'Bachelor' recap: Mizzou football alum Clayton Echard takes back rose, Shanae stirs up drama in 'shrimp incident'
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Two weeks ago, Bachelor Clayton Echard was left as close to "in shambles" as we've seen him. He had just found out that Cassidy, his rose recipient from their first group date in which she had avoided children (you know, that thing Clayton really wants) at all costs, had a friend with benefits waiting for her back home.
Meanwhile, drama had burst out between contestants Elizabeth and Shanae — with the latter accusing the 32-year-old real estate agent of being two-faced and ... faking her ADHD. Not a good look, Shanae.
Shanae said what?: Here's what happened with Mizzou alum Clayton Echard last week on 'The Bachelor'
By the episode's end, we were left without a complete cocktail party and with more questions than answers. But after a NFL-induced hiatus, we're back, and it's about to go down.
More: 5 things to know about Clayton Echard, former Mizzou football player
More: Ryan Ferguson competing on 'The Amazing Race' with fellow Columbia native. Here's what to know
Will Clayton develop character judgment skills? Will Cassidy keep the rose she worked so hard to attain? Will Shanae face consequences for her willful ignorance?
Let's dive in!
What happened on 'The Bachelor' this week?
We open with Sierra explaining to the rest of the girls that Cassidy told her she has a friends with benefits back home — and she's on the show to make him jealous. Clayton confides in host Jesse Palmer how unsettled with everything he is, then pulls Cassidy aside. Cassidy flat-out denies the allegations, but when Clayton presses, she alters her story, saying she knew the other relationship wasn't going to go anywhere. I really want to re-emphasize how little Cassidy wants to do with children. You know, that thing Clayton really wants.
The others aren't having it with Cassidy's demeanor — except Shanae, because of course — and look relieved when Clayton escorts Cassidy out the door and sends her home. It's a matter of trust for him. Thank God.
It's the first time a Bachelor has ever taken back a rose. Congratulations, Clayton. You're a trailblazer.
With Cassidy gone, Shanae is the last villain standing.
Kiss counter: 0
Group therapy date: Opening up about the past
Serene, Susie, Eliza, Mara, Marlena, Hunter, Genevieve and Jill are up for this first date. Kaitlyn Bristowe is on the stage of their dimly lit auditorium date location. It's lit like an interrogation. This exercise is meant to encourage honesty and vulnerability.
Clayton opens up about a relationship of his that went wrong in the past (is she still in Columbia?) and his body image issues growing up. He reveals he had to learn how to love himself before he could love others, which is the best thing he has said so far. He's got that much figured out.
Hunter reveals that her ex made her go to the gym obsessively, and change her hair and eye color. Serene reveals her small figure led to a lot of bullying. Marlena points out that as a Black woman, she has to try that much harder to be acknowledged for her achievements.
At the after party, Clayton, wearing a hoodie and a blazer for some reason, holds a lot of upper legs and bonds with the girls over how open and vulnerable they have allowed themselves to be. Eliza, with a wide smile, receives the rose.
Kiss counter: 4
Solo date: Probably breaking a public nudity law
Sarah gets the solo date, and the others are happy for her, except for Shanae who doesn't understand the concept of friendship, and rubs her neck in disgust.
Former Bachelorette Becca Kufrin sends Sarah and Clayton on a scavenger hunt around downtown L.A. in their underwear. I'm not joking.
Two minutes in, they're swatting at a piñata. Still kinda naked. Next up, it's time to sing. This is definitely more my speed. Clayton starts "singing" without ANY music, and the general public does not really care because I mean, it's Los Angeles. Sarah starts freestyle rhythm-talking (not rapping, it's just not). It's not quite as cringe as "We Are Mizzou," but it's close.
They get dressed on a rooftop helicopter pad, and bond over their shared humiliation. They leaned on each other for comfort and confidence, and found it easy.
The dinner is a spectacular setup, in the middle of a beautiful Van Gogh "Starry Nights" exhibit lit by twinkly lights and candles. Sarah reveals she was adopted, and grew up feeling like a second choice. Clayton says he doesn't want her to ever feel that way with him — on a reality show where she's competing against 25 other women to date him.
They make out in front of a string quartet, and she gets a rose.
Kiss counter: 6
Elizabeth, Shanae and the 'shrimp incident'
Back at the Bachelor Mansion, Elizabeth makes some garlic butter shrimp and offers it to the others for lunch. Shanae takes most of it (kudos to the editors for putting a shrimp counter onscreen — I believe Shanae ate 8/15 pieces of shrimp), calls Elizabeth fake, then tries to make some shrimp of her own. She then loudly offers it to everyone. When the girls ignore her ploy, she's furious.
I've never heard the word "shrimp" uttered so much in so little time.
Group date: Baywatch? More like Shanae-watch
Gabby, Rachel, Kira, Melina, Lyndsey, Sierra, Teddie, Elizabeth and Shanae are chosen for this date. Shanae is determined to destroy Elizabeth. It's very uncomfortable.
Nicole Eggert of "Baywatch" fame shows up to put the ladies through lifeguard training. The winner gets extra time with Clayton. They run in slow motion in red swimsuits, and Clayton takes his shirt off. This is an objectively hilarious date to put in the same episode as "baring your soul onstage."
The first challenge is applying sunscreen to each other. Shanae applies some to Clayton's nipples. It's fine. The next challenge is what I'll call "sexual CPR" where they perform CPR in the most raunchy manner they can. The final challenge is running and dancing in slow motion Baywatch-style. Not sure how any of this helped Clayton get to know everyone better, but sure.
Gabby wins the day, and gets some alone time with Clayton.
At the after party, Shanae tells Clayton that Elizabeth won't stop making her feel bullied at the mansion. God, Clayton, I'm begging you. It's like watching you walk into quicksand. Shanae, feeling really good about her sob story, dances with her middle fingers up in a talking head.
When Clayton brings this up to Elizabeth, saying that Shanae's mental health is suffering, she's rightfully upset and breaks down a little. He asks Elizabeth to make peace with Shanae, and that's that. I'm gobsmacked.
Could someone, anyone, mention the unforgivably ignorant toxicity about ADHD that Shanae keeps spewing to Clayton?!
Clayton, you fool. On the bright side, Gabby got the rose.
Kiss counter: 11
Who didn't get a rose from Clayton Echard?
Cassidy
Ency
Kate
Tessa
What's next for Clayton?
More Shanae. Some football. And even more Shanae. Help me.
When will Season 26, Episode 4 of 'The Bachelor' air?
The next episode of "The Bachelor" will air on Monday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.
How do I stream 'The Bachelor' online?
You can watch it on fuboTV with a 7-day free trial, on Hulu + Live or through YouTube TV. If you have cable, you can also stream the show on abc.com/watch-live/abc or on the ABC app available on iPad, iPhone, Android, Roku, Chromecast, Samsung SmartTV or Kindle Fire.
Who is Clayton Echard?
Clayton Echard remains the personification of the flavor vanilla.
But truly, the former Missouri football player has lived quite the life. After going undrafted in 2016, he signed a free-agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks. He played in all four of Seattle's 2016 preseason games and made it past the first round of cuts. As NFL teams shaved down rosters to 53 active players, Echard was cut.
According to Echard's LinkedIn page, he's worked in sales for medical device company Stryker since July 2016. His first 18 months with the company were based in St. Louis, but he has been based in the Columbia area since January 2018.
But that's the boring stuff. Here's the stuff that actually matters:
Clayton wants kids. He wants babies. He wants the whole white-picket-fence fantasy. Honestly, that level of wanting a family THAT fast would be a red flag to me, but to each her own.
He's really nice — like, golden retriever nice. This show will break him.
He's a momma's boy, so she's definitely going to talk him out of choosing someone, right?
Thanks for following along. I'll be back next week with some wine and a pillow to scream into. See you then, Bachelor Nation!
Gabriela Velasquez is a planning editor for the Springfield News-Leader and Columbia Daily Tribune, based out of Columbia, Mo. Follow her on Twitter at @not_gabriela.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: 'Bachelor' Week 3 recap: Clayton Echard considers taking back rose, Shanae and Elizabeth argue
