Golden Bachelor host Jesse Palmer says Gerry cares 'deeply' for Ellen

Each week during The Golden Bachelor, host Jesse Palmer will answer a few questions about the widower's "journey" to find love. Today Jesse shares his thoughts via email about the amusement park group date and Gerry's heartbreaking goodbye to Ellen.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: First, a slightly random question: Is it just me or do the Golden Bachelor ladies enjoy the pool more than any contestants on any Bachelor show? I love that they're always in the water!

JESSE PALMER: YES! The ladies made the most of their time in the pool singing, dancing and floating. In retrospect, we probably needed a full-time lifeguard on duty.

You broke the news to the women that there are only going to be three hometown dates instead of four. How did that change the dynamics of the group during this final week?

The women were expecting there to be four hometowns, so it definitely raised the stakes. They knew that they would have to capitalize on their time with Gerry that week and tell him everything they needed to say.

Everyone seemed to have a lot of fun at the Santa Monica Pier during the group date. If you had to go up against one of the women in a round of Skee-Ball, Whac-A-Mole, or Ring Toss, who would it be and why?

I really loved seeing how much fun Ellen was having at the Santa Monica Pier; it seemed she was having the time of her life! I also know how competitive she gets, so Ellen wouldn't let me win at anything.

Gerry didn't hand out the rose on the date because he needed more time. From your experience, can one more night really help a Bachelor or Bachelorette make a tough decision, or are they just postponing the inevitable?

The extra time can absolutely help achieve clarity. It's so easy to get caught up in the feelings that you're experiencing in that moment, but taking time away can help you process everything and decide what's best for you in the big picture.

It was so hard to watch Gerry say goodbye to Ellen this week. What do you think it was that led him to end their relationship before hometowns?

I know how deeply Gerry cares for Ellen, and her telling him that she was falling in love really touched his heart, but I believe he felt stronger connections and could see a future more clearly with Leslie, Faith and Theresa.

The Golden Bachelor airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

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