The Golden Bachelorette contestant Pascal Ibgui has been building a connection with Joan Vassos, but there are signs that he could break her heart in the end. Joan, a 61-year-old private school administrator from Rockville, Maryland, began her journey with 24 men. The mother of four and grandmother of three lost her husband of 32 years, John, to pancreatic cancer in 2021. Joan has now narrowed down her suitors to just seven men--Pascal, Chock Chapple, Guy Gansert, Jonathan Rone, Jordan Heller, Keith Gordon, and Mark Anderson.
Throughout The Golden Bachelorette season 1, Joan has been enamored with Pascal, a 69-year-old salon owner who's originally from France, but who now lives in Chicago, Illinois. Pascal appreciates the finer things in life, and loves designer clothes and has expensive tastes. He's also expressed that he doesn't cook, clean, or do laundry. Joan gave Pascal a one-on-one date, and they've shared some memorable moments along the way. However, it's beginning to seem as though Pascal could end up hurting Joan in the end.
Pascal Admitted That Being Vulnerable Was Difficult For Him
Joan Needs Someone With Whom She Can Be Completely Open
During The Golden Bachelorette episode 3, Joan gave Pascal a one-on-one date during which they flew to Las Vegas via a private jet. They had a lot of fun trying on various fashionable outfits. They also were treated to a private concert from legendary singer Wayne Newton, during which they shared a dance.
During dinner, Pascal opened up to Joan about his childhood in Paris, which was difficult because his family didn't have much. He also told her that he didn't feel love and support from his parents. Pascal had vowed to make something of himself, and he worked hard to do that when he came to the United States.
Joan was very glad that Pascal opened up to her. It was a significant moment because Pascal had admitted in his confessional that it was hard for him to be vulnerable. They connected not only on an emotional level, but also a physical one, as they shared many kisses. However, Pascal's struggle with being open could resurface as they get closer to the end of the season. This would make having a relationship with him very difficult for Joan.
Joan has confessed to the Golden Bachelorette men that being open was especially difficult for her, because she still loves her husband John and he'll always have a piece of her heart. If both Pascal and Joan can't fully open up to each other, then their relationship will be headed for disaster. Joan needs someone who's ready to be vulnerable with her, and Pascal doesn't seem to be completely there.
Pascal Isn't Giving Joan What She Needs
Pascal Wasn't Attentive During A Group Date
During the after-party of The Golden Bachelorette episode 4 Stand Up For Cancer Chippendales date, Joan admitted to Pascal that she was disappointed that he didn't make much of an effort to get her attention during the date. Pascal apologized and told her that he was more of a one-on-one type of person. He explained that didn't want to appear aggressive. Joan seemed to accept this answer, but it was a bad sign for Pascal. All of the men were in the same situation as him, but he was the only one whom Joan questioned about his attentiveness.
It was a bit of a surprise to hear that Pascal wasn't paying enough attention to Joan because this wasn't shown in the episode. However, it's good that Joan wasn't afraid to express it to him. Pascal seems like the type of man who usually has women fawning over him, so he might not be used to having to compete for a woman's affections. This could be a bad sign that the format of The Golden Bachelorette isn't for Pascal. He could end up breaking Joan's heart because he doesn't want to have to fight for her attention.
Joan's other six remaning men have all put themselves out there for her, and have made quite the effort to win her heart. Chock even returned to her after leaving for a short while because his mother passed away, which proved how dedicated he is to her. Pascal could end up breaking Joan's heart if she gives more to the relationship than he can or is willing to give. Joan shouldn't have to beg Pascal for his attention.
Pascal Seems Self-Absorbed
Pascal Might Not Be Right For Joan
Although Pascal explained to Joan that he's proud of the life that he made for himself after living through financial difficulty during his childhood, he seems to be too into material things. He insisted in his confessional that he's not a snob, and that people shouldn't judge a book by its cover. However, when Joan visited the men at the Bachelor Mansion, Pascal showed Joan his closet, which he jokingly lamented was too small for all of his designer belongings. While this was a funny moment, it showed that Pascal puts great value on material things, which doesn't seem to be the case for Joan.
In addition, Pascal seems to be self-absorbed. He admitted that he doesn't cook, clean, or do laundry, but it seemed to come more from a place of thinking that those things are beneath him, rather than not knowing how. He even jokingly offered to pay fellow contestant Gregg Lassen to do his laundry, which became a funny storyline on the show. After Gregg left, Pascal was shown doing his own laundry with the help of Mark, which was a heart-warming scene, but it's hard to imagine that he'd continue to do that in the real world.
While there's nothing wrong with Pascal enjoying the finer things in life and wanting to be waited on and pampered, he doesn't seem like the kind of man that Joan's looking for. She's repeatedly said that, after her husband died, she didn't feel safe anymore. She's looking for someone who'll make her feel that way again. Pascal doesn't seem to be the kind of man who'd take care of Joan, but rather he'd expect Joan to do that for him. This would end up hurting Joan because that's not what she's looking for.
The Golden Bachelorette's Joan and Pascal seem to be forming a connection, but there are already some obstacles in their way. They seem to come from different worlds, and this could lead to Pascal hurting Joan in the end. Instead, Joan should pursue the men who are making a strong effort for her. Pascal is really going to have to step up his game if he expects to win Joan's heart in the end. However, as of now, it seems possible that Pascal could break Joan's heart, which would be very sad to see.
The Golden Bachelorette airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m
