The Bachelor Recap: Hometown Hot Seat (Season 21 Episode 8)

In a never-before-seen twist,  The Bachelor season 21, episode 8, “Hometown Hot Seat” begins with the women sitting together, vocalizing their concerns over whether Nick will hurt or surprise them. Finally, something we haven’t seen before!

This time, at least, the women aren’t kept waiting for long — Nick soon enters the room with four roses in his hands. He explains that he sent Kristina home to save her the stress and heartbreak of a Rose Ceremony, but he knows in his heart that he wants all four remaining girls to move on to hometowns.

Because he wants this decision to be mutual, he still takes the time to ask each lady if they will accept. Shockingly, they do, and we’re officially headed to meet all four fams.

Nick’s Raven Review

Nick’s first stop is Hoxie, Arkansas — where Raven greets him from aboard a massive ATV. She hands Nick a helmet, and he climbs on right behind her. According to Raven, Nick has “no idea what he’s in for today”, so hopefully her plans live up to the hype.

As it turns out, Raven’s words prove true, and their date is almost immediately interrupted by a police officer. He interrogates them while they attempt to climb a water tower, and Nick is visibly worried. Don’t fret, Nick, there’s a twist — the cop is actually Raven’s older brother! I guess that explains why he chose to speak with them on camera rather than to the full staff and crew standing by.

Next on Raven’s agenda is a shirtless swim in the swampy meadow, which we’re probably supposed to view as sexy. Instead, it’s just uncomfortable — for both Raven and Nick (and us watching at home).

Thankfully, this bath is cut short and it’s finally time to meet the parents. Right off the bat, things get serious when Raven’s father announces that he is newly cancer free!

Raven, of course, is thrilled (while Nick offers a polite slow clap). She’s hoping her daddy will be there one day to walk her down the isle, and — surprise! — she want’s Nick to be the lucky groom.

Lucky for Raven, her parents couldn’t agree more. Though they expected to hate Nick, he apparently won them over with his polite clapping. But despite her family’s approval, Raven is still unable to say “I love you” in the end. Will their awkward goodbye be enough to send Raven home, or will Nick give her another chance to open up next week?

Rachel Gets Real

Next up, it’s time for Rachel’s “version of Dallas.” She’s hoping Nick’s ready to “clap and stomp” because she’s taking him to church!

The service looks like a blast, and Nick appears to have a great time and feel totally welcome. Still, Rachel thinks it’s important to finally discuss the obvious: they are a biracial couple.

Surprisingly, their conversation is portrayed in a real and healthy way. Neither, of course, are “color blind”, but they both have strong feelings for each other and are prepared to tackle whatever differences exist between them if this relationship continues on in the real world.

With the serious talk behind them — for now — it’s time for Nick to face Rachel’s family. Things start out smooth, as Nick impresses them with a bouquet of flowers and knowledge of soul food.

Things, unfortunately, grow tense as the night goes on, and each member of Rachel’s family insists on continuing the race conversation with Nick. Thankfully, he continues to stand his ground and says all the right things — passing their tests with flying colors.

And though Rachel’s mom is certainly the hardest to win over, she ends the night by giving Nick a seal of approval. But her words aren’t enough to push Rach into saying “I love you” (though she does tell the camera she’s falling).

Still, Nick looks at her in a way he hasn’t yet looked at the other women when they say their goodbyes. While she obviously won’t accept the final rose (read: she’s the next Bachelorette!!!), it would be shocking to see Rachel sent home this week.

Corinne In to Win It

Corinne is hoping third time will be the charm when it comes to Nick’s date in Miami. Of course, their day begins with a shopping trip. According to Nick, Corinne is on a first name basis with every employee at her local mall. As he puts it, “it’s like Christmas day” for the workers from the moment she walks into their store.

After a super fun fashion show in the dressing room, Corinne treats Nick to a 3,000 dollar outfit (which he could have easily replicated at Target) in hopes that he’ll be dressed for success when meeting her parents.

Before the big introduction, they stop to sit at a table in the mall food court so that Corinne can be the first to say those three little words: “I love you”. Nick doesn’t say it back, but he’s clearly touched by her confession — and impressed with the romantic setting, no doubt.

With that, they finally head to meet the family, and — more importantly — the infamous Raquel. As it turns out, Raquel is absolutely adorable, and Corinne’s parents are actually somewhat down to earth and sweet. (Who would have thought??)

In a conversation with her father, Corinne admits that she would gladly take on the role of “bread winner” in her relationship with Nick. In what proves to be an incredibly awkward exchange, Corinne’s father chooses to pass this information along to Nick — sending a pretty clear message: pick my daughter and you’ll never have to work again.

Nick’s response is a natural mix of embarrassment and discomfort. Though he responds politely, he’s not interested in this arrangement and wants a shot at winning the bread himself (though really, he might want to reconsider when the cameras stop rolling…).

Still, their date ends on a happy note, though both Nick and Corinne look sad to say goodbye to one another. Could this really mean yet another week of the Corinne show? It’s hard to imagine Nick saying goodbye to any of the other three women at this point, but — as this season has so clearly proven — anything can happen.

Mayhem in Montreal

Last but not least, it’s time for Nick to visit Vanessa in Canada. Their first stop is Vanessa’s classroom, where she introduces Nick to her wonderful students. Together, the students make the happy couple another scrapbook — this time highlighting the moments they’ve shared together on the show thus far.

With a sweet group hug, her students say goodbye and nice to meet you, and Nick and Vanessa prepare for a day of further introductions. Her parents are divorced, which means Nick will be meeting two separate families today.

Things with her mother’s side start off strong; they greet Nick with a full Italian feast. Unfortunately, her family’s protective side begins to wear on Nick’s attitude. After her sister tells Nick she will truly “hate” him if he breaks Vanessa’s heart, it’s hard to blame him for feeling a bit under attack.

When the time comes to say goodbye to this side of her family, Vanessa walks away feeling scared, while Nick claims he’s realized how much is left for them to figure out.

Unfortunately for the both of them, nothing improves at Vanessa’s father’s home. If anything, things take a turn for the worse when Nick asks her dad for his blessing to propose and is immediately shut down.

According to her father’s (completely valid) point of view, it’s totally inappropriate for Nick to ask multiple fathers this important question in the same week. (Though, really, has he never watched this show before?)

In an attempt to save the situation, Nick assure’s Vanessa’s dad that he would never propose to Vanessa if he didn’t wholeheartedly feel that she was the one. Somehow, this convinces him, and her father offers his permission after all.

Dad continues to make matters difficult, however, by letting it slip to Vanessa that Nick asked for the blessing of all four remaining ladies’ fathers. Knowing this, she says, could change everything about the way she looks at Nick and their relationship. (Again, has she never watch the show before?)

A Knock on the Door

With hometown dates behind them, Nick and all four women are relocated to NYC — Nick’s favorite city in the world. And just when it seems that Vanessa is the one on her way to share a much needed heart-to-heart with Nick, Andi Dorfman knocks on his hotel room door!

Will Nick rethink his current situation now that his past love has returned? Are you excited to see Andi back, or so over their drawn-out relationship? Share your thoughts in the comments and tune in next week when The Bachelor returns, Monday at 8/7c on ABC.