Let the “rose chasing'' begin!—Here is my review/recap of episode 2 of Bachelor in Paradise, season 7. With the men having the power of the rose this week, the women are scrambling to make connections—let’s dive into episode 2.
Demi Officially Arrives
Last week we were left with a cliffhanger—Demi’s return to paradise! With Demi’s arrival this means one more woman is headed home early. We now have 14 women and 10 men in paradise. Demi shows up with a date card and shops around for connections—starting with Connor B, and then Kenny—but she ultimately settles on Brendan. She talks to Brendan, asking him what happened on Tayshia’s season with him (because she didn’t watch it, haha)...Brendan gives her the abbreatived version of his time with Tayshia, and ultimately accepts a date with Demi. But this leaves Natasha crushed because she had her sights set on Brendan. Natasha is trying to hold her emotions in and heads off and isolates, trying to contain her “negative energy.”
With Natasha left back on the beach, Demi and Brendan head off on their date, with Demi getting a flirtatious piggyback ride from “sexy Brendan” as she calls him. They are filmed having fun riding jet skis in the ocean and then they eventually settle in on a couch. Demi expresses her infatuation for Brendan—calling him “sexy” over and over again. Essentially, Demi is smitten, which seems rare considering Demi always seems in control of her emotions, and they even share a kiss. But then the date flips upside down, as Brendan tells Demi that he wants to keep his options open despite their attraction for each other. Demi is taken aback, she is then embarrassed as well as suddenly pissed off—“I’m the cream of the crop,” she says, knowing she is getting rejected. Now Demi is extremely pissed off—she thinks Brendan has wasted her time and led her on.
Meanwhile the rumour mill has been turning back on the beach, and it has to do with a pre-Bachelor in Paradise couple—Brendan and Pieper. They were spotted together before paradise filmed so there is concern that Brendan is just waiting for Pieper to show up. Natasha hears about this and is equally concerned. But she’ll just have to wait until Brendan comes back to the beach to talk to him.
Another Date Card Arrives
Another date card arrives in paradise! And this one goes to Jessenia! Jessenia takes her love interest Ivan on a one on one date and they head off to spend some quality time together. They arrive at a dinner date (in the middle of a shallow pool) and sit down to talk—they express their comfort with each other and are excited about a “second chance at love.” Jessenia even compliments Ivan on opening up during Tayshia’s season about tough issues like racism and police brutality. She then expresses the hate and racism she experienced after Matt James’ season. Having to deal with hateful and hurtful messages, this made Jessenia question whether she should come back on the show at all and expose herself to public criticism. But through the tough issues Ivan and Jessenia preserve and connect further—even sharing a kiss and Ivan promising to give his rose to Jessenia at the upcoming rose ceremony.
Demi Returns...PISSED
Demi comes down to the beach after her disastrous date with Brendan and she is vividly annoyed. She tells some girls about how it went and then she gets filled in on the “Pieper drama.” Demi is even more irritated and she starts to call out Brendan when he comes back to the beach. She confronts him about not being open to exploring relationships—and how he is waiting for Pieper to show up. Brendan of course denies this but it's hard when it feels like it's true. After Demi calls out Brendan, Natasha then wants to talk to him. She asks him about Pieper—and he says he did talk to Pieper before paradise, but they didn’t have any labels, and it was “super casual.” Essentially, dismissing their pre-paradise connection. Natasha tries to understand, and kind of forgives him? They ultimately continue their connection...but who knows if it will withstand the Pieper drama.
Victoria P. & “Box guy” who?
There is even more drama brewing in paradise as Victoria P. and “box guy” James/Jordan? Victoria P. can’t seem to remember his name—even though she says she is interested in James from Katie’s season, there is concern about how she is handling this situation. Victoria P. makes it known she wants to stay in paradise, and seemingly is faking an interest in box guy James to stay around. Tammy is on bullshit patrol and knows something about Victoria P. that James isn’t aware of. Tammy is aware that Victoria P. allegedly has a boyfriend back at home in Louisiana and is only here in paradise for more exposure.
“Rose Chasing”
So, with 14 women and 10 men in paradise—the roses are starting to seem ultra thin. The rose ceremony is almost upon us as it's some women’s last chance to try and secure a rose to stay in paradise longer. With that, there are some last ditch efforts by some women—one being Serena C. (from Matt James’ season). She tries her shot with Aaron (who is connected to Tammy) and they start to makeout. Tammy sees this and she is ready for some competition, she pulls Aaron aside after Serena C. and essentially “claims” him. Then Tahzjuan has to deal with Victoria L.
Victoria L. tries her shot with Tre—and Tahzjuan isn’t having it. She confronts Victoria L. calling her out for her “Goddess facade front.” Then Victoria L. is left crying, knowing that her options and time in paradise are most likely running out.
Then back to Victoria P. and box guy James. Tammy pulls James aside and lets him know about Victoria P.’s potentially boyfriend back home in Louisiana. James is shocked, he can’t believe Victoria P. has deceived him—he goes and confirms this with Kelsey, who tells him the rumour is most likely true. James then confronts Victoria P., who denies having a boyfriend back home, but James is having a hard time believing her. Victoria P. goes and confronts Kelsey and Tammy, thinking that they were
“friends” and how she feels betrayed that they didn’t come to her first. But Kelsey and Tammy stand their ground and tell Victoria P. that they think she is full of crap. Victoria P. then goes and talks to James and then self-eliminates, she heads off and then confirms to the camera...that she did in fact have a boyfriend at home!!
Well, with Victoria P. gone, James is fair game to the women who have not secured a rose. Demi talks to James and so does Kelsey—but the rose ceremony is right around the corner, which three women are going home?
Rose Ceremony
It’s time for the first rose ceremony of this season of paradise! Wells, the bartender, introduces the roses and calls out the men to give out the roses, starting official couples:
1] Ivan and Jessenia
2] Noah and Abigail
3] Joe and Serena P.
4] Connor and Maurissa
5] Tre and Tahzjuan
6] Karl and Deandra
7] Brendan and Natasha
8] Aaron and Tammy
9] Kenny and Mari
And lastly, box guy James has the final rose to give. Kelsey is sweating and freaking out and almost passes out—but with the show eventually back on the road. James gives his rose to—Demi! Which means: Kelsey, Victoria L. and Serena C. are going home.
And so is guest host David Spade, sad to see him go, cause he was funny as hell! Bye bye Joe Dirt...but apparently guest host Lance Bass is up next to guest host paradise next episode! Until next time—the girls have the roses and the power to choose who they want to pursue!
The next episode is on Tuesday, August 24th on ABC 8/7c
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