It’s only been three weeks since this season of Golden Bachelor premiered, but it feels like we’ve all been through so much together already. Maybe that’s because this batch of love-seekers is opening up even faster than contestants on previous seasons…or maybe it’s just because there was that unbelievably long premiere. I digress…
Episode three opens with Debbie leading a workout class and Carol confessing that it’s hard for her to see Mel make connections with other women. Cindy says, “You’ve got to give him grace for that.” I agree, but after Cindy’s similar freakout last week, this is the perfect example of the pot calling the kettle black.
Peg gets the one-on-one date card, and Nicolle’s response is what I say when someone proposes plans I have absolutely no interest in: “That’s interesting.”
Peg and Mel’s date
Peg arrives to meet Mel at a carnival, which I feel like is perfect for her, because she already has so much enthusiasm. You don’t want to bring someone to a carnival who thinks they’re too good for funnel cake or water gun games.
Peg tells Mel she got divorced in 2003 because of infidelity. “I took that experience and became a better person,” she says. That is precious because I feel like if you get cheated on, it’s not on you to become the better person, just saying! Mel says that there wasn’t infidelity in his marriage and reiterates that she just found someone new. He also reveals that his ex-wife and new beau are getting married.
Mel and Peg go to an amphitheater for a surprise performance by KC and the Sunshine Band. Peg proves she’s got moves…and more energy than me. I’ll have whatever she’s having.
At the end of the date, Mel gets on the mic and asks Peg in front of everybody if she’ll accept the date rose. Of course, she says yes.
Back at the house, Nicolle’s mask is starting to slip. She tells Robin, “I told myself I’m not dating Mel, I’m dating America,” adding that the show “gives you exposure like you’ve never had.” Next, she’s going around to all the other women talking about how ABC should do a Real Housewives-style spin-off with the Golden Bachelor ladies, and honestly, I don’t hate it.
But I do hate this: Nicolle declares, “The last cast, they weren’t so great looking.” I don’t feel I even need to provide commentary on how horrible this is, because the internet will do that job for me.
The group date
The women meet Mel on the beach, and the slow-mo montage of them walking on the sand and pointing at Mel is hilarious. How many times do you think they had to shoot that? I imagine the cameramen going, “OK, now do it again, but really look like you didn’t notice Mel standing there on the other side of the beach.”
Joining us is Janine Rubenstein, the editor-at-large at PEOPLE. They’re doing a “Sexy at Every Age” photoshoot.
Janine: I’m so excited to see you in PEOPLE and on the PEOPLE app
Everyone watching: There’s a PEOPLE app?
Carol is freaking out because the only outfit left was…a towel. They ran out of wardrobe budget, I guess?
Debbie puts on a sort of slip-inspired dress that’s supposed to be the “beach bride” look. I do predict Debbie going far, if not outright winning, because they’re really hammering home the “always a bridesmaid” story. Mel and Debbie look like the stock couple that comes standard with the picture frames (complimentary). She also seems to be the only one who got a one-on-one shoot with Mel, rather than a group shot. Again, these are all signs that things are going to go well for her! My true prediction at this point? Debbie gets second place and is the next Golden Bachelorette. Write that down for posterity.
I don’t even get the theme of Cindy, Carol, and Nicolle’s photoshoot. Carol’s in a towel, Nicole is in an oversized sweater, and Cindy is wearing a button-down, Risky Business style. Is the look “various stages of undress”?
The photographer appears to be selecting the “winner” of the group date and claims he saw one woman win an extra shoot with Mel based on their chemistry. That woman is…Cindy! They get to roll around in the sand and make the other women jealous.
Later on the beach, Carol talks to Mel about losing a dare in high school where she had to go skinny dipping and jump off the high dive. They share a steamy makeout.
Nicolle shares with Mel that she tried to launch some kind of digital health program, but when that didn’t work, she turned to The Golden Bachelor. Ah, yes, the two classic career paths.
Robin tries to warn Mel that “people aren’t being completely authentic” with him. “I think people are self-serving because they have an opportunity to promote whatever they’re trying to promote.” Not people — person, singular! I don’t really understand her strategy of bringing up the issue but not naming names. With no specific evidence, it’s no surprise that Mel dismisses this accusation easily.
The date rose goes to Carol. All it takes is a story about skinny dipping, duly noted.
Back at the house, the ladies decide to make Mel his favorite dessert: lemon bars. Nicolle is not seen whisking a single bowl and spends most of the time in the hot tub with a face mask on, but feels very comfortable telling the camera that she put in the most work. About time we bring back a total lack of self-awareness to The Bachelor. She would be a good Real Housewife.
The pool party
During the pool party, they all play beer pong with prune juice, which seems more dangerous than playing with beer, to be honest. Robin is grilling — we love to see a woman buck traditional gender roles.
Nicolle is last to speak to Mel, and she brings him the lemon bars and says, “They’re from all of us, even though I made them.” And with that, Nicolle has gone full villain. If what we saw (or didn’t see) of her contributions is accurate, then she’s just entirely making stuff up to gain an edge. She tells Mel that she went to culinary school. Is that even true?
Who gets eliminated on The Golden Bachelor tonight?
Emotions are running high going into the rose ceremony. Peg and Carol already have roses, and there are only four left to hand out. If I can do math, that means three women out of the nine left are going home. That’s a lot!
Mel says, “I’ve felt things change this week, and I think you have too, and I have to make tough choices.”
The first rose goes to Debbie, followed by Cindy and Cheryl, with the final rose being given to…Nicolle. Wow, that is certainly a choice. That means Nicolle gets to live to lie another day.
Unfortunately, we’re losing Robin, Roxanne, and Gerri.
Robin said goodbye to Mel, telling him, “I know one of these women is the right one for you.” She should’ve added, “and one of them isn’t.” Come on, now’s the time to go out with a bang!
Gerri gets the honor of being walked out by Mel. It does hurt to see her go since she got the first impression rose. He tells her that if he had to give the first impression rose again, she’d still get it. Gerri says, “You got this.”
Make no mistake: Things are starting to get interesting. But is it for the good of the show? I will say this: A large part of the reason everyone loved The Golden Bachelor‘s first season was that it didn’t rely on drama and instead leaned into being wholesome. It’s certainly a choice to see the show follow the traditional Bachelor shows, with problematic leads, villains on the cast who are in it for fame, and the like.
For even more dishing on all the biggest moments from this episode, check out my chat with Bachelor Nation podcaster Kay Brown right here:
