‘The Bachelor’: Clayton Picks His Final 4 Ahead of Hometowns (RECAP)

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With the villainous Shanae finally out of the way, yet another troublemaker emerged last week to stir up some new drama on The Bachelor. Mara’s unfriendly “advice” to Clayton shook up his relationship with Sarah after she was the first to receive a second 1-on-1 date. Going into the February 21 episode, Sarah wanted to make it known that she’s here to stay.

Departing Croatia for the gorgeous Vienna, Austria, things become more serious than ever with Hometowns a week away. New secrets are revealed, connections grow stronger, and several women are sent packing.

Who will make it through to Hometowns? Let’s dive into Week 7!

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Sarah vs. Mara at the Rose Ceremony

As the oldest in the house, Mara’s worries about Sarah (the youngest) not being ready for marriage are valid, but that doesn’t mean her intentions with Clayton aren’t true. Returning from her second 1-on-1 date, Sarah asks whoever planted the worries in Clayton’s head to come forward, and Mara obliges, telling her fellow contestant that she simply wanted Clayton to be looking at the bigger picture at the end of his journey.

Sarah: *gets a second 1-on-1*
Mara:
#TheBachelor pic.twitter.com/qV8LJ0zhPF

— Unimpressed Giraffe 🦒 (@adultingiguess) February 22, 2022

Should Mara have the power to define other people’s relationships with Clayton? No, she should not. Just because you want the same things in life, doesn’t mean you are 100 percent compatible. Putting the cherry on top of their blossoming rivalry, Sarah tells the group that Clayton called the move a “last-ditch effort” by someone who suspected they were going home, much to Mara’s annoyance. “Smells like something you won’t be smelling tomorrow,” Sarah says while holding her rose in a confessional.

Wrapping up their week in Croatia, Clayton toasts to a good night at the sixth rose ceremony of the season. Serene, Susie, Teddi, and Rachel get some time well spent with the Bachelor, while Mara wastes her chance to talk to him by confronting Sarah.

I love the nosyness #thebachelor #thebachelorabc pic.twitter.com/4gIJhXpV24

— Bach_freak (@freak_bach) February 22, 2022

Pulling her aside, she tells the younger woman that her comments the night before were insensitive and condescending and that she believes she sees Clayton as a “trophy to be won.” She believes that Sarah’s ever-growing confidence is turning into cockiness. While Sarah’s attitude didn’t come off as the nicest, she was standing up for herself after the uncomfortable situation Mara put them in. She can’t help it if Clayton is falling harder for her than he is for Mara. Just as things start to get dirty, host Jesse Palmer announces the rose ceremony is about to begin.

With Teddi, Rachel, and Sarah safe with roses from the week’s dates, only four are left up for grabs. And with Hometowns quickly approaching, it’s time for Clayton to narrow down the pack. Ending their Bachelor journey in Croatia are Eliza and Mara. Is Mara right about Sarah not being ready? Guess we’ll have to wait and find out!

OPE would ya look at that, there was no relationship with Clayton, was there Mara? #TheBachelor pic.twitter.com/3wq1qDHtTh

— vanessa (@assenavmarie) February 22, 2022

Susie & Clayton’s Magical 1-on-1

This week, the group traveled to Vienna, Austria, for their last international stop ahead of next week’s Hometowns. Who knows what this new city will bring for these ladies!

Susie’s clocktower surprise worked a charm, as she earned the first 1-on-1 of the week, her second of the season. Poor Genevieve went through all the Shanae drama just to miss out on another opportunity with Clayton. Looks like being the first to say “I love you” is a 1-on-1 guarantee!

Their day is full of stylish surprises, as the two ride around the city in a vintage car on a high-end shopping spree, ending the afternoon trying on gorgeous gowns by the Austrian fashion designer Eva Poleschinski. Susie tears up, grateful for the day’s events and her growing connection with Clayton. We love a humble queen!

The Princess Diaries 2 (2004) #TheBachelor pic.twitter.com/0JkzqIbkvb

— Dan Emerson (@dscapp) February 22, 2022

Susie looks straight out of a fairytale in her romantic red ballgown, leaving all the other women jealous of her new wardrobe. Clayton’s eyes light up as she steps out of the car, and they head inside a beautiful palace for dinner. Susie expresses her appreciation for the day but also felt undeserving of it given her more humble background. She talks about wanting Clayton to meet her family and how they influenced who she is by encouraging her to be herself. Clayton says he’s proud of who she is and was 100 percent deserving of her “Treat Yo Self” day. Accepting yet another rose from the Bachelor, the two end the magical day with a special performance of “The Lady in Red” (how fitting…) by singer-songwriter Chris de Burgh.

Things Get Serious on the Group Date

The last group date before Hometowns is a surprisingly serious one, as Clayton surprises the contestants with individual couples therapy sessions. The women are very nervous, especially Genevieve, who confesses her fear of opening up in an unfamiliar setting.

Starting things off with Gabby, she gets emotional talking about having a “misunderstanding” of love because of her rocky relationship with her mother (Can we give Gabby a hug?). The therapist states that she needs a stable relationship, which is something Clayton wants to give her.

Things with Teddi seem good, but the day takes a hard left when it’s Genevieve’s turn to sit down. She is so nervous to the point where she can barely talk, unable to let her walls down. We feel for her as she struggles to be vulnerable, but with Hometowns next week, Clayton needs a better understanding of who she is and what she hopes for in their relationship. He takes her outside to chat, hoping a more casual and comfortable environment will help her open up.

Very uncomfortable with the forced televised therapy session or go home narrative #TheBachelor pic.twitter.com/6KURV27RTn

— AmyJo (@AmyJoGatt) February 22, 2022

They mutually agree that their connection has come to an end, as he couldn’t justify meeting her family without truly understanding who she is. The poor girl has been through the wringer this season, but thankfully she sees the experience as a stepping stone on her journey to personal growth.

Clayton feels a little uneasy after his session with Rachel, who seems shook up after Genevieve’s departure. Sarah appears oddly confident, stating that therapy is a big part of her life. After the sessions, the therapist states that one of the girl’s statements came off as performative… Maybe Mara was right after all!

Me after feeling bad for Sarah last week #TheBachelor pic.twitter.com/Tq2Kp4VP1w

— Sarahomalleeey2 (@sarahomalleeey2) February 22, 2022

That night, Clayton looks to get down to business to uncover the latest snake. Rachel confesses she and Teddi felt insecure after Sarah’s statements in Croatia, wondering if they were being manipulated to give up on their journey. Gabby follows suit, mirroring Mara’s warnings of Sarah’s over-confidence. Sarah denies the allegations against her, continuing to blame her second 1-on-1, saying she feels as though she can’t celebrate her happy moments when others can. Shockingly, Clayton doesn’t believe her and makes the surprising decision to send her home. While she may have over exaggerated her progress with Clayton, her feelings seemed true. But ultimately, being untruthful will get you nothing but a one-way ticket home.

He decides not to hand out the group date rose, as he wants to be certain that the women he selects for Hometowns are there for the right reasons.

Serene’s Second 1-on-1

Serene’s second 1-on-1 brings a nice change of pace following the dramatic group date. There must be something about Vienna, because the second 1-on-1 in the city feels just as magical as the first, as the two take in the sights and get a unplanned dancing lesson from a local couple. They retreat to the same palace as the other night for dinner (not to mention Serene also dons a beautiful red dress).

Serene tells him she doesn’t date around often, and she hasn’t introduced a significant other to her family since high school. They bond over their similar past relationships and resulting learning experiences. After this week’s events, she assures him of her true feelings by dropping the “L-word,” much to his delight. Excited to meet her family, he presents her with a rose and they share another romantic kiss before browsing around the palace’s art gallery.

Who’s Going to Hometowns?

Five women remain going into the second rose ceremony of the episode, meaning one will be sent home as Clayton picks his final four. With no group date rose handed out, Rachel, Teddi, and Gabby’s fates are on the line. We honestly can’t predict who Clayton will bid farewell to, as all of their connections have been pretty solid throughout the season.

Unfortunately, Teddi won’t get to take Clayton home to meet her family. The decision comes as a shocking one, especially after she received the First Impression Rose way back in Episode 1. The other women are heartbroken to see their friend go, and Teddi rides away teary-eyed as her Bachelor journey comes to a close.

I can’t believe Clayton had Teddy go home on Presidents Day no less. #TheBachelor #PresidentsDay pic.twitter.com/f0mhWXpu56

— Joe Kane (@JDKane16) February 22, 2022

Returning to actual Hometown Dates, the remaining contestants’ families appear to put Clayton to the test in the promo for next week’s episode. Bachelor Nation won’t have to wait much longer to see who Clayton’s final three will be!