'Bachelorette' recap: The self-elimination shocker: 'Very possible that my person just left'

'Bachelorette' recap: The self-elimination shocker: 'Very possible that my person just left'

The last four "Bachelorette" contestants have been reduced to a final three, which is hardly unexpected considering the rumor mill's constant churning.

This week, Michael A. went home, leaving Katie to pick between Blake, Greg, and Justin. But why did the lone father say his farewells?

That's all there is to it. The bit about becoming a "daddy."

At the start of this week's show, Michael FaceTimes his 4-year-old son James. What starts off cute gradually becomes excruciating.

"Perhaps daddy left because he doesn't want to see me," James explains to his father over a tearful phone call. Michael, understandably, becomes enraged. James' sole constant in life is his mother, who died seven months after he was born. 

"I don't want him to ever believe he's not enough after losing his mother," Michael adds.

The fastest we’ve ever teared up watching #TheBachelorette tbh 🥺 pic.twitter.com/fJU63Plqvr

— The Bachelorette (@BacheloretteABC) July 27, 2021

Michael refuses to give half of himself to Katie as the hometowns approach. As a result, he ends their relationship.

Michael's departure has left Katie befuddled and sad.

Katie sobs, unable to speak since she didn't see it coming. "I watched us all the way to the finish, which makes this extremely perplexing for me right now," she adds, bringing us to tears as well.

He assures her that he is going for James due of their friendship, not because of their relationship. She stands by him, despite how tough it is for her.

He tells her, "You taught me how to love again." Why are you making this so tough, Michael?! 

"It’s very possible that my person just left," Katie relays in a confessional.

“You taught me how to love again.” 😩😭 #TheBachelorette @katiethurston pic.twitter.com/AcWxv9bn9f

— The Bachelorette (@BacheloretteABC) July 27, 2021

Whew. And that was only after 20 minutes!

Former participants in the series' customary "Men Tell All" section get the opportunity to laugh, weep, argue, and get things off their muscular chests for the rest of the program.

Aside from a rerun of the season's drama, math instructor Connor B.'s make-out session with an audience member is a significant interesting development. (For what it's worth, we'd watch that spinoff.) 

Just your typical #MenTellAll 😳😉🔥 #TheBachelorette pic.twitter.com/1iHewaqa00

— The Bachelorette (@BacheloretteABC) July 27, 2021

We also get an inside peek at Jason Tartick, a former "Bachelorette" competitor, proposing to Kaitlyn Bristowe (spoiler alert: she thinks they are about to host a podcast together, but he pulls out a ring instead).

Michael also makes an appearance on "Men Tell All," saying that if Katie was interested in giving him another chance, he'd be up for it.

Katie, on the other hand, is fine. "Ultimately, everything was intended to happen," she says of her conclusion.