Mitch Haaseth/ABC
Welcome to The Bachelor version of The Hollywood Reporter‘s Power Rankings. Each week, THR‘s Bachelor experts will be tuning into the romantic connections and dramatic shenanigans taking place on season 21 of the long-running ABC franchise. In an effort to cater to viewers who opt out of show spoilers, these rankings are based on opinions and observations week-by-week.
Six are gone, while six remain, following the most dramatic night of Nick Viall’s season of The Bachelor yet.
It wasn’t a question of who cried tonight, but rather: who didn’t? The Bachelor himself was also full of waterworks as he questioned whether or not he could continue along with the show.
His two-on-one date with Whitney and Danielle L. marked the first trigger of his emotional breakdown. While he recognized the worth of these two women, he didn’t “have it in [his] heart” to give them roses.
The 36-year-old had somewhat of an existential crisis as he described the kind of partner he’s looking for, yet unable to find. “I want a woman that I feel incredibly excited about,” Nick shares after letting Danielle L. go. “You’re not supposed to say goodbye to people like [Danielle L.]. Maybe I don’t reciprocate the type of love that she’s so willing to give,” he says on camera. “It’s hard not to wonder if the same thing is going to happen to every other one of my strong relationships.”
For all of Nick’s quirks, his fourth turn at the franchise delivered the most honest version of himself yet. The veteran of ABC’s reality dating shows addressed his concerns head on to the remaining contestants, in an impromptu visit inside their hotel room. “After today ended, I felt like I hit a new low,” Nick told his final six through tears. “I really want this to work out, but I really want it to be real. And right now I just feel like terrified that’s not going to happen. I don’t know if I can keep doing this,” concludes Nick, before exiting the hotel.
But the show must go on, right? It’s unclear how or if Nick will rise above this rut, but one thing’s for sure: Corinne’s “platinum vagine” is about to have a moment, according to the teaser for next week.
Even the final Corinne vs. Taylor showdown paled in comparison to the rest of the episode’s drama. Taylor “re-interrupted” Corinne one last time after getting the boot on her two-on-one date, but nothing significant came out of it. Nick wasn’t phased when Taylor claimed Corinne was a “liar.” (Last week, Corinne said Taylor was bullying her and calling her stupid.) Nick shook off the accusations, assuring the blonde business woman, “My decision [to give you the rose] wasn’t based on what you told me, but more where my heart was.”
Read on for THR’s ranking of Nick’s six frontrunners and six rejects below. Joining Danielle L. and Whitney as Nick’s latest exes are Josephine, Alexis and Jaimi, who say their goodbyes during the rose ceremony.