'The Golden Bachelorette' recap: Joan Vassos believes in fate with Chock Chapple and cuts four more bachelors

The Golden Bachelorette featured Joan Vassos seeing a future with Charles "Chock" Chapple during her first one-on-one date and eliminating four bachelors during Episode 2 that aired Wednesday night on ABC.


At the second Rose Ceremony of the season, Joan denied roses to Robert "Bob" Kilroy, a 66-year-old chiropractor from Marina Del Ray, CA; Christopher Stallworth, a 64-year-old contractor from West Babylon, NY; John "Jack" Lencioni, a 68-year-old caterer from Chicago, IL; and Michael Stevens, a 65-year-old retired banking CEO from Denver, NC.

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The Golden Bachelorette episode began with host Jesse Palmer sharing with Joan's remaining 18 bachelors how there were going to be three dates this week: two fun group dates and one "magical" one-on-one date in California.

The first Date Card had the following names on it: Bob; Charles Ling, a 66-year-old retired financial analyst from Philadelphia, PA; Gary Levingston, a 65-year-old retired finance executive from Palm Desert, CA; and Guy Gansert, a 66-year-old ER doctor from Reno, NV.


The other men who were asked to accompany Joan on the group date were Jonathan Rone, a 61-year-old shipping consultant from Oakland, IA; Jordan Heller, a 61-year-old sales manager from Chicago, IL; Keith Gordon, a 62-year-old girl dad from San Jose, CA; and Mark Anderson, a 57-year-old army veteran from Leesville, LA.

The Date Card read, "I have a question for you. Go to the other room and find out what it is."

The men quickly discovered a sign in a room over that read, "Will you go to prom with me?"

The guys were given flashy ruffled and multi-colored suits to wear, dating them back to the 80s.

Joan, wearing a beige strapless dress with tulle, picked up her bachelors in a white stretch limo, and everyone thought she looked gorgeous.


Joan explained how she had her first kiss in high school and fell in love, and so she was excited about the idea of potentially doing all of those things again.

The event was going to be their "senior Senior Prom," according to The Golden Bachelorette star, and the dance reminded Joan of how innocent life once was.

The man crowned Prom King at the end of the night would receive Joan's first-ever group date rose, and singer Taylor Dayne performed at the prom.

It didn't take long for the bachelors to bust out their dance moves and have a great time. It appeared Gary hit the dance floor first and he was soon followed by Jonathan.

Jonathan later shared with Joan how no one noticed him in high school and he wasn't exactly the popular guy.


Jonathan recalled asking a girl to prom and being rejected, which broke his heart and left him dateless.

Jonathan told the cameras how it actually took a lot for someone to tear his walls down but he was excited for the future and planned to date Joan with an open heart.

Bob then sat down with Joan at the prom and shared how he has a lesbian daughter.

Bob quipped, "When Thanksgiving comes around, it's Doctor Bob and 27 lesbians." Joan laughed at the joke and noted how she liked Bob's acceptance in the matter.

And Joan found out that Jordan had gone on a date with Taylor, the singer, five years ago. Gary also revealed he's Tina Turner's godson.


Charles L., meanwhile, was shutting down and isolating himself. He explained how he was still grieving the loss of his wife, who had passed away six years ago, and Joan could totally relate and empathize to his situation.

Joan said she felt honored that Charles L. opened up about those intimate notions.

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Meanwhile, a Date Card arrived at the mansion with one name on it -- Chock, a 60-year-old insurance executive from Wichita, KS -- and he said he felt like the luckiest guy in the world.

Joan then announced Jonathan as the "Prom King," hopefully making up for the brutal rejection during high school over 40 years ago. She gave him a crown and a rose, and the other men cheered Jonathan on.


"My first prom and I'm the king! This definitely means a lot to me," Jonathan told the cameras.

Joan said Jonathan was such a handsome, deep and vulnerable guy, who made her feel special. She said she could "picture a future" with him.

After Pascal Ibgui, a 69-year-old salon owner from Paris, France, who has lived in Chicago, IL, playfully complained about Gregg Lassen's horrible snoring, Chock was shown getting ready for his solo date with The Golden Bachelorette star.

"I felt we bonded... The card from Joan said, 'Meet me at the happiest place on Earth,'" Chock shared, adding how his date was probably going to take place at Disneyland.

And he was right! Joan and Chock met at the Disneyland Resort. Joan said Chock looked so handsome and has beautiful blue eyes. Joan called him a kind gentleman and family man. But since he was pretty serious on Night 1, Joan wanted to explore his fun side.

Chock told the cameras how Joan was so easy to talk to and they had a natural chemistry. The pair went on rides, smiled, laughed and had fun.


"We have the same values and morals. I like her and I want to get to know Joan better!" Chock shared.

Joan told Chock that she could see a glimmer of a future with him and he was everything she had been hoping for on this date.

At dinner that night, Chock shared with Joan how he had been married for 12 years and had kids with this woman but their relationship didn't work out. Chock then spent three years healing until he met someone new, Cathy, whom he eventually proposed marriage to.

The engaged couple was together for nine years but then, after a seizure, doctors found tumors on her brain. Chock recalled feeling "helpless" and how Cathy died in his arms five months after her diagnosis.

Chock said that Joan reminded him of his late wife because of her honesty, and Joan considered that to be a big compliment.

Chock's vulnerability enabled Joan to talk about the death of her late husband John Vassos, who got very sick and ultimately died in 2021 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.


Joan told the bachelor that they had a great time together and he made her feel safe, and so she gave him a rose. Joan said she thought she had a lot in common with Chock, including the tragedy of losing a partner to cancer.

"I don't necessarily believe in fate, but this surprises [me]... We both learned from those great loves that we had," Joan shared in a confessional. "I just feel really connected to Chock and I feel like a princess. I am so happy and really hopeful!"

Chock, in turn, gushed about how Joan gave him a little pitter patter in his heart.

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The next day, a Date Card arrived for Christopher; Jack; Pascal; Michael; and Charles King, a 62-year-old portfolio manager from Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.

Daniel "Dan" Roemer, a 64-year-old private investor from Naples, FL, was also on the card, along with Gil Ramirez, a 60-year-old educator from Mission Viejo, CA; Kim Buike, a 69-year-old retired navy captain from Seattle, WA; and Gregg Lassen, a 64-year-old retired university VP from Longboat Key, FL.


The men were asked to compete in a talent show that featured Loni Love as a special guest, and Dan explained how he had a bit of a tremor that could be embarrassing for him at times.

The winner of the talent show would receive a romantic dinner with Joan that night.

Gregg did a little standup comedy, Charles K. broke a board with a hard punch, Christopher performed Yoyo tricks, Gil juggled, Michael recited a poem, and Jack did a comedy skit with sock puppets.

Pascal styled and cut a woman's wig while twirling the scissors in three minutes, Kim sang Joan a song about wanting to be at the end of her rainbow, and Dan -- whom Joan thought was very nervous at first -- announced how he deals with tremors before proudly performing a silly and energetic ribbon dance with noticeably shaky hands.

Joan declared Dan the winner of the talent show, which made Kim feel disappointed and sad.

"I can be a rough and tumble guy... but that doesn't mean you can't also have a sensitive side," Kim explained.


Once Kim returned to the mansion, the other guys could tell he was pissed off about the talent show results.

Dan said he felt a real connection with Joan and he was hoping to expand on that.

At dinner that night, Dan told Joan how doctors had given him six months to live, although he'd never even spent a night in a hospital before that, but he found his way out of that whole. Dan said he cautiously dated after that health scare but everything in life is funnier and more meaningful to him now.

Joan gave Dan a rose that night and she said she loved how he viewed love. The couple was serenaded by a trio of musicians and danced the night away. While they were dancing, Dan said, "We really fit well together."

Joan noted how she felt comfortable in Dan's arms and looked forward to maybe going on adventures with him.

Instead of a cocktail party, the cast enjoyed a barbecue in the backyard of the mansion. All of the men chipped in and made different dishes.


Jordan spoke to Joan about how he was a late bloomer and he's very close to his daughters and dog.

As Joan was getting to know some of her suitors, Jack changed into his swim trunks and jumped into the pool.

"I feel like Jack is just here for the cannonballs," Guy joked.

Pascal showed off the designer clothes in his closet, and Gil shared how his wife had passed away in 2019. Gil said his late wife loved The Bachelor franchise and so she was probably pretty happy that he was going on this journey and taking such a leap of faith.

Gary shared his interest in coaching young athletes in sports, and he explained how he was looking for a wife -- not just a girlfriend.

Joan had her prom photo with Gary framed for him, and he said it meant so much to him. Gary was blown away by the sweet gesture and got emotional.


Kim then showed Joan family photos, including a picture of his late wife and granddaughter.

Kim broke down into tears when discussing how his late wife had written his granddaughter a letter before her passing. Joan thought the story was beautiful, and Kim realized in that moment that Joan was a very special woman.

Mark, who spent 11 years in the Army, said he learned how to speak a little German. As Mark spoke in a different language, he asked Joan to guess what he was saying. Finally, Mark asked in German, "Can I kiss you!"

Joan kissed Mark and said he should've asked for it sooner -- and then they kissed again.

Charles L. was hoping to receive a rose that night because he thought Joan was charming and gorgeous, but he acknowledged how she was in charge and the power was out of his hands. Guy also admitted he had become attached to Joan and really didn't want to go home.

At the Rose Ceremony that night, Joan handed out roses to Mark, Gary, Pascal, Jordan, CK, Keith, Gil, Charles L., Kim, Gregg, and Guy.


Joan therefore eliminated Bob, Jack, Michael and Christopher.

Michael was "disappointed" to go home but he called it "a wonderful experience." He said he was going to return home with confidence and a renewed sense of hope he'll meet someone and fall in love again.

"I have no complaints. I had a ball in this thing," Jack said in his final words.

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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski