Group Date Tension & Contestant Dynamics
Zoe’s Upset & Attitude
- Joe: “Zoe, being upset that she didn't get the one-on-one is totally understandable.” (12:13)
- Serena: “I'd be pissed. I'd be like, I'm the only girl here who hasn't gotten a one-on-one. Like, I'm the obvious choice.” (12:13)
- Zoe is praised for her balance of frustration with resilience:
- Joe: “I love Zoe's attitude towards life...This sucks, I'm upset, but I'm gonna put my best foot forward...” (12:18)
Carolina’s Crisis
- Serena criticizes Carolina’s approach to the group date:
- “Instead of...being like, I'm gonna go take a moment to myself...she literally sat in his direct line of sight...It feels like she kind of baited him to come up to her and be like, is everything okay?” (21:07)
- Group frustration at Carolina for “taking time” away:
- Serena: “It's hard on this show because, like, negativity, a lot of the time gets rewarded with attention...now I am the one that's going to suffer even more…” (22:59)
- Joe: “It takes time away from them, and they have every right to be pissed off.” (23:56)
- Grant’s exhaustion with the drama becomes evident:
- Joe: “You were my...One of my top girls and you basically aren't anymore because of all this.” (25:01)
5. Nighttime Conversations & the Group’s Mood
- Awkward Cocktail Parties:
- Joe: “Grant walks into the room, it's just crickets. It's awkward, negative. He's like...you guys having fun? Everyone's like…” (25:59)
- Serena (sarcastically): “They're like, we hate you and we hate it here. And we are about to fight again with Carolina for the third week in a row.” (26:25)
- Zoe’s Chances:
- Debate if it’s fair to go to hometowns without a one-on-one (26:59–27:47).
- Serena: “I just think it's so...I think it's unfair to, like, be like, I'm gonna take you to hometowns, but I never gave you a one-on-one date.” (27:10)
Girls’ Drama Peaks
- Dina finally snaps at Carolina (“I've been sticking up for you and now I'm just fucking annoyed with you.”), signaling the house's patience is gone (28:49).
- Serena: “Dina has no reason to be getting involved in the drama...she's just clearly so fed up.” (29:13)
- Serena (on Grant and Dina): “She barely said anything. And Grant was like, I literally know exactly what you're talking about and retweet that. And I was like, it is over for Carolina.” (29:24)
6. Latia’s One-on-One: Religion, Family, and Front-Runner Status
- Latia opens up about her conservative Mormon background and never having dated someone outside her faith.
- Serena: “She has never dated anyone that's not Mormon. Right.” (32:23)
- Joe: “That's another thing she opened up about. Yeah, that. I was actually very surprised when I heard that.” (32:30)
- Hosts debate what this could mean for Grant, a non-Mormon, and whether religious differences might be a dealbreaker.
- Serena: “From the things I do know [about Mormonism]...I live my life in a very different way and by very different rules than they do... I would definitely be open to [dating a Mormon], but I don't know if I would be open to converting...” (33:12–34:17)
- Joe: “I would be open to it.” (34:17)
- The emotional intimacy between Latia and Grant is at a new peak.
- Serena: “She also says she loves him. I think with...That's the first I love you. She doesn't say it to him, but she says it in an interview.” (41:46)
- Joe: “Grant cries. Latia says she loves him.” (41:55)
- Both agree Latia is the clear front-runner.
7. Rose Ceremony & Surprises
- Carolina leaves after reconciling with Dina (“I had a pretty solid relationship with Dina and...I don't want to leave here on a bad note.”) (43:34)
- Elimination shockers:
- Serena: “I was surprised about Seraphina. I think I would have expected it to be Seraphina over Zoe…” (43:39)
- Joe: “I kind of...thought he was gonna keep Zoe. Seraphina and Carolina both mentioned that they felt blindsided. I don't know if that term really goes with the show.” (44:17)
- Debate over whether it’s possible to truly feel secure given the environment.
- Serena: “I feel like she might watch it back and have a sense of clarity. Seraphina, I can understand being blindsided.” (44:55)
- On “screen time vs. real connection,” Serena points out that Zoe’s consistency on-screen helped her odds even without a one-on-one. (46:32)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On fewer contestants leading to awkwardness:
- Joe: “This episode felt a little, like, naked to me. I was like...I need a few more players in the game here.” (04:44)
On princess dates:
- Serena: “Typically the person who gets the princess date goes far, but...it's coming pretty late in the season. So I don't know how telling it is this time around.” (10:22)
On approaching conflict during filming:
- Serena: “You kind of have to have that attitude to survive filming the show. You need a little dash of toxic positivity...” (12:47)
On negativity and attention:
- Serena: “Negativity, a lot of the time, gets rewarded with attention.” (22:59)
On religious differences in relationships:
- Serena: “From the things I do know [about Mormonism]...it would be kind of life altering...so I don't know if I would be open to it.” (33:12)
Latia’s declaration of love (first of the season):
- Joe: “Grant cries. Latia says she loves him.” (41:55)
Important Timestamps
- 03:55: Episode officially begins; Joe and Serena greet listeners
- 04:27: Discussing the shorter season & smaller starting cast
- 07:33: Juliana receives the crucial late-stage one-on-one invitation
- 10:02: Recap of the “princess”/castle date staple
- 12:13: Zoe’s upset about not receiving a one-on-one; resilience discussed
- 13:07–14:28: Juliana opens up at dinner, enhancing her connection with Grant
- 20:22–24:32: Carolina’s group date retreat and the subsequent fallout
- 25:59: Grant walks into a “crickets” cocktail party—awkward group dynamic
- 29:13: Dina finally reaches her breaking point with Carolina
- 30:14: Latia’s one-on-one; hosts discuss their “wife”/front-runner impressions
- 31:42–34:17: Religion talk—Mormonism, dating outside faith, and possible roadblocks
- 41:46: Latia says she loves Grant (in interview), Grant cries
- 43:02: Carolina and Dina reconcile after elimination
- 46:56: Teaser for next week’s Juliana interview and Grant’s hometowns
Summary & Next Up
Joe and Serena’s lively banter guides listeners through one of the season’s most telling episodes, dissecting the impact of a fast-tracked schedule, the last chances for meaningful connections, and the growing tension among the remaining cast. They illuminate how personal histories, production quirks, and contestant resilience converge right before hometowns—a stage where the “real” stakes of the show come to light.
For next week’s episode: An interview with Juliana (“the wild card”) and a full recap of Grant’s hometown visits—tune in for more candid Bachelor Nation insider talk!
End of Summary