When you put feelings on the line with a camera in your face, you're bound to be involved in a few dramatic moments. That's what shows like The Bachelorette thrive on to get viewers, especially as the season heads to an end. Bachelor Nation always eagerly waits to see the final episode and see all the craziness go down. Will there be a proposal? Will the loser cry? The Bachelorette's most dramatic finales are, well, dramatic, but they can also be so sweet. The best episodes have some of both those qualities.
Not every Bachelorette couple makes it forever, although quite a few of the couples have stayed together. On the other hand, one thing that does last forever is the memories. Whether the relationship works out or not, the Bachelorette and her suitor will always have that over-the-top proposal to fondly think back on. And, for viewers, it's always fun to compare new seasons to old. Will the new Bachelorette be a Trista Sutter and fall madly in love, or will she pull a Jennifer Schefft and send both men home?
There are so many variables involved that every Bachelorette finale is guaranteed to be interesting, no matter the level of drama. And so, because I can, I've ranked them from least to most dramatic in case you feel like binge watching some Bachelorette drama in the near future.
10. Trista Rehn Sutter — Season 1
The original Bachelorette finale went off without a hitch. Rehn graciously accepted Ryan Sutter's sweet proposal, and they rode off into the sunset together and have been going strong ever since. Awww.
9. Ali Fedotowsky — Season 6
In another Bachelorette first, Fedotowsky sent home her runner-up before the final rose ceremony. She knew before the big day that she wanted to pick Roberto Martinez, and she didn't want to lead Chris Lambton on any more. He was sad about her decision, but was glad she respected him enough not to let him propose only to reject him. As a result, Fedotowsky's proposal day was pretty drama-free and full of love as Martinez got down on one knee and the two got engaged. They made it a little over a year before splitting, but they'll always have that special day to remember.
8. Desiree Hartsock — Season 9
Determined to be drama free, Hartsock sent home her runner-up early on in the episode and only let Chris Siegfried meet her family. Before his proposal, she told him he was the only one there, which also cut down on any fears he might have had about rejection. It wasn't a very dramatic proposal, but it was sweet.
7. DeAnna Pappas — Season 4
Pappas' proposal was pretty standard. She broke fan-favorite Jason Mesnick's heart when she picked Jesse Csincsak over him, but the heart wants what it wants. The most dramatic part of the Season 4 finale was when previously-eliminated Jeremy Anderson showed up to try to win her back. She sent him packing for a second time, but it opened the show to a million more contestant comeback attempts throughout the years.
6. Jillian Harris — Season 5
The Canadian native had a crazy finale, complete with a former contestant's return. But Reid Rosenthal wasn't just there for a second chance or some closure; he was there to marry Harris. He even got down on one knee and pulled out a ring. Poor Harris had already eliminated her second choice, Kiptyn Locke, and thought that her pick Ed Swiderski was coming next, only to be ambushed by Rosenthal's proposal. After taking some time to think things through and get her emotions in check, she sent him home (again) and finally Swiderski got to propose.
5. Andi Dorfman — Season 10
The most recent Bachelorette finale was plenty dramatic and also really awkward. While her proposal from Josh Murray was so sweet, eliminated contestant Nick Viall just couldn't let things go. During the After the Final Rose special, he angrily accused her of leading him on with sex. “If you weren’t in love with me, I don’t know why you made love with me,” he said, revealing what happened behind the closed Fantasy Suite door. It was a rude statement, especially on what should have been a happy night celebrating Dorfman and Murray's engagement.
4. Meredith Phillips — Season 2
The second-ever Bachelorette made a major mistake when, during her final date with him, she told Matthew Hickl that she loved him and wanted to end up with him. But then, at the conclusion of the episode, she changed her mind and picked Ian McKee instead. Her last minute switch made this finale a pretty dramatic, but it was also interesting that she picked Ian. Despite the fact that he had said earlier to the cameras that he wasn't ready to propose, he made a beautiful proposal to Phillips anyway. Sadly, they split after only a year.
3. Emily Maynard — Season 8
Maynard broke Arie Luyendyk Jr.'s heart (and mine) when she sent him home before the final rose ceremony. It was a kind gesture on her part, but Arie was so sad that it was painful to watch. Maynard's finale continued its dramatic streak during the After the Final Rose special, when it was revealed that, despite her engagement to Jef Holm, Arie was still in love with her. He even wrote her a journal filled with his thoughts and left it at her house in Charlotte while the show was airing. Basically, Arie was the original Nick Viall, but without that super rude comment about the Fantasy Suite.
2. Ashley Hebert — Season 7
Hebert's finale got off to a rocky start when her sister said she didn't see Hebert and J.P. Rosenbaum together. Chrystie feared Rosenbaum was too serious for her silly sister, and Rosenbaum angrily announced to the camera that this was "bulls***." He was worried that Chrystie's opinion could sway Hebert's decision. But the drama didn't stop there.
During the actual proposal, Hebert made the mistake of letting both men get down on one knee, even though she knew she wasn't going to pick Ben Flajnik. He was pretty disappointed that she didn't pull an Ali Fedotowsky and send him home when she knew. Thankfully, any bad feelings between her and Flajnik disappeared once J.P. Rosenbaum proposed. Today, the couple is happily married and still one of the best relationships to come out of the show.
1. Jennifer Schefft — Season 3
The original Brad Womack, Schefft rejected both men during her finale. It was the first time it had ever been done in the history of The Bachelorette (or The Bachelor), which shocked fans. But, at the end of the day, Schefft had to honor herself, and she just wasn't feeling it with either of the men. It's not The Bachelorette without a little drama, and these seasons all definitely delivered.
Images: Craig Sjodin (2), Adam Larkey, Mario Perez, Matt Klitscher (2), Francisco Roman (2), Javier Pesquera/ABC; Getty Images
