I’m Concerned About The Future Of The Golden Bachelor After Joan & Chock's Engagement

The Golden Bachelor and The Golden Bachelorette have both had somewhat difficult first seasons, and I’m feeling concerned about the show’s future after Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple followed Gerry Turner & Theresa Nist’s lead of getting engaged. While there are some stereotypical standards that most Bachelor shows follow, there have been looser rules surrounding engagement at the end of a season in the last decade of the franchise. Some are ready to get engaged by the end of the season, while others feel that they don’t know enough about their partner to commit to a lifetime yet and continue dating.

Many paid close attention to the way Joan spoke about marriage before her season, where she explained that she wasn’t sure she’d get engaged at the end of The Golden Bachelorette season 1. Despite saying she likely wouldn’t find herself engaged at the end of the season, Joan accepted Chock’s proposal and shared that she may even consider budging on a live TV wedding, despite having claimed that would never happen before the season. Joan’s flimsiness surrounding her future has been off-putting and led me to wonder if future seasons of The Golden Bachelor could be pushing engagements without reason.

The Golden Bachelor & Bachelorette Have Both Ended In Engagements

Both Have Had A Traditional Bachelor Franchise Happily Ever After

After The Golden Bachelor season 1 was announced as part of the schedule for the fall of 2023, many were curious about how the series would unfold and if the traditional Bachelor franchise hallmarks would be part of the series. From Gerry’s introduction to the show to the opening night limo entrances, The Golden Bachelor was a lot like its predecessor, taking cues from The Bachelor. Bringing host Jesse Palmer in, using The Bachelor mansion, and having similar rose ceremonies for the lead and contestants, the series made it clear that it was part of the Bachelor franchise to stay.

As The Golden Bachelor concluded, many were curious about whether or not Gerry would propose to his final rose recipient, as was typical with most Bachelor seasons. Gerry ultimately chose to propose to Theresa, marrying her quickly thereafter, but the relationship didn’t last. When Joan’s season of The Golden Bachelorette began, the same question arose. Many expected Joan not to jump into an engagement, and Joan herself confirmed she was hesitant after what happened with Gerry and Theresa. In a surprising turn of events, Gerry and Joan both left their Golden journeys engaged to their choice for the final rose.

Gerry Turner & Theresa Nist’s Marriage Fell Apart

They Didn’t Know Enough About Each Other

Throughout The Golden Bachelor season 1, the world got to know the picturesque version of Gerry that Bachelor producers wanted viewers to see. With the season moving quickly, Gerry got to know the women of The Golden Bachelor and had to let them go one by one. Despite feeling connected to many, he was finding himself closest to Theresa. When he proposed at the end of the season, their story felt like it had come full circle, and the couple announced during the show’s live finale that they’d be getting married in just weeks for all Bachelor Nation to watch.

With their wedding a quick Bachelor Nation affair, including a golden carpet with correspondents and a live look at their vows to one another, the couple were on to the next phase of their life together sans-cameras. Though they’d been closely watched, things shifted for Gerry and Theresa after the wedding, making it clear that there were a few problems they hadn’t addressed before getting married. The couple weren’t living anywhere remotely close to one another, and things had moved so quickly that they didn’t really know each other well. When their divorce was announced, Bachelor Nation wasn’t completely shocked.

Joan Vassos & Chock Chapple Are Already Facing Intense Scrutiny

The Couple Are Being Picked Apart

After less than a week being engaged in public, Chock and Joan’s relationship has already faced scrutiny from Bachelor Nation. Hearing Joan say she wasn’t likely to get engaged during The Golden Bachelorette was a major sticking point for viewers throughout the season, so seeing her turn her back on that was odd for many who thought she would stay true to herself. On top of the engagement, while Joan was a complete pass on a live TV wedding in the past, she’s now said she’d consider doing it with Chock, who Bachelor Nation blames for her change of heart.

The Golden Bachelor Faces A Difficult Future If Couples Are Pressured To Get Engaged

They Aren’t Always Ready For Big Commitment

The Bachelor and its spin-offs have always pushed the couples to be engaged in the end, but I’m concerned about back-to-back engagements on The Golden Bachelor and The Golden Bachelorette. While I hope that Chock and Joan prove me wrong, I find it hard to believe that their relationship can withstand the pressures of a real-life romance, and putting engagement stress on top of that will be more difficult. I’m nervous that if there’s another engagement at the end of The Golden Bachelor season 2, the precedent will be set and even more unhealthy relationships will emerge from the franchise.