Cassidy was sent packing, and we got to see the star, Clayton Echard, in his underwear during the third episode of “The Bachelor.”
The episode started with Echard, a Eureka native, confronting Cassidy about her “friend” who apparently was FaceTiming her right before meeting Clayton. Sierra already had told Clayton about Cassidy’s friends-with-benefit relationship with the man during the previous episode.
Cassidy defended herself by saying other girls were jealous of how close she had become with Clayton and told him the other man was no one to worry about because her hookup was not “interested in a relationship.”
Clayton did not take her explanation in stride and stormed away, sending her packing before the Rose Ceremony, which traditionally is when contestants get sent home. When the Rose Ceremony was held, he also said goodbye to Ency, Kate and Tessa.
Following the departures, it was dating time. Clayton took two groups of women on dates and had a one-on-one adventure in downtown L.A.
During the one-on-one date, we got to see Clayton in his underwear as he and Sarah stripped down to their skivvies and ran around L.A., smashing pinatas for some unknown reason and eventually singing about their feelings to each other. The underwear bit has become a trademark of the show with the bachelor usually stripping down to his unmentionables or baring it all at least one time per season.
This feature is always a low-light for the series.
The group dates had very different atmospheres. The first group was encouraged to get in touch with their feelings as former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe had them open up about past struggles they had overcome. Clayton discussed body-image issues he developed as a seventh-grader at LaSalle Springs Middle School in Wildwood, and many of the women also said they dealt with body-image issues.
Eliza apparently impressed Clayton during this activity as she got the group-date rose, giving her amnesty during the next Rose Ceremony.
The other group date had a lifeguard theme because former “Baywatch” star Nicole Eggert made an appearance to oversee the women don the famous red one-piece swimsuits, run in slow motion and take part in challenges inspired by the TV show.
Gabby won the challenges, got one-on-one time with Clayton and received the group-date rose.
Shanae and Elizabeth continued their feud that started last episode. This week’s tiff centered around shrimp consumption after Elizabeth made shrimp for some of the women in the house and Shanae ate eight shrimp, each one noted by a ticker on the screen, for some reason.
After shrimp-gate, Shanae complained to Clayton that the other women were bullying her. Can you say, drama queen?
Clayton confronted Elizabeth about the bullying claim, and she denied being mean to Shanae and pointed out that she provided her rival dinner by making the shrimp.
The issue apparently wasn’t resolved since Clayton said he plans to talk to the women about the bullying claims next episode. That should be an interesting discussion.
My favorite contestants are Marlena, Susie and Teddi. Who are your top three picks? Go vote in our poll and tell us who you want to see as Clayton’s final three.
