Bachelor Travis Goes with his Heart  2/28/06

Last night's Bachelor finale ended with a surprise. Doctor Travis Stork actually chose the girl he can most likely have a future with, not the "intriguing" one. Wow. That's only happened a couple of times before on this show, and the pairs have actually stayed together: Trista & Ryan, Byron & Mary. Usually when the bachelor or the bachelorette says they must "go with their heart," it means passing up the sensible, normal, sane person for the more intriguing (read "hot") one. And it always seems to be the one that most flatters their ego, the one they think they probably couldn't get if they weren't on TV.

But not doctor Travis. Probably it has something to do with him being over thirty. Anyway, the show began as Sarah met Travis' sister and brother-in-law and their adorable children at a play-place, then it was on to dinner with the parents. It's déjà vu all over again the next day, except with Moana playing the role of Sarah. Travis' family obviously found Sarah to be the better choice. The real give-a-way was when Travis escorted Moana out following the meet-the-family dinner, and the brother-in-law stated, to resounding agreement, that "meeting Moana makes you realize how much you like Sarah." That was blunt. Had Travis chosen Moana the comment would have made for some interesting family get-togethers. It's fun when people forget that they're on TV!

So the family meeting round goes to Sarah, hands down. Then it's time for the final one-on-one dates. Sarah chooses to play tennis and then have take-out at a cozy cottage. Lots of pillows on the floor, very mellow….except for the thumping sound as Sarah beats it into Travis' head that he is perfect for her, she wants him to know how she feels, she doesn't want to leave anything unsaid, she doesn't want to have any regrets…. Travis says he gets it, he gets it, he gets it already! … In a gentlemanly way, of course.

Moana's last stand takes place at her Paris apartment, where she whips up one of her healthy gourmet dishes to give Travis a taste of what he can expect when he chooses her. They discuss how she cooked like this for the girls in the house, and yet they still didn't like her. Travis goes down that road yet again, questioning why the ugly situation developed. Uh-oh. Moana makes a pretty good save with an explanation in which she assumes some responsibility for the situation, but is it enough to finally quell Travis' doubts? We shall see.

The mom's show up to take their daughter's shopping - ostensibly for final rose ceremony dresses but then - surprise! - they stop by the jewelry store to try on engagement rings! Who knew? Both girls declare how much they have fallen for Travis and it's clear that both fully expect to be seeing those rings again in the near future. Ironically, both girls choose the same exact ring - very similar tastes in jewelry and in men!

Now it's time for the final rose ceremony. Travis looks very sad. As all the bachelors and bachelorettes before him, he is excited to begin the rest of his life with his chosen one, but is devastated that he has to cause heartbreak for the other. But, okay, Travis really seems sincere about it. The first limo pulls up, and we see Moana's elegantly shod foot swing out. Probably a bad sign for her, being first, but we've been fooled before! Travis greets her with "Hey, beautiful…" and proceeds to tell her about all her wonderful qualities that, let's face it, just aren't quite as wonderful as Sarah's - to him, anyway. And the obligatory "but" is followed by "I can't choose you." Travis gives Moana an unreciprocated hug, and the discomforting crying-in-the-limo scene begins.

Travis' sad face as he watches Moana drive away is replaced by that winning grin as Sarah enters. "Hey, beautiful…." (He's going to hear about that later)…. all Sarah's wonderful qualities, obligatory "but," this time followed by "I choose you" to which Sarah of course responds that - thump - he is perfect for her. Then, saying he can't make a promise he can't promise to keep, or something like that, Travis gives Sarah the engagement ring - on a necklace. Which is good enough for Sarah, and maybe even a bit of a relief for this sensible girl. So good for Travis choosing substance over enchantment. Only time will tell if the fairy tale will come true.