The Bachelorette star Kaitlyn Bristowe eliminated two bachelors and saw Ian Thomson quit during the eleventh season's seventh broadcast on ABC.
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Ian, a 28-year-old executive recruiter from Los Angeles, CA, opted to leave the show after insulting Kaitlyn for being shallow, surface-level and appearing on the show just to have fun and makeout with a lot of guys. Kaitlyn was not upset to see him go. If anything, his words were just upsetting because she was tired of the men questioning her sincere intentions.
The Bachelorette episode began with Ian confronting Kaitlyn, where last week's episode had left off. Kaitlyn asked Ian if he believed she was truly looking for a husband, and he said "no" based on what he had been observing. Kaitlyn said her blood was boiling and she was "super offended" by him.
Kaitlyn owned up to the fact she's not "as deep" a person as Ian is, but that didn't mean she was a shallow, frivolous person. Kaitlyn argued there was a lot more to her that he didn't see yet and humor is just a big part of her life, which is why it's so important to her that a man have that same quality and outlook on life.
Ian masked his rant by insisting he was just being honest. Regardless, Kaitlyn was very disappointed about the way he broached the topic. She allowed him to leave without putting up any kind of fight. She didn't feel the need to convince a man to want her.
"I intend to go home. I don't belong here. I don't belong with this group. I'm not the guy you're looking for. You're not the woman I'm looking for, and I think that's that," Ian told Kaitlyn on his way out.
"That's very clear," Kaitlyn noted. "You feel good about that."
In his final words, Ian explained why he'd make a great The Bachelor star and why he's such a phenomenal catch. He also let out his frustrations by saying he really needed to have sex.
Back at the cocktail party, Nick Viall, a 34-year-old software sales executive from Waukesha, WI, came to Kaitlyn's rescue. Nick assured her that he wanted everything Ian had described he wanted in a woman -- and Nick was still fighting for her heart, which meant she possessed such qualities.
Nick appreciated Kaitlyn's sense of humor and light-hearted nature. He said it's "exhausting" to have constant deep conversations and she brought out a fun, goofy side of him. Nick also thanked Kaitlyn for giving him the last group date rose. He knew she made a statement in the house by making the unpopular choice to prove to Nick she liked him.
Meanwhile, Joshua and Tanner Tolbert, a 28-year-old auto finance manager from Kansas City, MO, were nervous about the upcoming Rose Ceremony because they hadn't gotten to talk to her or spend any additional time with her. Joshua still felt he needed to explain himself when he threw Nick under the bus and none of the other guys backed him.
Shawn Booth, a 28-year-old personal trainer from Windsor Locks, CT, was also starting to shut down again because he needed to see Kaitlyn. But instead, he caught her making out with Nick. It hurt him to watch that and his walls went up again.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOWIn a confessional, Kaitlyn defended herself against Ian's prior comments. She said she's not shallow, but if the physical part of a relationship wasn't there for her, that's a dealbreaker and she's not ashamed to say that.
Kaitlyn noted she wouldn't judge another person for how he or she approaches a relationship. She was also sick of people questioning her motives because she explained she's "never been so serious" about something in her entire life.
At the Rose Ceremony at The Alamo that night, Kaitlyn told host Chris Harrison her journey was getting really hard because the guys were completely invested in her at this point and she had genuine feelings for all the guys remaining.
Shawn, Nick and Ben Higgins, a 26-year-old software salesman from Denver, CO, all had roses already from their dates with Kaitlyn.
The Bachelorette star then handed a rose to Jared Haibon, a 26-year-old restaurant manager from Warwick, RI; Chris Strandburg, a 28-year-old dentist from Nashville, TN; JJ Lane, a 32-year-old former investment banker from Denver, CO; Joe; Ben Zorn, a 26-year-old fitness coach from San Jose, CA; and Tanner
Kaitlyn therefore sent Joshua and Justin packing. Justin acted as a gentleman on his way out, and Joshua just explained to the cameras he was mad Nick was still around. Joshua was okay with Kaitlyn ended up with any of the men except for Nick.
Kaitlyn and her new group of guys traveled to Dublin, Ireland for their next week of dates.
Kaitlyn picked up Nick for the first one-on-one date, and Shawn confessed to the cameras he wasn't happy. Ireland hit home for Shawn and he was desperate to spend time with Kaitlyn there. He also hated to see Nick getting what he wanted. Nick was well aware Shawn hated him, and he joked around that Shawn would be crying into his pillow that day.
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Nick felt there was certainly potential for love between them, and they were really drawn and attracted to one another. Nick bought them both a silver Claddagh ring to wear on their ring finger. He kissed her against a wall in an alley and noted their physical connection was "rock solid."
"I'm definitely falling for Kaitlyn. She's incredible," Nick said in a confessional. Kaitlyn was simply happy with Nick and his company. They had fun and laughed and were affectionate with each other. Their chemistry was described as "electric," and Kaitlyn was almost concerned their chemistry and passion was too "intense."
Meanwhile, the men at the hotel received their next date card. It was a group date for Tanner, Ben Z, Shawn, Jared, Ben H, and Chris. That meant that JJ and Joe would be going on a two-on-one date together with Kaitlyn. Joe seemed more disheartened by the news than JJ.
Back on Kaitlyn and Nick's dinner date, the Bachelorette called it one of the most magical dates ever. It was romantic, physical and emotional. She was actually hoping the date didn't go as well as it did so that her decisions would be easier. Nick could envision them spending the rest of their lives together, and Kaitlyn really trusted Nick and believed him despite her suitors' concerns.
"I'm definitely, definitely falling for him," Kaitlyn said in a confessional.
At dinner, Nick said he felt "mildly guilty" for the thoughts that were going through his head as they were kissing and getting intimate. They couldn't keep their hands off each other, and Nick made it known Kaitlyn was driving him crazy. She felt like "a woman, a desired woman," and didn't want the night to end.
Kaitlyn therefore asked Nick if he'd like to go back to her hotel and "hang out for a little." She was caught up in something she wasn't used to, something she didn't even understand with Nick. Kaitlyn forgot the cameras were even around and she had everything with him she was looking for.
"Whatever happens, happens!" Kaitlyn told the cameras with a laugh before heading to the hotel.
The couple first madeout on the couch and Kaitlyn commented how it was sexy, fun and passionate. She then led him into the bedroom and she closed the door on the cameramen.
"I want to know every part of you," Nick was heard whispering to Kaitlyn in the bedroom.
Cue the moaning.
The next day, Nick left Kaitlyn's hotel, and she noted how Nick was an amazing guy with all the qualities she was looking for in a husband. However, she hoped what happened wouldn't be "an issue." Although she didn't come right out and say they had sex, it was very clear. Promo clips for future episodes also show Kaitlyn confessing to some of her bachelors that she had sex with Nick.
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Once Nick got back to the hotel, he was shown telling the guys how Kaitlyn had invited him back to her hotel and they hung out on the couch and talked more. Joe pointed out that Kaitlyn had done the same thing with Shawn, which shows Nick was something special to her. But Nick knew Kaitlyn definitely hadn't done the same thing with Shawn in terms of the physical.
"It was really personal, authentic and comfortable," Nick told the guys, hinting further of what actually went down.
The following day, the selected guys embarked on their group date with Kaitlyn. They each had to give a toast to Kaitlyn's life pretending that they were a part of a traditional Irish wake. Shawn said he was devastated when Kaitlyn "took her own life" but he'd do the same if he had to spend a whole day with Nick. Everyone, including Kaitlyn, cracked up.
Ben Z. -- who was still hurting over the fact his mother had passed away -- cleared the room to talk to Kaitlyn. It was clearly a tough position for him to be in, but he gave her a sweet speech that really tugged at her heartstrings and impressed her. He ended his toast with a kiss on Kaitlyn's forehead.
Kaitlyn bonded with Ben Z more that night, calling him a big teddy bear who was willing to be open with her although he was such a strong, big guy.
Kaitlyn also had a great chat with Jared during the evening portion of their date. Their chemistry was obvious, and Jared reiterated how he felt about her. The week prior, Jared had confessed he was falling in love with her. Kaitlyn said she felt extremely comfortable around Jared and things were just so natural with him.
Afterward, Shawn put his problem with Nick behind him and put on a good face for Kaitlyn. He expressed how much he cared about her and then showed her adorable pictures of his family. Kaitlyn seemed smitten with Shawn, and he couldn't believe how quickly he had fallen in love with her. He even admitted to the other guys he loved Kaitlyn.
Shawn thought he was a shoo-in for the group-date rose and couldn't wait to make more memories with Kaitlyn in Ireland. But much to his dismay, Kaitlyn decided to give the rose to Jared. Shawn was hurt and disappointed, and Joe pointed out that Shawn took the news harder than anyone else.
While Kaitlyn and Jared danced the night away in a church cathedral to live music by The Cranberries -- which was an amazing night Kaitlyn said she'd never forget -- Shawn sought advice and comfort from a man who appeared to be a producer or cameraman. Shawn told the guy he could only trust him.
Shawn explained how difficult this process was going to be for him because he felt like Kaitlyn was already his girlfriend. Shawn also revealed Kaitlyn had told him that he was "the one" and he was "it" for her during their one-on-one date. Shawn was confused why Kaitlyn would tell him such personal things behind closed doors when she goes off with Nick all the time or gives Jared a rose he thought he deserved more.
Shawn was completely venting and airing out his frustrations. He was worried about Kaitlyn potentially having sex with two other guys in the fantasy suite when he knew he was going to be the person to end up with her. Little did Shawn know, Kaitlyn already had sex with someone.
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Kaitlyn was concerned hooking up with Nick might've cost her a wonderful relationship with Shawn. She therefore called sex with Nick "a mistake." It seemed like, in this moment, she would've given anything to rewrite the past. The episode then concluded on a cliffhanger.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
