Last week was an emotional rollercoaster that was almost impossible to get off, even after the episode came to an end. There was no shortage of man-tears and drama, concluding with a man being abandoned on a cliff, oh hey Chris, I hope you got off that cliff okay. Kaitlyn seemed emotionally and mentally exhausted, and even the men seemed as though they had reached their breaking points.

Hide and Seek
Ben receives the one on one date, which is usually an amazing moment, but this time there is a dark cloud hanging over it because he knows that he might be sent home at the end of the date, à la Chris. I like Ben, he seems like a sweet, genuine guy, but I just don't think they have enough chemistry. In my opinion, Kaitlyn likes Ben because he’s safe and drama free; he’s a welcome break from all the chaos surrounding her. On their date, they play hide and seek in a castle, yes, you read that right. Ben and Kaitlyn also have great conversation and Ben reveals to her that he feels unlovable because of past relationships. Kaitlyn reassures him that he is lovable, and they both confess that they are falling in love with each other. Kaitlyn asks Ben if he's a virgin, a funny, though fair, question because of how insistent he was about the fact that they did not have to be physical in the fantasy suite. Not to worry folks, Ben is not a virgin, which he revealed to Kaitlyn with an adorable amused grin on his face.

Getting Back on Track
Shawn, Nick, and Joe get the group date. After a stressful week where many of the relationships had stalled, this is an opportunity for all the relationships to get back on track. After an awkward ‘pause’ in Shawn and Kaitlyn’s relationship, things seem to get back on track for them during a one on one moment where they kiss and finally share a laugh. Things also get back on track for Kaitlyn and Nick who reconnect after last week’s awkward interaction that was caused by her fear that Nick would divulge to the other men that they had been intimate.

However, things go sour during Kaitlyn and Joe’s one on one time. Kaitlyn starts off the conversation by questioning whether Joe is really ready for marriage. Though he does his best to reassure her, telling her that he is in love with her, Kaitlyn just doesn’t feel the same way towards him. She sends him home in what turns out to be an unbelievably awkward situation. He does not take it well, becoming visibly angry and cold towards her.

After Joe’s exit, Kaitlyn tells Nick that she will see him at the rose ceremony later that night, but that she wants to spend more time with Shawn. During her even date with Shawn, she finally reveals to him that she and Nick had sex. Shawn is shocked to say the least. He is speechless, sitting wordlessly on the couch for minutes. He even has to walk away and take a moment to regroup and process the information. When he returns, he says that he’s just going to have to “man up” and deal with it. Shawn handles the situation well, much better than I thought he would. Back at the house, Nick is concerned because the group date turned into a one on one date. He has had the least amount of time with Kaitlyn this week, so he is concerned, understandably so.

Rose Ceremony
Though the men are excited to get more time with Kaitlyn before the rose ceremony, Chris Harrison informs the guys that Kaitlyn has decided to forego the cocktail party because she is sure of whom she wants to keep, and whose time is up. Shawn gets the first rose, and when she calls him name, he tells her that he needs to talk to her. Oh Shawn! I can’t be the only one getting tired of his antics and insecurities. Shawn, Kaitlyn is The Bachelorette, you are meant to chase her, not the other way around. Though social media seems to come down so hard on Nick, I kind of like Nick. For me, Shawn is really the one creating so many issues and causing Kaitlyn lots of stress. He needs too much reassurance. After all the unnecessary drama, Shawn accepts the rose. Ben receives the second rose, and the last rose goes to Nick. That means that Jared is heading home. He is a class act, even when eliminated, wishing her nothing but the best. Oh Jared! He’s my favorite, but even I knew that there was no future there. Jared for Bachelor! He may not be your typical Bachelor, in terms of the look the show seems to go for, but he is handsome, kind, and funny. The show needs some sincerity and class.

It’s a Fantasy
Nick receives the first overnight date. He and Kaitlyn visit a beautiful Cathedral where Nick shares some childhood memories. They talk about their first kisses, and they even hang out with the locals. I gotta say this, I hope Nick wins. Their passion is undeniable, and their interaction always seems easy and comfortable. For the second portion of their date, they have drinks inside and old jail. Here, Nick calls Shawn out on the fact that he bragged about being Eskimo brothers with a famous country singer. This season is a little too gossipy for me. The men talk too much about each other. Focus on the girl! After this awkward conversation, Kaitlyn pranks Nick, tricking him into thinking that one of their cells was the fantasy suite, which he totally believed by the way. They then they head to the real fantasy suite, and when we catch up with them in the morning, it seems like everything went very well.

At the end of the episode, we see Shawn head to meet with Nick in his room. He confronts Nick, telling him that he is arrogant, manipulative, and that he shouldn't be there. He also accuses Nick of having ulterior motives. We're going to have to wait till next week to see the rest of the confrontation.

Side bar. Isn't is hilarious how Shawn refers to Nick as “the other guy”?
And…Are they still trying to make Brady and Britt happen? ABC, it’s not happening. I hate to be rude, but we just don't care.

See you next week!

image courtesy of ABC