Sean was a late bloomer and Twilley didn't bloom at all, causing them both to receive the boot from DeAnna Pappas.

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Sean, a 33-year-old martial arts master from Crestwood, KY, and Twilley, a 33-year-old software programmer from Tulsa, OK, were both eliminated on the cusp of DeAnna's hometown visits during last night's The Bachelorette fourth-season episode on ABC.

"I came here looking for a future wife.  I think that DeAnna definitely fits that mold.  DeAnna is the type of woman that I could definitely propose to," said Sean after his ouster. 

"DeAnna taught me a good lesson.  She said herself that love is risks and you have to take risks.  I felt like I put myself out there, and I think that I probably could have out myself out there a little but earlier.  I didn't get my horse in gear quick enough and it was just too much to make up.  It hurts a little bit more than what I expected.  You live and you learn."

The Bachelorette's fifth fourth-season episode began with the six remaining suitors meeting host Chris Harrison, who explained that the stakes were higher than usual this week since DeAnna would be determining which four bachelors would get a visit from her to their hometown.  Since it was such an important date, DeAnna would have no roses to present and the dates would occur in Palm Springs.

"Honestly, I'm just looking forward to more one-on-one time with DeAnna," said Sean. 

"This is the first time I'm getting out of the outhouse, so I am excited," added Twilley.  "The pressure's on."

The suitors then arrived in Palm Springs where they were met by DeAnna, who showed them their digs for the week -- which were much more impressive than the outhouse.  The first date box immediately arrived at the door and Sean learned he'd be going on the first one-on-one date.

"If tonight's date goes well with me and DeAnna, I know I'll be in that Final 4," boasted Sean.  "I give the analogy of being a Kentucky racehorse -- I kind of hung back in the shadows for a while, I let a lot of people kind of sprint themselves out, and I'm ready to start making my move."

DeAnna was also looking forward to getting to know Sean better, so the two met for a gondola ride and DeAnna's fear of heights quickly became an issue.  However Sean let her squeeze his hands until they reached their destination for dinner at the top, with DeAnna searching for the all-important romantic connection.

Sean explained he's never really taken a risk when it comes to relationships because he's "afraid of getting hurt" and is normally just "patient" in letting a connection develop.  However he's since decided to "go for it 100% or not at all" when it comes to DeAnna.  Sean then talked about how excited he was at the possibility of DeAnna meeting his family.

"I'm definitely getting to know Sean better tonight," said DeAnna.  "We have some of the same family values, and the fact that we're both from Kentucky and he wants to be here.  The dates going really well.  There's a romantic side to Sean."

As DeAnna and Sean left for her suite to enjoy dessert, the five other bachelors learned that accompanying her on the next group date would be Jesse, a 25-year-old professional snowboarder from Breckenridge, CO; Jason, a 31-year-old account executive from Kirkland, WA; Graham, a 29-year-old professional basketball player from Raleigh, NC; and Twilley -- who was the most upset since he was confident he'd be getting the final one-on-one date.

"The hardest thing about this experience for me is that DeAnna has continually thrown curveballs at me," said Twilley.  "I haven't understood a lot of her decisions.  So at this point, I'm not surprised to be surprised."

Back on the one-on-one date, Sean and DeAnna lounged in a hammock and he gushed about how he considered DeAnna to be "marriage material" and was glad that he decided to put his heart out there.  He added it had been "tough" to not have any one-on-one time with DeAnna until the date they were currently on.

"I needed tonight so that we could get to know each other," said DeAnna, and the two kissed.

"If I were handing out roses on dates this week, Sean would definitely have a rose at the end of tonight's date," she said in a confessional.

"I think tonight was in my favor as far as moving onto the Final 4 and her coming to my hometown," said Sean.  "If DeAnna's looking for a proposal at the end, I think I'm the man who can give it to her."

The next day it was time for the group date as a helicopter arrived to pick-up DeAnna and Twilley, with a second helicopter in tow to carry Jason, Jesse and Graham.

It got off to a rocky start for Twilley, who had a hard time opening the helicopter door for DeAnna.  Once in the air, Twilley started to get motion sick and had to do everything in his power to stop himself from barfing on The Bachelorette star.

"Other than that, it was great," said DeAnna before Twilley once again had trouble opening the helicopter door, this time unable to let them out.

Once outside the four bachelors and DeAnna went four-wheeling through the desert.  She noticed Twilley was off in his own world, Jason was "straight-laced" when it came to riding, and Jesse was obviously in his element as he "manhandled" the four-wheeler, which DeAnna thought was "hot."

The group returned to the pool for some swimming and relaxation, and while DeAnna was having fun she also had some serious questions to ask.

First she pulled Jason aside and asked what it would be like on his hometown date.  Jason explained DeAnna would meet his parents and his son Ty, and it would be a time for her to simply have fun with the 3-year-old.

"Just see what it feels like," he told her.  "I think it would be fun for you guys to meet each other."

"Me too," she responded.

Jesse then stole DeAnna away and she was hoping that he would give her a kiss to prove that there was a physical, romantic connection between the two.  However Jesse looked nervous as he held her hand and wouldn't shut up.  Needless to say, there was no kiss.

"I was a little disappointed that Jesse didn't try to kiss me," said DeAnna.  "There's an obvious friendship connection between Jesse and myself.  But I'm not sure if there's a romantic connection and I was surprised he didn't kiss me at the end."

Graham then had some alone time with DeAnna and they lounged on the hammock as the other bachelors opined the romantic connection between Graham and DeAnna.  That connection was only getting stronger, as he expressed excitement about her meeting his family and said he wasn't worried at all about it.  The two then kissed.

"There's something about Graham that I'm completely drawn to," said DeAnna.  "I turn into a different person when I'm around Graham -- and it's that gitty schoolgirl who gets the butterflies in her stomach that every girl wants."

The next day it was time for DeAnna's one-on-one date with Jeremy, a 30-year-old real estate attorney from Dallas, TX.  While Jeremy received a first-impression rose, lived in DeAnna's mansion for two consecutive weeks and was largely considered a front runner by the other guys, he had yet to go on a one-on-one date with her.

"Tonight's the last one-one-one and it's my first one-on-one," said Jeremy.  "It's important because we're going right into the hometown dates.  I'm hoping that DeAnna really opens up to me.  I know there's a connection -- a physical connection -- and there's definitely a chemistry.  But I kind of got to feed that fire, and if she's willing to do that, it will be a step in the right direction."

DeAnna picked Jeremy up in a vintage convertible and drove him to Frank Sinatra's old pad, which was built circa 1947.  There was even a recording studio in the living room, which DeAnna and Jeremy used to sing a duet.  They subsequently danced by the pool and kissed, and it was quite obvious that there was a connection between the two.

"I'm feeling very strong feelings for DeAnna," said Jeremy.  "These are actual, real, genuine feelings.  I want this person in my life.  I want this person here with me everyday.  I believe that's what falling in love feels like."

DeAnna also gushed about Jeremy and how he's the only person on her mind whenever they're together.

"I want so badly to fall in love with him," she said.

The two then made out in the hot tub.

"There's no way that I could possibly ask him for anything more," she said.  "I could definitely see myself falling in love with Jeremy."

The next night the six remaining bachelors arrived for the cocktail party that precedes every Rose Ceremony only to learn that there would be no cocktail party.

"I didn't give out any date roses this week.  I really wanted to get to know all six of these guys because the four guys that I give roses to, they're not just going to be here, I'm going to go and meet their families," explained DeAnna in a confessional. 

"Because of the week we had in Palm Springs, I'm not really confused as to the decision I'm about to make.  But I'm sending two guys home.  I know exactly what that feeling's like to be rejected and to not really understand why.  So I don't feel like I need to let these guys suffer through a cocktail party tonight because I know who my Final 4 are going to be."

After DeAnna explained to the suitors why there was going to be no cocktail party, The Bachelorette's fifth fourth-season Rose Ceremony commenced.

Jeremy, Jason, Graham and Jesse were all revealed to be safe, meaning Sean and Twilley were given the boot.

"It is really hard on your heart.  I came in here looking for my wife, I opened up as much as I could -- but just because you open up to a girl doesn't necessarily mean that she's going to fall in love with you," opined Twilley after his ouster.  "I'm just me.  I'm just Twilley.  I know I'm a great guy, I know I have a ton to offer in a relationship.  But I've got a very unique personality and sometimes that might be a little much -- a little intimidating.  I'll make somebody a really great husband, but not DeAnna."

The Bachelorette's next episode will air Monday, June 23 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio

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