Disclaimer: I mentioned previously that we had one Serena left. I was wrong. Both Serena’s are still here. That being said, the fact that I overlooked a Serena does not bode well for her longevity in the house.
Shocking New Episode!!
As always the episode is shocking and new. We start off where we left off. Sarah left and Matt is upset about her departure. I would not be surprised to see her return in the future. Twists like that are what Bachelor lives for.
The ladies are gathered for their group therapy sit downs where Victoria shows her colors again, “The trash took itself out.” Katie responds with all of the maturity that I have come to know and love from her, “Can you stop?” Victoria responds in her most Victoria way, “No, I’ll say whatever I want.”
OUCH!
Katie is quickly becoming my favorite person on the show, but I believe that her maturity and reason will eventually slot her into the best friend role. With no romantic connection she will eventually be let go and I predict it will happen on a one-on-one date.
The Shortest Group Date
This group date is pretty underwhelming. Everyone is worried that Sarah’s departure is going to impact the date. Overall I felt like Matt didn’t seem as present in this date as he has in others. The specter of Sarah was there as each woman asked him how he was doing.
I found Chelsea’s conversation with him to be the most meaningful. She talked about her relationship to her hair and how she used to straighten it. She talked about the uniquely black woman experience of this and their relationship to their hair. It was a moment of genuine connection after which they shared a kiss and she ultimately received the date rose.
Katie vs Victoria round.. 100
We get to see an interaction between Katie and Victoria that was plain uncomfortable. Victoria wants an apology for not being allowed to express herself. Katie points out that she’s not going to apologize for shutting down toxic behavior. Katie wasn’t having it and overall came out as the classy one in this engagement. I expect we’ll see more of the mature Katie and more Victoria stirring the pot as time goes on.
Cocktail Party
First of all.. Mari’s red dress. I am not sure I need to say anything else about that.
The ladies line up for their talks with Matt. Pieper makes the strong play of complimenting him and his strong mother. They kiss. Kit talks about chemistry and I start to question if there is any real chemistry between them. Katie talks about respect, but does not go in for the kiss. I think she needs to make a move ASAP or she’ll be in that black SUV sooner rather than later. Serena shares a kiss with Matt. Victoria wears a white fur coat and gets emotional with Matt. Just as things are getting serious Chris Harrison comes in and interrupts. Victoria has a meltdown over the constant interruptions. I question whether the producers have him standing in the back and they time it for the perfect moment of highest emotional impact.
It’s Raining Woman
Our normally scheduled program has been disrupted by the entrance of five more women! What? How? Why? This is going to stir the pot like no other. Something happens to a group that makes it difficult for newcomers to be accepted by the pack. I expect that even though the women in the house are in a competition that we will see these newcomers have a hard time getting accepted, especially at first.
The New Girls
Brittany 23, Chicago, Model – She says she wants to make up for lost time and lays a HUGE kiss on him. Of course there are a gaggle of ladies watching this. The ladies are not happy at all, Victoria is on the attack right from the start.
Michelle 27, Teacher, Edina, MN – Nothing notable about her entrance.
Ryan, 26, choreographer, NYC – Normal entrance.
Kim, ICU Nurse, 28, LA – Normal entrance.
Catalina, Miss Puerto Rico, 29 – She enters with her sash and crown. How many queens can fit in one house? I am certain Victoria will not be happy about this. As I correctly predicted she went for the new queen in town. She even took her crown and put it on before leaving it on the table. I wonder how scripted that was because I find it hard to believe that the crown was not well attached or that Queen C would let Queen V remove it from her head.
Katie sums it up best. There is fear that Matt might look at the new girls and say OOOo new shiny! She’s not wrong. Especially after some of the drama it is refreshing to have new people in the house. Perhaps it will make things better (It won’t).
I think Matt realizes that things are not going to be great with the new people in the house and he tries to defuse the situation with his toast. Good try, good luck sir.
What are the chances?
There is already talk in the house the Anna knows Brit from Chicago and has dirt on her that she probably shouldn’t talk about, but of course she is going to tell everyone. What are the chances that two people from the same city are on the show and know each other? Also, what are the chances that Anna was warned about this other person? What reality do all these people live in?
If there wasn’t already a target on her back there certainly is now after she goes and interrupts Queen Victoria from her time with Matt. Oh dear. If looks could kill.
We then proceed to see Matt talk to all of the new women. I believe the comment of the night goes to Michelle, “We’d breed well.”
Rose Ceremony
Has roses: Serena P, Chelsea, Rachael
MJ
Pieper
Bri
Magi
Michelle (new girl)
Mari
Ryan (new girl)
Kit
Serena C
Abigail
Katie
Victoria
Lauren
Brittany (new girl)
Jessenia
Anna
Catalina (new girl)
Going home:
Khaylah
Kim (new girl)
(hostess girl who made an entrance in lingerie)
Group Date
Let’s Fall in Love – Mari, Bri, Abigail, Brittany, Ryan, Catalina, Magi, Anna, Victoria
First we bring us to the obligatory let me get advice from a previous bachelor that people liked scene. Ben Higgins is back! Matt jokes with him that he left a rose ceremony with more women than went into it. He offers some wisdom for our new bachelor and reassures him that he has a great day planned for him and the ladies. This brings us to the physical challenge portion of the show!
Obstacle Course
The ladies have to navigate an obstacle course which consists of a water obstacle, wacky outfits, and lots of running around. The OGs as they are calling themselves, Original Girls, are out for blood and really want to make sure they win. Mari proves to be the best at scampering through the terrain and wins the event.
(Side note: Pumpkin boats? Like.. boats made from giant pumkins?? Holy crap. I want.. no.. I need one of these in my life. I had no clue that was a thing. Did you know this was a thing? Why have I gone this far in life without knowing this was a thing? Also is Magi still out there in the pond? They seemed to have left her there.)
Afterparty
The ladies queue up for talking to Matt. Anna goes first and is interrupted by, what are the chances, Brit! I will note that in a big strike against Anna when he asks her what she would want to share with him she comes up blank. I don’t think Anna is long for the world here especially as it seems she and Queen V start to bond in their rumor sharing about other people. Apparently Brit might be an escort. (Cue dramatic music!)
Bri takes home the rose much to the dismay of Anna who thought she was going to get it.
Group Therapy
The ladies gather for their nightly group therapy session where they are dishing. Michelle talks about the need for the new women to catch up. The other ladies are stewing in their anger. The date card comes and of course Michelle gets it. “Let’s make up for lost time.” Coincidence? I think not.
I don’t think the house can handle too much of this and at some point we will see a discussion from the ladies about whether they should tolerate this or not. I feel like this is part of the arc the show goes on each season and we are going to get there soon.
Date with Michelle
First off I have questions about Matt’s sweater..t-shirt. Which is it? I can’t decide if I like it or not or if I could pull it off either. I imagine being a handsome gentleman helps him pull off whatever clothes he wears, I am just sure where I stand on this particular shirt.
They go on an extreme scavenger hunt. I like the concept, it’s cute and puts them all over the resort they are at. I feel like this season is an advertisement for the place. Airstrip, zip line, pumpkin boats galore!
The culmination of the date is a romantic…. Don’t mind the pilot… hot air balloon ride. Of course the ladies are lined up someplace to witness them kissing in the balloon… excuse me mr. pilot, don’t mind us as we make out here right next to you. Can you please not get in the shot? Thanks! After this they have dinner at a car showroom and make out in the back of an antique car.
More Group Therapy
Victoria still being mean despite the new girls trying to talk to the group. The date card shows up and we have the next contestants on let’s date Matt! Katie, Pieper, Serena P, Rachel, Kit, Chelsea, Jessenia, Lauren, Serena C, MJ – Are you willing to fight for love?
Katie and Brit have a one-on-one chat. I hope Katie is keeping track of these hours, she is on her way to being a therapist. Brit talks about how she is hurt by the rumors. Katie explains the bachelor and how it is hard here. Katie continues to be logical and adult. She looks like she is going to be the champion to tell about other women and that also means that she is going to go home soon. The person who brings up the things going on in the house is never long for the show.
Group Date: The Traditional Fighting Date
Are we surprised yet? These dates happen pretty much every season. The ladies are going to learn to fight and box for Matt’s love. Lucky for the new girls, none of them are on this date. We start off with Matt outside working out in the outdoor gym the producers put together right before the ladies got there. I will commend Katie for being first in for the hug. She needs to do something before he figures out he doesn’t like her.
They introduce Mia St. John and all the ladies pretend to know who she is. I would honestly be surprised if anyone knew who she was before they told them. The ladies are then brought to fight in front of a LIVE STUDIO – CAPTIVE CONTESTANTS!
Also WELLS!! My curiosity is at what point is he taking over for Chris as the host of the show? Is he being groomed for that?
I’ll spare you the details. The ladies beat each other up until Matt decides that watching this mortal combat is too much and we fast forward to the afterparty. At the party Matt talks to the ladies where he kisses Rachael and Pieper. We break away from that to a shot of the ladies venting about their situation. Overall it’s a lot of trash talking about the new women. Katie has a enough of it and goes to talk to Matt. She describes an environment of bullying and mob mentality in the house that needs to be addressed.
We even get a shot of Anna and Queen V bonding over being mean girls together.
UNTIL NEXT WEEK!
