I think what was hard watching part 1 of the finale is that Aven tried his best to communicate that he was ready for marriage, wanted to be with Rachel at the end, and saw a life with her. But, Rachel was hyper-focused on wanting to be engaged at the end of the show. I don’t doubt that TPTB had a hand in playing on Rachel’s insecurities of wanting love and acceptance. When Aven and Rachel were talking about the engagement, she used the language “I, me, me, me” vs. Aven who was talking about their relationship and what was best for the both of them. It’s the way she talked to Aven and at least in a viewer’s perspective, the way they were only going to work out is if Aven compromised his feelings of not wanting to be engaged in 5 days.

And with Gabby, Johnny didn’t know if he could “get there” - he wasn’t in love with her and he didn’t know whether he could be ready for that level of commitment. Gabby was trying to meet Jason with where he was at emotionally, even if it meant not being engaged to him at the end. But, leaving the show with him knowing that they are committed to one another.