The Bachelorette season 21's Jenn Tran is building a strong connection with Marcus Shoberg, but she shouldn't choose to get engaged to him in the end. Jenn, a 26-year-old physician assistant student originally from Hillsdale, New Jersey, but currently living in Boston, Massachusetts, is breaking new ground as the first-ever Asian American Bachelor franchise lead. She began her journey to find love with 25 contestants, and Marcus, a 31-year-old Army Ranger veteran from Raleigh, North Carolina, has been one of the men with whom she's building a great relationship.
Throughout The Bachelorette season 21, Jenn and Marcus have had many memorable moments. She chose him for her first one-on-one date, during which she faced her fear of heights by going skydiving with him. This brought them closer together. Jenn also gave him the group date rose after he was injured in a rugby game. Although Marcus and Jenn seem to really enjoy each other's company, there are a few reasons that he might not be the right person for her in the end.
Marcus Isn't Ready To Be Engaged
Marcus Hasn't Dated In Five Years
During the Bachelorette season 21 premiere package, Marcus told Jenn that, when he was an Army Ranger, he was seriously injured in a grenade explosion, which changed his life. In his premiere package, he revealed that it's been about five years since he's dated, and he thinks that he's ready to open himself back up to being in a relationship and the possibility of love.
Although Marcus wants to be in a relationship again, it probably isn't a good idea for him to jump into an engagement with Jenn after not dating for five years and considering everything that he's been through. He might need more time. If Jenn does choose Marcus in the end, they probably should date rather than put so much pressure on their relationship by getting engaged. Marcus doesn't seem to be fully emotionally available yet, so getting engaged too fast could cause heartache for the both of them.
Marcus Has A Hard Time Opening Up To Jenn
Marcus Pushed Jenn Away When He Was Injured
When Marcus was injured in the group date rugby game, Jenn brought her stethoscope to the cocktail party to playfully check on him. However, Marcus at first insisted that he was okay, but then, after she pushed him, he admitted that his injury hurt a little bit more than he was expecting, but that he'd been through worse. Jenn explained to him that he'd told her that he'd felt alone in his life, and she wanted to be there for him.
Marcus replied that he puts a lot of pressure on himself to not be perceived as weak because his livelihood depended on that for a long time. In his confessional, he said that he was nervous because, to open up to Jenn about hurting about anything, opens the door to hurting about everything. Marcus told her that he didn't want anyone to feel bad for him. He told her, "Maybe I'm just asking for a little room right now."Jenn told him that he didn't always have to be strong for him, and that she could help carry. They hugged, and he thanked her.
Marcus then explained in his confessional that he'd gone through the most difficult things in his life alone. He said that it felt a little bit selfish to ask someone else to carry his burdens, and that he didn't like doing that. When Jenn later gave Marcus the group date rose, he became very emotional and cried in front of everyone. While this is understandable, Marcus might not be ready to be in the kind of relationship that Jenn's looking for because it's hard for him to be vulnerable with her.
Marcus Expresses Doubt In The Bachelorette Previews
Marcus Says That He's Not There Yet With Jenn
In the Bachelorette season 21 previews, Marcus tells Jenn, "You deserve all the love in the world, but I'm not there yet. I'm struggling right now." Although the show is notorious for its misleading promos, it does seem that Marcus is saying these words. In light of everything else that's happened during the season, it's possible that Marcus is struggling with his feelings. If this is the case, then Jenn should choose someone who's more sure of their relationship.
Although Marcus seems like a great guy, he doesn't seem to be ready for an engagement yet. Unfortunately, Jenn should probably choose someone who's on the same page as she is about the future. Marcus deserves love, but Jenn shouldn't get engaged to him at the end of The Bachelorette season 21.
The Bachelorette airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.
