Ben Flajnik, The Bachelor (ABC)

Is it just me, or is Ben’s hair getting worse? I know it’s his thing, but the center part with the frizz just does nothing for him.

Casey B. gets the first one on one on Monday's "Bachelor," and she’s instructed to “pack three things.” She wears a cute, brightly colored top, and black shorts. Girl’s got legs! They head out on a helicopter (shocker, I know) and land on a deserted island. They are left completely alone on the island, and Casey’s three things are revealed. She brings a green monkey, a pocketknife, and candy. They then proceed to spend the day, um, surviving? Did anyone else think that this was sort of a strange date idea? At least for the second date? 

Then they’re rescued, and they head out for a nice dinner. Casey says that she “can’t wait for the day to day things,” which seems like a good sign. She’s definitely falling for him! She admits that she’s feeling the pressure, though.

Back at the house, the girls get chosen for the group date, which leaves the two-on-one with Rachel and Blakely. 

Casey B. admits to Ben that she had a serious eating disorder when she was in high school, and it seems like they really bond over the fact that they can share something so personal. I think Ben definitely appreciates her honesty. When he gives her the rose, Ben affirms that he enjoys her company and likes how straight with him she is.

On the group date, the six women are all set to explore the Panama Canal. They ride in a boat down the river, and find a little village where they meet local Panama citizens. The ladies get dressed in traditional clothing, and Ben comes out wearing a loincloth. Yep—you read that right. The women seem to think it’s a pretty good look, but I’m not so sure. Ben notices that Courtney isn’t wearing a bikini top under her beaded top, and says, “I appreciated that, in more than one way.” Seriously, Ben? 

At dinner, Lindzi and Ben talk and it seems like they’re really connecting. She admits that she doesn’t like to fight for him, and Ben seems to like how easy going she is. She’s growing on me! The longer she is on the show, the more genuine she seems to get. 

Meanwhile, the two on one date card shows up, and Blakely and Rachel get two cards. Blakely is super confident about the date, while Rachel is obviously insecure. I’m pulling for Rachel!

Back on the date, Ben compliments Courtney on being assertive and confident, and she says that it’s easy for her to lose sight of their relationship when she’s in a house with all of the women. She invites him to her room, and Ben is obviously tempted. When is he going to learn!?

Jamie and Ben talk, and Jamie lays it all out there. Meanwhile, Courtney is in the background swimming, and totally distracting Ben. Poor Jamie! I really like her, even though she’s experiencing a little word vomit at the moment. The conversation between the two of them becomes really awkward, and honestly, I think it might be time for Jamie to head home. She’s great, but they’re just not a match.

Emily pulls Ben aside and makes amends, and they seem like they’re off to a better start. Then she apologizes to Courtney, who doesn’t take it very well. She tells her that they won’t ever be friends, and she won’t forgive her. It seems a little harsh, no?

Ben pulls Lindzi aside for the rose, which is great! They seem like they could have a spark.

Courtney gets upset that she doesn’t get the rose, and that Ben doesn’t come to her room. She feels like she’s been taken advantage of, which is interesting, because I always sort of assumed she was aware that she was manipulating him. In terms of the other girls, though, Ben definitely made the right decision in not going to Courtney’s room. That would have been a deal breaker.

Next up is the two on one date. This is, as Ben admits, the hardest of any date. They head out for some Latin dancing. They both dress in salsa dresses, Blakely in hot pink, and Rachel in a royal blue dress that really isn’t flattering. They have such cute chemistry on the dance floor, though! Blakely kind of kills it on the dance floor, and Ben is eating it up. Poor Rachel!

They head to an authentic seeming restaurant for the second portion of the date. Awkwardness immediately ensues. 

He pulls aside Rachel for a conversation first. She tells him that she wants to stay, and that she feels like it could really go somewhere, and he definitely connects with her. 

Next up is Blakely, who gets really emotional right off the bat. It’s hard to tell what Ben is thinking at this point. She gives him a scrapbook of where she thinks their life could go, which seems a little bit intense for so early in their relationship, but who knows. Maybe he’s going for it?

Rachel ends up getting the rose, and Blakely immediately gets up and leaves the table. She is angry and dismissive of him, and leaves crying. Apparently Ben didn’t like the scrapbook.

At the hotel room, Chris Harrison pulls Casey S. aside for a “serious reason.” He tells her that her boyfriend back at home, Michael, has claimed that they are still in a relationship. Chris said that he talked to Michael, and Casey S. looks genuinely surprised. She explains that they have gotten back together and broken up several times, but that she’s still in love with him. She explains that she still has hope that he’ll change into the man she wants him to be. Chris brings her to have a conversation with Ben.

She explains to Ben that she’s not completely over someone at home. Ben is upset that she didn’t tell him sooner, because he feels like her past relationship is holding her back. Casey S. does seem genuinely upset about having to go home, and I’m sad for her. She handled it well, and I don’t think she came with ill intentions, but I do think she needs to get her life at home sorted out. It’s a sad moment! She’s sent home.

At the rose ceremony, Nicki admits that she is falling for Ben, but something about it feels a little bit forced. She’s a sweetie, but there’s not much chemistry in the conversation.

When Jamie gets one on one time with Ben, she attempts to seduce him, but ends up giggling through the whole thing and ripping her dress. This is not easy to watch. She ends up talking a little bit too much, and even does a little bit of rehashing after the whole thing goes down, which is just incredibly awkward. Then they spend time planning their kissing, and she instructs him throughout. Yes—this is just as awkward as it sounds. It really doesn’t get worse than this, guys.

At the rose ceremony, it comes down to Emily and Jamie, but Emily ends up getting the rose. I think that the whole kissing fiasco definitely sealed poor Jamie’s fate. It’s down to the final six ladies! 

Reach writer Anita Dukart here

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