NEW YORK — The journey to find love is narrowing down as “The Bachelor” approaches its final stages. The latest episode kicked off with Peg making a memorable entrance, riding a unicycle around the iconic Bachelor Mansion. Meanwhile, tension rose among the contestants as Cindy confided in Carol about her need for more time to forge a strong connection with Mel, hoping for a coveted one-on-one date. Carol shared a similar sentiment but appeared more patient about the situation. Host Jesse Palmer stirred the pot by announcing that only three women would earn hometown dates, and Mel decided to reserve all rose decisions for the upcoming ceremony, adding an extra layer of suspense.

Gina: Peg’s unicycle antics were hilarious! The ominous talk of “vultures circling” added a dramatic flair. Jesse’s revelation that only three contestants would move forward was a bombshell, setting the tone for an eventful episode.

The coveted first date card arrived with the message, “Peg, Debbie, Cheryl, Nicolle, and Carol, I’m looking for my soulmate.” This left Cindy overjoyed to discover she’d be having a one-on-one date, reigniting her optimism in the process. Carol, meanwhile, was left waiting for her moment.

Group Date

Mel whisked his group of five to a serene location known as butterfly mountain for a spiritual experience, aiming to assess how their energies matched. “I just want to ask that you be open to this,” Mel said, as he introduced a shaman to guide them. The group participated in an emotional release exercise, writing down feelings they wished to heal or discard and then burning them. Debbie chose “hopelessness,” Peg and Carol both shared “unworthy,” while Mel selected “friction.” Notably absent was Nicolle’s choice, leaving viewers speculating after her comments last week.

Gina: The emotions shared were quite revealing of each contestant’s personal journey. Nicolle’s silence on her specific emotion could hint at underlying issues yet to be uncovered!

Then, Peg and Mel were invited to take part in a mud cleansing in a big tub. They had a fun time rubbing each other down with mud. Peg wrote love on Mel’s chest in the mud and they kissed. Nicolle said she’s feeling confident because she thinks the other women are bringing some insecure energy.

Gina: Nicolle really has the claws out, doesn’t she?

Cheryl and Mel took a walk to a cold plunge. That’s not exactly relaxing. Cheryl couldn’t even get her whole body in! Mel told her that it gets warmer once you get in. Mel feels it brings clarity. Cheryl said that it actually did and that she gets emotional when she thinks of him. “I really feel I’m falling in love with you,” she told Mel. “I feel I have had a connection with you since our first date, and that hasn’t gone away,” Mel said. He even told her he’d love to go to visit her family. WOW!

Gina: Yeah cold plunges are not relaxing!! But I’m glad Cheryl let her guard down and told Mel how she was feeling.

Debbie and Mel did some sexy tantric yoga together. She was excited to climb on board. Debbie felt like they were connecting through their eyes and hearts. They stretched and did a lot of different poses and even kissed. Debbie revealed that it’s been 14 years since she was in love. She wants to bring him home to meet her sister, her brother in law, and friends. He also told her that he’d love to meet her family. What?! I’m not sure if he’s doing the math but he can’t say that to everyone!

Gina: OK, what is it with this show and the tantric yoga? First on Bachelor in Paradise and now here? What’s happening over there? Ha.

Mel and Nicolle did a shaman card reading. They picked the witness card where it observes without taking action. They let some energy go as they burned herbs. Mel asked her where she sees herself in five years. Nicolle revealed that she wants to author a cookbook and work on her Instagram account. Through his observations he felt he had some concerns. Then she asked him for a kiss, “just for the camera.” It seemed weird. He said, “This could have been what Robin was talking about.”

Gina: Glad to see that warning kicked in for him because, yeah, Nicolle’s definitely showing her cards. Mel said he needed to see if there was more than just a surface relationship with Nicolle and what we’re seeing is not a good look. Last week, Mel said that Nicolle was all about him and he liked that. This conversation showed that she’s really about herself and he does NOT like that.

Mel and Carol did some meditation and he’s enjoying getting to know her. He hoped that she could open up even more. They tried to clear their negative energies. Carol told Mel that if he went home with her he would meet her children and her own father. Then, she told Mel that she’s very interested in him and they haven’t had a lot of conversation. She was worried that he didn’t have a big enough connection with her because he didn’t give her a one-on-one date. “I don’t know if I can continue on this journey with you,” Carol said. Mel said he respected her and her feelings, her wellbeing. Aw! Carol just didn’t feel ready to bring him home without getting to know him better.

She cried as the SUV drove away, but eventually seemed upbeat about the whole thing. Cheryl ran and alerted the others who were sad to see their friend leave.

Gina: I’m glad that Carol left on her own terms. She just knew he wasn’t her guy. I feel like even though this didn’t end with her as the final one, what she can take away from it will be monumental in her finding love after this show. I was sad that she didn’t get to say her goodbyes to the other ladies, who I think really do care for her.

Cindy’s One-on-One Date

Cindy and Mel walked hand in hand on walk where he led her to a pair of horses. Mel took her horseback riding! He said he hadn’t been on a horse in about 60 years. He was a bit nervous, it was funny. Cindy handled her horse like pro! She said it was like he was coaching his horse! There was a clearing and they had a beautiful view of the city. Mel thinks that Cindy is elegant and relaxed. He really likes her.

Gina: Cindy saying, “Are you comfortable on a horse?” and Mel answering, “We’re about to find out!” had me laughing. He was definitely not comfortable on a horse but it’s good to get out of your comfort zone!

They stopped at an observatory to have a picnic and have an opportunity to talk. Cindy was a cheerleader, valedictorian, and an engineer! She’s been divorced seven years. She said that she grew up in a broken home and she never wanted to do that to her kids. She said after staying at home with her kids for 20 years, she found out the marriage wasn’t what she thought it was and she didn’t know if she should stay or go. But, eventually she went. Cindy said that she has some trust issues. Mel said that he could relate.

Cindy told Mel that she wants to fall in love and that she is shocked how strongly she is feeling. He asked her who he would be meeting if he went to her hometown and she said her three daughters. She said that they would love him. Her daughter told her that, “They picked Mel for you.” Mel gave Cindy a star named after her! How sweet! “I’m falling fast!” Cindy said.

As night fell, they went up to the big telescope and checked out the universe. They danced under the stars. It was so romantic.

Gina: Lots to really enjoy about this date, Jen. First, I do just love the Griffith Observatory. It’s beautiful up there. I liked that Cindy said coming into this show, she wanted to let her past go and I think that’s something Mel needed to hear, that she is ready to move to the next phase of her life, possibly with him! And Cindy saying he is “the sun, moon and stars all wrapped up” for her was so sweet. They could be our end game!

Rose Ceremony

Mel said he had to pray on which three women to choose. He told Jesse that he thinks he knows what he wants to do. Cindy got to talk to her daughter Emily and she was all dressed up in her gown for the rose ceremony. She told her mom how beautiful she looked. All of the women got to FaceTime with their families. It was so cute to see their children and grandchildren! Debbie and her sister seem like two peas in a pod! So similar! Peg spoke to her daughter and it was cute. Mel said that he has to find a different gear to keep up with Peg! Nicolle told her friend that Mel is hot! Mel said that he never got an answer about what Nicolle actually does.

Wow, that was a shocking rose ceremony! Nicolle and Cheryl would be going home. Mel walked Cheryl out and he said that it was a heartache to say goodbye to her. He also walked Nicolle out and she said, “When it doesn’t work out with the one that you pick, and it probably won’t, you call me, ok? I mean that.” Again, my jaw is on the floor. She was already campaigning for the “Golden Bachelorette” in the limo ride out.

Gina: Ok, a few things to unpack. First, I’m glad we FINALLY got a Jesse/Mel sit down and I’m glad we got to see more of the ladies’ family and friends. That’s been lacking this season. I’m with Jesse in that I’m not sure Mel can keep up with Peg!

Cheryl being so gracious in her goodbye, especially after saying how heartbroken she’d be if she didn’t get a rose, was so sweet. She really is a lovely person and I hope she finds what she is looking for.

As for Nicolle, just whoa. First, her saying “I’m into manifestation so if I think I’m going to get the rose, then I probably will” had me rolling my eyes. Then her saying “WOW” when Mel called Debbie’s name over hers was quite something. She really thought she had this whole thing in the bag and was going to get the guy and the Instagram fame and the cookbook deal and all of it. AND THEN her telling Mel to call her when it doesn’t work out – and then blowing kisses at Mel when she was leaving as if she still had some sort of hold on him – had me ready to throw things at my TV. Oh, to be a fly on the wall in the “Golden Bachelor” control room as she was saying all this and then threw her hat into the ring for “Golden Bachelorette!”

Hometown Dates Preview

Next week, Mel visits his final three women’s hometowns. Peg even takes him to the firehouse! All of the daughters and family members have some big questions for Mel, hopefully he can handle the heat!

Gina: We love a hometown episode, don’t we, Jen? And I think this one will be interesting. Can’t wait to recap it all!

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