The Bachelor Recap: Fantasy Suites and Fence Jumps (Season 23 Episode 9)
Buckle up, because this episode of The Bachelor is as wild a ride as any I’ve ever seen on this ridiculous show.
When we left off at the end of The Bachelor Season 23 Week 8, Colton had chosen his final three women: Tayshia, Hannah G., and Cassie. This meant a devastated Caelynn was sent packing with basically no explanation as to why or what had happened.
At the start of Week 9, Colton has a quick heart-to-heart with Chris Harrison about the impending overnight dates and whether he might have sex. Colton again reiterates his idea that he’d only “make love” with someone he’s truly in love with. He rejoins the remaining women immediately post rose ceremony and reveals that they’re all headed to the Algarve region of Portugal.
First Overnight Date: Tayshia
Tayshia gets the first date in Portugal.
During the daytime portion of the date, the two take a fun helicopter ride and look at some beautiful scenery. It’s cute and fun and in line with the whole daredevil nature of their previous dates together.
These two have an easy time getting along with one another, but you get the distinct feeling that it’s mostly friend chemistry. I’m not feeling the burning passion or desire from either side, though Tayshia is very upfront about her romantic feelings for Colton. Colton, alas, does not verbally reciprocate.
During the evening portion of the date, Tayshia opens up to Colton about how her ex-husband cheated on her before they got divorced. Because of this, trust is hugely important to Tayshia in any relationship. Colton assures her that if it’s the two of them at the end of this, he would always be faithful. Which… OK, fine.
The date is perfectly pleasant, and so it’s no surprise when Tayshia accepts Colton’s invitation to the fantasy suite.
Though she very clearly (and vocally!) wants to go ~all the way~ with him, Tayshia confesses the next morning that the two didn’t actually have sex during their overnight date.
Tayshia: “We didn’t have the physical intimacy that I wanted, but I respect the fact that Colton just had a feeling that it wasn’t meant to be.”
They part of good terms, though Colton doesn’t return Tayshia’s “I love you.” Bad sign.
Second Overnight Date: Cassie
Cassie gets the second of the two dates we see this week, and boy — it’s a doozy.
We already knew from her hometown date that Cassie was a little confused about her feelings for Colton. That confusion gets sent into overdrive during their date in Portugal.
If nothing else, Colton strikes me as extremely genuine — more so than any of the recent Bachelors we’ve had. That said, I’m not convinced he’s making intelligent decisions here. Then again, he’s a 26-year-old man, so this isn’t exactly shocking.
Colton is fully in love with Cassie. Or at least believes he is. I also suspect he’s drawn in by her hard-to-read nature and the fact that she isn’t all in with him. Most men do like a little bit of the chase, and Cassie is very much requiring the chase.
Colton is pretty upfront about the fact that he’s falling in love with Cassie, but she flat-out refuses to say it back. Which I kind of appreciate — at least she’s being honest. Not everyone can develop love feelings within the span of weeks! She does say that she really, really likes Colton and feels safe and comfortable when she’s with him. So that’s something, I guess.
Cassie and Colton drive down to the city of Tavira. They go sightseeing and dance with some elderly locals. It’s all pretty cute and fun and easygoing, and it’s plain as day how into Cassie he is. As the date goes on, Colton becomes more confident in the strength of his feelings, while Cassie goes in the opposite direction.
Colton: “Cassie makes me feel complete. After today, I just know for sure that I love Cassie, point blank.”
Things start to go off the rails when Colton admits that he did not get Cassie’s dad’s blessing to propose to her. Cassie had no idea, and she seems a little miffed that she wasn’t told before this.
Cassie: “My family, I care so much about their opinion. The fact that they weren’t 100 percent sold on Colton and I together kind of freaks me out. And then it makes me confused if he’s really the right person.”
Basically, Cassie’s family not backing her up is just solidifying her worry and confusion. But on the other hand… They literally just met this dude. It’s totally fair to not want to give Cassie a glowing 100% positive opinion of him right off the bat.
Following the day part of the date, Colton and Cassie separate to get ready for the evening… which is when Cassie’s dad shows up.
Yep. The producers fly Mr. Matt Randolph all the way to Portugal to chat with Cassie about her worries and fears.
Of course, he wasn’t exactly on Team Colton last week, and he’s still not. Cassie repeats her various concerns about not knowing whether Colton is the one for her or if she’s in love with him. She basically says she cares for and loves him but isn’t in love with him right now.
Her dad tells Cassie that she should know who her soulmate is from the moment she meets them, which I don’t exactly agree with. I don’t think it’s great Cassie feels all this confusion, but it’s a little silly to insist she must know when she meets them. That’s like saying love at first sight is the only kind of love there is. I believe that type of love exists, but it’s not the only way love happens! Love grows over time.
Regardless, Papa Randolph’s supportive pep talk convinces Cassie of what she must do: remove herself from the competition.
Bizarrely, she decides to get all dolled up and looks super cute when she goes to smash Colton’s heart to smithereens. Poor delusional Colton also looks quite dapper, excitedly talking to the camera about how much he loves Cassie and how enthusiastic he is to basically lose his virginity to her that night. It’s… pretty painful, to be honest. But excellent drama.
Colton: “Even though today’s date didn’t end the best way. I’m not worried about it. Cass is the one.”
Oof. OK, so basically at this point we know what I’ve long suspected… Cassie is the winner. So she clearly opts to stay and be with him, right? RIGHT?!
Nope; she leaves.
Um… What?!!!
The ensuing confrontation between Colton and Cassie is probably one of the most emotionally difficult things I’ve ever seen on the show.
Things start off chill and nice at first, with both Cassie and Colton talking about how much they enjoyed the date. Then, she launches into the Break-Up To End All Break-Ups. And it’s so drawn out and so painful, because Cassie is being sort of immature about the whole thing.
Cassie does say that she loves Colton “so much” but that she isn’t “in love” with him. She feels like she should know by now whether she is in love but simply doesn’t. Colton looks utterly crushed that Cassie doesn’t at all feel the same way about him that he does about her.
Then, it gets weird. Colton essentially goes in to bargaining mode, repeatedly reassuring Cassie that they don’t have to get engaged at the end of the season but that she is 100% the woman he wants to be with of the remaining contestants. That’s gotta feel… not so great to the other two still in the running who watched this episode at home.
Colton is so into Cassie that he’s willing to just wait her out and see how she feels, because he wants to be with her and is only thinking about her when he’s on dates with other women. Again… ouch.
Cassie continues to waffle, admitting she was intending to leave but now she’s confused. Poor Colton is so distraught that he’s literally shaking, and she’s clearly upset that he’s in so much pain. I guess she feels guilty and that’s why it drags on for as long as it does.
In the end, she does leave. They exchange “I love you’s” and kiss and then she gets in the limo and cries her eyes out. A devastated Colton heads back to his hotel room, where he cries, then melts down.
He storms off, pulling off his mic and finally, it happens. The moment we’e all been waiting for, all season long. Colton jumps the damn fence, as producers frantically chase him and instruct others to retrieve Chris Harrison.
Chris Harrison: “He just jumped the f***ing fence!”
And that’s literally where it ends. The mother of all cliffhangers! Since we already know Colton does eventually come back, it’s just a matter of figuring out who he chooses in the end (if anyone at all) — and if they choose him back.
What did you think of this episode of The Bachelor? What do you think will happen on next week’s finale? Will Hannah G. even get her date? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Bachelor airs Mondays at 8/7c on ABC.
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Caralynn Lippo
Caralynn is a freelance writer and editor, but most importantly, she is a diehard TV addict. A few of her current favorites are Mr. Robot, You're the Worst, iZombie, and The Vampire Diaries. She also writes about TV for Romper, The TV Junkies, and TV Fanatic.