'The Bachelor' recap: Heather Martin shocks Matt James with her arrival, MJ Snyder and Jessenia Cruz face off, and Matt cuts Katie Thurston and more women!

The Bachelor featured Heather Martin asking to join Matt James' cast of bachelorettes, Katie Thurston and Serena Chew getting into a screaming match, and Matt ultimately eliminating Katie, MJ Snyder, Brittany Galvin, Ryan Claytor, and Magi Tareke during the Season 25 episode Monday night on ABC.


Matt ousted Katie, a 29-year-old bank marketing manager from Lynnwood, WA, during a one-on-one date, and he sent MJ, a 23-year-old hairstylist from Hudson, OH, packing during her brief two-on-one date against Jessenia Cruz.

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Brittany, a 23-year-old model from Chicago, IL; Ryan Claytor, a 26-year-old dancer and choreographer from Brooklyn, NY; and Magi Tareke, a 32-year-old pharmacist from Adwa, Ethiopia, were denied roses at the Rose Ceremony.

At the Rose CerTemony, Matt handed out roses in the following order: Serena Pitt, a 22-year-old publicist from Markham, ON; Michelle Young, a 27-year-old teacher from Edina, MN; Pieper James, a 24-year-old graduate student from Happy Valley, OR; Bri Springs, a 24-year-old communications manager from Owatonna, MN; Chelsea Vaughn, a 29-year-old runway model from Marietta, GA; Katie; and Serena Chew, a 24-year-old flight attendant from San Bruno, CA.


Four women had already earned roses from dates earlier in the week: Abigail Heringer, a 25-year-old client financial from Salem, OR; Kit Keenan, a 21-year-old fashion entrepreneur from New York, NY; Jessenia, a 27-year-old social media marketer from San Antonio, TX; and Rachael Kirkconnell, a 24-year-old graphic designer from Cumming, GA.

The Bachelor Season 25 Episode 6

The Bachelor broadcast began where last week's episode had left off, with MJ and Jessenia on an impromptu two-on-one date with Matt.

Serena P. said MJ's behavior was about to "shoot her in the butt," and Katie said MJ was the last remaining woman in "the mean girls' tribe."

MJ accused Jessenia of putting her character into question, but Jessenia said, "I didn't put your character into question, your actions did... You can act like I'm the only one who has seen and heard [your bullying], but I'm not."

MJ asked Jessenia to stop talking because she had already said enough.


Jessenia told the cameras that she was not wrong for being truthful and honest with Matt, and so she told Matt that MJ had lied to his face by acting like she was unaware of bullying and toxicity in the house.

"MJ loves to preach about leading by example, but she's the one who created that division; she's the one who started it. Everything she has done has come from a place of malice," Jessenia told Matt.

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Meanwhile, MJ cried about how Jessenia was "such a little b-tch," and she couldn't believe Jessenia had thrown her under the bus in this way.

Jessenia told Matt that she'd always be there for him, but MJ was prepared to fight for her man.


When it was MJ's turn to talk to Matt, she insisted her "heart is so big" and she was trying to show that in every moment they had together. MJ said, on the contrary to what Jessenia was claiming, she had been trying to bring all the women together and was mentally and emotionally exhausted.

MJ told Matt that she never lied and always preached about harmony, peace and not tearing others down. She said her biggest fear was losing Matt.

MJ felt she had spoken her truth and from the heart, and she suggested Jessenia is not "a confident and strong woman" because she needed to bring another woman down in order to lift herself up with Matt.

"You preach all the time about 'weak b-tch energy,' well, weak b-tches lie," Jessenia told MJ.

"You know what a weak b-tch does? Is they tear down other people to make themselves look better, and that's what you did. You tried to knock me out by attacking my character," MJ countered.


MJ told Jessenia to check herself because she was being nothing but petty, but Jessenia wasn't phased by MJ's verbal attacks. Jessenia simply told the bachelorette, "You're done."

Matt had formed a relationship with both women, and he thought MJ was a great person, but Jessenia had never given Matt a reason not to trust her. Matt admittedly felt "conflicted."

After speaking with both ladies and getting some time alone to think, Matt told MJ that their connection was "undeniable" and he had enjoyed their time together but he was ready to be the rock that Jessenia needed in her life.

Matt therefore gave the two-on-one date's rose to Jessenia, who believed Matt had made the right choice. Jessenia said it felt good to be validated and it was necessary to tell Matt about MJ because she had tried to "cover up her tracks" rather than take responsibility for her actions.

"I just can't believe this happened. He's still a great guy. I still want the best for him and it's disappointing that he didn't see it in me. My heart hurts," MJ said in her final words.


"I don't know how [Jessenia] did this, but she sabotaged me, and that sucks. Jessenia is petty and I hope he figures that out. I think the women in the house are going to be shocked."

When Jessenia rejoined the group of girls, Kit commended Jessenia for giving Matt honesty, and all the girls seemed happy to see the bachelorette.

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The Bachelor host Chris Harrison then approached the group and revealed Matt had decided to cancel the cocktail party because he was exhausted and already felt confident in his decisions.

Chelsea, Ryan and Serena C. were particularly upset about the news because they had been looking forward to spending some quality time with Matt. Serena C. announced she was unhappy Katie had brought up bullying and toxicity because it ended up taking with Matt away from her.

"Katie, I'm sorry, but you did bring this up. Pretty much every scenario where there has been drama, you've been apart of," Serena C said.


Katie told the cameras Serena C. probably came at her because she was feeling insecure about her connection with Matt. Katie thought Serena C.'s comment was unwarranted.

Ryan broke down into tears because she said she deeply cared for Matt and didn't want to go home. She said she wasn't afraid to fall in love and deserved to be in love with Matt.

Katie also felt "weak" waiting for a rose. She said she needed to know that everything she was going through at The Bachelor resort was worth it.

At the Rose Ceremony, Serena C. admitted she was "emotionally frustrated" when she saw Katie receive a rose.

After Matt said goodbye to Magi, Ryan, Brittany, Magi said in a confessional she was upset and Matt had "no idea" how much love she has to give.

"I'm so sad right now," Ryan cried. "It's hard to think about not having more time with him and how that could've changed things. I really want another chance. Oh my God! I just feel like it's not fair."


The next day, Chris dropped off a Date Card and it had Pieper's name on it for a one-on-one date.

"Katie is calculated and annoying... [She] is outspoken and truly honestly keeps running her mouth. Time and time again, it's affecting my time with Matt," Serena C. complained in a confessional.

Serena C. then asked Katie to sit down with her for a chat, and Serena C. said, "I am tired of your antics... I don't think you are really and truly here for Matt."

Katie said Serena C. was being insecure and she thought Serena C. was approaching her to apologize. Katie said Serena C. had no idea what her connection was like with Matt, and Katie called the bachelorette's attempt to attack her "pathetic."

Katie insisted she had never been fake and Matt liked her for who she is.

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Serena C. said Katie had inserted herself into every conversation and all the drama, calling Katie "the arsonist" to all the fires that had been lit in the house.

"I did not drop any names to Matt! I let the girls tell Matt all that they wanted to tell," Katie said.

Katie and Serena C. got into a screaming match, and Katie said she wasn't going to let "mean girls be mean girls in the house."

Katie just wanted people to be able to tell their stories and speak for themselves, and she told Serena C. to focus on her own relationship with Matt.

Katie told the cameras that she couldn't "reason with crazy," adding, "I don't know why she's so hung up on me!... Her opinion of me or how I've done things, at this point, I just don't care anymore."

Serena C. believed Matt wasn't Katie's top priority because Katie allegedly had other intentions for being on the show other than finding love. Katie insisted her only intention was to end up with Matt.


Suddenly, Heather from Colton Underwood's season of The Bachelor showed up at The Bachelor resort asking to speak with Chris Harrison.

Heather explained to Chris that her pal, The Bachelorette alum Hannah Brown, had informed her of how wonderful Matt is after Hannah quarantined with Matt amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

"Hannah just spent some time with Matt in quarantine, and the first thing she said to me when she landed [back home after visiting Florida] was, 'This guy is the perfect match for you,'" Heather said.

"Hannah is one of my very best girlfriends and she knows Matt and loves Matt. Her telling me that, that meant something. I couldn't let him get engaged and not meet him or try my best... I know you guys are almost halfway through, but I don't think that's going to stop me."

Chris said he never saw this coming but would be in touch with Heather, who obviously couldn't join the cast immediately since she'd have to be tested for coronavirus and quarantine for at least several days.

Matt and Pieper then drove deep into the woods and enjoyed a unique and special date in which they were treated to an entire carnival just for themselves, complete with games, prizes and rides.


Matt said he grew up looking forward to the fair every year and he couldn't wait to spend this time with Pieper, who he had his eye on from the very beginning of the season. Matt was appreciative that Pieper had been so patient in waiting for a one-on-one date.

Matt and Pieper had a blast, and Pieper said it was "an amazing feeling" to just flirt and play and laugh with Matt.

"Getting to know him tells me that falling in love is possible here," Pieper gushed to the cameras.

Back at The Bachelor resort, a Date Card arrived telling the following women they'd be joining Matt for a group date the next date: Bri, Kit, Rachael, Michelle, Jessenia, Serena P., Abigail, Chelsea, and Serena C.

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Serena C. said her biggest worry was never getting a one-on-one date, but Katie was ecstatic.


Serena C. hoped Matt would see he's not compatible with Katie and they're not meant to be together on their date. She wanted to see Matt send "[Katie's ass home."

Heather was also shown quarantining in a hotel room order to receive the chance to meet Matt.

During the evening portion of Pieper and Matt's date, Pieper opened up to Matt about how she had always viewed talking about her feelings and emotions as a weakness. Pieper grew up with her family showing love but not verbally expressing their love and emotions.

"We don't say love, we don't communicate love; it's all through actions," Pieper told Matt. "And that's really hard because I want that, but it's just not how we operate as a family. I wish that was not how I was brought up, but it also made me a tougher person."

Pieper said she wished her mother would just call her and say, "I love you," but that's not her style and it hurts. Pieper admitted it was hard for her to let people in.

Matt told Pieper that they could work on that together because it's also something he has struggled with. Matt wanted Pieper to know who he is and what she'd be getting with him.


"I don't want to be afraid of how I'm feeling anymore," Pieper told Matt.

She added, "Matt, I am falling in love with you, and that is the scariest thing in the world to say -- because I have always seen that as giving up a part of myself. It makes me super fearful but it also makes me really excited."

Matt thanked Pieper for trusting him with her heart, and he promised to be vulnerable with her going forward as well.

Matt gave Pieper a rose and said he could picture things working out for them, and then they sealed the deal with a kiss.

The couple's date ended with a private performance by Temecula Road, and Pieper and Matt kissed and danced the night away.

The next day, Matt and his group of girls enjoyed a fun and carefree bowling date on a rainy day.


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The girls were divided into two teams -- the Pink Team comprised of Jessenia, Serena P., Michelle and Chelsea vs. the Blue Team comprised of Abigail, Serena P., Rachael, Kit and Bri.

Michelle thrived in the competition, and in the end, her Pink Team won extra time with Matt that night at the afterparty.

The Blue Team was devastated, but in the end, Matt decided to ask them to join the afterparty as well because he felt he needed time with every girl on the group date.

Serena P. told Matt that she was "falling for [him]" that night, and Chelsea promised Matt that she was trying to let her walls down for him.

Matt decided to give the group-date rose to Michelle because they had furthered their connection, and Chelsea admitted she was especially disappointed since she had been hoping for some validation.


Before his next date, Matt got to spend some time and play a game of pool with his best friend and The Bachelorette alum Tyler Cameron. Matt told Tyler that he was about to have a date with Katie, who's "unapologetically herself."

Tyler told Matt that he might have some late-blooming connections so he should stay open and be present in all conversations.

"Do you see yourself getting down on a knee at the end of this thing?" Tyler asked.

"I do," Matt replied. "Yeah."

Tyler said he was excited for Matt, who believed the process was going to work for him just like it had worked for Tyler.

For Katie and Matt's date, they went to a spa and had fun pulling a prank on Tyler, who received a professional massage. Matt and Katie were in the ear of a female "actor," Tyler's masseuse, in attempt to ruin Tyler's massage.


Matt and Katie cracked up with laughter as they advised the masseuse to rub and twist Tyler's nipples, roll a rolling pin over his head and neck and more.

Matt said Katie was the perfect person to have this date with because she's "hilarious" and so much fun. Matt said it was "incredible" to torture Tyler and he wanted a relationship to work with the bachelorette.

While Matt and Katie had definitely established a friendship, Matt said he needed to explore the romantic side of things with Katie.

Over dinner that evening, Katie admitted she was missing playfulness in her past relationships. Her last long relationship was almost three years and Katie had thought he was going to be The One.

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"I was not being who I was truly meant to be," Katie revealed, adding that she learned how to recognize red flags and be totally herself with a man.


Katie doesn't want to feel the need to change for a man, and she said she wouldn't want a guy to change for her either.

Katie told Matt that she was committed to him and hoped to be standing at the end, and then Matt picked up the rose on his date.

Matt said Katie had set the tone for the women in the house and everyone's experience on the show. Matt expressed how much Katie had meant to him in this process, but then he let her down gently.

"You've been honest with me and I owe the same honesty to you, and the truth is, my relationship with some of the other women in the house has progressed further along than ours has at this point, and I can't give you this rose tonight," Matt explained.

Matt confessed he didn't have feelings for Katie that indicated she could be his wife, and she appeared totally deflated and upset. Matt told the cameras he had to listen to and follow his heart.

On her way out, Katie said there were some wonderful women left in the house and she hoped he would find everything he wanted and deserved.


"I just didn't see that coming at all. I just felt the blood drain from my face when he started to tell me I wasn't getting the rose tonight," Katie said in her final words.

"I was already picturing what it would be like to spend time with him at, like, a football game with Tyler and his friends and my friends. You start painting your future only for it to be erased."

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Katie added, "I don't regret being myself, it just sucks that it wasn't enough... I thought it was too soon to count me out as one of [Matt's strong connections]. I know what I deserve, and I deserve a man who knows what I have to offer. I am who I am, and there's someone out there who wants that."

The next day, Heather told the cameras that she could really see Matt as her husband and she already felt butterflies for him.

Heather said her dream was to meet Matt, fall in love with him and get engaged.


The next cocktail party then commenced, and Heather was on her way!

The episode concluded with Heather walking by the girls at the cocktail party and interrupting Matt's time with Pieper. When Matt saw Heather, he burst into laughter.

Matt hugged Heather and said, "What the heck?!"

The women vented to each other about how they'd be furious if Heather received a rose.

"If you're going to let a new girl come in or you're going to give a new girl a rose over some of us who have been here this long, then you better marry that girl -- because the rest of us are going to be pissed," Chelsea said in a confessional.

"If she gets a rose tonight," Serena P. said of Heather, "I am going to be rageful!"


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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski