*Warning: Spoilers ahead*
We’re back with another episode of The Bachelor, and tonight, we’re focusing on the battle of the beauty queens: Hannah B. and Caelynn.
Will their rivalry force Colton Underwood to make his most shocking decision yet? Here’s what went down in season 23, episode three of The Bachelor.
The first group date card arrives at the mansion, and it’s addressed to Courtney, Caelynn, Demi, Hannah B., Heather, Katie, Kirpa and Tracy. This time, the ladies are escorted to an arena, which is famous for “Pirate’s Dinner Adventure.” (Think Medieval Times with a nautical twist.)
When they arrive, Underwood greets them with a full-blown staged production, and we applaud the stunt team for getting involved…for once. After the women get into costume, the performers walk them through a pirate tutorial. You know, in case Disney is ever hiring.
Demi says, “The job of a pirate is to steal, and I’m here to steal Colton’s heart.” Barf.
Caelynn and Tracy are chosen to battle it out for the highly coveted title of Underwood’s “first soul mate,” while the rest of the contestants are forced to watch from the “poop deck.”
Of course, only one bachelorette can walk away from the challenge victorious, and that person is Caelynn.
At the after-party, Demi proves she’s still as immature as ever. After belittling Tracy for “being an older woman,” she steals Underwood away, blindfolds him and then plays a game of “Nervous.” (If you know, you know.)
“I’m going to stand out, whereas they’re all going to blend in, and he’s going to get over it,” she says.
The rest of the night pretty much revolves around two contestants: Hannah B. and Caelynn. ICYMI: They knew each other prior to coming on the show, since they both competed in the Miss USA pageant—Caelynn (Miss North Carolina) was the first runner-up, and Hannah B. (Miss Alabama) didn’t place.
So, it’s no surprise Hannah B. spends the majority of the night bashing Caelynn, telling Underwood that she has a “hostile” aura.
“The person I was friends with is a different personality than this girl,” she says before accidentally giving him an ultimatum.
When Underwood confronts Caelynn, she defends herself before revealing that the story requires digging deep into her past, and she’s not comfortable telling him…yet.
Right on cue, Underwood gets up, grabs the rose and gives it to Caelynn. One word: awkward.
Elyse, who you may remember as the “cougar” (her words) from episode two, is the lucky recipient of this week’s one-on-one date. In true Bachelor form, Underwood takes her via helicopter to San Diego, where they’re casually dropped off at a theme park, Belmont Park.
Just then, Underwood reveals a major bombshell: It’s technically a “group” date. After Elyse nearly has a mental breakdown, the 26-year-old explains they’ll be joined by kids from local charities. Phew.
Later on, the date takes a serious turn when Elyse tells a tragic story about her family. She reveals that her sister was diagnosed with cancer shortly after finding out she was pregnant. Although she gave birth to a healthy baby, she sadly passed away soon after.
After giving her the rose, Underwood surprises Elyse with an impromptu performance by country music star Tenille Arts.
For the final date of the episode, eight women—Caitlin, Cassie, Catherine, Nicole, Nina, Onyeka, Sydney and Tayshia—endure the ultimate test of strength, all thanks to Terry Crews and his wife, Rebecca King-Crews.
The duo coach the contestants through a warm-up before transitioning to a three-game competition, which consists of a “ring flip,” a “cake push” and a “limo pull.” (And yes, they’re just as ridiculous as they sound.)
The top three finalists—Catherine, Onyeka and Sydney—are tasked with one final competition: the “heavy heart” race. At the end of the day, the “Bachelor’s Strongest Woman” trophy goes home with Onyeka.
Later that night, Underwood is faced with another dilemma when Caitlin is a complete bore. She says she can’t think of a “stand-out moment” in her life that she should tell him about, creating an awkward silence you need to see to believe.
In a conversation with producers, Underwood says, “As much as I wanted tonight to grow and progress my relationship with Caitlin, I just didn’t feel it.”
Right then, he sends her home before returning to the group and giving the rose to Nicole.
Chris Harrison reveals there will be no cocktail party before the rose ceremony. Instead, there will be a pool party. (Because we haven’t seen enough shirtless Underwood.)
Meanwhile, Hannah B. is desperate to “clear the air” and mend her relationship with Underwood.
“My tank of rage is full, and the beast is about to come out,” she says to Heather before growling like a bear.
But before she can, he sits down with Caelynn, who wastes no time sharing her two cents about Miss Alabama.
She explains that Hannah B. has a “pattern of behavior” that includes “manipulation” and “deceitfulness.” Although she doesn’t want to focus on what happened between her and Hannah B., Caelynn felt the need to be honest about her frenemy.
When Underwood confronts Hannah B., he reveals that her character came into question, and she throws it right back at Caelynn.
“Just freaking trust me. I’m telling you the truth,” Hannah B. says before Underwood storms off.
At the rose ceremony, Underwood sends home Bri, Catherine and Nina.
This has “two-on-one date” written all over it. The Bachelor returns to ABC next Monday, January 28, at 8 p.m.
