With a visit to their hometowns on the line, the six remaining suitors on ABC's The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman pulled-out all the stops during last night's episode to prove to U.S. Navy Lieutenant Andy Baldwin that they really care about him. However it wasn't enough for two of the bachelorettes, who were sent packing despite only having eyes for Andy.
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The four remaining bachelorettes that Andy will pay a hometown visit to during The Bachelor's next episode will be Amber Alchalabi, a 23-year-old teacher who currently resides in Sugar Land, TX; Bevin Powers, a 28-year-old clinic research coordinator who currently resides in Palo Alto, CA; Danielle Imwalle, a 25-year-old graphic designer who currently resides in Bethel, CT; and Tessa Horst, a 26-year-old social worker who currently resides in San Francisco, CA.
The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman's fifth episode began with Andy opining about the stressful nature of the previous episode's Rose Ceremony, but he was still looking forward to spending some "quality time" with the six remaining women. With the "relief" of knowing that none of the next Rose Ceremony's four roses would be awarded on his next round of dates, Andy was excited to "kick back and have some fun" with the bachelorettes as they all accompanied him for an outing on his yacht. Stephanie said she was "thrilled to be there" and described the setting as "heaven."
During the outing, some of the girls tried to find what the mild-mannered bachelor's pet peeves are, and he revealed he's not a fan of smoking before describing himself as "low maintenance." In mid-conversation, Tina noticed Andy had some food stuck in his teeth and proceeded to pick it out with her finger. Amber immediately noticed Tina "does things we don't do" and called her "awkward." But it was Bevin who once again stole the show from the other bachelorettes.
"I'm actually eyeballing those kayaks. I think it would be really fun," said Bevin to Andy, as the two set-out for some kayaking and left the rest of Andy's suitors alone on the yacht. After they left the yacht, Danielle noted that Bevin was once again hogging time with Andy again and "broke up [the date's] group dynamic." Stephanie was also unhappy with Bevin, saying that she thought Bevin was being "more forward" then she was and blamed her for "stealing all the attention." Bevin described the whole ordeal as "nerve wracking," claiming she "deserves better" in "someone that just wants to be with me," not someone who's simultaneously dating six women.
The group dated concluded with Bevin and Andy making out while Stephanie and Danielle watched and Tina, Tessa and Amber slept. While he described the date as "fun," Andy noticed it was "tough" having all the girls vying for him interacting with one another. "It's only gonna get tougher emotionally from here on out," he realized.
After returning to their house, the girls learned that Stephanie would receive the honor of accompanying Andy on a one-on-one date where they would blend different types of red wine. Stephanie said she had "nervous date jitters" because she knew it was time to put herself "on the line." Andy was also hoping Stephanie would show her "true colors" because she "really has her guard up" and he was looking for her to "further explain why she's on this journey." As the two mixed wine, Andy commented to Stephanie, "It tastes beautiful, like you. We're a pretty good blend."
However as the two painted a bottle label for the wine they created, Andy noticed Stephanie was having a hard time opening up. When he asked the 23-year-old project manager what she was looking forward to most in her career, she didn't really have an answer. "I really tried to engage her in some deep issues and she wasn't able to answer," said Andy. He attributed this to her "young age," as Stephanie was one of Andy's youngest remaining suitors.
Even Stephanie admitted she was a "little frustrated" with herself because she had "difficulty" letting her guard down. "I so dearly want to open up to him," she opined.
Alas, the moment had passed and the back at the house, the rest of the girls were informed that Amber, Tina, Bevin and Danielle would be accompanying Andy for a group date where they would get "down and dirty for a good cause." Tessa realized this meant she had the other one-on-one date with Andy, and was excited because she had never had an individual date with him before. Bevin, on the other hand, was not so pleased because -- although she had already had plenty of opportunity to tell him during their previous conversations -- Andy still didn't know she's divorced. Claiming to be at a sudden "disadvantage" because now she had no chance to "speak about her past" with Andy, Bevin realized her past could unexpectedly come to the forefront if she survived the next Rose Ceremony and received a hometown visit.
Bevin also said she felt "insecure" about her situation with Andy, and had a hard time understanding how, given he was interested in a "mature" 28-year-old woman like her, he could also be interested in a couple of 23-year-olds like Stephanie W. and Amber. Bevin even publicly shared her concerns with Amber, who defended herself. "I'm more mature than any other 23-year-old ever," said Amber, claiming Bevin's insecurity "makes her immature." Still, Bevin felt "desperate, ridiculous" and like a "complete idiot" as she lost confidence that Andy would choose her as the woman he wants to marry.
After picking them up for their group date, Andy informed Amber, Bevin, Tina and Danielle that they'd be spending the day building a playground at the Venice Elementary School in Hollywood, CA that would regularly be used by 60 kindergartners. He said making the space "more livable and healthy for children" was a "really special project." He described community service as something that's "so important" to him, and added it is a quality he's "looking for in my future wife."
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During the outing, Bevin noticed that despite the fact everyone was "working as a team," they still knew why they were there. Amber said that she "loves that Andy loves to give back to the community," and added she would love to take him to her fourth-grade classroom if he awards her a rose and she gets a hometown visit. Andy called her "teacher Amber" before checking on Bevin's ankle.
Meanwhile, given her previous group date experiences, Danielle immediately became concerned that the outing was going to turn into another "Bevin/Andy date." Shortly thereafter however, Danielle got some quality time of her own with Andy and he revealed that he's "such a kid at heart" to her. Afterward, Danielle realized emotions were getting involved and how much she really wanted to bring him to her hometown to meet her parents. Tina said she was there to see if she "could be the one" for Andy, and told him living in the house "felt like high school again." Andy said what he loves about Tina is she's "very smart" and "very mature."
After the playground work was done, Andy said he was "equally impressed" by each woman: Amber made a hop-scotch course; Tina painted flowers on the mural; Bevin painted the ground; and Danielle used her background in design to assist. "Every woman worked together as a team, but also showed their individual strength," he said. Danielle described it as "such a rewarding experience" -- and it was about to get better -- as 30 kindergartners burst out of the school's doors to have fun on their new playground. Bevin said it was "so gratifying" to see the kids having fun. Andy said he was "pleasantly surprised" by the way Bevin interacted with the kids, and also noticed Amber "feels most in her element." But he was quick to point out why all the work was done.
"The expression on those kids' faces was priceless," he said.
Meanwhile, back that the house, Tessa -- "fed-up" with the group dates and realizing the opportunity to see if she had a "real connection" was at hand -- was ready to "totally open" herself up to Andy. That was good, because Andy also realized Tessa "doesn't want to go the distance" unless she knows he's there for her. As Andy arrived to pick her up for the date, Tessa admitted her "heart skipped a beat," realizing the one-on-one might "make or break" her relationship with the bachelor. Andy then told Tessa she'd be wearing $2 million worth of jewelry for their night out, and the claws came out among the other women. Stephanie was a "little jealous," and Bevin said she was "stunned." Amber noticed that in Bevin's "heart and head, she thinks Andy is her boyfriend."
Things kept getting better for Tessa, as, in a Pretty Woman-like scene, Andy took her to pick-out an "elegant dress." As she tried on numerous colors and designs for him, he eventually commented, "You look good in everything Tessa." Andy was glad he was able to show Tessa "she's a woman who's truly special to me." As the two discussed the romantic sound of rain, Andy asked to be pinched.
"Taking a huge chance... I do truly believe that you can meet someone that you're just meant to be with in the craziest and most amazing circumstance, you know?" Tessa asked a teary-eyed Andy, who responded, "That's the exact same philosophy I had to do this." He went on to describe conversation with Tessa as "easy" and "real," but said he had still yet to hear her say she was "willing to go the distance for me." Tessa said Andy was "really putting himself out there," which was "pushing [her] to do the same thing." While she admitted it takes her longer to feel comfortable and trust somebody, she was taking steps towards opening herself up. Andy was impressed.
"Where did you come from?" Andy asked Tessa at the conclusion of their date. "It's like you make this whole process worth it."
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"This is the moment I've been dreading all night, and you've all made it even harder on me just talking to me tonight," said Andy prior to the Rose Ceremony. "I'm a Navy Lieutenant. I'm an Iron Man. I've been through a lot in my life, but I've never been through anything like this. This is the hardest thing I've ever done... This is the most difficult decision I've ever had to make, and one I don't take lightly at all."
Bevin was the first to receive a rose, followed by Amber, Tessa and finally Danielle. Tina and Stephanie were eliminated.
"I wanted to find true love, and I was hoping it would be with Andy," said Tina upon learning she was going home. "I'm sad that we don't have that opportunity. Love is worth putting your life on hold, putting your career at risk, putting so much on the line. But I regret I just shut down. I am afraid that this is the biggest regret of my entire life."
"It's incredibly hard to realize my ideal husband, I kind of single-handedly let slip through my fingers," opined Stephanie. "I don't know what it is, but I guess I am extremely closed off and have my guard way, way up. I just felt I could have done more. I don't know, it's just really sad to go at this point."
The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman's sixth episode will air Monday, May 7 at 9:30PM ET/PT on ABC.
(Photo credit ABC/Adam Larkey) About The Author: Christopher Rocchio
