As every Bachelor fan knows, it's down to the wire. Nick has only two women left: Vanessa, the 29-year-old special education teacher from Montreal, and Raven, a 25-year-old Southern belle from Arkansas. This is the point in the show where Nick usually gets rejected and cries a lot, but he's in charge this time. We still don't fully trust him to make his own decisions, so Her Campus's Erin Crabtree and Katherine Mirani hashed out the pros and cons of each relationship.
Erin: I personally don't believe that Nick should marry—or even get engaged to—anyone. Being the Bachelor was clearly just a stepping stone to Dancing with the Stars. But if I have to choose, it's Vanessa. I've been Team Vanessa ever since he kissed her after she puked on the zero-gravity date. That's ~true love~.
Katherine: I guess my problem with Vanessa is her insecurity—she can't seem to get over the fact that Nick is into multiple women and can't exclusively choose her before the last episode, even though that's obviously the whole point of the show! I just want her to accept the game she's playing and get over it. I've been Team Raven since she went on the date to Nick's hometown and got along so well with Nick's little sister. I remember thinking, "I actually don't...hate this???" Raven seems more relaxed and less likely to get up in arms about every little thing.
Erin: Your issues with Vanessa's insecurity are totally valid. In fact, this is something we see in contestants all the time. Who can forget Shawn's insane jealously when it came to Kaitlyn's relationship with Nick? (Yes, that Nick.) I was ready to send Shawn packing, but after the Bachelorette process was over and he didn't have to compete anymore, Shawn was finally able to relax into a real relationship with Kaitlyn. And they're still going strong!
So perhaps if she gets that coveted final rose and Nick's fourth favorite Neil Lane engagement ring, Vanessa will chill?
Katherine: I actually was thinking that Vanessa and Nick might the realest couple, even if they annoy me. Throughout the season, they've had the deepest conversations, and they actually talk about things that real couples talk about—Whether or not to move for each other! How to handle conflict when both people are always stubborn! Raven's fantasy suite date focused way too much on the alleged orgasm she's never had.
On the other hand, what I love about Raven and Nick is the pure fun they seem to have together. There's a lot less angst on their dates and a lot more human darts/mud wrestling. It's sweet to see, and I feel like it will translate well into life post-Bach.
Erin: Vanessa and Nick's relationship is obviously very deep. He cries literally every time he's with her or even talking about her. Though I'm still not sure whether that's a good thing or not.
I love that Raven and Nick have fun together and seem to have a lighter relationship, but I feel like it's time for Nick to grow up. This is his fourth time on the franchise; he's 36 years old. He's basically had every shot this show offers, and he needs to start taking it seriously. I think he can do that with Vanessa.
Plus, how do you explain the yellow wristband he's been wearing since the zero-gravity date if it's not an Easter egg signaling that his heart belongs to Vanessa? I don't see him rolling around in those skates from his first one-on-one with Raven.
Katherine: I totally see what you're saying about Nick needing to grow up, and I agree that Raven might not be the best person to help him get there. When we're with Vanessa, we've seen a lot about her job as a teacher for special needs adults—she's the only one who seems to take pride in having a rich professional life, other than Rachel (who was my No. 1 pick until she got snapped up for next season). As I'm thinking about it more, we really haven't seen how Raven reacts in a tough relationship situation. We just know she beat her ex with a shoe when she caught him cheating! I'm coming around to your view that Vanessa and Nick probably have the deeper connection, even if it's not as overwhelmingly sweet on the surface (besides puke kisses).
Erin: Regardless of whether it's Vanessa or Raven, do we really think Nick has it in him to not only make a Bachelor relationship work long-term but also actually get married? I'm leaning toward no. I just don't see any reality where Nick comes away from this franchise in a relationship that lasts.
Katherine: Yeah, I feel like the odds of a relationship lasting are pretty low for Nick. Vanessa especially has talked a lot about her core values of family and doing work that matters, and I'm not sure how well those will fit in with Nick's apparent core values of being on as many seasons of reality television as possible. I mean, his next move is Dancing with the Stars. I'm not convinced a Bachelor engagement will hold up once rigidly scheduled dates and all-expenses-paid trips to Finland are off the table.
What do you think? Should Nick choose Vanessa or Raven?