'The Bachelor' recap: Colton Underwood sends Alex Blumberg, Angelique Sherman, Annie Reardon, and Erika McNutt packing

The Bachelor star Colton Underwood eliminated Alex Blumberg, Angelique Sherman, Annie Reardon, and Erika McNutt during Episode 2 of Season 23 on Monday night on ABC.


At the season's second Rose Ceremony, Colton denied roses to Alex, a 29-year-old dog rescuer from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Angelique, a 28-year-old marketing salesperson from Hamilton, NJ; Annie, a 23-year-old financial associate from New York, NY; and Erika, a 25-year-old recruiter from Encinitas, CA.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' SEASON 23: MEET ALL OF COLTON'S BACHELORETTES! (PHOTO GALLERY)

"That was hard. I really thought I would find [love] here, but I guess I was wrong," Annie said following her ouster.

"I don't feel like he got to know me. I don't feel like I got to know him, and that was my biggest fear -- and it happened. I just got my heart ripped out of my chest. This is so embarrassing. I just want to go home."


The Bachelor broadcast began with 23 ladies still in the running for Colton's heart.

In addition to Alex, Angelique, Annie and Erika, they were Hannah Brown, Hannah Godwin, Katie Morton, Cassie Randolph, Heather Martin, Tayshia Adams, Onyeka Ehie, Nicole Lopez-Alvar, Caelynn Miller-Keyes, Kirpa Sudick, Demi Burnett, Sydney Lotuaco, Elyse Dehlbom, Caitlin Clemmens, Courtney Curtis, Tracy Shapoff, Nina Bartula, Brianna "Bri" Barnes, and Catherine Agro.

The first date of the season documented eight hopeful bachelorettes sharing personal stories about their "firsts" with Colton and a live audience.

But first, the women were coached and given tips by comedians and actors Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman, who had a lot of sexual innuendos in their own funny stories.

The women who accompanied Colton on this date were Demi, Bri, Tracy, Elyse, Hannah G., Nicole, Onyeka and Catherine.


The group arrived at the venerable Regent Theater, where Mullally and Offerman shared the news that each lady must prepare a monologue about a memorable "first-time" experience, which would be presented in front of an audience of 200 people.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' SPOILERS -- COLTON'S WINNER BACHELORETTE PICK, FINAL 4, SHOCKING ENDING, & EPISODE-BY-EPISODE DETAILS!

Colton led off the night with a candid monologue about the first time he revealed the truth about his virginity, enabling the women to take some risks with their own stories.

Colton explained he used to be afraid to speak his truth about being a virgin due to his status as a professional football player, but one day, he decided to feel comfortable in his own skin.

"One day, I get to the locker room and one of the veterans asked me, 'How many girls have you slept with?' I sat there sweating. 'What's a good lie? Is it one, four, 10, one hundred?! What am I going to do?' And it finally came out of my mouth and I said, 'Zero.' I didn't know what the reaction was going to be, and I expected to get ridiculed," Colton explained.


"And the first thing I heard was, 'Wow man, that's really cool.' For so many years, I allowed this to be a burden on my life, and it was unnecessary. But for the first time, I told the truth about my virginity."

Hannah G. was "terrified" to speak in front of a large crowd, but Demi couldn't wait to stand out and deliver like no on else could.

Elyse revealed this was the first time she ever dated a younger man and she anticipated teaching him a thing or two. Hannah G. told the story of receiving the First Impression Rose, and Onyeka retold the story of how she had saved Colton from "drowning in some b-tches."

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Catherine acknowledged Onyeka's reference by saying she's a good swimmer, and then she threw the microphone stand and appeared to give everyone the middle finger.


Demi insisted she's "bold enough" to go after what she wants, and with that being said, she walked right up to Colton and kissed him in front of everyone. Tracy said watching Demi kiss Colton gave her "knots" in her stomach.

Tracy wanted to kiss Colton as well, but she wanted their connection to develop naturally and organically first. Meanwhile, Demi was looking to show Colton a more serious side of herself that night.

As Hannah B. learned she would be joining Colton on the first one-on-one date of the season -- and it just so happened to be her birthday -- the ladies on the group date gathered at City Club Los Angeles with Colton for a night of drinks and conversation.

Colton told the women he was very appreciative by how vulnerable and open they had been on the date earlier that day.

Demi then instantly grabbed Colton for a chat, and Tracy was disappointed she didn't make the first move. Tracy, however, talked to the girls about how Demi had "forced" a kiss on Colton and so it wasn't special.


Demi talked to Colton about how she's "a woman supporter," and she told the cameras she thought it was ridiculous the women were just sitting around and waiting for time with him rather than being assertive.

Once Demi returned to the group, she picked up the rose and waved it around, saying it belonged to her.

"I think he's looking for a woman; I don't think he's looking for a child. I don't necessarily think he even wants to take the time to take on someone who doesn't have any idea in life what they are doing yet," Tracy told the cameras.

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Colton then told Elyse she came across very sexy that day and "age doesn't define anything." Elyse wondered what Colton was looking for, but he admitted he didn't have it all figured out. However, Colton was definitely intrigued by Elyse and liked her confidence.

Meanwhile, Tracy noted Demi lacked life experience and she was off-put by the way Demi had handled the group-date rose. She therefore confronted Demi about her behavior, and Demi was calm and collected and appeared to understand where Tracy was coming from.


Colton then asked Hannah G. to not pay attention to his relationships with other women because he had been thinking about her a lot and really liked her. Colton admitted she reminded him of "home," and then they shared a romantic kiss.

Demi saw Colton and Hannah G. kiss, but she wasn't worried about the other bachelorettes because she was convinced Colton needed a bold, aggressive and dominant woman in his life.

"I'm the only one who challenges Colton and I excite him and I make him nervous," Demi said in a confessional. "I am worth the world. I am amazing, and so I don't have competition."

Afterward, Nicole revealed to Colton that she cares for and adores her autistic brother. Colton figured Nicole's family helped to shape her into the woman she is.

"I am so grateful Colton is the one I am fighting for, like, I'll propose right now! 'Hey, where's the ring? Or I don't even need a ring -- let's just get married!" Nicole said.

Colton gave Elyse the group-date rose because she had opened up like never before and showed a different side of herself.


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Nicole got very emotional that she didn't receive the rose, and so she suddenly started to cry and question the Bachelor's feelings for her.

The next day, Hannah B. embarked on her solo date with Colton, and the couple enjoyed a horseback ride in Los Angeles' scenic Vasquez Rocks National Area Park, followed by a romantic and relaxing soak in a secluded hot tub.

Colton was incredibly attracted to Hannah B. and could tell on the first night they met she's fun and easy to talk to.

Back at the mansion, Caelynn talked about her history with Hannah B., who had been crowned Miss North Carolina and Miss Alabama, respectively.

"Hannah B. and I know each other, and we are not necessarily the best of friends. We competed at Miss USA together," Caelynn revealed.


"We were roommates at Miss USA. We were super close, and then she was not happy that I was first runner-up. She was mad she didn't place, for sure. There were a lot of hurt feelings. With Hannah B., there is a facade and then it starts to crumble. She kind of snapped and flipped a switch, and I was like, 'Wow, this is a whole new Hannah!'

Caelynn said she expected Hannah's flip to switch again because The Bachelor is a very competitive environment.

Hannah B. felt very special with Colton, but she was really nervous because she strived for perfection. Hannah B. admitted that sometimes she doesn't feel like enough, and once she starts doubting herself, things "spiral."

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Hannah B. wanted Colton to feel very comfortable with her, but the date turned out to be tense for Colton and laced with awkward silences. For example, Hannah B. struggled to make a toast, ultimately just blurting out "Roll Tide."

Hannah B. explained to Colton she was quieter than she normally would be, but Colton asked her to "go the distance."


"This date hasn't gone the way I expected it to be. Hannah is very intriguing and Hannah is very cute. I thought that it was going to be this really easy, natural flow. If she could just open up a little bit and we could just make any type of progress, I'll be happy with that," Colt said in a confessional.

Colton was concerned with how guarded Hannah B. seemed to be, but he understood where she was coming from. He asked her to be present in the moment and enjoy it.

"I am questioning everything and thinking maybe my intuition and my gut wasn't as good as I thought it was, and that's scary -- not only for this relationship but for all of the others as well. I am not here to waste time. If Hannah can't open up, I'm not going to be giving her a rose at the end of the night."

That night, Colton and Hannah B. had dinner on the Queen Mary ship after a "rough start" to their date. Hannah B. wasn't the girl Colton remembered from their first meeting, and he needed her to come out of her shell.

Colton told Hannah B. that she didn't need to be perfect because that's not even realistic. Hannah B. said she was trying to open up but it usually takes time for her and she's used to being her "best self" around people.

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Hannah B. then had the guts to ask Colton why he's a virgin, and he admitted he accidentally ended up that way. Colton didn't allow for distractions in his life when he was on the path to becoming a professional athlete.

Hannah B. said she made a commitment to herself when she was younger to stay a virgin until marriage but then she had sex in a relationship and the guilt "killed" her. Hannah B. admitted she wasn't ready at the time and would have loved to save herself for her husband.

"I don't feel perfect because I can't give [my virginity] to somebody," Hannah B. expressed.

Meanwhile, the Date Card arrived at the Los Angeles mansion for the following women: Alex, Erika, Katie, Caelynn, Sydney, Tayshia, Nina, Kirpa, Caitlin, Courtney, Cassie, and Heather.

Heather disclosed she's not only a virgin, but she's never been kissed.

Back on Colton's date, he gave Hannah B. a rose and she complimented his patience. She said she had a very special birthday, and the date ended with fireworks.


"I absolutely do see myself falling in love with Colton and having a future with him. I could see him being my person, my man, forever!" Hannah B. told the cameras.

The next day, Colton and the ladies participating in the second group date of the season enjoyed their own little summer-camp experience.

After a barbecue and some classic games such as "Duck, Duck, Goose" and "Red Rover," actor and comedian Billy Eichner arrived and announced he would be serving as a camp counselor and overseeing three challenging contests.

Billy joked Colton might be the first gay Bachelor ever, and Colton was definitely in on the joke.

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The bachelorettes were divided into two teams and had to face off in a relay race, a canoe race, and a game of tug-of-war.


The winning team would get to stay for a "sleepaway camp night" with Colton, but the losing team would be forced to return to the mansion.

The winning team was comprised of Caelynn, Katie, Alex, Cassie, Heather and Tayshia.

The losing team was made up of Sydney, Nina, Courtney, Erika, Caitlin, and Kirpa.

At the afterparty, Colton said it was "very sexy" to watch Katie's intensity during the competition, and they shared a kiss. Heather also decided to share with Colton how she's never kissed someone before.

Heather feared Colton wouldn't believe she's ready to get married due to her lack of dating experience. She also didn't want Colton to focus on the fact she's never kissed a guy before.

Heather then opened up to Colton and shared her secret, and he said he would never think anything less of her for that. He told her not to be ashamed, and Colton actually respected it.


Heather and Colton didn't kiss, but she was really looking forward to their next time together.

Meanwhile, Hannah B. vented to Hannah G. how Caelynn was "fake" and she gets along with all women except for her. Hannah B. hoped Caelynn wouldn't ruin her chances with Colton.

Back on the date, Caelynn opened up to Colton about how works with kids in children's hospitals. She was hospitalized as a child due to swelling of the brain and almost passed away at age 2. Doctors gave Caelynn a 10 percent chance of walking again, but obviously she overcome the odds.

That night, Colton chose to give the group-date rose to heather because she had been "open, honest and true" to herself.

At the cocktail party preceding the second Rose Ceremony of the season, Colton engaged in serious conversations with women -- and then Demi arrived in a bathrobe.

Demi interrupted Tracy's time with Colton and brought him into a room where she gave him a massage. The girls agreed Demi was "rude" and "ballsy," but she felt really good about everything.


"I was up there with Colton having a great time, and I wasn't thinking about Tracy for even half a second. The cougar attacks do not get to me at all," Demi told the cameras.

But Demi actually found Tracy crying in a bedroom and comforted her instead of sparking more drama.

"You are seriously one of the most amazing women I've ever met. You just keep doing you," Demi told Tracy.

Colton then handed out roses at the Rose Ceremony in the following order: Tayshia, Cassie, Caelynn, Courtney, Demi, Nicole, Kirpa, Hannah G., Catherine, Bri, Sydney, Onyeka, Katie, Caitlin, Nina, and Tracy.

"It sucks. I was really hoping I was going to get a rose. I felt it! I really did. I thought it would have been enough. Colton just seemed like a genuine and honest person, and I just wanted a good guy, but yeah," Angelique said following her ouster.

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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski