*Warning: Spoilers ahead*
Last week on The Bachelor, Colton Underwood was faced with his toughest decision after Katie warned him that some of the women aren’t ready for marriage. And now, the 26-year-old star visits the hometowns of the four remaining contestants—Caelynn, Cassie, Hannah G. and Tayshia—where he tries (and fails) to convince their families that he’s marriage material.
Here’s what went down in season 23, episode eight of The Bachelor.
The episode opens on Underwood taking a shower, and the originality is seriously lacking.
First up on the chopping block, Underwood visits Caelynn’s hometown of Fredericksburg, Virginia, where she takes him on a horse-drawn carriage ride through town.
After getting ice cream at her favorite shop, the pair sit down on a park bench. Caelynn explains that Underwood won’t be meeting her biological father. Instead, he’ll be introduced to her stepdad, who practically raised her.
“The one thing I do know about hometowns is they can change everything in our relationship,” Underwood tells the producers. So yeah, pressure’s on.
When they arrive at her parents’ house, Underwood nervously greets her family. He says, “I want to make a toast to the family that made Caelynn.” Erm, OK.
While the beauty queen is over the moon, it’s no secret that her stepdad is really, really uncomfortable. Not only does he scoff when Underwood feeds Caelynn a piece of cake, but he also doesn’t hold back when he sits down with The Bachelor star.
When Underwood reveals that he’s falling in love with Caelynn, her stepdad demands to know why he loves her. Underwood gives some lame response about following his gut before asking for permission to marry her.
Her stepdad immediately questions whether he’s ready for marriage, asking, “Are you at that maturity level in your mind?” Although hesitant, he offers his blessing.
Next, Underwood travels to Birmingham, Alabama, where he meets up with Hannah G. Her goal is to show him “what the South is all about.” This includes taking an etiquette class, so he can fool her family into thinking he’s a true Southern gentleman.
Underwood does surprisingly well, considering he has zero cotillion experience. “All I know is eat the food,” he says.
Later on, Hannah G. introduces him to her family, who she describes as “tough cookies.” When Underwood expresses his feelings for her during a toast at dinner, her mom realizes the seriousness of the situation.
“I was taken aback. She’s always been mine,” she says.
When she pulls Hannah G. aside, she expresses her concerns, since there are three other women vying for the same man. Hannah G. reassures her that she feels “safe” when she’s with him.
Elsewhere, Hannah G.’s dad demands to know Underwood’s intentions. After diving into a well-rehearsed speech, Underwood asks for permission to marry her.
“Wow. That blows me away, actually,” her dad says before giving his blessing.
When Underwood meets up with Tayshia in Santa Ana, California, she immediately blindfolds him and encourages him to trust her. She leads him to the car, drives to the beach and reveals they’re going skydiving. Poor Underwood is about to wet his pants.
“God, please help me survive this fall. I still need to lose my virginity,” he says.
Spoiler alert: Everyone survives. On the ground, Tayshia confesses her feelings for Underwood, saying, “I am falling in love with you, and I do appreciate you so much. And I want you to know that.”
Underwood returns the favor and says that he’s falling in love with her, too, and this is getting out of hand.
That night, Tayshia’s dad puts the pressure on Underwood. When they sit down for a conversation, he questions Underwood’s feelings for his daughter.
“Love is a strong word,” her dad says before accusing him of using it as a “default” line. After Underwood reveals that he’s in love with more than one contestant, he proceeds to ask for permission to marry Tayshia.
Her dad shoots him down, saying, “Colton, well, man, you’re laying it on me. I appreciate you manning up, but I just met you. You know what I mean?”
Of course, that all changes later that night when he sits down with Tayshia, who convinces him to change his mind.
Last but not least, Underwood visits Cassie in Huntington Beach, California, where she takes him surfing. Basically, this consists of Underwood trying to balance on the board before falling head-first into the water.
“Hopefully Colton is better at family dinners than he is at surfing,” Cassie says.
After the lesson, Underwood confronts Cassie about her feelings, considering she’s the only one who hasn’t dropped an “l-bomb.” She explains that it’s something she really values, which is why she’s waiting until she’s 100 percent certain.
Later on, Cassie’s family is skeptical about their relationship. While her sister questions whether they really know each other, her mom is concerned about his connections with the other women. Although Underwood describes their relationship as “undeniable,” he’s worried that Cassie won’t be able to open up in time.
When Cassie sits down with her dad, he asks if she’s ready to be engaged at 23 years old. After he compares this “forever decision” to buying a car, Cassie demands he trust her.
When Underwood pulls him aside, he asks for permission to marry her. After calling it a “premature blessing,” Cassie’s dad says he can’t offer him anything else. Womp, womp.
At the rose ceremony, Underwood hands out roses to everyone but Caelynn.
Will Underwood still be a virgin after next week’s Fantasy Suite dates? Guess we’ll have to wait until The Bachelor returns to ABC next Monday, March 4, followed by The Women Tell All on Tuesday, March 5.
