The Bachelor Recap, Nick Viall Episode 5: Haunted Houses Don't Translate to Reality Television
Fifteen contestants remain in the pursuit of Nick Viall's heart after last week's trip to Wisconsin, but only one can secure the Neil Lane diamond ring and short-lived engagement at the end of the road. We'll find out if Taylor can derail Corinne or if that particular crazy train will keep on chugging. Nick only has six more episodes to choose a fiancee (again), so let's see who stands out this week!
Picking up at the Cocktail Party
An obstinate Taylor continues trying to reason with the creature known as Corinne, but is countered with this face and this line:
"Maturity is different than emotional intelligence." She's not entirely wrong, but I would absolutely challenge her to explain the difference.
Corinne cleverly goes directly to Nick after this chat and describes Taylor as rude around the house. While Taylor is consoled by Astrid and Danielle, Corinne is strengthening her position mere hours before a Rose Ceremony. I'm going to hope Taylor is just okay with going home at this point, because she pretty much conceded her shot at a rose to Corinne.
This Week's Survivors: Kristina, Raven, Danielle L, Whitney, Danielle, Jasmine, Rachel, Jaimi, Josephine, Vanessa, Alexis, Corinne, and Taylor
Returning to Real Life: Astrid and Sarah
Side note: Knucks to all of the ladies for enduring what looks like a very cold Rose Ceremony.
Sarah's not smoking in this picture, that's her breath. This scene takes over five minutes after edits, and none of their dresses look warm.
One-on-One Date with Rachel
After flying to New Orleans, Nick and Rachel head into the city for some shopping, oysters, and hot sauce. Most importantly, after some street snogging, they visit Cafe Du Monde for beignets. I'm still harboring a grudge against my friends for bypassing the local landmark during Mardi Gras, but it looks really good regardless. Nick certainly seems to enjoy it:
He looks oddly like the guy singing last week, but I'll give him big points for attacking that beignet with the enthusiasm it deserves.
Dinner in what appears to be a museum of Mardi Gras floats allows Nick to open up about his insecurities stemming from his failed proposals. He explains that he's "super into" her, which is incredibly ineloquent. Still, Rachel accepts his proffered rose, and they snog the night away.
Group Date: Josephine, Kristina, Alexis, Raven, Jaimi, Vanessa, Danielle M., Whitney, Jasmine, and Danielle L.
Nick awaits the group at an old plantation house, which he explains is one of the most haunted locations in Louisiana. They wisely begin the night with some mint juleps as the bartender/caretaker explains the house's history and ghost. A young girl named May roams the manse, which is full of creepy figurines, dolls, and art. I don't know if she's visiting from beyond, but May was certainly frightening when she was alive:
Yep, I'm out. This is almost as creepy as Renaissance babies.
After another drink (or two or three), the group brings out a Ouija board. They inquire as to May's presence, and the lights go out; the result is flickering, dim candlelight throughout the house, and after investigating they find May's doll missing. Jasmine seems to have changed her name to Debbie Downer for the occasion, and is firmly stating she is not afraid and ghosts aren't real. As the girls get their time alone with Nick, additional props are triggered around the house, which helps Jasmine get a bit more into the atmosphere. Raven tells Nick she "fell in love" with him on their one-on-one date; I don't know if it's TOO early, but she's definitely out ahead of her competition. The initial feedback isn't promising, as Nick gives the group date rose to Danielle M.
Two-on-One Date: Corinne and Taylor
On their way to the Bayou, Corinne makes another Donald Trump reference; the parallels really are striking, as both are distrusted by intelligent competition and prone to bombastic run-on sentences. A fanboat (like Burt Reynolds in GATOR!) takes the trio to a voodoo priestess, who introduces them to a Tarot card reader, who explains the following (my notes in parentheses) to Taylor:
- Taylor's Queen of Cups represents Taylor's depth of emotional intelligence (this verbiage brought to you by the show's producers)
- Taylor's Eight of Cups represents Taylor moving on from a situation that is emotionally toxic (The Bachelor is itself a toxic situation)
- The Judgement card signifies a major crossroads (they're on a two-on-one date, so duh)
Of course, while that was happening, Corinne told Nick she was emotionally attacked by Taylor, whatever that means. He seems to take it at face value, and, after a snog, leads Taylor away to discuss Corinne's accusations. She attempts to defend herself, but doesn't garner any sympathy from Nick before returning to a frosty table with Corinne.
Thank Bondye they had a Tarot reader to pick up on the tension between these two!
Nick returns to the table and offers the two-on-one date rose to Corinne. Taylor is sent home, which is unfortunate for anyone in favor of rational discourse, but very fortunate for fans of this show's trainwreck-y nature. One more week of Crazy Corinne!
Nick and his chosen-of-the-moment change clothes and proceed to dinner as Taylor follows, determined to say her piece. Of course, we won't find out what happens until next week because we get TO BE CONTINUED.
This episode tallied 40 drinks according to the QQ Bachelor Drinking Game. Feel free to follow us on Facebook for new content, and we'll see you next week!
