“The Golden Bachelor” season 2 has been a whirlwind journey for Mel Owens, who’s now down to his final two women: Cindy Cullers, 60, and Peg Munson, 62. In the Nov. 5 episode, Owens and his finalists head to Antigua for Fantasy Suites Week, where they’ll explore deeper and more intimate connections without the cameras.
However, both women have expressed concerns about Owens’ level of commitment and whether they’re truly on the same page. Though Owens has been clear about taking things slow, the clock is ticking for him to decide which woman he can see a real future with.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD. DO NOT KEEP READING IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ SPOILERS.
Will Mel Owens Form a Deeper Bond With His Final Two Women During Fantasy Suites Week?
ABCMel Owens and his final two women, Cindy and Peg, are in Antigua, hoping that paradise brings them closer. “It’s the perfect place to fall in love,” he shares. But, with Owens’ inability to really communicate his feelings with both women, will these overnight stays really change things around?
Owens speaks with host Jesse Palmer before he meets with his finalists. Owens is one week away from choosing who he will propose to. He recounts his time with Cindy, admiring her for being “romantic,” “affectionate,” and “being in tune” with how he feels. “She makes every moment count when she’s with me,” he adds. Unlike Peg, Cindy admitted that she was falling in love with Owens.
Speaking about Peg, Owens loves her energy. “She’s fun to be around,” he tells Palmer. “We hit it off early, and we connect on that emotional level.” The former athlete shares that he loved seeing Peg with her daughter. “I feel her spirit,” he says.
Palmer gives Owens much-needed advice, like how he hopes he will open up more to both Cindy and Peg. “Love is not a word I use often,” Owens tells the camera. “I’ve only been in love one time, and I got my heart broken. I won’t tell someone I love them again, just to say it.” Thankfully, Owens shares that he will open his heart and be vulnerable to these remarkable finalists.
As for both Cindy and Peg, they remain cautious about Owens. Hopefully, having some alone time will help.
Peg’s Date With Owens
ABCPeg is hoping that her one-on-one time with Owens will give her a clearer understanding of where they stand. For their date, the two hop into a dune buggy and tour the island. Owens wants Peg to “lower her tough exterior” and show her true feelings. It’s a hilarious date as Peg admits she likes to take control, she ends up driving the dune buggy when Owens goes too slow. Although she puts the petal to the metal, Owens feels protected by her and really loves her ability to have fun.
“I’m all in on Peg,” he shares.
Peg admits that she’s a slow-burner when it comes to relationships, and he seems understanding. But when Peg asks Owens how he feels about them, he totally deflects the question. Peg is worried about where they stand or if he’s just being guarded. She admits she’s going to ask Owens the tough questions once they end up in the fantasy suites.
Peg shares that she really wants to see if Owens is “emotionally available” before they head to the suites. Over dinner, Peg admits that she can see herself with Owens, and for the first time, fans see a glimpse of how Owens truly feels, admitting he could see himself with her too.
“I love being around you, I love the way you talk to me, I love how you make me feel,” he shares. “I want to explore it further,” he adds, before the two share a kiss.
Owens gives Pegs a letter that asks if she would like to join him in the fantasy suite. Peg shares that yes, she would like to spend time with him privately.
The pair is seen the next morning in bed with one another. Owens shares with the cameras, “Last night exceeded my expectations.”
“I have a better understanding of who she is. We are compatible,” he adds.
As for Peg, she adds that Owens “let his guard down” that night. “Having that conversation unfiltered, I feel like we understand each other better now. All of my concerns definitely got answered last night,” she shares.
Cindy’s Date With Owens
Before Owens meets with Cindy, she, too, has voiced concerns about his intentions, approaching their time together with caution.
“My feelings with Cindy are strong … I feel like she would be perfect for me,” Owens tells the camera.
For their date, Cindy and Owens hop on a boat where they will swim with stingrays. Owens’ visible nerves about jumping in and touching the stingrays bring Cindy back to the time he was hesitant to go horseback riding. Still, she remains hopeful that she can guide him to feel secure and comfortable as they navigate the experience together.
As the two speak one-on-one, Cindy really doesn’t get straight answers from him, and it seems that just like his time with Peg, she’ll end up getting the answers she’s looking for when the cameras are out of sight. Despite this, she has strong feelings for him. “I could be engaged at the end of this week. I’m so ready,” she expressed.
As Cindy and Owens have dinner together, he expresses that it’s been a difficult journey having two women to choose from. Cindy, however, seems unconvinced, hoping to hear a bit more reassurance about where they stand. “I can’t sit here and tell you that we’re gonna be happily ever after if there’s another person,” he states.
Cindy believes Owens is not sharing his true feelings and is being way too guarded for her. He’s being extremely cautious with his heart and isn’t ready to take a “leap of faith.” Cindy challenges him, though, asking if he knew he could be engaged in a couple of weeks, why even do the show?
“Mel is a reserved man … but it’s not the time to seize up,” she tells the cameras. Cindy ponders whether Owens has already established a great connection with Peg, which is why he is keeping his guard up. “I don’t know what’s holding him back.”
Viewers will have to wait until next week to see whether Cindy gets the clarity she’s seeking with Owens during their one-on-one night. It will also mark the two-hour season 2 finale of “The Golden Bachelor.”
