The Bachelor Recap: Week 9’s Big Finnish (Season 21 Episode 10)

The Bachelor Season 21 Episode 9 left us with endless questions unanswered.

Would Nick and Raven’s night in the fantasy suite provide the satisfaction she’s been waiting for? Would Rachel and Vanessa share equally romantic dates with Nick? And, most importantly, who would be the next unlucky lady to head home?

Thus, Bachelor Nation spent the last seven days in the dark, hoping these questions — and more — would be answered this week, during The Bachelor‘s three-hour special event.

Thankfully, our wishes have been granted, as The Bachelor Season 21 Episode 10 kicks things off with the second hour of Nick’s Finnish Fantasy Suite getaway.

Another Raven Review

First up, it’s finally time for Raven’s Fantasy Suite review. Her verdict? “Nick is really good at what he does.” And in case this statement still left things unclear, we’re treated to a sequence of a gleeful Raven, frolicking through the arctic snow. Thanks for over-sharing, Bachelor producers!

Rachel’s Falling — Literally

While Raven gallops away, Nick moves right along to Rachel for a day of cross-country skiing. She struggles to stay standing — perhaps because Nick has swept her off her feet?? (Just kidding! The problem is simply a lack of hand-eye coordination.)

Lucky for Rachel, the skiing is short-lived, and they soon move inside to discuss their feelings for each other in front of a warm fire. This conversation goes remarkably well, and Rachel is impressed by Nick’s rare sensitivity. “I might be white, but I’m still a minority,” he tells her, as every viewer in America simultaneously cringes.

Rachel and Nick then hop into a snowy carriage, by which they are transported to yet another (identical) spot in front of a fireplace to — surprise — talk about their feelings.

Here, Rachel confesses that she’s falling in love with Nick, before giddily hiding her face in the couch. The moment is incredibly sweet, and leads Nick to offer her the Fantasy Suite key he’s been holding on to.

“Feeling loved,” she gladly accepts it, and the couple enters into their first off-camera night together.

In the morning after, Rachel and Nick struggle to say goodbye to one another. When the time comes for Nick to head off and meet Vanessa, Rachel is left feeling more than confident. She’s excited to move forward and meet Nick’s family next week — but will she really make it that far? (We all know, of course, she can’t win Nick’s heart in the end — she’s the next Bachelorette, after all!)

Nick and Vanessa’s First Fight

Despite his difficult goodbye to Rachel, Nick easily flips the switch to Vanessa-mode. After greeting each other with a passionate embrace, they spend the day splashing away in a steaming outdoor hot tub.

Things eventually turn serious, however, when Nick asks Vanessa about her home-life. He voices the concern that  he and Vanessa could be too similar to work. Though she appears unconcerned by this, Vanessa says nothing to calm Nick’s fear. Instead, they sit together for a moment in tension-filled silence.

After drying off and dressing up, Nick and Vanessa eventually continue their conversation — get this — in front of a roaring fire. Though she begins the night by telling the camera she’s in love, Vanessa’s attitude soon turns aggressive. Both she and Nick express the pride they have for their home countries (don’t forget: Vanessa is Canadian) and address the fact that they are both “hard-headed” and refuse to change for one another.

In the end, the tension between them melts away, and Vanessa finally tells Nick that she loves him. Behind the scenes, however, Nick tells the cameras he’s still worried about the many arguments that could plague their future together.

Of course, this concern doesn’t stop Nick from asking Vanessa to spend the night with him. And from the looks of their passionate start to the evening, Nick has decided to take Andi’s advice from last week (read: he’s sleeping with everybody).

And Then There Were Two

After another successful night, it’s time for Nick to make a big decision: which two women will be meeting his family, and who will be sent home?

All three women enter the snow-covered rose ceremony in beautiful black gowns, anxious to learn their fate. For once, Nick is not far behind them, and he quickly enters to break the news. Through tears, he hands out roses to Raven and Vanessa.

It’s Rachel, then, who is sent home broken-hearted. Though this is no real surprise to us at home, it clearly is to her. In their final moments together, Nick says little to shed light on this sudden ending to their love story.

While Rachel is driven away in tears, she tells us how badly she wants to find a love that’s reciprocated. That love is coming for you, Rachel, in the form of 25+ sexy men! Can we fast forward to the season premiere now, please?

What do you think of Nick’s decision? Are you excited to watch Rachel as The Bachelorette? Tune in next Monday at 8/7c on ABC, when The Bachelor returns for its Season 21 finale.