Mel Owens’ Golden Bachelor season was bookended by brow-raising decisions. The first happened before filming began when the attorney said he planned to “cut” contestants aged 60 and above from his season (he’s since apologized ). Then, in the Nov. 12 finale , Mel bucked franchise tradition by offering his final rose recipient, Peg Munson, a ring but not a proposal. “This represents our commitment to love, to give us time to figure out, together, what our future holds,” he explained.

While marriage may ostensibly remain the goal of this franchise, Mel and Peg’s playful connection makes the case for taking things a little slower. After all, their finale comes on the heels of weeks of headline-making revelations about Season 1’s Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist’s short-lived marriage.

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