Bachelor in Paradise | Back to Paradise, a Wedding…and Back to Paradise (Episodes 1+2)

[SPOILERS] I believed Reality Steve when he said we wouldn’t be going back to paradise, but thank goodness we are! As excited as Mom + I are for thisnew season, we are bummed Ashley I. + Jared aren’t back. But thankfully we do see them at the beginning of episode two for Carly + Evan‘s wedding. But I’m getting ahead of myself. I’m combining both episodes into one because this has been very hard to put together because so much happened + I have so many thoughts. Ashley I writes a recap for Cosmo every week + it’s out the next day. I am in awe of her abilities. Teach me your ways….

One of the most important things to note is that our dear friend Jorge the bar tender would be sadly be passing his glasses on as he was off to chase his own bliss, much like I am with this website. Wells is allegedly undateable this season but I’m pulling that somehow he’ll get to date Alexis, one of my dream besties. But Wells swears he’s single on Ben + Ashley I.’s podcast this week so that’s a bummer. So he’s still available for me… as if I were in his league.

Chris Harrison told us during After the Final Rose that we were going to get right to the incident that allegedly occurred between Corinne + DeMario. I thought this was a fantastic idea. There was so much speculation from the beginning because the only people who truly knew what happened were the cast, crew + production. But of course everyone here wanted to put their two cents in. I really wish Corinne + DeMario’s names hadn’t gotten leaked. There were so many unfair things said about both parties, about the rest of the cast, about production. And at the end, the third party investigation of Warner Bros. + Corinne’s private investigation found no misconduct. I can’t fault Corinne for wanting to know what happened to her, if anything. But the fact that DeMario’s name was dragged through the mud as well kills me. He was here to redeem himself after his less than graceful exit from Rachel‘s season + he wasn’t given an opportunity to do that. Not to mention the implications that come from him being a black man + Corinne being a white woman. No one was treated fairly + it’s just sad. This situation was so sad + all around messed up that after the wedding was aired, the cast came back + had a “come to Jesus talk” for lack of a better term to unpack what happened. But I’m still ahead of myself…

This season started off so strange. We got three days on the beach before filming was cut. As the investigation began, everyone was still on the beach for a few days, still getting to know each other but without the cameras. They were eventually sent home. Some continued to talk to their connections (Derek + Taylor, Dean + Kristina, Matt + Jasmine) while others just participated in their group chat (Robby/Raven/Ben Z, Alex + Amanda). Dean ended up going to Kentucky to spend time with Kristina while Derek + Taylor  continued talking. (Source: episode 1 + 2 + Ben +  Ashley I’s Almost Famous Podcast).

When everyone returned to Paradise, naturally the vibe was off. Amanda was over Alex + was telling the girls during girl talk time that she’d give him her rose platonically. Dean shut down on Kristina + wasn’t cuddling her back. Matt, even after having such a cute date with Jasmine, was ready to see what else was out there. Lacey, who left because her grandfather passed away, vibed with Iggy in the beginning but feels so disconnected from everyone. Raven ghosted both Ben + Robby during the break. Vinny is getting NO screen time. Danielle, Jack, Diggy, Nick are just waiting for someone to pick them + Alexis is just living life.

The only relationship I’m really feeling right now is Taylor + Derek. Can we just love how cute they are because they were not at all expecting to find someone at all. But here Taylor is, miles from who she was from Nick’s season, feeling all the feels + giddy like a school girl. I haven’t felt that feeling in over a year + that’s what everyone hopes for. She still holds her own + isn’t forgetting who she is when she tells Derek she wants to take things more slowly, but she is starting to let her heart lead which is new for her + I completely admire that. I really hope this relationship lasts. Derek was on Wednesday’s episode of the Almost Famous Podcast + with as bright + chipper as he sounded, I’m daring to hope they’re still together.

I’ve heard rumors of who couples up next but I won’t spoil that for you. We do know that Robby + Amanda have taken their relationship public so I’m interested to see how they come together because Robby’s currently certain. he’s getting Raven’s rose at the rose ceremony they’ve been waiting weeks for. If you consult ABC’s cast page,

you’ll see that a few of the guy’s profiles have already been removed so you can draw your own conclusions as to who won’t be getting roses Monday night. There was one profile gone that I was sure, based on previews the guy stayed around a little longer but perhaps not. We shall see! I can’t wait to see the rest of this season + for my girl Christen to arrive. I’m glad I have this to look forward to as summer peters out.

I can’t wrap this up before I gush about Carly + Evan’s wedding. They were on Kaitlyn Bristowe‘s Off the Vine Podcast recently talking about the wedding so you should definitely check that out! After a brief recap of our previous Bachelor weddings when I was reminded that Trista had bangs at her wedding (#yikes) we cut to a confessional interview with Carly + Evan sharing their love story with us one more time juxtaposed to video clips of them getting ready. Carly looked so boho fairy princess in her cream gown. But I teared up when I saw how happy Evan was. I don’t think you can compare his love for her to anyone else’s love for someone on the planet. Sure he faked his own death to get her which is kinda sketch but as Carly said “it kinda worked.” We did not get enough of this wedding + Wells apparently gave a fantastic toast that of course was cut. Ashley I cries + is thrown under the bus about it minutes before by Chris Harrison but who wouldn’t cry at this Perfectly Paradise wedding? I sure did! Ashley + Ben mentioned on their podcast this week that none of the Bachelor franchise weddings have ended in divorce so my hopes are nothing but high for this perfect couple, Evans three kids + baby Bass who will hopefully be a boy who will marry Jade + Tanner’s sweet girl + we’ll have a second generation Bachelor wedding! A girl can dream! (EDIT 8/20: Carly + Evan had a gender reveal party this weekend + announced they’re having a girl.)

Hopefully next week’s post writes itself more easily + doesn’t feel so choppy + discombobulated but that’s how these two episodes feel for me. Cheers to the rest of the summer + the rest of the shenanigans Paradise has to offer!

xo.