Zach and his potential wives head to Budapest, where the Bachelor picks his final four.
The week before hometowns is always eventful, and this episode ofThe Bachelorwas no different, rose lovers.
Welcome to Budapest, Hungary, a.k.a.
Kaity and Zach.ABC
The Epitome of RomanceTM, a.k.a.
The Perfect Environment to Fall in LoveTM, a.k.a.
The Ideal Locale to Choose a Final FourTM.
Kaity and Zach in Budapest.ABC
(OK, Zach didn’t say that last one.)
The first woman to get a second one-on-one date is… Kaity!
“I’m really disappointed,” says Kat.
Zach can type!.ABC
“I feel, like, not chosen.”
Girl, that’s because you wereliterally not chosen!
“I can’t wait for my family to meet Zach,” gushes Kaity.
Kaity’s note.ABC
To that end, they both vow to start spouting random facts about themselves.
(Kaity’s favorite color is purple!
Zach’s original last name was “Shacklecross”!)
Kaity gets a hometown date.ABC
By the end of the day, these two might even know each other’s middle names.
Is this a real thing in Budapest or something producers just made up?
I’m guessing the latter but it’s good to know that Zach understands how to operate a typewriter.
Holy Criss Angel mindfreak!.ABC
He’s definitely a hunt-and-peck style typist, however.
Still, he manages to produce a few lines on paper.
Kaity’s message, meanwhile, has a few typos, but is equally heartfelt.
Great, now I want some pink lemonade.ABC
Sorry, did Kaity… spell her own name wrong?
The girl mustreallybe infatuated.
That night, she and Zach have dinner at theKiraly Bath, the oldest bathhouse in Hungary.
Ariel and Zach.ABC
All she wants is a man who’s going to “be there” for her.
“You’re an amazing guy, inside and out…
I want this more than anything.”
Zach and Kat.ABC
But by then, it was a little too late to build a real relationship.
Her mom did remarry, but then that dude left, too, when Kaity was in 8th grade.
Yes/No (If yes, kindly explain).
Gabi gets a hometown date.ABC
It’s very moving and emotional and of course, Zach LOVES it.
“Recognizing how hard it is for her to share that just shows real strength,” he says.
“That’s pretty damn special.”
Greer tests positive… for loneliness.ABC
You know what that means, rose lovers.
Kaity’s going to hometowns, y’all!
Naturally, they celebrate by making out in a Hungarian bath.
Brooklyn and Zach.ABC
It’s time for the group date.
To that end, Mr. Malik asks the women to hold out their hands.
He has Zach blow on his fingers to transport the heart to one of the women.
Zach, Brooklyn, and a sweet Hungarian couple.ABC
“If the connection is real,” explains the magician, “the heart will appear.”
The winner is… Gabi!
LOL at Kat’s face.
I hope that pool has a lot of chlorine.ABC
Props to producers for coming up with the most insecurity-inducing sleight of hand nonsense possible.
And the parlor tricks aren’t over yet!
“I’m going to read your minds,” announces Labib.
Sorry, Brooklyn.ABC
Okay, Simon Baker.
Let’s do this!
Everyone takes a seat on the stage.
Group hug!.ABC
“On the desert, I want you to place a cube,” he continues.
“What is your cube made of?”
“That’s very interesting!”
Jesse and Zach.ABC
Wait, does he mean that she’s transparent, or that people can tell when she’s dissembling?
I think the latter.
Cut to:
What in the name ofNeuro Linguistic Programmingis going on here?
One by one, the remaining women take their place in the hot seat.
“I just feel beat down right now,” says Kat, sobbing.
“The things I say, I just don’t want them to be misinterpreted.”
Everybody is on edge as they head into the after-party.
“I want Zach to feel comfortable to meet my family,” says Charity.
“And after today, I don’t know if he does.”
Cheer up, honey looks like the Bachelor interns made you all some fruity drinks.
Alas, Charity is still tortured by her experience with the mentalist.
Will Zach decide that she has too many trust issues?
“I’m actually terrified,” she says, wiping away tears.
Hang in there, boo.
And don’t forget: you’ve got the option to do better than Zach and probably will.
Ariel sits down with the Bachelor first, and she immediately launches into a hilarious impression of her father.
“My Dad was like, ‘Ariel, you’ve got the option to’t do the show.
I know what they do there: Orgies,'” she says, speaking in a Ukrainian accent.
Okay, wemustmeet Ariel’s father and wedefinitelyneed to know what reality shows he’s watching.
Still, Ariel says she misses having the love of a partner.
“That’s the thing I want most in the world,” she admits.
“It’s a risk that I’m honestly willing to take,” she says.
“I have no doubt with you.”
Will Kat’s chat with Zach end on an equally positive note?
[awkward pause] I think so?"
So, Kat, what gives?
“These days have been so hard,” she tells him, choking up.
“It was just too much.”
But she wants Zach to know that she was and is determined to push through those moments with him.
“I, too, want that forever feeling,” she insists.
“I see that as our future so well.
“Ding ding ding!
That’s exactly what Zach was hoping to hear.
Way to play through the pain, Kat.
But was it enough to earn her that all important hometown date rose?
Survey says…
Oh, no Kat’s crying again.
“I hate not feeling wanted,” she says, weeping.
“It sucks.”
It sure does, honey.
In other words, Greer’s back, everybody!
And she’s super excited to continue her “journey” with Zach.
Little does she know, it’s going to be a short one.
Zach greets Greer in his hotel room.
But she’s gotta give it a shot.
“I do see something between us,” she says shakily.
“I guess I was just wondering where you’re at.”
Unfortunately, though, “we’ve both had weeks stolen from us,” he continues.
“Day one to now, I’m just following my gut, my heart.
I don’t feel that.”
Greer does NOT love it.
“I, like, completely understand,” she whispers.
“I understand where you’re coming from, and I respect it.
Time is really of the essence, and we haven’t had much of it.”
They share a sad hug goodbye.
Hang in there, lady you’re a prime candidate forParadise.
Wow, it’s been a busy morning for Zach.
Hungarian huju number 2!
(Producers love toput this guy on bikes, don’t they?)
(Whoever planned this date probably schedules their vacation days down to the minute.)
Turns out the couple had their first date at this very spa house 25 years ago.
It’s simply too adorable for words.
Love is in the air.
Or maybe that’s just steam.
Everything seems to be going really well.
“He stepped in when my dad stepped out,” she explains.
“He took me and my sister in and treated us like we were his own daughters.
He’s just my hero.”
She sees one with Zach.
Awww, that’s sweet.
How are you feeling about it, Zach?
You need some time away from the table to “just breathe and think”?
Uh-oh that’s not a good sign.
“She has this incredible grandfather who loves her and wants the world for her.
“If I’m not feeling sure, who am I to be in that house?”
We know where this is going, rose lovers.
Zach returns to the table and delivers the bad news.
“You do deserve the love I can’t give you.
I’m so sorry.”
They’re both crying now.
The Suitcase Ninja arrives at the women’s suite and removes Brooklyn’s bag.
The remaining women are SHOOK, and they end the night in a group hug.
Such sisterly support we love to see it!
Holy cow, is it rose ceremony time already?
I guess we’re just skipping the cocktail party and going right to the pre-hometowns carnage.
Rose ceremony roll call: Ariel and Charity join Kaity and Gabi in the Circle of SafetyTM.
So sorry, Kat, but that means your “journey” is over.
Kat just has one question for the Bachelor: “Why?”
“I tried; I really did.”
Zach wants her to know that this isn’t her fault it simply just wasn’t the right fit.
Normalize grown men crying on television!
Well, rose lovers, we have our final four.
Were you surprised to see Kat get the boot?
And what is YOUR cube made of?
Post your thoughts below!
