Farmer Wants a Wife Recap: Final Moments Before the Final Choice in Episode 12

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It's almost time for the four farmers to make their final decisions on Farmer Wants a Wife.

Episode 12, which aired Thursday on Fox and is now streaming on Hulu, featured all four farmers meeting up with the families of one of their final two ladies.

Season 2 of the show has averaged 1.8 million viewers per episode.

Now that the farmers have met both families, next week will be decision time, where they will have to pick one lucky lady to continue pursuing a relationship with.

Members of our Lancaster Farming news team have committed to watching each episode to provide insights and commentary. Enjoy our thoughts about Episode 12 below.

Cringiest Moment

Candice Wierzbowski, digital content manager: The episode had barely begun and I was already cringing at what was going on in the Blondtourage Salon where Taylor works (amazing name, by the way). I can't imagine allowing my coworkers to interrogate my significant other — talk about an HR nightmare. Although my coworkers are more likely to interrogate you about your tastes in salad than your intentions.

Karen Lefever, paginator: I think the cringiest moment was when Kait's friend asked what Mitchell loves best about her and he said she would be a good mother and he loves her food. Normally that would be a nice thing to me, but it sounds like he just wants someone to keep house. I could be wrong but it just sounded off at that moment.

Stephanie Speicher, social media editor: I didn't love when Mitchell commented on how Kait was "wise for her age." The first time gave me pause, but the second time turned it to full-on cringe for me. Mitchell is 27 and Kait is 23, which isn't a bad age gap, but that phrase just really gave me 32-year-old John Mayer dating 19-year-old Taylor Swift vibes. Maybe it's just me, but I think Mitchell Would've, Could've, Should've used a different phrase.

Rebecca Schweitzer-Benner, special sections editor: This year's family interactions seem more staged than last year's. Last season, sometimes an individual would get up to leave or pull the farmer aside, but this year, each visit, the farmer must excuse themselves and the girl must excuse herself, separately. And their reasons are dumb, like Mitchell saying he's going for a walk on the beach. In the middle of a meal? Really? I repeat what I've said before: you're never going to get to know somebody in a job interview-type format.

Kelly Thomas, food and families section editor: For the last two episodes I have cringed every time one of the farmers awkwardly stood up and announced, "Well, I guess I'll excuse myself for a moment so you all can talk about me." Not something a guy normally does after meeting the parents for the first time.

Steve Seeber, executive editor: Who pairs pastries with water and soda? There was no coffee or tea in sight of the café table where Ty met Megan's family. That's not cringey, that's criminal.

Funniest Moment

Candice: This show needs a clock in the corner of the screen that counts down to the moment someone asks Ty about kids. It's laughable at this point.

Karen: The funniest moment was Nathan's cute face when Taylor's father asked him if he ever had feelings toward anyone else like he did for Taylor

Stephanie: Emerson's entire family fangirling over potatoes was quite the moment.

Rebecca: The farmers did not excel with their outfit choices this week. Nathan showed up in a long-sleeve button down with a lined vest to Texas where everyone else is wearing tank tops. Of course you're sweating, Nathan. And then Mitchell went to Los Angeles in a heavy coat, and they're all wearing dresses.

Kelly: Albeit a brief moment, I thought it was hilarious when Megan's dog was watching the drone camera and barking at the off-camera crew. As someone who has a highly alert dog, my Wilma would have done the same thing.

Steve: While other dads focused on abstract questions about relationships that almost seem silly on a TV love show, Emerson's dad and fellow farmer wanted to know how many acres of potatoes Brandon grows. I found that amusing and admirable.

Any Shockers?

Candice:  I'm shocked by how much I enjoyed Emerson's family, given that I'm not her biggest fan. I enjoyed watching her father discuss farming with Brandon and I think he would have preferred to keep the conversation on agriculture rather than his daughter's personal life.

Karen:  I guess one shock is that once again there is concern about Ty and having a baby. Maybe all of this should have been discussed more with these couples. All the parents are concerned about it. But the bigger shocker is Brandon — he didn't do any kissing!

Stephanie: I was a bit flabbergasted by the questions Taylor's friends were asking Nathan. I get that they want to feel out his intentions, but asking if he told her he loves her and asking if she's his soulmate felt weird to me. They've been dating for like 6 weeks, maybe chill out with soulmate talk.

Rebecca: The kid debate recirculating with Megan took me by surprise. I thought early in the season she said that she was okay without having kids, knowing Ty didn't want more. Now, she isn't sure, but more than that, she is saying that she is willing to go into a relationship and wait for Ty's answer. He gave one, and it's no. Going into the relationship thinking you may convince him to have more kids, something that she seems to have always wanted, when the guy knows he doesn't want them seems like a bad decision.

Kelly: I was a bit shocked Brandon did not kiss Emerson when they had a moment of privacy on the mule. They were pretty much inseparable during their first meeting and the hot springs date, so not sure what made him a bit more reserved this time.

Steve: There were no shockers for me, so I'll take the reverse approach. I would have been shocked to see Mitchell in shorts while at the beach. Denim on sand is an underrated fashion statement. Way to be true, Mitch.

Favorite Family Meeting

Candice: I didn't really like one more than the others, but I thought it was sweet that Mitchell expressed how much he admired Kait and was looking forward to meeting her mom to see where she got it all.

Karen: Nathan and Taylor. I just thought it was all sweet and I thought he really fit in. He is such a genuine guy. He handled all the questions well and they really liked him. Nathan and Taylor were just smiling the whole time. 

Stephanie: None of them really stood out to me this week, but if I had to pick one, I'd probably say Nathan's meeting with Taylor's parents. I feel like it was a very respectful, mature conversation all around.

Rebecca: I loved seeing Emerson's family farm, but I have a problem with that sheep shot. Not one of those animals moved for the entire two or three seconds the camera was on them. I've (tried) to photograph livestock, and they are never that still. We're hypothesizing that the camera crew actually just filmed a still photo. But, otherwise, very pretty farm.

Kelly: While they were all much less awkward this week, I really enjoyed Nathan's meeting with Taylor's family. Although it was in a restaurant, there wasn't much awkwardness in the conversation and, as always, Nathan showed his true colors by just being his wonderful self.

Steve: Mitchell in LA to meet Kait's family. They were refreshingly pleasant, like a laundry detergent with the perfect touch of fragrance.

Favorite Farmer

Candice: Ty is once again my favorite. He's so clearly smitten with Megan. He practically had hearts in his eyes. I also noticed that he didn't give her or her mom a hard no on the issue of kids. It seems like it's something he'd consider for the right woman.

Karen: I think they all handled their visits really well. And all the families seemed to really like the farmers. I think Nathan gets my nod for this week. He was just so sweet and really felt like a boyfriend meeting the family for the first time. Smiling from ear to ear. But of course, I always enjoy Ty too!

Stephanie: I haven't wavered, it's still Nathan. 

Rebecca: Nathan all the way. He is caring, thoughtful and genuine, and he is smitten with Taylor. It makes me really happy to see how good they are for each other. All of the family members keep saying they're concerned the farmers are going to break their daughter's/friend's/sister's heart, but I'm worried about some of these farmers. The girls knew going on this show could result in them moving, and they picked the farmers, so they knew where they would be going, and yet, they get to this stage and have to decide between the farmer and their existing life. They should've done that before going on the show.

Kelly: Since day one, it's been Nathan. No turning back now.

Steve: Nathan. His acknowledgement, twice, that relocating is a mutual decision reaffirmed that he is the most considerate 23-year-old man on TV.

Final Choice Predictions

Candice: I'm betting on Ty and Megan, Mitchell and Sydney, Brandon and Emerson, and Nathan and Allye.

Karen: Gosh my predictions are all over the board. I want my heart to be right but most times these shows lead you astray. I think Nathan and Taylor are really smitten on each other. They already act like boyfriend and girlfriend. And I think Brandon will pick Emerson. They have good chemistry (but no kiss last night) and their family lifestyles are very similar. I think he thinks it would be very hard for Grace to leave her family. Ty, I have been pulling for him and Megan from the very beginning. They seem so good together. And my last thought, I feel Sydney and myself are going to get our hearts broken. Mitchell and Sydney look like the perfect fit. The show has been leading us to believe it, so that leads me to believe it will be a shocker and he picks Kait. That is who his mom told him that she liked the best. So I have a feeling he is picking her. But my heart wants it to be Sydney so bad. 

Stephanie: To me, it's pretty clear that Nathan is going to pick Taylor. They have quite the strong connection, both emotionally and physically, while he and Allye have never even kissed. I was feeling very confident going into Episode 12 that Mitchell would pick Sydney — especially since he brought flowers for Sydney and her mom, but not for Kait — however, after his meetup with Kait's family, I'm slightly less sure. But I'm still leaning slightly toward Sydney. I think Ty is either going to pick Megan or is going to decide that it's not quite right with either of them. I think he and Megan would be a better fit, but the discussions around children might prove to put a hitch in his giddy up. As for Brandon, I'm not an Emerson fan so I'm fully rooting for Grace.

Rebecca: Nathan will choose Taylor. Whether she accepts is concerning to me. Ty is choosing Megan. Brandon I think will go with Emerson, but I think she is going to say no. Something seemed off with her this episode. I think she is worried about moving. Or she didn't miss Brandon during the time away like she thought she would. Mitchell, I'm the least confident on. I think he is going to choose Sydney. Kait was seeking physical affection on the beach, and he either missed the cues or ignored it. I think his heart and head are elsewhere.

Kelly: Obviously Nathan and Taylor. I think Mitchell will pick Sydney, although I do feel she has to gain a bit more maturity for the relationship to completely gel. I am definitely torn between Melody and Megan for Ty, although something tells me he'll pick Melody, since I have a feeling he prefers city spunk above rural sweetness. See below for thoughts on Brandon.

Steve: Nathan will pick Allye because he doesn't want to disrupt Taylor's established life in Dallas, but he will realize two years from now that he made the wrong choice. Brandon is more comfortable with Emerson's farm family. This one is a no-brainer. Mitchell was star-struck in LA and loves the prospect of jet-setting between there and Nashville. Kait will move to his farm. Ty loves Megan and the connection she has with his daughter, but he knows his reluctance to have more children is an eventual deal breaker. So, he will pick Melody and enjoy the adventure of country boy-city girl for as long as it lasts.

Final Thoughts

Candice: I have felt so uncomfortable watching some of these families grilling the farmers. Some of these people, like Taylor's dad, need to tone it down a notch. I understand that you feel protective over your daughter, but asking her boyfriend about his dating past and personal feelings in that sort of tone is inappropriate and gross. It makes them look like they don't trust their daughters to make decisions for themselves.

Karen: My final thought was I thought this episode was kind of boring and nothing really shocking or funny happened this week. I thought most of the last moments together were very tender and cozy and all the visits with the families just went nice but no excitement. And next week looks like crying and a lot of "I like you, but..."

Stephanie: I'm very intrigued to see if any of the farmers are still with whoever they choose in next week's episode. None of the Season 1 couples lasted much past filming. We'll see if Season 2 will be any different.

Rebecca: One of Emerson's family members asked Brandon what makes him get up in the morning, why he keeps farming. This is one of my favorite things to hear about from farmers. They have such a tough job, and it isn't most people's cup of tea, but when you hear about how it's just what they love and how everything else can't compare, you hope to find something in your life that you feel the same way about.

Kelly: After this week's episode, I am thinking Brandon may just hang up his spurs and not pick either of his final two women. He just seems too unsure with both. I could be completely off here, but hey, I've been wrong before. I'm just glad there was no Joy (the noun) in this episode.

Steve: Next week is the finale, so something big is going down. Possibly polygamy.