If you have yet to see tonight’s 7th episode, spoilers are ahead! We start off tonight’s The Bachelor episode with the girls meeting Heather. Although Matt is thinking about whether she can come in or not, the contestants let her know that she’s not welcome and that she’s just here for getting on TV. She tries to explain that after hearing so much about him that she was intrigued to meet him. We wonder where this will go because the girls are bullying her which is exactly what Matt James wouldn’t want them to do. He talks with Chris Harrison to let him know that he needs some time to figure it out. The women as a group feel that they need their time with him and are tired of the weekly drama that is happening.
Although he recognizes that Hannah would only pick someone that would be an ideal fit for him, he feels that with Hometowns being a week away, he needs to focus on the women he is already falling in love with. Heather is sad, but she also understands and honestly, it was pretty standup of her to not talk about the actions of the other women who clearly made her feel unwelcome.
Matt goes to the women and lets them know that he only wants to be with the women that are on the couch and apologizes for the interruption and even picks up the conversation with Pieper that was interrupted by Heather.
It’s another rose ceremony, the girls are complimented for how they handled Heather’s interruption (although they didn’t reveal how they really treated her). Ultimately, Bri, Rachel, Serena P (we will now just refer to her Serena going forward), Kit, Jessenia, Abigail, Pieper and Michelle. Matt sends Chelsea and Serena C (Serena P will now be known simply as Serena) home.
There are 2 1-on-1 dates and a group date. Chris delivers the date card (Abigail and Jessenia are the only ones that have yet to have a 1-on-1 date. The date card goes to Serena P for the 1-on-1 date and she’s excited to get time with him - which she has had one already. Matt wants to see where his relationship is with Serena is and their date involves tantric yoga. We get to check out another great area of the Nemacolin property. Serena says that she wouldn’t have picked this date as it’s a lot of sexual positions and she is a bit off-put by it. She admits that she is not an overly sexual person and especially not in public.
As their date continues, the next date card has Pieper, Michelle, Rachel, Bri, Kit and Abigail as the group date. Jessenia will be the 1-on-1 date and she finally gets some time. Back on Serena’s date, they continue to bond over dinner and he encourages him to be honest and tell her what she thinks whether she likes something or doesn’t. Matt gives Serena the rose and she is officially going to Hometowns and is looking forward to her family meeting him.
The group date begins and Matt notes that it’s their last group date and he wants them to bring their best selves and to address everything. He gets time with each woman and it’s Abigail who asks him point blank if he can envision himself with her. She understands that he may not be able to go into detail, but she wants to know. He lets her know that he was attracted to her on the first night which is why she got the first impression rose. He says that in knowing her, he also got to know the other women as well and that he has moved onto others and he doesn’t want to lead her on. She appreciates his honesty, he apologizes and he walks Abigail out! We’re sad that we won’t be able to get to see her, but we could also see that he had cooled off. We can appreciate that she stuck up for herself by asking him for the truth.
He lets the women know that he sent Abigail home and although he didn’t think their conversation would lead to her exit, he wants to focus on those that he thinks will be on the journey. He asks to speak with Rachel. Outside of The Bachelor, avid followers have been aware or have recently followed up on problematic items that have popped into her social media. Whether this plays out this episode or season, has yet to be seen. It’s clear that he still enjoys being around Rachel and that she will definitely continue on into Hometowns.
Kit chats with Matt and lets him know that she wants to finish school, travel, figure out her career path and being able to travel. She lets him know that being married and having children would be something that would be down the road, She could envision having kids at 25/26 and calls herself a, “longterm investment.” Being able to state your truth and what you want is essential and Matt was onboard.
The rose from the group date goes to Rachel. In addition to getting it, he also has something planned for her - a serenade and dance moment with Aloe Blacc. Kit looks so upset as she felt that they had definitely connected. She’s not sure how much longer she can continue with the highs and lows of trying to be on the journey with Matt. Matt seems pretty happy as he’s thinking about everything that has gone on. Kit shows up at his place and lets him know that she has let his guard down for him and that she thought that she had clarity in her decision. Since she doesn’t have that clarity, she lets him know that it’s not her. He tells her that he wants her there; however, she feels that he deserves more and that she is unwavering in her decision. Kit has fallen in love with him, but she has seeds of doubt.
As the girls grapple with Abigail being sent home and Kit deciding to leave, Jessenia’s 1-on-1 date takes place where they learn drifting by a pro who knows a thing or two about this! We’ve always loved the idea of Jessenia and Matt together and hope she gets a chance of Hometowns with him. Jessenia lays her feelings on the table; however, Matt feels that they are not on the same page. As he picks up the rose, he tells her that there needs to be tangible love that goes to an engagement and tells her that he is not there. Because he knows she deserves unwavering love and respect, he can’t give her the rose. Although she feels blindsided, the grace that she has in accepting what happened really shows the kind of person that she is.
There are only 2 roses left. Pieper, Michelle (the only remaining contestant from the second set of women that arrives) and Bri are looking for a rose and Rachel and Serena have theirs. Hometowns is literally taking place next week and everyone wonders what he’s thinking. Who are the 2 women that will get to continue the journey?
Matt says Bri, who we have liked from the very beginning. This leaves Michell and Pieper for the final rose. Ultimately, he gives Michelle the rose! Pieper is going home. Although Pieper hugs the other women to say her goodbyes, she doesn’t even walk forward to Matt. He asks if she can walk her out and she doesn’t even talk to him. The 4 women going to Hometowns include Serena, Bri, Michelle and Rachel. The women are so excited and we’re looking forward to hear what the family’s think.
Each night, we’ll 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 last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as it pertains to who we think should go to Hometowns if we were choosing right now! We will also say who we think should take it all.
We also suggest a podcast that we’re newly obsessed with, Wondery’s Bachelor Happy Hour which is hosted by Rachel Lindsay (contestant on The Bachelor Season 21; The Bachelorette Season 13) and co-hosted by Becca Kufrin (contestant on The Bachelor Season 22; The Bachelorette Season 14) to get their feedback!
LAST WEEK
Last week we felt that Abigail, Bri, Jessenia and Rachel are moving forward to Hometowns.
THIS WEEK
Well, this week definitely had a bit of drama sprinkled throughout and for those that have watched the drama unfold outside of what’s going on in the house, it’s interesting to see what future Bachelor/Bachelorette seasons will look like. As that unfolds, here is who will be going into Hometowns. Pretty early on we predicted that Rachel would be in this group.
THEY’RE GOING TO HOMETOWNS
THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS
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