March 09, 2021 • bachelor insider
Matt James Introduces Rachael & Michelle to His Family in Dramatic 'Bachelor' Finale Teaser
Matt James’ journey as the Bachelor is coming to a dramatic conclusion, as seen in a teaser for Monday night’s Season 25 finale.
“I’m about to make one of the most important decisions in my life — to find love, to find a wife, to leave this thing engaged,” the handsome lead says in the clip.
The preview also sees Matt introducing his final two women — Rachael Kirkconnell and Michelle Young — to his mother, Patty James, and brother John. “My brother and my mom, they know me better than anybody,” Matt says, explaining the importance of his family’s approval.
Elsewhere, Matt describes a conversation he had with his mother about his estranged father, Manny James. As Bachelor Nation witnessed during the March 8 installment of the show, Matt reunited with his dad — who split from Patty when the Bachelor was young — for an emotional conversation about the past.
“She doesn’t want me to make the same mistake that my dad made,” Matt says of the chat he had with his mother.
Later, Rachael engages in one-on-one time with Patty. “Every time I see him, my heart’s racing,” the Georgia native tells Matt’s mom. “I really do picture this future with him.”
Michelle also seems to share a touching moment with the woman who raised Matt. “I’ve been looking for this type of love for such a long time,” the schoolteacher says, to which Patty replies, “Thank you.”
Next, Michelle and Patty share a warm embrace before the standout contestant exclaims, “You’re gonna make me cry!”
While speaking with Matt alone, Patty warns him that “love is not the end-all be-all” before his final Rose Ceremony. “Love is a wonderful thing, but it’s not going to be easy,” she says.
In a confessional, Matt admits that his childhood is weighing heavily on his mind as he contemplates the life-changing decision before him. “Hearing everything that my mom has been through just takes me back to a very dark place,” he says.
Finally, Matt breaks down in tears. “You OK?” Chris Harrison asks him, to which he tells the host, “No. No, I’m not.”
Chris responds, “I’m sorry, Matt. Do you know if you can do this anymore?”
Matt says he is uncertain about being able to continue. “To be honest with you, I don’t know, Chris,” he says before walking away.
A tearful Michelle then appears, begging Matt for clarity about the status of their relationship. “Tell me where you’re at,” she pleads.
Rachael is also anguished. “He didn’t even want to see me today. I feel pretty in the dark right now,” she tells the camera, wiping away tears of her own.
“Everything that I thought I was working towards is starting to crumble,” Matt laments. “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
Watch the sneak peek below — and see how Matt’s love story unfolds when “The Bachelor” Season 25 finale airs Monday on ABC at 8 p.m. ET, followed immediately by the “After the Final Rose” special at 10 p.m. ET.