The pressure mounts as the final four prepare for hometowns
Episode 5 of The Golden Bachelor dialed up the emotion and tension as Gerry Turner narrowed his pool of potential partners to the final three. With hometown dates looming, every moment carried weight, and each conversation had the power to either strengthen or unravel a connection. For viewers, it was an episode full of heart, vulnerability, and one particularly heartbreaking goodbye.
A high-stakes group date challenges emotions
The episode began with a group date designed to push the women and Gerry to open up further. The remaining four—Faith, Theresa, Leslie, and Ellen—spent time with Gerry in a picturesque, lakeside setting, and while the mood was light at first, it quickly turned more intimate.
Ellen, who had emerged as an early front-runner, used the opportunity to express just how strongly she felt for Gerry. In a moment of open vulnerability, she told him she was falling in love. It was sweet and sincere, but Gerry’s reaction was more subdued than expected. While he expressed admiration and affection for Ellen, his eyes—and his heart—seemed to be elsewhere.
One-on-one time reveals true front-runners
Gerry also had brief one-on-one time with each woman, and the emotional stakes only grew higher. Faith, who had earlier sung a heartfelt song for Gerry, continued to deepen their bond by revealing her hesitancy about letting people in, and how hard she’s working to trust again. Gerry reassured her with a quiet intimacy that resonated with many viewers.
Theresa took a different approach—confident and calm, she focused on the future. She talked logistics, compatibility, and how she sees their lives blending together. Her maturity and steadiness appealed to Gerry’s sense of security.
Leslie, meanwhile, remained fiery and passionate. Their chemistry was undeniable, and she opened up about past heartbreaks and fears of being left again. Gerry responded with deep empathy, giving the impression that he understood her pain in a personal way.
Ellen’s devastating goodbye
Despite her best efforts and a genuine connection with Gerry, Ellen was sent home at the rose ceremony. It was, by far, one of the most heartbreaking eliminations of the season. Ellen had quickly become a fan favorite—warm, witty, and sincere—and her quiet heartbreak hit hard.
Gerry’s voice trembled as he told her that while he respected and admired her deeply, his heart was pulling him in a different direction. Ellen, though heartbroken, handled the moment with immense grace. She wished him the best and left with dignity, even as tears welled in her eyes.
Fans react with outrage and sadness
Ellen’s departure struck a chord with the Golden Bachelor audience. Social media lit up with reactions, many of them expressing disappointment in Gerry’s decision. Some questioned whether he made the right choice, while others defended the emotional complexity of the moment.
One recurring theme? The reminder that love—even at an older age—is unpredictable, messy, and painful. Ellen’s exit was a sobering moment that underlined just how real the stakes are in this version of the franchise.
Setting the stage for hometowns
With Ellen gone, Gerry’s final three—Faith, Leslie, and Theresa—prepared for hometown visits. Each woman brings something different to the table, and the upcoming family introductions promise to shake things up even more.
Gerry, who has worn his heart on his sleeve throughout the season, now finds himself on the verge of making one of the biggest decisions of his life. And with only a few episodes left, every word, glance, and decision counts.
