Still in Finland, Raven and Vanessa get to meet (well, re-meet in Raven's case) Nick's family. Unsurprisingly, the family likes both of the women.
Vanessa gets the first last one-on-one date with Nick. They go horseback riding and then are way to excited about meeting Santa Clause, who gives them a wood carving that vaguely resembles the two of them. Vanessa says "it's nice to hear Santa Clause believes in a future between Nick and I," as if Santa wouldn't have said that to any couple who he presumably gets paid to act jolly for.
Vanessa and Nick then have a discussion they both leave unhappy with. Vanessa says she's not comfortable if Nick chooses her just because it's a slightly better relationship than one he has with someone else, and it's a good point, but no matter how much better Nick's relationship with Vanessa might be, he's not allowed to tell her because that's no fun for the audience!
Nick and Raven then have their date. They go ice skating and then Nick brings out a bunch of husky puppies for Raven to play with and I don't care if he breaks up with her, Raven is the real winner of Finland. Raven says "I hope my kids with Nick are as cute as these puppies," and I hate to break it to her, but nothing is as cute as those puppies.
Anyway, Raven tells Nick she has no hesitations about their relationship, and Nick babbles at her. At this point it's obvious who is going to win: Vanessa was crying at the end of her last date and Raven is soooo confident and I see what you're trying to pull, producers, but there's no way you're not going to show Vanessa emotionally winning and confident Raven get heartbroken.
Nick then gets to meet with Neil Lane for, what, the fourth time? He picks out what I hope is the largest diamond yet.
Then we have the rose ceremony. Raven's up first, gives a speech, and despite Nick's very drawn out words, Raven (and everyone watching) knows immediately he's breaking up with her. She leaves and Vanessa shows up. Vanessa tells Chris Harrison, "I'm nervous," and Chris Harrison says, "you should be," which I'm sure didn't help.
Vanessa goes in and Nick launches into his I love you speech. He says "I'm glad I don't have to try not to say it," which is actually pretty sweet. They sleigh ride into the sunset.
The End.
But not really, because we have After the Final Rose where Chris Harrison asks questions that makes it seems like he really wanted Nick to have been runner up once again. We find out Raven is heading to Bachelor in Paradise and that Vanessa is moving to LA.
The, "it's like the queen has arrive" with Rachel coming out for an "epic surprise" (Chris Harrison's words, not mine).
That surprise is that Rachel gets to meet four of her suitors live on ATFR! It's awkward and a little cringe-y, especially when a white dude says he's "ready to go black and [he's] never gonna go back." Oof. Despite that, I am still excited for Rachel's season!!!
