It’s a new show, a new season: Bachelor in Paradise. Similar to the setup of seasons one and two of Bachelor Pad, a bunch of former Bachelor and Bachelorette contestants are thrown into a house together to let the singles mingle and the spoken for try resist temptation—except this time they’re all in a gorgeous villa in Tulum, Mexico (gorgeous place if you’ve not yet had the pleasure to visit) and there are more than a few surprises up Chris Harrison’s sleeve.
The contestants started trickling in, many of whom we’re familiar with from Juan Pablo’s season and fresh off Andi’s season. The contestants so far (though the show promises more to pop up throughout the season): Clare, Marcus (yay!!—but no cookies), Sarah, Marquel, Daniella, Graham, Lacy, Ben S., Michelle K., Robert, Dylan, Elise and AshLee. Chris Harrison greeted each of them one by one and sent them off to the beach, where, as more guys and gals showed up, people already started pairing off and chatting with one another. Elise, who instantly reminded us of our last impression from Juan Pablo’s season, fell in love at first sight with Dylan, though of course mentioned it in the most stalkerish way possible.
When everyone was all together, Chris asked the first question: Is everyone single? Michelle K., who had a bit of a reputation from her season, said, “Maybe,” causing poor Graham to move away from her on the couch. But after some awkwardness, Chris got down to business. The premise: each week the contestants will be able to go on Bachelor-style dates, but you get to choose who you go on the date with. At the end of each week, if you are not a part of a couple, you have to pack your bags after the rose ceremony, alternating each week between guys and girls giving out the roses. This week, a girl is definitely going home.
After the rules were spoken, the group walked up to their villa to get the party in paradise started—not to mention start making connections to keep themselves safe for the week. AshLee, who had been on Sean’s season, had her sights set on Graham and only Graham—but then again so did a couple of other girls too. Lacy (from JP’s season) wanted to make sure she was actually noticed this time around and not sent home on the first night, so she took the initiative and made herself known to Robert and went for a dip in the ocean, complete with leg-wrapping and wave splashing. While everyone was having drinks and getting to know each other, Marcus was still dwelling on his breakup with Andi, which was still pretty fresh to him.
But after Lacy had her time with Robert, Marcus wanted a shot too, employing the old adage “the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else” and took a dip with Lacy in the ocean too—though he stripped down to his tighty orangies. Sarah, who was on Sean’s season, was not a fan of Lacy’s methods, feeling as though she was “brought up different” but Robert was rightfully jealous calling Lacy “his girl.” Instead of fighting mano-a-mano, he took it upon himself to get to know Lacy a little bit. While Rob stole back his girl, Marcus got comfy with Clare and Dylan and Elise took a stroll down to the ocean to pull a move from Lacy’s playbook. Elise jumped right in—and on—with Dylan and even had their first kiss—not to mention the first in Bachelor in Paradise history.
As day two started, Daniella was starting to feel the pressure, knowing that one lady is for sure going home at the end of the week. AshLee and Graham went for a stroll on the beach and she admitted that he was part of the reason she came on the show, wanting to get to know him better, feeling that they’re “meant to be.” Daniella, who had been on The Bachelor with AshLee knew that she could come on a little strong and truthfully thought that Graham should steer clear. Clare got the first date card and got to bring the man of her choice, and she gleefully chose Graham, much to his surprise and much to AshLee’s chagrin. AshLee went to next level stalker and went into her room to mumble to herself about Graham being unable to stay “loyal” for 24 hours because he said yes to a date with Clare and even gave us our first cry of the show. Already stirring up trouble on the show, AshLee muttered that dreaded word “slut” to Clare under her breath (based on the fact that she slept with Juan Pablo) and made Clare look like THE sanest person EVER (which is saying a lot based on her behaviour last season) because she asked a guy she thought was attractive out. Not to mention, every other female in the villa has basically already written Graham off because they don’t want to get murdered in their sleep (seriously—Daniella even said that). Clare sensed the drama brewing and went to the porch to start crying and ranting (to what seemed like was a raccoon and not actually a person), not wanting to be a part of anything after her rude ending from Juan Pablo’s season.
Clare tried to take the high road and give AshLee the date card as a way to mend the bridge, but AshLee said no it’s okay in the bitchiest way possible. Clare was determined to keep the drama out of her life, so she offered to take a different guy. After letting Graham down (who knew he was in shit) Clare asked Rob and off they went. Graham went to go chat with AshLee and she shut him down not wanting to talk to him—basically just to make him sweat a little bit more. Robert and Clare headed out to the Mayan ruins in Tulum (they are even more gorgeous in person—GO TO MEXICO NOWWW) and started climbing the temples. Before even getting anywhere, Robert stepped into a bunch of fire ants—and naturally, as a way to keep him from getting bit, Clare suggested he take his shirt off. Being a good sport about everything—even though he was in pain—Rob and Clare went to the top of one of the temples and took a look at the gorgeous scenery. The two connected right away and seemed to have a great time on their date. After all of the hiking, they went down to the beach and did some splashing in the water.
Back at the villa, Lacy decided to spend some time with Marcus, since her first pick was stolen away by Clare. Sarah got the next date card and immediately chose Marcus, leaving Lacy behind without either of her two picks. After stripping down to their bathing suits, Sarah and Marcus went down to this gorgeous cave with a beautiful grotto and jumped right in together. The clearest water ever (also, how did I miss this on my last trip?!?) had Sarah feeling super daring, and instead of jumping into the water for the second time, she requested a kiss from Marcus, to which he gladly accepted.
When Clare and Robert got back from their date, Lacy sat down with Rob to tell him how she felt. With tears in her eyes, feeling super confused about the situation, Robert and Lacy went for a stroll on the beach where she gave him the first degree, the first question being did they kiss—which he assured her they didn’t, making Lacy feel a bit more secure after their conversation. But, the drama wasn’t over yet, as another female contestant walked into the villa with a mission in mind. In walked Michelle Money, her reputation floating behind her as the ultimate competition for every female in the house. Michelle also brought with her a date card, who immediately pulled Graham aside (didn’t she get the memo?!). Michelle M. and Graham had a bit of a past from Bachelor Pad, and her loving feelings were still lingering, which is why she set her sights on him right away. AshLee was visibly dying inside knowing that Graham’s ex? current? something? Was there in the villa and also wanted a slice of his time. Michelle M. didn’t ask Graham just yet, so AshLee took the chance to pull Graham aside and find out where she stands with him. The conversation was super uncomfortable to watch—particularly for Graham—and AshLee just seemed to be digging herself a hole for herself, possibly losing any shot she had with him. Even though Michelle M. wanted to rehash old flames with Graham, she decided to move on and pick lovable Marquel instead.
Michelle M., who started the date feeling a little insecure about her age and single parent status, immediately relaxed when her and Marquel got to go horseback riding together along the beach in Playa del Carmen. After their ride, there was more frolicking in the water (clearly the theme of this show), while back at the villa Sarah expressed her concerns for the guys not being forward enough with the girls. Lacy got the next date card, and was immediately torn (80-40, because that’s how she maths) between Marcus and Robert, both having come off dates with other girls. In the end, she picked Robert, making Clare a bit insecure that she may not get a rose, understanding that there is a connection between Lacy and Robert. Dylan tried to give Marcus some advice on playing hard to get, especially still nursing a broken heart. Not having a care for what Marcus was feeling back in the villa, Robert and Lacy were smooching in the ocean and getting super acquainted with one another.
At the cocktail party, everyone seemed to be happy, but tensions were running high as two ladies were going to be sent home at the rose ceremony. The girls made a last-minute attempt to make connections with some of the guys not already spoken for, “conversating” as AshLee so eloquently put it. Sarah expressed her insecurities to Ben, even though she had a great date with Marcus. She sat down with him to find out where his head was at. He was honest and said that he was interested in Lacy (who was kind of sort of spoken for by Robert), but wanted to give her a rose because she deserved it, especially because they did have a great date together.
The first rose ceremony rolled up quicker than the group expected and even the guys were nervous to be making such tough choices. Chris explained the guys were going to give out the roses—the girls had a chance to turn them down, but running the risk of being without one in the end. Marquel was first up, but before he could do anything, Michelle K. jumped in and decided to bow out and give the other girls a shot, warranting statements like “She looks like she’s plotting how to kill you and your whole family” from Michelle M. and “The coconut does not fall far from the crazy tree” from Marquel. Back to the rose ceremony, Marquel gave his rose to the remaining Michelle. Graham gave his rose to AshLee, Dylan gave his to Elise, Marcus gave his to Lacy, but a dejected Robert gave his to Clare and finally Ben gave his to Sarah, sending Daniella home on the first night, not far behind Michelle K.
Coming up roses: Michelle (from Marquel), AshLee (from Graham), Elise (from Dylan), Lacy (from Marcus), Clare (from Robert), Sarah (from Ben).
Paradise pairings: Lacy & Rob, Lacy & Marcus, Elise & Dylan, Clare & Marcus, Clare & Robert, Michelle M. & Marquel.
Kiss count: Elise & Dylan, Sarah & Marcus, Lacy & Robert (Episode-3; Season-3)
Cry count: AshLee, Clare, Lacy (Episode-3; Season-3)
Catfight count: None… for now.
