Welcome to Week 3 of Zach Shallcross’s journey on The Bachelor,
Kaity got one of the two coveted one-on-one dates, and for maybe the first time in Bachelor history, this is a date I’d actually want to go on. Zach took Kaity into the Natural History Museum, and they got to walk among the fossils and exhibits alone and in the dark. She receives not only a rose, but an invitation from Zach to – gasp – spend the night with him in the museum.
For the week’s group date, Zach welcomed NFL legends Shawne Merriman and Antonio Gates for Bachelor Bowl 5. If you were looking for the worst possible football imaginable, you’re in luck. With team names like the Ball-Zachs and Shall-Crushers, your expectations should be low.
We’ve got some @Chargers LEGENDS in the house! 💙💛🏈 @shawnemerriman @Zach_Shallcross @AntonioGates85 pic.twitter.com/QodI6DYGnP
— The Bachelor (@BachelorABC) February 7, 2023
A “thrilling” 14-7 victory for the Ball-Zachs meant the ladies from the blue team got to go to the afterparty (a.k.a. the night date). Things got a little dramatic at the afterparty with one woman being sent home early and another deciding to embrace her full villain.
Aly got the second one-on-one date where Zach made her tandem sky dive. As a former aviator, I am staunchly against jumping out of a perfectly good airplane, but it seemed like they had fun.
Instead of a cocktail party, we got a pool party. That means day drinking and messiness, led by Brianna salting the earth as she departs the show. Only one woman is sent home from the rose ceremony, though three total left this week.
Let’s get into the contenders, pretenders, those that have work to do and our Top five.
Contenders
Charity – We here at FTW know the importance of a Group Date Rose. Charity impressed at the football afterparty, and now she doesn’t need to sweat it out.
Aly – If you jump out of a plane for a man and then make out in a hot tub, you’re in pretty good shape.
Kaity – Might be a cop out to have all the date rose winners here, but they’re back for another week and don’t have to stress at the Rose Ceremony. That’s a win for them.
Living for these slumber party vibes ⛺ #TheBachelor pic.twitter.com/0ljrsmEP5R
— The Bachelor (@BachelorABC) February 7, 2023
Ariel – They spent nearly all of their time kissing. Seems like a good sign for a dating show.
Work Left to Do
Gabi – At this point she’s only in this section because she fell just short — literally — of the goal line for the game-tying touchdown. Absolutely brutal stuff.
Brooklyn – She better stick around for awhile, because Brooklyn is the voice of the viewers (or at least this viewer). Brooklyn called out Christina Mandrell’s nonsense multiple times, but did so in a way that was firm but respectful. We love Brooklyn.
Jess – Jess had a big week last week, but was a little more shy and reserved this week. Part of that was being on the big group date with no afterparty, but she got some good time with Zach at the pool party.
Pretenders
Christina Mandrell – Man, what a difference a week makes. Christina was flying high last week with a one-on-one (which she reminded everyone with REPEATEDLY this week), and this week she decided to go full villain. Every single moment had to be about her, including comments that essentially celebrated someone being sent home and crying/complaining about not getting the group rose. A heel turn that some professional wrestlers would be proud of. As a result, she was the lone person sent home from the Rose Ceremony. Incredible.
Bailey – It’s not a good sign when the Bachelor agrees that your relationship has regressed. It’s REALLY not a good sign when he sends you home in the middle of a party.
Brianna – Brianna sent herself home after coming in with the public-chosen rose, complaining about Christina being mean and not really putting in any effort.
Power Rankings
5. Brooklyn
4. Kaity
3. Ariel
2. Charity
1. Aly
