On today’s episode of ABC’s The Bachelor, we are left with the one question that continues to follow us from one episode to the next - will the drama continue? Now, regular drama/tension is expected, but when it is obvious and seems fueled by production that encourages these shenanigans to continue, it just feels like a number of lines are being crossed. It’s our hope that a key element of recent drama will finally be put to rest so that we can just watch the interactions of everyone else without so many interruptions.

We go right into the date with Shanae and Genevieve. He takes 1-on-1 time with Genevieve first and she lets him know that she may not seem like she shows her emotion, but she is there for the right person. Shanae mocks her during her confessional. When Clayton Echard takes time to sit down with her, he asks how everything is going. Shanae says that Genevieve is saying that she wants to go home and doesn’t know why she is there. How Clayton is able to hear that Shanae always has an issue with someone - how can he not see that a lot of this is made up. He asks Genevieve if she has been acting and she says no. Ultimately, he gives the rose to GENEVIEVE! He sends Shanae home.

We head to the cocktail party where Clayton acknowledges that Shanae was sent home and he knows that the women are happy too as he heard them singing in the elevator. He takes some time with the women and the fact that there isn’t this frenzied drama that has existed over the past few weeks is a nice change.

ROSES CLAYTON GAVE AT THIS POINT | Gabby, Rachel, Genevieve, Sarah, Serene, Susie, Teddi, Eliza and Mara.

CLAYTON SENT HOME | Shanae, Hunter and Marlena

They continue onto Hvar, Croatia and everyone recognizes that there are less people and they need to make their moments count. Clayton meets them and lets them know that a 1-on-1 will happen now and he will explore the city with Teddi. The women say that they’re happy that Teddi got that as they know she wanted to time. Mara is bummed that she didn’t get it and she’s feeling discouraged.

Teddi and Clayton are on their date getting to know one another and of course, Teddi seems to have something that she wants to share with him that she hopes is not a deal-breaker. With a great day date, their night portion is where Teddi knows that she has to be transparent. She lets him know that she is a virgin and that although she doesn’t need to wait until she is married, she wants to do it with the person that she is in love with. Clayton understands her point and asks if she has been in love with someone. She has not been in love, but she feels that in the past she has put up walls and she lets him know that she has been working on makign sure her walls are down so that she can fully be in the experience. She lets him know that being in love to her, seems like when you have a trust with someone - then there is a way to fall in love and it may not be a feeling in one way, but it is in another.

ROSES CLAYTON GAVE AT THIS POINT | Teddi

CLAYTON SENT HOME | Shanae, Hunter and Marlena

The date card arrives Serene, Rachel, Susie, Gabby, Eliza, Genevieve and Mara are on the group date together. Sarah will have a 1-on-1 and they had just talked about how more than likely whoever has had a 1-on-1 wouldn’t get another and she did!

The group date assembles outside and they watch medieval soldiers fighting in their armor. They met Croatian knights and learn that women fought alongside men! Everyone must be happy that Shanae is NOT on this date! They learn fighting skills and are loving their uniforms and it’s reasonably light-hearted. Their next challenge is a table filled with foods where the women are surprised to eat various delaciies of that time - fish eyeballs, pig brains and more. Serene and Mara go to town on the food. They final challenge is to kneel in the square to let him know why they are fighting for him. Not going to lie, Mara busted out a rhyme and clearly won that particular battle. The knight crowns Serene as the winner and we feel a bit for Mara. Clayton carries Serene out and the girls watch them.

At the after party, Clayton is pleased to get know more about each of them. He chats with Rachel and she lets him know that she is falling in love with him. When Mara sits down with Clayton, she lets him know that what he’s asking for isn’t in line with his actions. She tells him that some of the women have been vocal about not being ready to get engaged and others she feels are too young. He says that Sarah is one of the younger people in the house and asks if she is talking about her. Mara says yes, but also says that she wants to be true to who she is and to let him know that she is not just there for a good time. Mara feels good about the conversation.

The group date rose goes to Rachel and Mara feels that she’s exhausted and not getting anything back.

ROSES CLAYTON GAVE AT THIS POINT | Teddi, Rachel

CLAYTON SENT HOME | Shanae, Hunter and Marlena

After the group date, there is a knock on Clayton’s door where he finds an envelope that tells him to meet “me” at the Clock Tower. We thought it was Mara but it was Susie who wanted to meet him! He sees that she’s happy so he’s glad that it’s not going to be something out of left field. Susie planned an outing knowing that there is a 1-on-1 date happening. Susie takes him on a little tour and tells him that she is falling in love with him.

Mara talks with Gabby about what she talked about with Clayton as Sarah prepares to go on a date with Clayton. Jesse Palmer meets him prior to their date and Clayton takes some time to talk about falling in love with someone who doesn’t feel the same way back. Jesse acknowledges his feelings and shares that this is normal to feel at this time in the process; however, he needs to figure it out so that he can make the best decision. Sarah meets up with Clayton for their dinner and has no idea how serious this evening may get. She proposes a toast and he lets her know that he wants to know more about her to make sure they are on the same page. He lets her know that he has been told that some people may not be here for what he is exactly looking for in terms of leaving engaged. He lets her know that because of Hometowns, he needs to know and can she see leaving being engaged and is she prepared for it. Sarah looks shocked and says that she is ready and has always felt that way and has not been lying as she was there because it was him. After their 1-on-1 initially, she felt that way even more. He thanks her for being vulnerable and lets her know that he is concerned as he doesn’t want to give and lose everything. He steps away for a few moments to assess what he has heard from Mara and what she just said.

Back at the house, Mara continues to share with the other women that because she felt that when she was 23 that she wasn’t ready for a commitment, she finds it hard to believe that Sarah could be. He lets her know that he was concerned by giving her a 2nd date that a target would be placed on her back. He gives her the date rose - what will this mean for Mara? Will she continue and will Sarah demand to know who said this about her and will the women in the house tell her?

ROSES CLAYTON GAVE AT THIS POINT | Teddi, Rachel and Sarah

CLAYTON SENT HOME | Shanae, Hunter and Marlena

Until next week to find out how Sarah will address what took place!

Each night during the season, we tweet about The Bachelor and you can chat along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what’s taking place!

Each week we will let you know who our faves were from the last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as it pertains to who we think should go to Hometowns.

We also suggest a podcast that we’ve become obsessed with over the past few seasons, Wondery’s Bachelor Happy Hour to get their feedback!

SEASON 26 - EPISODE 6

Last week, we chose Eliza, Rachel, Sarah and Teddi as the women who will head to Hometowns as we are at the halfway point. We’re going to stay with this group of Hometown possibles!