The aftermath of “thinking of you”-gate reared its ugly head again on Grant Ellis’ season of The Bachelor.
Rose, a nurse who is 27 years old, made the decision to leave the competition on the Monday, February 17 episode of the ABC show. Her ongoing conflict with Carolina, a 29-year-old PR producer, had been dragging on since week three.
The fourth week began with the group heading to Spain from the mansion, and 32-year-old attorney Dina scored the first one-on-one date. During their time exploring Madrid, Dina referred to herself as an “ice queen” multiple times. She shared about her experience of growing up in a large family of 11 siblings and her struggles with expressing her emotions. Grant, 31, drew a comparison between Dina and his mother (assuring her it was a positive connection) and offered her a rose.
Meanwhile, Carolina, who had previously enjoyed a one-on-one date in Vegas on the February 10 episode, wasn’t pleased about being part of a group date. Feeling disappointed about not getting more individual time, she sarcastically remarked, “If I’m lucky, he’ll kiss someone in front of me,” displaying her frustration in front of the women who were yet to have any one-on-one time.
After a quick interlude with Parisa’s bad day — she has a pimple! she burned herself on her curling iron! her spray tan is “chipping!” — we see the women go on a donkey ride and attempt mechanical bull riding after a matador class. We also see Zoe, a 27-year-old tech engineer and a model, get candid with Grant about being adopted and growing up as a Black woman in a primarily white neighborhood.
The emotional moment would normally lead to a group date rose for Zoe, but instead, Grant opted not to give anyone the honor after Juliana, a 28-year-old client service associate, confronted Carolina about not being grateful for the time she has had with Grant. The rest of the women have Juliana’s back, leading Carolina to cry — and Grant to walk in just in time to pull her aside and comfort her. (While it’s always hard to tell who truly is the problem, Juliana opting to apologize for her role in Grant’s decision not to give out the rose makes it seem like Carolina really is the drama.)
Grant later went on a second one-on-one date, this time bungee jumping in the rain with Serafina, a 29-year-old associate media director. Things nearly took a turn when Grant thought Serafina wasn’t attracted to him because she doesn’t give it her all when they kiss, but she subsequently explained that she’s just playing it safe because her mom is watching. (Most relatable fourth wall break in Bachelor history?) Serafina opened up about being told something was always missing in her past relationships and was given a rose from Grant.
When it was time for the cocktail party, Grant was quick to pull Juliana to hear more about the drama with Carolina. After she filled him in on her concerns, Grant informed Carolina that she is valid in her feelings but should only be expressing them to him — and not the rest of the girls. We have to give it up to Grant for the way he handled this one! Carolina is being extra and needs to realize she’s on The Bachelor, but it is only sane to question why you are having such strong feelings after one date with a dude.
Meanwhile, Rose — who told Grant earlier in the episode that she was anxious following her past drama with Carolina — wasn’t happy when Dina decided to comfort and validate Carolina (who was still emotional) in front of the group. (ICYMI last week, Rose told Carolina that Grant said he was thinking of Rose during his solo dance with Carolina on a group date. Grant later denied that was what he meant, but the damage was done as Carolina was triggered and went to Grant, causing his relationship with Rose to suffer.)
Rose told Carolina that she felt “f—ed” by her “big time,” explaining that she thought she was confiding in a friend when she repeated what Grant had told her. Rose subsequently decided to quit the show, informing Grant before Monday’s rose ceremony.
“I’ve been fighting myself for a long time, like, fighting to stay and fighting through my own emotions. Everything that happened with Carolina invalidated so much about my relationship that was so good,” Rose told the cameras. “This is definitely a tipping point for me.”
At the rose ceremony, Grant informed the women that Rose left, admitting he was hurt by her decision but explained it is a reminder to all of them that it is their choice to be here.
When he’s handing out roses, Parisa’s bad day gets worse as Carolina secures the final rose. And just like that, Grant is down to his final seven — Carolina, Dina, Serafina, Zoe, Juliana, Litia and Alexe.
The Bachelor airs on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. ET.
