(ABC)
On Monday’s “The Bachelorette,” Rachel Lindsay went on her first one-on-one date, two group dates, and even sent one guy home before the rose ceremony. There were also appearances by Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, as well as by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who tried to help Rachel find real love. Get the full recap and spoilers below!
As Gossip Cop previously reported, last week was the season premiere of “The Bachelorette,” during which Rachel met her 31 men. She gave the first impression rose to Miami chiropractor Bryan, who she kissed a few times throughout the first episode. She also sent home eight men at the first rose ceremony, leaving 23 suitors vying for her heart.
Rachel began episode two by going on her first group date with eight men. Joining her at a ranch were Dean, Jack, Jonathan, Blake E., Diggy, Kenny, Fred, and Lucas aka “Whaboom.” And they were all joined by Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, who first explained the show is their “guilty pleasure.” The two celebrities then told the men they were going to compete in an obstacle course to prove they were “husband material.”
Among the challenges were changing a baby’s dirty diaper, putting on a baby Bjorn and vacuuming, cleaning a bathtub and kitchen sink (with the baby), and setting a dinner table with a highchair before grabbing roses and crossing the finishing line. For the most part, the guys proved they couldn’t handle it. “Whaboom” actually won, but only did so because he violently pushed Kenny away at the end of the obstacle course. Still, she gave the group date rose to Dean, who she kissed at the end of the night.
Next, Rachel went on her first one-on-one date with Peter. He was the first man to be shown emerging from the limo last week and believed to be the man to whom Rachel is now engaged. For their date, they flew on a private jet to Palm Springs, where they attended “Bark Fest” with Rachel’s dog Copper. At the poolside event, Copper enjoyed the activities for the dogs, while Rachel and Peter really connected. She even told the camera that their one-on-one date “completely exceeded expectations.” The bachelorette also said Peter was not only outwardly “handsome” and “dreamy,” but also had a “beautiful soul from within.”
Afterwards, they shared a romantic dinner during which they both talked about the spaces between their front teeth and how their kids would definitely have a gap. They also talked about how their hearts had been broken, with each admitting they got help from a relationship therapist. Rachel then gave Peter a rose, and told the camera that she was “extremely hopeful” for their future. She also said, “I am such a smitten kitten over Peter” and that she had “butterflies” around him.
For his part, Peter told the camera that Rachel was “someone I could see myself spending the rest of my life with.” They then kissed. Next, they headed outdoors and were treated to fireworks, where they made out even more.
For her third date of the show, Rachel and 10 men played basketball, with NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar coaching. Those chosen were Adam, Alex, DeMario, Eric, Iggy, Jamey, Josiah, Lee, Matt and Will. Jabbar said he was not only looking for who had basketball skills, but also the right “character.” He then told Rachel that basketball and romance had a lot in common “because it’s about “teamwork.” The bachelorette noted she was taken aback by DeMario because as they practiced, he dunked on her.
In the past, Jabbar has been openly critical of “The Bachelor” franchise, calling it “network romance porn” that sets “the bar for falling in love so low” because of its emphasis on physical attributes. He also slammed the show for its “lack of racial diversity,” and expressed that black contestants were just a “courtesy for a few weeks before being ejected.” Of course, with Rachel at “The Bachelorette,” the basketball player has clearly changed his mind.
Some of the men, however, freaked out when told they were going to have to play before a packed gym, complete with cheerleaders and a band. After the game, a woman named Lexi up to Rachel and told her she was DeMario’s girlfriend. Whoops. As Gossip Cop reported during the premiere, before the bachelorette met the men, she spoke with several friends from Nick Viall’s season and heard from Whitney that DeMario, an executive recruiter from Los Angeles, still had a girlfriend at home. Lexi told a shocked Rachel, “We never broke up,” and “he literally still has the keys to my apartment.”
Rachel then went into the locker room asked DeMario to join her. He thought it because he played well during the game. But once he was back on the court, he was confronted by his girlfriend, who said, “Karma’s a bitch.” DeMario pretended like he didn’t know the woman. “Who’s this?” he said. Lexi then tore into him.
DeMario asked for the cameras to be turned off, but that didn’t happen. He later conceded they hung out a “few times,” and that he broke it off with Lexi “face to face” a while ago. But the scorned woman showed Rachel recent texts messages from her two-timing man. The bachelorette then ripped DeMario, telling him, “I’m not here to be played.” Rachel added, “I need you to get the f**k out. I can’t even look at you right now.” And with that, she kicked him off the show and told the other guys to tell her right if they had girlfriends.
At the cocktail party with the remaining nine guys from the basketball game, Josiah weighed in about how upset he was with DeMario. Rachel was clearly moved by his words because they made out. The other guys also expressed their anger during their alone time with the bachelorette. Eric also kissed Rachel that night. In the end, the date rose went to Josiah.
At the end of the episode, DeMario came back to the mansion. Security stopped him and then got Chris Harrison, who asked why he was there. When DeMario said he wanted to speak to Rachel one last time, Harrison told him he would check with the bachelorette. Rachel only agreed to see him because security was there and she was “curious” what he had to say. And with that the show ended.
