The Bachelor Recap: The Countdown to Hometowns Is On

We start off with Heather Martin’s "shocking" arrival. Heather wants a shot at love with Matt, so she enters the cocktail party and interrupts Matt's conversation with Pieper to speak with him. After hearing her explanation, Matt needs to decide if Heather can join the season.

In the meantime, Heather tries to chat with the current contestants and it was so painfully awkward to watch! Let’s just say they’re not happy to see her–and they fully go on the attack. A few of the quotes lobbed in Heather’s direction: “you’re just Bachelor hopping” “Bitch, what are you doing?” and “I don’t want to hear your tears.”

In the end, Matt decides to send Heather home, much to the joy of the other contestants. Heather's rather confusing white minivan from last week is back–she drove herself away from the resort in it! I still don’t understand who gave her the van. And why?!

Once Heather departs, it’s time for the rose ceremony. Michelle and Pieper already have roses from their dates, and they're joined by Bri, Rachael, Serena P., Kit, Jessenia, and Abigail.

This date is quickly followed by a group date, with Rachael, Kit, Bri, Michelle, and Abigail. That means Jessenia has the one-on-one date, and she’s ecstatic! Abigail, on the other hand, is in need of some reassurance–she’s now the only contestant without a one-on-one and she's feeling unsure about Matt.

This is a low-key group date. It kind of seems like they’re all just chatting as a group, which feels like a downgrade from the usual Bachelor-level dates of fireworks and helicopter rides. All of the contestants are concerned that hometowns are so soon. It’s all fun and games when you’re just dating a guy, but when your family is going to meet them?! That causes a new level of panic.

Matt has various private conversations during the group date. All of the ladies tell Matt some variation of “I’m falling for you” one at a time. It almost feels...scripted, if we’re being honest.

And finally, Matt talks to Abigail. Abigail is honest about how she’s feeling, and Matt admits that his relationships with other contestants are further along than theirs. "You deserve someone who’s going to put you first,” Matt said to Abigail. TOO TRUE! And Matt, we all appreciate your honesty. Abigail goes home, but I hope there are big things to come from her. She is amazing and kept her cool during their entire conversation and breakup!

The date continues after Abigail leaves, and the first person Matt talks to is Rachael. He asks Rachael if her mom will “grill” him when they meet next week–that, to me, is Matt basically spilling that Rachael makes it to the next round. There was 0 doubt in his voice. Um, Matt, can you not spoil your own show?!

This episode was jam-packed with eliminations, so we’re ending with one more rose ceremony. Only four women are moving on to hometown dates! Serena P., Rachael, Bri, and Michelle get roses, while Pieper is sent home. 

Once the parents and siblings come in during hometown dates, there’s no turning back, so this is where the relationships get REAL! We’re counting down the days until we can see it all go down! Until next time….

Main Image by ABC Press/Craig Sjodin; Bracket design by Sydney Mastrandrea