The Bachelorette Finale: Kaitlyn Bristowe Chooses the Winner

Kaitlyn Bristowe is down to the final two guys on The Bachelorette, and has one giant decision ahead of her. Who will Kaitlyn choose: Nick Viall or Shawn B? She says that she can see a future with both of them, and that she’s falling in love with both of them. That sounds like a recipe for drama, and it surely was. Here’s a breakdown of the dramatic final episode and Kaitlyn’s shocking decision on The Bachelorette.

Nick Meets Kaitlyn's Family -- And Shakes Off Their Impression of Him

The finale kicked off with both guys taking their turn meeting Kaitlyn’s family, and Nick was up first. This one got interesting fast, because when Kaitlyn told her family who it was, the room was very clearly aware of who Nick was, and especially, aware of the time that he told a TV viewing audience that he slept with Andi Dorfman. Instead of Nick being questioned by Kaityn’s family, Kaitlyn herself was being second-guessed by them:

But once Nick showed up, he seemed to change their minds -- Kaitlyn’s mom said she had misread him and had a different impression of him in person:

Kaitlyn's Mom Goes Right for Shawn's Jealousy Issues

When it was Shawn’s turn, there weren’t any preconceived notions of what he was like, but Kaitlyn did mention that Shawn had a lot of issues with Nick. Kaitlyn’s mom went in guns blazing to see how Shawn would handle his jealousy if the pair were to get married:

His answer must have been suitable, because Kaitlyn’s sister said she was full-on “Team Shawn” after speaking with him, and when Shawn asked permission from Kaitlyn’s mom and dad for their daughters hand in marriage, he got it.

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The Final Dates

Each guy had one more date with Kaitlyn after meeting the family. Each guy reiterated that he was in love with Kaitlyn, and Kaitlyn felt the same. She was clearly feeling the weight of her impending decision, and the final dates didn’t give her any more clarity. Kaitlyn said there was no denying her connection with Nick and she could see him as her husband.

And though her impending huge decision weighed heavy on Kaitlyn during the beginning of their final date, but they talked it out and smoothed it over. Kaitlyn was falling in love with Shawn as well, which meant she was completely torn with the decision of who she'd spend the rest of her life with looming just 24 hours away..

The Final Rose Ceremony

Soon there was no delaying it, and it was time for the final meeting/Rose Ceremony was underway. Nick was first up. He was sure that Kaitlyn would have spared him the pain of finding out at the last minute that she had chosen Shawn, and would instead send him home before the end. Unfortunately for Nick, she did not, and broke up with him just as he was getting down on one knee: 

He took it pretty hard, saying he was “the world’s biggest joke” and haphazardly tossing the ring he was going to give to her across the limo:

The Proposal

So with Kaitlyn’s choice already made, it was time to see if Shawn would get down on one knee or not:

Cuuuuute. And that ends Season 11 of The Bachelorette, as Shawn walked away with Kaitlyn’s heart. Don’t forget that Bachelor in Paradise kicks off SUNDAY 8|7c, with another episode MONDAY 8|7c, followed by the live after-show After Paradise MONDAY 9|8c.

Watch The Bachelorette, MONDAYS 8|7c on ABC.