Hey guys, hope you had a great weekend and are ready to dissect this week’s episode of The Bachelor. I was pleasantly surprised that we got back on track with two rose ceremonies this week! The drama certainly hasn’t let up, and doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon, so let’s get to it!

source

My Takeaways

1. This episode marked the emergence of a person who many viewers had almost forgotten was on the show, Leah.  After Caila received her second one-on-one date, Leah began a downward spiral of jealousy and self-doubt. She spent most of her time on the group date sulking over the fact that Ben wasn’t paying attention to her, due to his dating 6 other women, apparently forgetting the fact that that is the ENTIRE DESIGN OF THE SHOW. During the cocktail party, she spent her individual time with Ben talking about one of the other women, Lauren B. I take back what I said earlier about Leah forgetting that the entire design of the show was to have one person date multiple people because it is clear from this conversation that she has never watched the show before.  Can anyone tell me a time when a contestant spending their time with the Bachelor talking about the other women has gone well? Anyone?
   

   Besides the misguided topic of this conversation, the entire exchange between Leah and Ben during the nighttime portion of the group date was strange. I’m about 75% certain that Leah saying “Lauren B” when Ben asked her to clarify who she was talking about was dubbed in post production. At first, I thought that this whole exchange was producer manipulated, and that Leah was actually talking about Olivia. However, what she did after the date, made me doubt this original theory.

   After Amanda receives the group date rose and the women go back to the hotel, Leah decides that Ben still doesn’t know her. She “breaks the rules” and goes to Ben’s room to continue to talk to him. This move has had some success, but never when you spend your extra time with the Bachelor talking about the other women. (PSA: If you are going to go on the Bachelor, please watch the show first and don’t commit these cardinal sins of ‘The Bachelor’-dom.) During this conversation, the cameras show a full cut of Leah saying Lauren B.’s name as the woman who is different with Ben than the other women, therefore debunking my producer intervention theory. I’m still sure it was dubbed, but now I’m thinking it was just for clarity’s sake.

   Ben isn’t feeling the constant Lauren B bashing (because he obviously loves her), and sends Leah home.

2. After the group date, Olivia and Emily go on their two-on-one date: a picnic on an island during a hurricane. I have to admit that I thought this pairing was a slam dunk for Olivia. There is such a track record on this show of the “villain” coming out on top one too many times.  I guess Olivia getting the group date rose last week was her last victory, because she certainly didn’t win anything on this date.

   During their one-on-one time, Olivia talks a lot about herself and tells Ben that she loves him. After she says this, she goes in for the kiss, which Ben doesn’t deny, but he certainly doesn’t let it linger.  This was my first indication that there was trouble brewing in Olivia’s paradise.

   Ben talks to Emily while her hair is attempting to eat her face.  It actually was pretty humorous and something that everyone not named Beyonce can relate to. Emily tells Ben that she wants to continue growing with him through her experience on the show, but receives no kiss that we see.

   When all three are back and seated on the beach, Ben takes the rose and asks to speak with Olivia.  I thought this was a pretty bad sign for Emily, but once again I was wrong.  Ben tells Olivia that he appreciates her being honest with him about her feelings, and he has to be honest in return, and not give her the rose.  He strands Olivia on what looks to be a freezing cold beach in the middle of a hurricane. What a winner. (I kid, Ben is quite the charmer).

   No matter how you feel about Olivia’s time on the show, I think you have to feel for her in that moment.  I don’t know what it would be like to tell someone that you love them, and then later that same day be dumped by them.  For these women, there is no additional closure, no drunk texts (although that is probably a good thing), no asking your friends “what did he say about me”. Its “Let me walk you out”, or in this case let me leave you on an island, and maybe we can talk about this during “The Women Tell All”. It can’t be easy.

3. Ben is tired from his emotionally trying week, so there is no cocktail party.  During the rose ceremony, Lauren H goes home, pretty unsurprisingly.  I hope this means we can just start calling Lauren B, Lauren.The big thing of interest in the last section of the show was the promo for the rest of the season! OMG!

   From what I can see Ben tells two people he loves them, becoming the first Bachelor or Bachelorette I can remember to even tell anyone they are in love on camera before the final rose. There also is a very confusing montage where Ben is discussing his love for the two women, sobbing, and saying he can’t see his life without either of them.  There’s a classic Harrison quote of “What you’re contemplating now, that would absolutely change everything.”  The strangest thing to me however was Ben saying, “I have to say goodbye to a woman that doesn’t deserve it, it doesn’t feel right and this is the biggest mistake I’ve made. I want to keep her in my life, I don’t want to say good bye because thats how much I love her. I’m about to get on one knee and ask a woman to marry me. Unfortunately, I just love somebody else….more.” AND THEN HE MAKES A PHONE CALL!  Say WHAT?!?! This is the most I’ve been tempted by spoilers all season, but I’m standing firm. I can’t wait to know what happens, though!

Favorite Tweets

1. Olivia says Emily is young. The screen tells me they are both 23. #TheBachelor

   — Emily L. Foley (@EmilyLFoley) February 9, 2016

2. “Do you like pigs?” Best opening line any bachelor has ever delivered. #TheBachelor

   — Sean Lowe (@SeanLowe09) February 9, 2016

3. Me when I get home from the bar and there’s nothing to eat in my apartment. #TheBachelor pic.twitter.com/myY7JkggQ8

   — Andrea Lavinthal (@andilavs) February 9, 2016

Best Dressed
Becca and Caila were my style stars this week. They were killing it!

1. Becca’s Romper – Bahamas Arrival
   
   

   

   Becca’s romper is Show Me Your Mumu and can be found here.

2. Caila’s Bikini
   
   

   

   I liked Caila’s bikini from the front, but when she turned around and I saw that hot pink tassel I was in love.

3. Becca’s Crocheted Crop Top
   
   

   

   Becca continues looking effortlessly cool by pairing a crocheted crop top with a leather pencil skirt.

What did you guys think of this episode? Any guesses on what is going to happen in that final rose ceremony? I’d love to hear, in the comments or @third_and_girl on Twitter.

xxEm