The Bachelorette Recap: The Men Go Bananas (Season 13 Episode 3)

This week’s episode of The Bachelorette opens just as last week’s ended, with Rachel headed out to the mansion’s entrance to meet with DeMario. Let’s not forget the last time they spoke, when she angrily told him to “get the f*** out”. Hopefully this conversation goes a bit better for DeMario’s sake.

As Rachel approaches him, he wastes no time before launching into a speech that includes the line: “I can’t let you go.”

Unfortunately for DeMario, he’s unable to say much more before the entire group of men come up behind them in an effort to overhear and to defend their lady’s honor.

Pushed back by security, they end up listening nearby as DeMario pleads for Rachel to let him back in so that he can earn her trust again.

Rachel, unfortunately, is just not having it. She tells him that she is looking for a man who, when confronted with a tough situation, does not lie about it. Essentially, she’s “looking for a man, not a boy.”

Though DeMario leaves dejected, the other men are visibly impressed. They love that Rachel is a strong woman who knows what she wants and won’t let anyone cross her.

Moving forward, Rachel seems to have a great time with the rest of the men in the house. She shares her first kiss with the adorable Will, who sets up a basketball net to remind her of the fun they had on their last date.

Lucas soon turns the lighthearted mood around, however, when he takes Rachel aside to accuse Blake of hating him. His proof? Just last night, Blake stood over him while he slept and ate a peeled banana.

Rachel, unsure what to make of this story, decides to give Lucas the benefit of the doubt and confronts Blake about the banana incident. Blake explains to her that this cannot be true because he doesn’t eat carbs. Apparently, the thought of Blake eating a piece of fruit is the craziest part of this accusation.

With that, it’s finally time for the second rose ceremony, and it’s both Lucas and Blake who are sent home, along with Mr. “Perfect Features” from night one, Jamey.

As they exit, Lucas and Blake have an argument outside that can only be described as comedic brilliance. Seriously, if you watch nothing else from this week’s episode — watch this scene.

De-generes Tippers

The first group date of the week is a trip to The Ellen Show! And what begins as an interview between Rach and Ellen soon turns into mayhem, as the men in attendance are challenged to a stripping competition– in front of the live studio audience.

The guys proceed to strip down to bare chests and dance around the audience in an effort to earn the most cash tips. Though their execution of this task certainly varies when it comes to skill, the men all do a great job of having fun with it. And, as Rachel so eloquently puts it, “Mama was pleased.”

Next up is a game of Never Have I Ever. Here, we learn that Alex has already peed in the mansion’s pool, and that Fred once slept with a woman twice his age.

After the game, upon learning that three of the men in attendance have already kissed Rachel, Fred tells the camera that she is “so ingrained in his soul” that he cannot sleep, eat, or essentially live without thinking of her. Hate to break it to you, Fred, but this sounds a bit extreme for Week 3.

During the following cocktail hour, Fred uses his time with Rachel to ask her whether he can kiss her. She’s clearly turned off by this, and tells him that he shouldn’t ask, he should just do it. Unfortunately, though he follows her directions, their kiss comes off forced and awkward.

Later, Rachel takes Fred aside — with the group date rose in hand — and tells him that, though she appreciates how open he has been, she still sees him as the kid she once knew.

For this reason, she chooses to send him home now. Fred is clearly hurt, most likely more so because she took him aside with a rose in hand. That’s cold, Rachel.

After this twist, it’s Alex who receives the group date rose — no doubt for his impressive stripping skills.

Horsing Around

This week’s only one-on-one goes to Anthony, who arrives at Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive to find Rachel waiting with two horses for them to ride.

The date is perhaps one of the show’s most bizarre — the couple spends hours riding around town, into stores, and past on-lookers and fans.

Despite Anthony’s obvious disappointment over getting stuck with the season’s dumbest date, he is able to move forward and have a nice evening with Rachel. They share a kiss at the end of the night and he leaves with a rose in hand.

Down and Dirty

The week’s final date brings Rachel’s The Bachelor crew back to the show once again — Raven, Corinne, Jasmine, and Alexis return to join in on the action.

The ladies, along with Rachel’s chosen men, climb aboard a party bus that takes them to a mud wrestling ring. But before they even arrive, Raven learns from two members of the group that the man they think is the worst fit for Rachel is Eric. Apparently (and shockingly), Rachel was most excited about Eric before the date began, so Raven is surprised and upset by this development.

But despite this revelation, everyone has a blast on the wrestling date. The men are matched up, one by one, to fight in a pool of fresh mud. Unsurprisingly, Kenny (the professional wrestler…) makes it to the final two. But it’s Bryce who overtakes him in the battle for first place! Hope this doesn’t hurt Kenny’s career moving forward.

In an attempt to redeem himself, Kenny uses his time with Rachel later in the evening to literally rip off his t-shirt and give her a lap dance. It is unclear whether she enjoys this experience.

Things get serious when Rachel takes the time to confront Eric about what Raven was told earlier. He defends himself well, but later confronts the group in anger.

Though they eventually end the conversation on good terms, Eric privately tells the camera that he no longer trusts the men in the house.

Because Rachel thought he was honest and vulnerable, Eric is awarded the group date rose — as Rachel makes her first major error in judgement of the season.

Eric Goes Rogue

Rachel is soon forced to question her decision to give Eric a rose, however, when several of the men in the house continue to bring him and his questionable motives to her attention during the week’s final cocktail party.

She pulls Eric aside and tells him what’s going on, revealing that she can’t help but second guess her opinion of him. Eric goes on to confront the group once again. He asks them to leave him and his name out of their interactions with Rachel, advising them to make this experience about them, not about him.

It’s a valid request, but when the group’s response is less than positive, Eric grows angry, screaming about his name being “on their mouths.”

Do you think Eric’s anger is justified, or should he be sent home ASAP? Let us know in the comments and tune in next Monday at 8/7c on ABC to see what’s next for Rachel.