Self-imploding, doubts and the 'L' word: Fantasy suites with 'The Bachelorette,' UW-Madison grad Jenn Tran and her final three men

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "The Bachelorette" Season 21 episode 8, which aired on ABC on Aug. 26, 2024.

"The Bachelorette" is down to a love triangle ... ish. And, we're thinking we're in for some heartbreak in Hawaii.

The final three fellas each got to go on a date with "The Bachelorette," University of Wisconsin-Madison alum Jenn Tran.

Toward the end of the dates, the couples opened a fantasy suite invitation from host Jesse Palmer. Fantasy suites are essentially the first chance the couples have to get to know each other with the cameras off — and overnight (wink, wink).

While Devin said the "L" word to Tran on last week's episode , Tran wasn't ready to say it back yet. And, she still wouldn't be. Cue Devin self-imploding.

On the other hand, Marcus was battling with whether Tran truly is the one for him. But, that wouldn't stop Tran from telling him she's in love with him.

Jonathon? Basically living his best life.

This week brings not one, but two episodes of "The Bachelorette" on ABC. Tuesday night's will reveal Tran's top two, plus it's the "Men Tell All."

Ahead of all that, here's a recap of Monday night's installment, including dates, fantasy suites and Devin contemplating what he should do:

Devin and 'The Bachelorette' Jenn Tran's date and fantasy suite

After just about the most adorable greeting, Tran and Devin hopped in a helicopter to see the island. They held hands, cracked cute jokes and shared kisses while soaring by rainbows and waterfalls.

"I've never felt any type of way about a woman like I feel about Jenn," Devin said in a confessional. "I feel it in my bones that I'm the guy for Jenn. How we interact when we're together, it just makes us feel like it's just us two in the world and nobody else."

Devin raved about what normal, everyday life would look like with Tran — working and going to movies, concerts and the bar. Having a "normal family life" is what would make Devin's life "extraordinary" since he didn't get that growing up.

Devin reminded Tran that he loved her and why: She makes him feel secure in his own skin in a way he's never felt before. While that meant a lot, Tran said, it's sometimes hard for her to accept a good thing when it's right in front of her.

"I know you're a good thing and it's scary for me to lean into that fully because I know that, if I lean into it all the way, it's going to be real," Tran said. "I want to and I'm trying. I want you to know, I'm on the way there."

"That's fine. Just know that I'll be there waiting for you whenever you get there," Devin said. Or would he ... dun, dun, dunnnn.

Later, over a candlelit dinner, Tran was serving bridal vibes in a white one-shoulder dress.

What did Tran mean earlier about not being able to accept a good thing? That's what Devin wanted to follow up on.

In the past, Tran's had relationships that sabotaged themselves. But, with Devin meaning so much to her, she worries he's too good to be true. In a confessional, Tran said Devin checks all of her boxes.

"Your love. Where do you see it all going? And, are you ready for an engagement?" Tran asked him.

"I'm ready because I have never felt a person accept me the way that you've accepted me in life," he told her. "You've been a rock that I didn't realize that I needed until I had it there. I would love to call you my fiancée. And, I would love to call you my wife."

"I can't tell you how much you mean to me," Tran responded.

Tran revealed a letter from Palmer, inviting the couple to share a night in a fantasy suite.

"I'm game if you're game," Tran said.

"I'm totally game," Devin replied.

When they got to the suite, they cheers-ed over champagne, then the making out commenced.

As morning broke, the camera panned to Tran's dress on the floor and her jewelry on the nightstand. When we reached the couple, they were all sorts of bashful and giddy.

"I feel like a happy girl," Tran said. "You look like a happy girl," Devin said. The little moments, like waking up next to Tran, are the ones that matter most to him, he said.

"It's just becoming more and more real for me, and I think last night was a pivotal time for that to see that," Tran said at breakfast. "I can see that future there with you."

As they said their goodbyes, Devin threw in another "I love you" for good measure. But, again, he didn't receive one back.

"There's no more love that I can give without hearing it back," Devin said in a confessional. "I've given everything I can to this point. And, I just want to know that I'm the guy."

Jonathon and 'The Bachelorette' Jenn Tran's date and fantasy suite

Tran pulled up to Jonathon in a bright red Jeep, beeping. While he's not into sweets, she took him to a malassada food truck.

From coconut to guava Nutella, they fed each other bites of donuts and shared sugary smooches. Afterwards, they shopped a market and had more sweets. Sorry not sorry, Jonathon.

Later on, they trekked to a waterfall. While Tran was feeling the strain of being so far along in the process already, she said, the two of them do a good job of just being themselves whenever they're together.

"I can't not put other people first and that especially includes you," Jonathon said. "I want to be that breath of fresh air when you sit down and you just get to enjoy."

But, on the other hand, Tran said, she never wants him to suppress how he's truly feeling on her account. Straight out of a rom-com, the two embraced one another and kissed under a waterfall.

That evening, Tran talked to Jonathon about how refreshing and endearing it was to see how close-knit and open his family was. He said she "owned it" with her confidence.

Growing up with immigrant parents in a predominantly white community, Tran said, she "hated" who she was for a long time and just wanted to fit in.

"It was really tough having to hide that part of me because it is a part of me. And, it is who I am," she said.

"Who you are is pretty great," Jonathon assured her. "You should never have to hide that."

If Jonathon becomes a part of Tran's family, he said, he'd learn the Vietnamese language and cooking.

When Tran has kids of her own, she said, she wants to help them celebrate who they are and teach them about what makes them unique and special.

"I want them to just go through life confident as hell, knowing that who they are is so amazing," Jonathon said. "I never want them to question it and I never want you to have to question it. I wish that you always had that confidence 'cause you're so fricking incredible."

Cue: Another fantasy suite invite from Palmer.

"What do you think?" Tran asked Jonathon.

"I would love to spend the night with you," he replied. "I would, too," she said.

The morning after, Jonathon told Tran it felt amazing and natural waking up next to her. She concurred, saying "it's always natural with us."

"We went to bed, smiling," Jonathon said in a confessional. "We woke up, smiling. The vibes, the energy, the happiness is so through the roof that we can't contain it. "

Marcus and 'The Bachelorette' Jenn Tran's date and fantasy suite

When we last saw Marcus, he was having reservations and feeling behind . Hitting the driving range with Palmer, he was still feeling that.

"I think it would be wrong for me to get down on a knee right now with how much uncertainty I have," he told Palmer.

Marcus said he needs to find out what Tran sees in him and why she's continued to choose him, time after time.

"You know how much of an inspiration you are, right?" Palmer said to Marcus. "Seriously. You've been through so much . You deserve to be happy."

"We're trying, yeah," Marcus said, holding back tears.

Marcus is having a hard time figuring out if he's in love with Tran but lying to himself. Or, if they're just not meant to be after all.

Tran had a "really special" date planned for Marcus, which kicked off with a boat ride.

They held onto one another as Marcus wiped off his date's lipstick — with his mouth. Tran talked about wanting to be a mermaid and how she had been to the island when she was 3 because her dad won a trip there.

As the sun set, the two went snorkeling with manta rays. When the couple popped their heads out of the water, a shooting star flew by. If that's not a sign ...

"I see him there at the end of this all," Tran said in a confessional. "I can only hope that he feels the same way."

At dinner, Tran asked how Marcus was feeling. "A bit nervous," he confessed.

During the last rose ceremony , it hit him that he's not always guaranteed another week with Tran. He got in his head and has been having a hard time recovering from that.

"I think that there's so much potential right now," he told Tran, getting choked up. "There's been a lot of things that have aligned with us that I've never experienced with anyone ... You've pulled yourself up just as many times as I have, if not more. I've really never met anyone like you."

Coming from a "broken family," the main thing he wants to do in his life is marry and have a family with someone he has no doubts about. And, while he may be putting pressure on himself with the process nearing the end, he told Tran, it's been hard for him to reach the point of saying he's in love with her.

But, that didn't stop a visibly disheartened Tran from revealing how she truly felt about him.

"I would be lying if I didn't tell you that I am in love with you," she said. Brought to tears, Marcus said he'd continue to try as hard as he can to get there, too.

"The biggest thing that I want you to know is that, even though I'm not there yet, I would not be sitting in front of you right now if I didn't think that it was possible," he said.

What could possibly be coming next? Why yes, another fantasy suite invitation.

"What do you think?" Marcus asked. "What do you think?" Tran countered.

"Yeah, to spend the night with you I think would be hugely beneficial," he said. She agreed that it would be good for their growth.

Waking up the next morning, Marcus felt "magical" and grateful. While having breakfast in bed, Marcus told Tran the night and morning they shared helped alleviate some of his doubts. That made her feel better.

"Don't start thinking too much," Tran warned him as they parted ways.

Devin struggles with 'The Bachelorette' Jenn Tran not saying she loves him back

While Devin's fantasy suite was "great," he left feeling less himself.

"I'm giving out a love that I don't feel like I'm getting in return," he said in a confessional.

Alone at a bar, Devin told Palmer he needed to feel the love that he's been giving. Not wanting to pressure or scare Tran, he didn't ask if she loved him as much as he loved her while they were on their date. But, that's what he needed to know.

"I keep giving and giving and giving — and she's growing from that," Devin said. "But, I'm withering away."

While he felt wanted by Tran, he said, he didn't feel loved, needed or like he was "the one."

"I need more from Jenn," he said.

The saga left off with Devin knocking on an unsuspecting Tran's door. Ruh roh!

How to watch 'The Bachelorette' Season 21

The next episode of "The Bachelorette" will air Tuesday night on ABC. Episodes stream on Hulu the day after they air.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Self-imploding, doubts and the 'L' word: Fantasy suites with 'The Bachelorette,' UW-Madison grad Jenn Tran and her final three men