When will 'The Golden Bachelor' Episode 8 air? Gerry Turner ready to 'knock boots' in show's Fantasy Suites
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: On November 1, 2023, ABC formally unveiled the remainder of the 'The Golden Bachelor' season! Having said that, mark Thursday, November 16, 2023, in your calendars as the date of the Fantasy Suites episode.
Gerry expected that his Fantasy Suite dates would "look quite different" considering his age before ABC's first Golden Bachelor season began in late September.
"The activities could be quite different than for someone in their 20s and 30s," he told Entertainment Tonight, adding that the possibility of staying overnight didn't worry him.
"They make my daughters a lot more nervous than me," Gerry quipped, referring to his two children with his late wife, Toni, Angie, and Jenny.
In any case, he told ET that he was aware of the seriousness of the issue. "When you're down to the last two people over that amount of time and that much investment, you really have strong feelings for them even though you know they’re not the right person," Gerry remarked about the end result.
"They are so close to it. You’re connected so deeply, and then you realize they have to leave. It’s, oh my God, it was an incredibly bad situation."
That's not to suggest he didn't have a nice ending. Gerry provided a significant hint shortly after production was completed, telling Entertainment Weekly that he was "so pleasantly surprised by how things ended."
How to watch 'The Golden Bachelor' Episode 8?
'The Golden Bachelor' Episode 8 will stream live on ABC, ABC.com, and the ABC app.
You may also watch it live or on-demand if you have an active subscription to Sling TV, FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, or YouTube TV.
What to expect from 'The Golden Bachelor' Episode 8?
The 'Women Tell All' show from November 9 ended with a preview of what's to come this season. Theresa and Gerry go horseback riding while he takes Faith rock climbing.
Gerry is presented with a difficult decision as both ladies enter the Fantasy Suites. Gerry was seen in tears when chatting with Jesse Plamer in one of the teaser clips. He tells the host, "I haven't felt this awful since my wife died."
ABC producers Jason Ehrlich, Claire Freeland, and Bennett Graebner recently promised The Wrap that Gerry's Fantasy Suites episode will have plenty of "knockin' boots."
When Gerry appeared on The 'Tamron Hall Show' on November 7, she asked him about it, and he cleared the air.
“Maybe it’s a Texas euphemism for intimacy,” Gerry joked. “But the misdirect is that that really wasn’t what those fantasy suites were for.” He continued: “I found the fantasy suites to be the perfect moment to connect intellectually and emotionally with these women, where I could have conversations that weren’t basically in front of our grandchildren ... on camera and mic’d.”
Gerry previously told BachelorNation.com that he was "both nervous and excited" about the milestone and that it was "the perfect opportunity" to ask the tough questions and communicate his thoughts, views, and values.
"Those nights were genuinely watershed moments for me," he went on to say.
In other words, Gerry came in with new motivations. "In your 30s, I think it's lust," he admitted on Live With Kelly and Mark. "And in your 70s, I think it's love."
That is not to imply that a physical connection was absolutely ruled out. According to what we've seen in sneak peeks, many of the ladies were excited about taking that step. And producers relished showing off their enthusiasm.
"Just because you turn 60 or 70 doesn't mean you don't crave that same level of intimacy," Bennett was quoted as saying by The Wrap. "Now what a fantasy suite means to Gerry and the women who were there, that's up to them."
So far, the producers are hoping that the forthcoming Fantasy Suite episode will assist in debunking the forbidden junction of aging and sexuality.
"I think people will see themselves in Gerry and these women," Jason said. "[It] gives an opportunity to see [people in that age range] more as people and less as just, ‘That’s my grandpa,’ or ‘That’s my dad.’ They are humans—they are people. They’ve lived these rich lives, and they’re still active."
What happened in 'The Golden Bachelor' Episode 7?
This week on 'The Golden Bachelor,' we find out who Gerry bids goodbye to after last week's cliffhanger, which saw him abandon the rose ceremony when faced with the painful option of saying goodbye to one of the women.
But first, the women from Gerry's season shared their thoughts on the program for the 'Women Tell All' episode.
The women's story began with the women reminiscing on their lives following 'The Golden Bachelor'. Nancy, who concluded her journey with Gerry during the third week of the show, stated that her children "have a new perspective."
When Jesse Palmer stated how many individuals the ladies impacted around the country, the women spoke about the slogan they all share, giving many hope to eventually find love.
Susan influenced reality star Kris Jenner, who sent a note to the wedding officiant from Aston, Pennsylvania.
Joan, whose time on 'The Golden Bachelor' was cut short during the second week due to a personal issue, had the opportunity to reflect on her experience and provide an update on her daughter, who is doing better after suffering from postpartum depression.
When Jesse asked Joan what she believed would have occurred with Gerry if the circumstances had been different and she had stayed longer, she said, "I think we had a good chance."
In addition to Joan, in "Women Tell All" viewers received a deeper look at Ellen's journey, which concluded in week four with a tragic moment during a rose ceremony, only a week after she confessed to Gerry her honest thoughts. Ellen described Gerry's departure as "one of the most emotional and difficult times of my life." Despite her sadness, she expressed her "gratitude for Gerry."
Ellen also recalled her beloved friend Roberta, who encouraged her to appear on the show. Unfortunately, Roberta passed away before the release of 'The Golden Bachelor'.
Ellen was shocked at the conclusion by Courtney, who was in the crowd. "Thank you for showing us [what] a true friendship, love, loyalty look like," that's what she said to Ellen.
While each woman's relationship with Gerry terminated prematurely, they had no ill will towards him. Instead, they told him how optimistic they were about finding love.
Ellen also expressed gratitude to Gerry for "giving me the ability, confidence, and self-esteem to move on and find love."
Following up on last week's show, we discovered during 'Women Tell All' that Gerry handed his rose to Theresa and had to say a tearful farewell to Faith, to whom he stated "I love you" on their hometown date.
Faith also emphasized how difficult it was for her to "open myself up to love."
While their travels on 'The Golden Bachelor' had finished, the women's affection for each other was still visible as they reconnected and had a heartfelt hug on stage.
Gerry informed Faith that his love for her was "genuine," and that the night they parted, his "heart went out" to her.
Gerry went on to say that the aspect of their journey that bothers him is that he promised Faith's family that he would safeguard her heart. "I didn't do that," Gerry stated flatly. But Faith informed Gerry that she knew he didn't crush her heart on purpose. "I know your heart is true in all the good ways," she said.
Gerry told Faith at the end, "I am a better person for meeting you."
Which ladies remain on 'The Golden Bachelor' after Week 7?
Theresa and Leslie are the two ladies that remain on 'The Golden Bachelor.'