If you’re like me the Bachelor is your life… or if you’re like the majority of people, it is something you have heard of, however, might not have had the chance to watch. Well do not fear, we are only 3 weeks in, so there is still plenty of time to catch up! Here’s a little recap on each week and some girls to look out for in the upcoming episodes. (WARNING: tons of spoilers below)
Week 1
28 lovely women are introduced to the most perfect bachelor to ever exist, Ben Higgins. Ben, 26, is a software salesman is from Warsaw, Indiana (#IndianaPride) and cares a lot about God and family. He ultimately aspires to find a woman who shares similar values, but he has no clue what he has gotten himself into as he begins the journey.
As the women roll out of the limo, they do various “interesting” things such as bring a mini horse, wear a unicorn mask on top of their head, or throw a football at Ben. As the cocktail party ensues, two Bachlorettes from pervious seasons, Amber and Becca, surprise both Ben and the other girls as they announce they will also be contestants this season.
And then there is Lace, the biggest character of them all, who gets a little too into the open bar and starts becoming a bit obnoxious and gives off a bad impression to many of the girls. Random women reveal more about themselves to Ben, but he ultimately gives the first impression rose to Olivia, a former News Anchor from Texas. Initially, I personally loved Olivia along with the rest of America, but in Week 2, she starts to show her true colors.
Week 2
It’s only Week 2, so how could things go wrong? Well… they can. Week 2 was full of controversy and you guessed it, tears. The episode begins with a group date where they go “Back to School” and go head to head to become Ben’s homecoming queen through track races, a science fair, and geography, where not one of them could place Indiana on a map. Shocking. Ultimately, Mandi the dentist wins after an intense hurdle races and rides around with Ben in a convertible with his letter jacket on, the most romantic prize of them all.
Even though Mandi won, the group rose goes to Jojo (my personal favorite). During all of this, Lace continues to be a bit crazy as she just says really odd things to Ben and tries to force herself onto him. After the girls return, Caila gets the one on one date card, where she joins Ben, along with comedians Kevin Hart and Ice Cube on a “cheap date” where they journey through LA and end up in a hot tub store.
The two hit it off, and the chemistry is evident through stories about their past and talks about their hopes for the future. After a romantic dinner, Caila obviously gets the rose. The girls sit on the edge of the seats as the final group date is announced. Emily, Shushanna, Sam, Olivia, Haley, and Amanda head to the Love Lab to see how compatible they are with Ben.
This date was way more awkward than it should have been, given that Ben didn’t like Sam’s smell, then nobody addressed it and she ended up getting eliminated… awkward. On the date, Olivia got really obsessive over Ben, started calling herself Mrs. Higgins, and began being a bit rude. It’s really not good considering that most of the time on the show is spent with the girls and not with Ben, so she really dug herself in a deep hole. Despite this, she somehow got the group rose, which stirred the pot even more, given that Ben had a great talk with Amanda (another favorite of mine) as she opened up about her two children, which Ben loved. Oh well, maybe next time.
As the rose ceremony rolls around, more drama begins. Lace and Olivia go head to head in trying to get alone time with Ben, even though they both had time with him this week. Ben gives special gifts to girls he wasn’t able to go on a date with during the week, and even makes barrettes with Amanda to give to her two daughters (side note: you make my heart melt Ben). Somehow, Lace gets a rose, and girls who didn’t make a mark on Ben are sent home.
Week 3
This week was a week full of surprises to say the least. The week begins with a one on one date with Lauren B. Ben and Lauren are on a high as they soar through the skies in a tiny, one propeller airplane. Since Lauren is a flight attendant, you would think she would love it, but she was actually a bit nervous given the plane looks like a death trap. They then spend time in a romantic hot tub in the middle of nowhere, followed by a surprise concert. Lauren and Ben chat as if they have known each other for years, and share pieces about themselves that Ben seems to love. Lauren gets the rose, and Ben’s heart.
The next date is a group date where the girls participate in a soccer math led by Alex Morgan and Kelley O’Hara. The girls face off in an attempt to play soccer, but fail miserably. In the end, one team actually prevails and the other team is sent home before even getting to talk to Ben. The winning team gets time alone with Ben, and (unfortunately), Olivia happens to be on that team.
She immediately creates drama when she rudely steals Ben away before he is done speaking. Ultimately, Amber ends up getting the rose after they share a special kiss, but Olivia claims she isn’t phased because she already knows she won the show… (interesting Olivia, interesting). Then comes the craziest, most awkward part of the show thus far: Ben’s date with war veteran, Jubilee. To begin, when Jubilee sees their ride is a helicopter, she asks if any of the other girls want to go on her date… uh, what?
Many girls are taken back by this. She then proceeds to not like the food (but admits her favorite food is hot dogs). But Ben seemed to like her after she opened up about her tragic past. She earned herself a rose, which shocked most of the girls in the house. Then came the rose ceremony, where Ben tells the girls he has just received some devastating news that two of his family friends have died in a plane crash and that he is very upset about this.
Immediately, before he can finish talking, Olivia swoops him away, and starts talking about… her cankles. And how she is really self-conscious about her legs. And then proceeds to cry. Meanwhile, distraught Ben is more confused than anything, and is really not feeling this conversation since this is the last thing on his mind.
Then comes the biggest twist of them all, LACE ELIMINATES HERSELF! She admits to Ben that she needs to work on loving herself before she can love anyone else, which is actually very mature of her, and made me have a soft spot for her. During the rose ceremony, Olivia somehow gets a rose, and all of the front-runners continue on.
Well, now that you have a solid recap… here are some girls that you definitely need to keep an eye on for the upcoming weeks, whether it be good or bad.
1) Amanda
Amanda is SUCH a sweetheart and Ben loves that she has kids and is very open to the idea of becoming a part of their life; will this mentality stay or will the idea ultimately scare him away?
2) Olivia
This girl will not hold back no matter what, and I’m honestly surprised that she is still in this competition. She is self-centered and controlling… will Ben see through this or will he continue to be blinded by her beauty (or cankles)?
3) Lauren B.
After their one on one date, things have definitely been heating up between Lauren B. and Ben. I personally think she is going to go very far in the competition given their instant connection and mutual love for family.
4) Jubilee
Jubilee has certainly stirred up some drama but Ben seems to love her backstory. Although many of the girls are not fans of her, Ben is, which is what matters. What crazy shenanigans will she pull next?
Watch for yourselves what drama plays out every Monday at 7pm on ABC.