With the competition heating up for DeAnna Pappas' heart, the 26-year-old Neunan, GA real estate agent sent three more bachelors packing in her journey to find true love during last night's The Bachelorette fourth-season episode on ABC.

ADVERTISEMENT

Richard, a 27-year-old science teacher from Binghamton, NY; Paul, a 23-year-old sales manager from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; and Ron, a 36-year-old barber shop owner from Kansas City, MO, all failed to receive a rose from DeAnna, bringing an end to their The Bachelorette experience.

"I think I was in a stage where I was beginning to fall in love with DeAnna, and that's the toughest part," opined Paul after his ouster.  "By me going home tonight, that means she didn't feel the feelings back.  Right now I'm just a little confused.  Was it just something about me or was it just something she was looking for a little different."

The Bachelorette's third fourth-season episode began with the 12 remaining suitors meeting host Chris Harrison, who explained that DeAnna would have a rose to present on each of the the upcoming dates -- two group dates and two one-on-one dates.  The suitors who received a rose would be safe from elimination at the upcoming Rose Ceremony, however if a bachelor failed to receive a rose on a one-on-one date, he would be immediately eliminated.

Since Paul, Jeremy, a 30-year-old real estate attorney from Dallas, TX, and Graham, a 29-year-old professional basketball player from Raleigh, NC, received roses on the previous episode's dates, they'd be shacking up with DeAnna instead of staying in the bachelor-described "outhouse" with the others. 

Paul Jeremy and Graham horsed around with DeAnna at the mansion while the other guys lounged around the outhouse, with Brian W., a 31-year-old high school football coach from Weatherford, TX, singling out Jeremy and Graham as the two "biggest personalities" in the competition.  Robert, a 28-year-old chef from San Francisco, CA, agreed that Jeremy -- who had yet to reside in the outhouse -- had rubbed him the wrong way since the competition started.

Richard then learned that he'd be accompanying DeAnna on the next one-on-one date, and used several cliches such as "go big or go home" and "put up or shut up" to describe the situation he was in.

"My stomach dropped," continued Richard.

The date commenced, and DeAnna said she was "definitely hoping" there was a connection with Richard since she thought he was "funny" and "easy to get along with" -- which is why she presented him a first-impression rose.  Richard said he was "developing feelings" for DeAnna and called it "nervewracking" that he might not get a rose and be sent home.

The two arrived on a rooftop overlooking Los Angeles and Richard attempted to smooth talk the bachelorette.

"I just can't get over the view that is DeAnna," he gushed.

DeAnna asked Richard what the most romantic thing he had ever done for a woman, and he said it was a picnic overlooking Lake Ontario under the stars.  The conversation then transitioned to shooting stars and seemed to be very conversational with little romance involved. 

Back at the house, Jesse, a 25-year-old professional snowboarder from Breckenridge, CO, thought there was a 95% chance Richard would get the rose.  The second date box then arrived and the suitors learned it would be a group date for Brian; Sean, a 33-year-old martial arts master from Crestwood, KY; Jesse; Graham; Fred, a 30-year-old lawyer from Chicago, IL; Robert; Twilley, a 33-year-old software programmer from Tulsa, OK; Ron; Paul; and Jeremy.

Jason, a 31-year-old account executive from Kirkland, WA, would be accompanying DeAnna on a one-on-one date, and he was glad since it would finally give him the opportunity to explain he's a single father of a 3-year-old.

"I'm really excited to tell DeAnna about my son," said Jason.  "We are finally going to be able to talk about Ty."

As Richard and DeAnna's one-on-one date continued, he expressed concern that his income level might not be as high as some of the other guys in the house.  DeAnna assured him that wasn't important to her as long as he's happy in his career choice.

"This is probably the most romantic date that I've ever had in my life," gushed Richard.  "I feel like we've been connecting deeper and deeper on higher levels."

As Richard hoped he'd have an opportunity to give DeAnna a kiss, she apparently wasn't feeling the same romantic connection between the them.

"The clock is ticking and I have to make a decision on whether I'm going to give Richard a rose or not," said DeAnna.  "I have to be able to figure out whether I can look at him and be able to see him as my husband or if he's simply just a friend."

Richard felt he was getting the body language from DeAnna that would warrant a kiss -- so he put his "80/20 rule" into practice, making most of the effort and hoping that she'd oblige and put in the rest.  However it wasn't meant to be as Richard's 80% was more like 5% and DeAnna never recipricated the physical connection.

Since she was looking for a "spark" and having a "hard time" finding it, DeAnna planned a carriage ride through the city to learn if he is somebody she can be "romantically attracted to."  While Richard was certainly enjoying the carriage ride with his arm around DeAnna, she still wasn't getting the spark she needed.  So she had the carriage driver pull over and told him that "romantic connection" was lacking.

"I think that you have all of these qualities that I'm looking for in a husband, but I think that that what I need in the person I'm meant to be with I don't have with you," she explained.  "I came here tonight with this rose, and I can't give it to you."

The two hugged and DeAnna cried before she booted him from the carriage and into a cab.

"I need to let you go right here," she whispered.

"I understand," replied Richard.

With that, Richard's The Bachelorette experience came to a close.

"I know what it feels like," sympathized DeAnna.  "I know what it feels like to have to go home and have to deal with the pain and the heartache by yourself.  But the kindest thing to do is really the hardest thing to do.  I can't make the same mistake that Brad did."

"There are a lot of emotions you go through at this moment," opined Richard.  "Obviously you're really hurt.  You feel like a fool for feeling as much as you did.  I felt it but she didn't.  It's tough.  It absolutely sucks.  It absolutely does... My heart hurts quite a bit... DeAnna, she broke my heart.  I just was too much of a friend I guess."

The next day DeAnna and 10 of her suitors embarked on a cowboy-themed group date, and Jesse made it immediately clear that the guys all saw Jeremy as their "biggest competition."

"Everybody wants to bring that dude down," he added.

After taking some line-dancing lessons and showing DeAnna their moves, the group date moved to a mechanical bull.  Jesse managed to stay on the longest but really scored points with DeAnna when she faked an injury after being bucked from the bronco's back and he was the first one to see if she was okay.

The chivalry scored Jesse some alone time with DeAnna, and she was eager to learn if there was "more of a romantic connection" with him or "just a friendship."  Jesse explained to DeAnna he broke-up with his most recent girlfriend because she lacked her own identity -- contstantly calling herself "Jesse's girlfriend."  DeAnna appreciated Jesse wanting her to be her own woman, and he thought he was able to prove he's "genuine" and "serious."

That night the group sat around a campfire and Twilley entertained them with a song that went nowhere before DeAnna took Ron for some alone time.  DeAnna said she knew there was "tension" between Ron and Jeremy and didn't think it was fair that he confronted Jeremy about all the alone time he had spending with her since it was her decision.

Ron explained he didn't think Jeremy was a "guy's guy," but DeAnna countered by claiming she felt "very secure" that he's in the competition for the "right reasons."

"My issue or non-issue with Jeremy is between he and I and it really doesn't matter in your process," Ron told her.

"Okay..." she replied, a little startled by the comment.  She then dismissed Ron.

"I was a little surprised she asked me about Jeremy," said Ron.  "But as far as the guys go, he rubs a lot of us the wrong way."

Ron returned to the campfire and explained to the other guys that his conversation with DeAnna was about Jeremy.

"I do think you lack something brother," Ron told Jeremy before calling him "tactless."  Jeremy took it personally, called Ron "closeminded" and then questioned his tact.

"I think sometimes Ron gets a little bit full of himself.  He sees it his way and only his way," said Jeremy.  "I'm here to get to know DeAnna as well as I can, not have a pissing contest with Ron."

DeAnna then spent some alone time with Jeremy and explained she confronted Ron as a way to defend Jeremy.  As the other guys sat around the campfire, Rob said it would be a "very hard blow" if Jeremy were to once again receive a rose. 

Since Graham and Fred had yet to spend any alone time with DeAnna on the group date, they snuck-up on her while she was talking with Jeremy.  While DeAnna wasn't very pleased that she was scared senseless by their sneak attack, she relented and spent some time with them.  However Rob was still upset by the way the group date was going.

"If I don't get pulled out for some one-on-one time and she doesn't show any interest, send me on a plane home," he said.  "If she's not feeling it, I'm not going to be one of those guys who just takes up a spot."

DeAnna could tell the mood was "tense" when she returned to the campfire before Rob took her for some alone time.  He explained that he felt they had a great connection and chemistry on the first night, however since then they hadn't spent any time together.  While he understood the "demanding position: she was in with all the other guys, he felt he deserved more. 

DeAnna agreed and assured him there was a chemistry between the two before presenting him with the group date's rose -- making him safe at the upcoming elimination.

"Tonight was a huge tunring point for me.  Gigantic," said Rob.  "I am on clound nine right now."

The next day Jason prepared for his one-on-one date with DeAnna and planned to broach the subjuect of his son as naturally as possible.

"I don't know if she's ready to be a part of someone who has got a child," wondered Jason.  "That's a huge thing.  It's only something she can answer."

DeAnna arrived at the outhouse, where she and Jason were subsequently picked up by a helicopter that flew them over Los Angeles.  DeAnna described the ride as "very romantic" before the helicopter touched down at an observatory -- where they would enjoy dinner and stare at the stars.

As they ate dinner, DeAnna gave Jason the perfect opportunity to mention his son when she asked if he missed his family.

"It's funny you ask that," he answered.  "There is one thing you don't know about me.  I haven't been able to open up just because I didn't want to tell you in five or 10 minutes.  My family is the most important thing to me in the world, but the most important thing in my world is my 3-year-old son."

"Oh wow," replied DeAnna.  "Okay."

Jason further explained he knew that was a lot to throw at her, but she assured him it was alright.  The two then continued to converse about Ty and Jason showed DeAnna pictures of him.  Jason also mentioned he was married to Ty's mom for a "couple of years" another fact about his past he had previously failed to mention.  He added it wasn't his decision to call it quits and instead blamed her.

Since he had just shared such a personal moment, Jason asked DeAnna about her mom -- who passed away when The Bachelorette star was 12-years-old.  DeAnna then told the emotional story of her mom's passing.

"I've never, ever dated a guy that cared to know anything about my mother," said DeAnna.  "I don't know [why], probably because they weren't the right ones.  That's probably the most I've opened up about that to anyone in a long time."

DeAnna said she felt "extremely comfortable" after Jason was honest about his son, which is why she "trusted" him and talked about her mother.  She then presented him with the date's rose.  Jason asked DeAnna if he could kiss her, she answered yes and they kissed.

"Getting the rose tonight was truly monumnetal for me," gushed Jason.  "I really want to be here to get to know DeAnna better."

The next day DeAnna surprised all 12 bachelors by revealing they'd be making a trip to The Elle DeGeneres Show -- which is where DeAnna initially learned she'd be appearing as The Bachelorette's fourth-season star.

Ellen introduced herself to all the guys before asking them a series of questions that ranged from what they each thought DeAnna's best quality was to who among them has had the longest and shortest relationships prior to the show.  Ellen then revealed that she'd be presenting the date's rose, ultimately determining which one of the suitors would be safe at the upcoming elimination.

Ellen and DeAnna then deliberated, with the comedian telling her Fred was "really cute;" Jeremy seemed "the most ready to commit" to her; Jesse was the "most fun;" and Graham seemed "scared to death" of commitment and communication was a "hard thing" for him.

"Ellen really put a lot of things into perspective for me," said DeAnna.  "She made me see the bigger picture, and she showed me some warning signs that I need to take very seriously."

After the 12 bachelors dropped their pants and revealed they were all wearing briefs with the talk show host's name brandished on them, Ellen presented the group date's rose to Fred.

"It absolutely feels great.  A huge shock," said Fred in his thick Chicago accent.  "I'm going into tonight with another Rose Ceremony coming knowing that I have more time to be with DeAnna.  I'm hopefully going to get closer to her and just get to know her.  It just feels terrific."

Prior to that night's Rose Ceremony, DeAnna took some time to spend some alone time with the remaining suitors.  She immediately took Ron for some alone time since their most recent conversations hadn't been the most pleasant of discussions.

"I want him to show me that he cares and he wants to be here," said DeAnna.

But Ron continued to struggled, reiterating to DeAnna that he's a fun guy but unable to give any specific examples and instead just offered a stupid grin.  In addition, Ron made the mistake of telling DeAnna he didn't think she was "his type of girl" but had a change of heart when they met Ellen.

Of all the bachelors who could have come out to take DeAnna for some alone time next, Jeremy presented himself and stole her away.

"Than you very much," DeAnna whispered to Jeremy as he led her away.

Ron went back inside and was bitter that DeAnna was spending so much time with someone like Jeremy.

"Jeremy lacks integrity, absolutely lacks integrity," said Ron.  "Unless Jesus comes down and smacks him on the head and gets him right, he's not going to change."

Jeremy gushed about his connection with DeAnna and she was visibly enthralled, hanging on his every word.  He then asked if she'd be willing to relocate from Georgia to Texas for him.  She answered she's "ready to make a change" and is "ready for something different," so a move to Texas wouldn't be out of the question.  Jeremy reiterated he's "emotionally" invested in the competition, and the two kissed.

DeAnna then spent some alone time with Graham, who said he was having a "difficult" time with DeAnna dating a bunch of guys in addition to himself.  DeAnna also expressed her own concerns with Ellen's comments about Graham and how his longer previous relationship was only several months.

Graham told DeAnna he's unable to change the past but inistsed that he's interested in her.  He then added how "painful" it is for him to see her with other guys.

"I just know exactly what you're going through," said the former The Bachelor bachelorette.  The two then kissed.
 
"I wanted Graham to open up tonight.  I wanted him to let me know how he was feeling," said DeAnna.  "Graham did that and I feel much better about where we're at.  On top of that, the kiss was wonderful."

DeAnna then spent alone time with Jason and revealed she had a star named after Ty as a gift.

"This is one of the nicest things anybody has ever given me," he said.

"I just wanted you to know I'm okay with it all," she said.

The Bachelorette's third fourth-season Rose Ceremony then commenced.

"I came into this situation wholeheartedly.  I came here to meet the guy of my dreams," said DeAnna.  "I know that I have to send the people home that I don't see forever with.  That's very hard.  I have to get rid of two guys, and I'm really not sure what I'm going to do."

In addition to Rob, Jason and Fred, the six bachelors who received roses and remained in the running for DeAnna's heart were Twilley, Jesse, Jeremy, Brian, Graham and Sean.

"I don't feel rejected.  I don't feel like I lost," said Ron after his ouster.  "Sometimes the tree gets knocked down before it gets to bear its fruit.  That's how it is.  That's the nature of the universe.  I said from the beginning it was always about her finding the man of her dreams.  If Jeremy's the guy for her, I wish them the best.  But I would say that it's absolutely doomed for failure.  DeAnna tonight didn't reject me, she chose other guys.  That's what happened.  I didn't get rejected.  She just chose other guys."

The Bachelorette's next fourth-season episode will air Monday, June 9 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC.
About The Author: Steven Rogers

FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON GOOGLE NEWS