A lie detector test brings up some uncomfortable truths about the guys this week on ‘The Bachelorette.’
What an emotional week onThe Bachelorette, rose lovers!
We begin where we left off: Bennett versus Noah versus Tayshia’s ever-waning patience.
Credit: Craig Sjodin/ABC
(Still don’t get that reasoning, but hey, it’s her show.)
Though last week ended with a"what’s in the box???"
“Okay,” she sighs.
ABC
“Bennett, do you want to go talk?”
All Noah needs to do, meanwhile, is tell Tayshia about Bennett’s condescending “gift.”
I think we all know where this is going, rose lovers.
ABC
Bennett is truly stunned.
“Is this really goodbye?”
he asks Tayshia as she walks him to the Reject SUV.
ABC
“I’m really shocked.”
Perhaps the Harvard Business Review can publish a special “On Getting Publicly Dumped” edition just for you.
(Also, ifParadisehappens, I think there’s a zero percent chance that wewon’tsee you.)
ABC
Back at the holding pen, Noah smugly prepares for a happy rose reunion with Tayshia.
Not so fast, junior!
When the Bachelorette walks back into the room, she lets Noah know that he is absolutelynotoff the hook.
ABC
“No, don’t be smiling,” she says.
“That wasn’t, like, a victory for you by any means…
I’m not going to give you this rose right now, either.”
ABC
At last, it’s time for the official pre-rose ceremony cocktail party.
But what about the other guys?
Riley steps up first, pulling the Bachelorette aside for a surprise.
ABC
Gah, could this woman’s smilebeany more perfect?
Where are her toothpaste endorsement deals?
Zac brings Tayshia a framed photo from their “wedding shoot,” and then they make out.
ABC
This is followed by more make-out action with Ben and Brendan.
Noah isn’t the only one who’s worried.
Anyhow, goodbye Demar, Ed, and Spencer.
ABC
Especially you, Demar.
Perhaps we’ll see you in Paradise.
Tayshia will be meeting your families."
ABC
Does this mean that the moms and dads etc.
are already quarantining somewhere inside theBachelorettebubble?
Not sure, but Zac is absolutely overwhelmed by the prospect of introducing Tayshia to his relatives.
ABC
“My family’s everything,” he says, tearing up.
“My mom and dad are my heroes, so that makes it really real for me.”
As we learned last week, Zac’s family helped him overcome an addiction and depression spiral.
ABC
And now I’m tearing up.
Darn you, Zac!
Darn you, show!
ABC
Okay, so Ben gets the first one-on-one date of the episode.
Jeans and a t-shirt the color of sidewalk pavement?
Why didn’t he just wear the Henley he had on before?
ABC
I will never understand these guys.
(He’s a guy who wears a gravel-gray t-shirt to a date, that’s who!)
Today’s date is… an electric-scooter scavenger hunt!
(Hey, there’s only so much producers can do.
It’s a bubble!)
And if you thought “coronavirus pinata” was not a thing, you were wrong!
Good God, those are HUGE.
(RIP,Gia. )
“I ended up breaking my back pretty bad.
I’m 26 years old and I can barely walk up the steps,” he recalls.
“I was living in a city that was too expensive for me and I was completely lost.
My life was very dark, and I didn’t know how to say that I needed things.”
(“I guess she’ll know now,” he says ruefully.)
And that’s pretty cool."
Yes it is, sir!
Now enjoy that date rose.
The second “private” concert of the season is by a young man named Adam Hambrick.
“I truly love Ben,” she says.
Is that seriously what she said, rose lovers?
Perhaps it’s aFrankenbite, or perhaps I need my ears checked.
On to the group date!
But first, they have to get through this:
That’s right, rose lovers.
It’s the good old lie-detector date!
Let’s hope not!
And a simple question “What is your name?”
elicits a red-light “lie” response from Riley.
(More on that in a bit.)
“That’s basically why my marriage ended,” she says.
“I will not date a cheater.”
Can Zac dig himself out of this hole?
When was this, you ask?
In sixth grade, which would make Zac around 11 years old at the time.
Tayshia is both relieved and annoyed.
“Are you joking?”
she says, swatting Zac playfully.
“You really scared me.”
Looks like Zac is still in the running to be America’s next top husband.
He and Tayshia exchange “I’m falling for yous,” and then smooch.
“Proposing to someone again… Tayshia, being divorced herself, understands his point of view.
you’ve got the option to do it!
(Can you tell I really like Riley, rose lovers?)
For the first 22 years of his life, Riley and his dad had a great relationship.
So he legally changed his name, with his mother by his side in the courtroom.
Darn you, show!
Am I tearing upagain?
“You’ve done nothing wrong,” says Tayshia.
“There’s nothing to hide… And you’re stronger than hell.”
It’s decision time.
Who will get the date rose, and the first official “hometown” date?
The answer is no one… yet!
“I feel like I learned so much about every single one of you,” says Tayshia.
“I don’t want to give out a rose just to give out a rose…
I think I just need a little bit more time as to who to give this to.”
But it’s not just the guys who are going to have to wait for an answer.
Didn’t Harvard teach you anything about losing with dignity?
The Bachelorette is so startled she almost gets knocked over by the gate as it closes behind her.
“I spent all day going over and over in my head our parting,” he says.
“I’m so sorry.
I’m so, so, so sorry for making you think I questioned your integrity…
I never would.”
If you found yourself screaming “NO!”
at the TV upon hearing this, you are not alone.
Tayshia is equally uncomfortable.
Bennett insists he does not expect an immediate answer he just wants another chance.
(“Nice try,” she quips when he leans in for a smooch.)
So what does this mean?
Is it possible that Bennett’s big declaration will put him back in the running?
“I’m so confused,” sighs Tayshia.
“If I ask Bennett to come back, I don’t know how the guys would react.”
Oh, I can answer that: Poorly.
They will react poorly.
Don’t believe me?
Look at Zac’s face in the preview:
Does he look happy?
(RIP my brain.)
Until then, rose lovers, hit me with your hot takes.
How long do you think Bennett’s second chance will last?
Is Ben the one to beat now?
And am I hallucinating, or did Ed really just admit to getting Botox every three months?
Post your thoughts below!
Related content:The Bacheloretterecap: Naked truthsBacheloretteheartthrob Joe Park on being the purest soul ever
