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Bachelorette's Chris Harrison: I Don't Know Why Des Didn’t See the Warning Signs with Brooks

It was a Bachelorette first when Desiree professed her love for one guy over the rest only to be devastatingly rejected. On the penultimate episode of the ABC reality series, Desiree and the remaining men Brooks, Chris and Drew were in Antigua to go on their fantasy dates. While both Chris and Drew each had romantic outings with Desiree that ended with them accepting their key to the fantasy suite, it was a completely different tune for Brooks. Conflicted, he headed home to talk to his mom and sister only to return and let Desiree know she wasn't the one. So where does this leave us for finale? Host Chris Harrison weighs in.

robyn-ross.jpg
Robyn Ross

It was a Bachelorette first when Desiree professed her love for one guy over the rest only to be devastatingly rejected.

On the penultimate episode of the ABC reality series, Desiree and the remaining men Brooks, Chris and Drew were in Antigua to go on their fantasy dates. While both Chris and Drew each had romantic outings with Desiree that ended with them accepting their key to the fantasy suite, it was a completely different tune for Brooks. Conflicted, he headed home to talk to his mom and sister only to return and let Desiree know she wasn't the one. So where does this leave us for finale? Host Chris Harrison weighs in.

Bachelorette's Chris Harrison: All four guys were ready to propose this week

This has never happened before at this stage, right?
Chris Harrison: We kind of had this situation with [Frank leaving on] Ali [Fedotowsky]'s season, but although she was upset by it, Roberto was probably still her No. 1 at that point. Watching it I just thought, I've never seen a show like this from us.

You kind of saw this coming, right?
Harrison: I can't say I saw that coming, but obviously we could all see the warning signs. She always reassured me I was wrong and there was so much more we didn't see, but obviously there wasn't. It was one of those old cases where you just believe what you want to believe and see what you want to see and she was just blinded by how she felt about the guy. But at the same time I think he fell for her and loved her. I don't know what his issues are, but he just wasn't as into her as she was.

Did he never think about staying, but just not proposing?
Harrison: It's hard to tell with him. I tried to understand what he was thinking, but he has such a tough time articulating. Now I know how Des felt because I didn't understand it either. I also think he was trying to be the good guy and trying to say the right things, but you're not going to look good doing this. But I don't think he's a bad guy or malicious, I just think he was so careful and trying to be nice that he couldn't make his point. I had to stop him and say, "Let's be clear, what do you want to do?" Because there were a lot of options for him besides just leave. But I think what he wanted to say was, "I'm not in love with her. I want to leave." He just couldn't say that flat out.

The Bachelorette's Chris Harrison: "The biggest hurdle for Des has yet to come"

Watching the episode, it really seems like her and Chris have something strong.
Harrison:
When you watch it now, and I think Des might feel the same way, you're like, wow those two [are on a different level] than what she had with Brooks. You shouldn't have to have funny little verbs or code names for how you're feeling. You should be able to talk like adults and if the guy can't, it's a red flag. It means he's either not capable or mature, or he doesn't feel it.  When you look at Chris and Drew these are articulate men. I'm not sure why it wasn't so evident to her.

Were you able to talk to her about the other dates?
Harrison:
No, it was just about Brooks. But I knew that the other dates went well.

So how does this finale play out now?
Harrison:
There's nothing typical about this finale. It begins with her and I sitting down and putting the pieces together of where we go from here. Are you going to give these other guys a chance and if so how is that even possible? But the other dynamic here is that Chris and Drew have no clue because we separate everybody at this point. So we also have to deal with that there are two really good guys who very much love her and we owe it to them to have a conversation and tell them what happened. And then there's Brooks. If anybody was ever set to come back and be wishy-washy, it's him. There's definitely that option.

And there will still be a live After the Finale Rose?
Harrison:
Yes, and from what I understand all three guys will be there. That to me will be the most riveting After the Final Rose because I have so many questions and I know if I do, the viewers definitely do.

The Bachelorette finale airs on Monday at 8/7c on ABC. Who do you think Des should pick?