Season 29 of The Bachelor is down to the wire as Grant Ellis and his three remaining women traveled to the Dominican Republic for potential overnight dates, known as “Fantasy Suites.” With an engagement in two weeks, this off-camera time was crucial.
Juliana
Juliana was the first lady to see Grant this week, but before their date, Bachelor producers brought in season 28 runner-up Daisy to give her some advice. During their discussion, Juliana reveals that knowing Grant could be intimate with other women this week, reminds her of her last relationship, where her partner consistently cheated on her.
Grant and Julianna went ATVing for their date. During this activity, the bachelor noticed that Juliana was very concerned with how her hair and makeup looked as they drove through fast winds and splashed through mud piles.
“Mud bath going on. I like it,” he told her.
After their ride, Grant reassured her that she is beautiful, telling her that he finds himself smiling when he thinks about her.
When it came time for the dinner portion of their date, the weather turned stormy. Even though their dining area was partially sheltered, I could tell poor Juliana was freezing.
Through the cold, Juliana opened up about her infidelious ex-boyfriend, to which Grant responded, “I look at you and I’m like how — who messed up?”
The couple chose to “forgo their individual rooms,” and spent their first time connecting without the presence of cameras or producers.
Zoe
Going into her fantasy suite date, Zoe knew she was behind the other girls. Rachel, another contestant from Joey’s season of The Bachelor, encouraged her to stay open. This meant a lot to Zoe because Rachel was in a similar position.
“She also got the least amount of time when it comes to the top three,” Zoe said.
However, the positivity did not last long. When Grant told her that they were doing yoga — silent yoga — for their date, Zoe began to feel a bit uneasy.
Grant also had his concerns while he stretched out.
“The first thing I was thinking was ‘don’t fart’ honestly,” he said.
As time went on, they started to feel more comfortable, but Zoe seemed put-off the whole date. I mean, I would too. She already didn’t get a one-on-one before hometowns and now you take her on a date where you can’t actually talk?
Later that evening the pair bond over their similar childhoods, and when Grant asked Zoe if she wanted to continue to the overnight portion of the date, she said, “I’m down.”
Litia
Litia was the last to see Grant that week, and honestly, the producers were trying to set her up. They knew that she was opting out of physical intimacy and she had expressed discomfort towards the idea of Grant being with other women in that way. However, she handled the situation with grace.
Speaking with Kaity, the final rose recipient from Zach’s season of The Bachelor, Litia decided to tell Grant that she didn’t want to know about what he did with the other women, and just focus on their connection and her boundaries.
The drama came from their date activity — ziplining. Grant chose this option because he really wanted to see Litia’s adventurous side, but the whole thing freaked her out.
“Why is it wet?” she asked about the harness. “Somebody peed their pants inside this thing.”
On the evening portion of their date, Grant and Litia talked about their timeline for having kids. Litia’s was a bit quicker than Grant’s, but he said he was willing to compromise for her. When it came time to make the big decision — to share a room or to not share a room — Litia hesitated.
She made it very clear that she did not want to be physically intimate with him, which Grant respected. He said that their relationship is much deeper than that, and they should explore those other aspects instead.
“I do love you,” he told her.
And guess what? She said it back, and the pair went off to their fantasy suite.
The morning after their overnight, the couple seemed really smitten.
“Litia is a once in a lifetime woman to me,” Grant said. “It feels like we are supposed to be together.”
Oh, it gets worse.
“So do I stop here?” he asked. “Is it — do I pick Litia now? Or do I pursue this other woman that I have really strong feelings for?”
If my prediction last week was right, and he doesn’t propose to her, I might riot.
Who went home?
Much to no one’s surprise, Zoe did not receive a rose this week and was sent home. While I did see this coming, I thought she was going home last week … and the week before that, so I knew there was a chance she could shock me again.
“I know that I’m ready to be an amazing partner to my person, when I find them,” Zoe said.
Next week
Before the episode ended, Grant spoke to his family, giving us more insight into his indecisiveness.
“I’ve never been this indecisive in my life,” he said, “so stay tuned for my demise.”
Next week he will have to choose between Julianna, who he has very palpable chemistry with, and Litia, who he has already said he is in love with. Which, as we’ve seen, is a decision he doesn’t make until the last second.
Not a good sign.
Author: Heather Turner
Editor: Anna Mower
Photos courtesy of ABC Entertainment
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