'The Bachelorette' star Rachel Lindsay made a big mistake during the hometowns – and fans are freaking out

The INSIDER Summary:

• Rachel Lindsay met Dean Unglert's family during the hometown date.
• Dean has been estranged from his father for years.
• The personal conversation felt exploitative.
• She sent him home in the end.

Despite Dean's awkward nerves on "The Bachelorette" prior to hometowns, Rachel still gave him a rose and agreed to meet his family, including his estranged father.

"I’m legitimately terrified. I’m not nervous, I’m terrified. This is going to be awful," Dean said to Rachel on tonight's episode prior to the date. Turns out, he had every reason to feel those feelings.

The hometown actually started out OK. But it didn't stay that way for long. Dean tried to confront his father about their issues because, well, I'm sure the show wanted the drama. It didn't go well.

"I’m trying to work through this with you, but you’re not allowing me to," Dean told his dad. "You’re stubborn to the point where you’re not allowing us to work through it. It’s disallowing us to have a relationship."

Dean's father responded with a helpful, "You’ve still got one f---ing foot stuck in the past. I love you, regardless. Whatever," before leaving the room.

And what better way to end a tragic family reunion like this than by breaking poor Dean's heart? That's right, Rachel sent the poor boy packing! After she told him she was falling in love with him.

Yes, it really was that brutal.

Needless to say, the internet did not handle the rejection well.

ABC should just announce Dean as the next Bachelor as soon as possible.

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