On Monday night’s episode of "The Bachelor," the journey came to a painful end for five women, including two bitter rivals, one disillusioned woman, one whose declaration of love ended in heartbreak, and one whose worst fears were confirmed.
After accusations of lying and bullying between Nicole and Onyeka had Colton storming out of the rose ceremony last week, he reentered the room saying that after a “hard” and “emotional” night, he would “follow his heart.” When the seven remaining roses were handed out, both ladies were sent packing.
(MORE: 'The Bachelor' sneak peek: The women continue to fight)Following the rose ceremony, Colton and the remaining women hoped for a reset in Vietnam. The first one-on-one was a spa date that went to Hannah G. The date went well, but Colton needed to see what was behind the perpetually happy front she seemed to put on for people.
Later, the two bonded over each other’s stories about their parents' divorces. Colton said Hannah opening up brought the two closer. He offered her the rose, promising that would always provide “a place to laugh,” and “a shoulder to cry on.”
A group date card for Cassie, Heather, Tayshia, Caelynn, Katie, Hannah B., Sydney and Demi asked if they were ready to “fight for love,” and sure enough, the ladies were trained in the Vietnamese martial art of Vovinam and then literally fought for love in a series of intense sparring matches.
When your girlfriends are literally fighting for your love ???? @colton #TheBachelor pic.twitter.com/EpawopGC33
— The Bachelor (@BachelorABC) February 12, 2019
At the after-party, Katie shared an emotional exchange with Colton, revealing that she feared her inability to show her emotions might've given him the wrong impression about her. Colton appreciated Katie showing her vulnerable side and encouraged her to “let go” and be herself.”
Then things got a little awkward when Sydney couldn’t contain her disillusionment and pressed Colton on why she hadn’t gotten a one-on-one with him. Colton’s explanation that he “opens up differently in different relationships” and “every relationship moves at different paces” didn’t ease Sydney's mind.
She put all her cards on the table and, as with Elyse in last week’s episode, told Colton she, too, needed to leave.
But Sydney offered Colton a piece of advice before she left: “There’s some very wonderful people in that group [but] don’t be distracted by shiny things...figure out what you came here to find.” While Sydney doesn’t name names, she’s referring specifically to Hanna B. and Demi. Colton seemed to take Sydney’s words to heart, as Tayshia -- one of the good ones, in Sydney’s opinion -- got the date rose.
Colton’s talk with Sydney also seemed to play into his decision to explore his relationship with the seemingly shy Kirpa a little further on the final one-on-one date. After a day of scuba diving, she opened up about her previous engagement to a man she knew for eight years who, like Colton, was “saving himself” for the right woman. After assuring Colton that she was ready to dive into marriage again after her past experience, Kirpa took home the date rose.
What Colton didn’t realize is that the night wasn’t yet over.
He received a late-night visit from Demi, who felt a need to take her relationship to the next level. Her declaration of love for Colton ended in disappointment when he told her he didn’t have the same feelings for her. Demi became the fourth woman to exit the competition, but not before warning Colton that while some girls may seem like the “safe” choice, they won’t make him happy in the long run.
The events of the past week had the remaining ladies feeling less secure about their relationships with Colton, and their hopes for one last chance to talk with him were dashed when he decided to forego the cocktail party and head straight to rose ceremony. There, Katie was the odd girl out, leaving the house. As they said their goodbyes, Katie joined the chorus of women warning Colton that some of the remaining ladies weren’t ready for marriage. Thinking he had already weeded out the riff-raff, Colton was even more confused about the choices he’d made.
The seven remaining women are:
Caelynn, 23, Miss North Carolina 2018 from Charlotte, North Carolina
Cassie, 23, a speech pathologist from Huntington Beach, California
Hannah B., 24, Miss Alabama 2018 from Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Hannah G., 23, a content creator from Birmingham, Alabama
Heather, 23, has been kissed from Carlsbad, California
Kirpa, 26, a dental hygienist from Whittier, California
Tayshia, 28, a phlebotomist from Corona Del Mar, California
"The Bachelor" returns Monday night at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
