Tonight’s finale for The Bachelor: An Officer and a Gentleman begins the way most reality finales begin: with a review of the past season. But, to their credit, the review is mercifully short and focuses just on the two final women, Tessa Horst and Bevin Powers, and their experiences with Andy Baldwin so far. With all the spoiler news out there, maybe they decided to dispense with the usual total season review.

After the recap, which focuses on Bevin’s true heart contrasted with Tessa’s reasonable doubts, it’s time for the women to meet Andy’s family. It’s Tessa’s turn first to meet with the family – Andy’s mom, dad, sister, grandma and grandpa – back in Pennsylvania.

Andy says he hasn’t brought a woman home in the past eight years. He briefs the family, giving them a quick rundown of the qualities and background of the final two women. His mom comments that she thinks Andy is ready for a commitment. He leads the family in a cheer of “Operation Soulmate!” By his sister’s reaction and his mom’s assertion that he is a “goofball,” it would appear we are not the only ones who find Andy occasionally dorky.

Tessa arrives and immediately, the family seems charmed by her sweet nature. Andy’s mom comments on how beautiful she is, and in interview, says that she finds her “bright, poised and natural.” She also says she was “drawn” to Tessa. Andy’s granddad calls her a “viable candidate” and says he would have been attracted to her back in the day as well.

At dinner, Andy’s parents tell the story about their meeting. Andy’s mom admits, like Tessa, she took a while to warm up to Andy’s dad. Granddad asks Tessa about her religious background and she tells him she was raised Catholic but isn’t practicing. She talks about her career as a social worker, and all is going well until Andy’s mom asks her where she sees herself in five years. She is unable to be specific about being with Andy due to there currently being another woman in the picture, but later she wonders if this was the right thing to say.

After some talk with Andy, his sister takes Tessa aside to discuss the experience and to clarify that Tessa’s earlier resistance was due to the oddness of the situation and not any problem with Andy. Andy’s sister likes Tessa’s honesty and all in all the lunch seems to go well enough that Andy wonders if Bevin will have a hard act to follow.

And at first, it does seem a little less fluid for Bevin. As she tells the family about her career, she mentions she works with sexual dysfunction and wonders if this is something the Baldwins are uncomfortable discussing. At dinner, as well, there is a slightly awkward moment when she says she was raised in the Bahai faith, and the family isn’t exactly sure what this means. She worries that she seems very liberal to the family.

But they like her anyway, and throughout the evening, she wins everyone over. After she leaves, Andy talks to his family about her, and it seems like her clear affection for Andy is a wining point for his mom. Only his granddad seems to stress that Tessa’s reserved nature might hide feelings that are just as strong. He also cautions Andy to think long term and not be blinded by the electricity. Overall, though, his family thinks he can’t make a bad decision: they are both good women.

That’s nice, but not really a help to Andy. He feels just as confused as ever. And now both women need to make another trip, this time to Hawaii, for a final set of dates and the final ceremony.

First up is Bevin. He takes her on a helicopter ride, which, for Bevin, is a big risk since she has some fear of flying. But with Andy at the controls, she doesn’t have the same fears. After the ride, they share their thoughts on what they want in a partner. Bevin wants unconditional love, understanding and a best friend. Andy wants someone with energy, someone who is compassionate, and a nurturing woman to be a mother to his children.

Bevin gives him a present – a watch, to replace the one he gave to her when he took her to the hospital. And she also shares her feelings, telling Andy that she loves him, and, after a moment, he says the same in response.

So what now for Tessa? She knows she has to open up. She knows Bevin has a connection too. Andy is ready for it, saying there is no more time for baby steps.

The two go horseback riding and swimming. As they sit on the beach, she continues to open up to him, but he seems a little reserved, and she says she feels like he is unconvinced. She knows she has been hot and cold, but now she is in love.

She tells him as much as they have dinner in her room. She gives him a note and a gift. The note tells him that she doesn’t want to go back to her life without him, and the gift is a collage of the moments they have shared. He tells her he loves her too, but again, it seems a little unmoved compared to how he responded to Bevin. Could ABC have engineered a big switcheroo with the spoiler?

Andy says he is still trying to figure it all out. He goes for a run and gets emotional trying to make a decision. Then he goes shopping for a ring, a ring both women say they are ready to accept. But which one will it be?

After both women get ready, it is time for Andy to announce his decision. First to meet with him is Bevin. As soon as he starts talking about her courage and strength, it seems clear this is going south. Bevin seems to sense it too. Andy continues to talk, to tell her other wonderful things about herself, but the bad news is coming and she knows it. She cries but doesn’t say a word as he finally admits that for all his feelings for Bevin, someone else has touched his heart deeper. He walks her out and seems at a loss as to how to make this go any better, but Bevin is ready to leave. In the limo she cries and vacillates between a healthy acceptance with awareness she will overcome this and a sort of self-pitying defeatism, saying this is what always happens to her.

But for now, it’s time for the happy couple to come together. Tessa arrives, nervous, but lovely in a blue dress. Andy compliments her, and tells her she is like a “wish come true.” He remarks on her combination of sophistication and silliness, and says she is everything he has been looking for. She seems thrilled to hear it, and when he goes down on one knee, and presents the ring, she says yes. So either the spoilers got one thing wrong or else she changed her mind later.

Anyway, she accepts the ring, accepts the final rose, and the music swells.

So what is the real story? We will find out tomorrow on the After the Rose special.

- Leslie Seaton, BuddyTV Staff Columnist

(Image courtesy of ABC)