9:59 pm, July 22nd, 2013
RECAP
(ABC)
Monday’s “The Bachelorette: Men Tell All” special brought back some of the season’s most beloved – and controversial – contestants.
More than a dozen of Desiree Hartsock’s rejected suitors gathered to reflect on the show and reminisce over never-before-seen footage.
But the show wasn’t without any drama, as many of the guys continued to clash — and Hartsock confronted James over his hotly-debated exit.
Before he took the hot seat, the panel turned their attention to Ben, the single dad who initially won over Hartsock, but found himself the outcast of the house before getting pushed out on a 2-and-1 date with Michael G.
“The only thing I regret about the show is some of the things I said in that limo,” Ben said, referring to being caught on camera during his exit saying he couldn’t wait to meet another girl and wanted to go to Hollywood.
VIDEO BELOW
Mikey said his problem with Ben was that he wasn’t “respectful,” and Juan Pablo echoed that as well.
“I honestly don’t know what they’re talking about,” insisted Ben, getting angrier as his fellow contestants continued to hurl accusations, especially when it came to his parenting.
When Hartsock came out, she admitted to doubting Ben’s insincerity throughout the process, and found her feelings confirmed by his exit comments.
“It showed everything that you were,” she told him.
But that interrogation was nothing compared to what James faced, he who tried to convince Hartsock that his comments with Mikey about having a chance at becoming the “Bachelor” if he made it to the Top Four weren’t a big deal.
James again attempted to defend himself, saying it was “a conversation that real men have,” and that he deserved an apology from some of the men, but the guys weren’t wavering on their stance.
Kasey called him out for claiming he was “falling in love” with Hartsock, then openly talking about his post-show future, and then blowing up at the guys when they tried to talk to him about it.
Hartsock said she gave James “the benefit of the doubt,” but told him, watching it back, “I was being manipulated by you.”
“You just went up and down with your whole story,” said the brunette beauty. “If you 100 percent felt something, you would have been confident in that regardless.”
Interestingly, the season’s third most controversial contestant, Brian, who was unceremoniously kicked off the show after being surprised by his girlfriend, chose not to show up for the reunion, prompting the men to label him a “coward.”
Zak, who was eliminated just after the hometown dates, said he was left with a feeling of defeat.
“Something that you hope and hope will happen and builds and builds, and in just one second it’s gone,” he lamented, going on to confess that he’s actually still in love with Hartsock.
“It won’t go away. You lose hope that it’s going to happen, but it’s there,” admitted Zak.
Hartsock told him that he “did have everything I was looking for,” but had to “gauge it” with her other relationships.
The Bachelorette then found herself getting a little emotional when Zak performed a moving song about his heartbreak — and his resolve to move on.
Check out VIDEO of Desiree confronting James below!
Next week will start the two-part season finale, with Hartsock choosing between Brooks, Chris, and Drew.
Who are you rooting for?
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