We pick up tonight’s episode of ABC’s The Bachelorette in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Michelle Young’s hometown. We meet her parents which are pretty cute and we know that she will get more clarity now that she will be able to connect with them. You can tell that they have a very close bond with one another.

Hopefully the guys remember what she has told them about putting her first and making her feel seen AND wanted. They all assemble and find out that there will be a 1-on-1 date which will start now with Joe. As both are from Minneapolis, this will be something for them to experience the city. There are 2 more dates - another 1-on-1 and a group date that is available for tonight’s episode.

They make their way to the Minnesota Twins game and Michelle throws the pitch and since it was a strike, she gets a kiss. They go to her high school and she shows him her locker. She also shows him her trophies and accomplishments, her year books and other memories that will give him more insight. Of course, they make their way to the basketball gym and begin playing 1-on-1. She reminds us that he was Mr. Basketball as well as she was Mrs. Basketball. She tells him that he reminds her of her dad and brother as they are reserved people. She doesn’t think that that is a bad thing, but she notices it. He lets her know that he is really trying to be more open as it’s not natural for him, but he wants to be this way with her.

The remainder of the guys are at the hotel when a group date is delivered. The group date will include Casey, Rodney, Martin, Leroy, Rick, Clayton, Olu, Chris and Brandon. They’ll meet her at the stadium for their dates with her. Chris is made because he feels that Nayte doesn’t deserve a solo date and that he went out on a limb to talk with Michelle and it fell on deaf ears. We guess he also feels the burn because he hinted that he felt that he would get a 1-on-1 with her.

Back on the date with Joe, they have went from a Twins game, her high school to dinner and potentially a Ferris Wheel? They have a deep conversation about medical and career traumas that he had. Ultimately, he gets the rose for the date.

Michelle is excited for the Minnesota group date. The guys (although excited to be at the football stadium) all stay focused on her. Although the Vikings play at the stadium, Vikings from the 1600’s showed up to teach them fighting skills. She is pleased that they are making small moments with her. Each guy sees this as a part of their redemption with her. They change into their viking costumes and they eat traditional foods. They finish with a bit of arm wrestling. Clayton wins the challenges of the group date. The group moves on to Semple Mansion to have some cocktails and more conversation at the after party. Clayton is always an interesting one to watch. We can tell that Michelle has an interest - is there a vibe between them, no but if rumors are to be believed - this will be the next Bachelor. Poor Brandon ate a number of foods that he really had to push through. As they chat, she tells him to close his eyes and fed him Swedish fish. Everyone seems to be taking what she said to heart, although the guys feel that Chris has not stepped up to the plate. Chris wants to tell Michelle that he should have received the 1-on-1 because of the info that he shared. The guys feel that he’s acting off, but they continue to remain focused and enjoy having personal time.

Nayte’s date card arrives and Joe lets him know that she is, “looking for a man that’s not afraid to test the waters.”

Back at the after-party, Michelle returns, Chris isn’t even there to greet her. She asks if anyone is missing and then Chris, with a drink in hand pops up. She gives Clayton the date rose.

Nayte and Michelle have a date on a pontoon boat where they also meet up with her 2 best friends. They ask the tough questions as they have seen her hurt before. They ask whether he has issues with any of the guys and he lets them know that there was an issue with Chris, but it’s not up to him to weed them out as he’s sure that Michelle will be able to do that herself. Although her besties didn’t stay for the entire date, they did seem to give them their approval. They sit down to dinner to continue to chat and to get to know one another more.

But then Chris decides that he needs to have a conversation with Michelle now while she is on her date with Nayte. He walks in on them and says that they have to talk and it’s important. Chris says he’s disappointed because he didn’t get to talk to her the night before and he feels that he was played because he shared his thoughts with her and what he said, fell on deaf ears. He lets her know that she has been warned and that he doesn’t want her making the wrong decisions. Although Michelle can appreciate that he wanted to speak up for her, she doesn’t need him to do that and he needs to support her. She tells him that they are not on the same page and she offers to walk him out. She feels that he is coming from a genuine place, but she doesn’t need him in that role. She gives Nayte the rose.

The guys prep for the cocktail party and rose ceremony. They know that there are only 10 of them now that Chris is gone. Rick and Michelle take a glam walk around the city. They dance on the sidewalk and he says that he would move to the city. Michelle brings Brandon a birthday cake which is pretty sweet. We see Olu and her connect. Leroy and Clayton grab some time with her as well. Rodney and Michelle head to the rooftop to see the city. It’s nice to see that this night has no drama and everyone is just focused on keeping the peace and getting to know The Bachelorette more.

Of course, those moments of zen are short-lived when Martin chats with her and questions whether the compliments that she has given him are authentic as he implies that she has said them to others. He also talks about how men can’t be high maintenance, but women could. Michelle has a few mantras that she has said throughout this show - one of them that she doesn’t like her integrity being questioned, she wants to be seen, etc. This conversation definitely can’t be good in the long run. There are only 5 roses left and Michelle reminds them that she has to continue to follow her heart. We also see Kaitlyn Bristowe and Tayshia Adams who hasn’t been around very much this episode.

Michelle gives a rose to Joe, Clayton, Nayte, Rick, Olu, Brandon, Martin,

Michelle sends home Chris, Leroy and Casey.

Each night during this season, we tweet about The Bachelorette 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!

HOMETOWN NOTES

SEASON 18 | EPISODE 5

Last week, we felt that Joe, Martin, Nayte and Olu would go to hometowns.

This week, Chris really put his foot in his mouth and was eliminated before the rose ceremony. We think the 4 below will be at Hometowns just like last week. We’re not the biggest fans of Martin, but Michelle or the producers will continue to include him in the mix.