It’s interesting a few days in to see how people are changing their strategies from their first time around, and to see if it sticks.

The challenge was an immunity and reward challenge. The reward being a tool kit and shelter materials. All pretty important things.

Bayon won their second challenge, sending Ta Keo back to tribal (although it should be noted that both challenges have been completely neck-at-neck). 

In the end it was Shirin that was voted out. Bye girl Bye,

I’m still feeling a little bored with this season. There was a taste of drama this episode, but I need more, please.

We have the Ta Keo Tribe and the first drama came from them when Abi-Maria’s (from the Philippines season) bag went missing. She blamed various people and just in general got under people’s skin (because let’s be real, you’re not bringing anything THAT important to Survivor).

The other tribe was Bayon, where Stephen (from Tocantins) feels very out of place with a tiny branch and a small hammer, while other guys are tearing down full trees. He’s seriously so awkward. Who is this guy?

Kelley (San Juan del Sur) on the Ta Keo tribe was the first to find a CLUE to the hidden immunity idol, which let her know that the idol was going to be hidden within their next challenge and she’d have to have the guts to grab it in front of everyone.

There was a lot of talk about old school and new school, keeping in mind that some of these players haven’t been on for 15 years. As Joe (from last season) said, he grew up watching the show, which of course makes other people feel old.

Joe also ran a yoga session, which mostly just distracted a lot of the ladies (totally get it, girls, totally get it).

The first challenge was an immunity challenge, and was an exact replica of the very first challenge from the first season of Survivor, oh season 31, I love you already. While everyone was distracted at the end of the challenge Kelley was able to grab the immunity idol without anyone noticing her, which made it a pretty intense challenge. Bayon won that first challenge and got immunity.

Ta Keo went to tribal, and they went fast. As soon as the challenge was over Jeff brought them with him.

It was a close call but Vytas (Philippines) was the first to leave this season of Survivor.

Tanner told Jade he loves her (gross) and she loves him too (grosser).

Tenley is unsure of how she feels about Joshua because they live far apart and maybe because he’s kind of boring?

Then came the rose ceremony, Cassandra and Justin exchanged their roses, and Sam and Nick exchanged roses as well (you got what you wanted Samantha!).

Tenley broke up with Joshua because of the distance and difference in lifestyles between the two of them.

And so finally we had Jade and Tanner, who obviously, if you’ve seen any commercial for the show, get engaged. And subsequently has the most awkward staged exit of all time.

And so ends this season of Bachelor in Paradise.

I’ll give it to them that they had their dramatic points, but overall it was a relatively boring season (maybe two nights in a row is just too much).

Until next season.

Mikey pulled Juelia aside to let her know that he doesn’t see a romantic future with her. I respect him for that because he at least didn’t lead her on. She ran into the ocean. (But actually, she left).

So with one single mom gone, a new one must appear. So in comes Cassandra from Juan Pablo’s season. She asked Justin on a date, but he was just asked by Jaclyn (but he chooses Cassandra).

Ashley I is in love with Jared because he looks SO CUTE SLEEPING. Jared, however, was not feeling the same. You can basically imagine how that conversation went.

Nick ended up getting Jaclyn’s date card so he could ask Samantha out. But she also wants to get to know Mikey because she’s shady af.

There was no cocktail party before the final rose ceremony, adding to the drams.

Ashley I left on her on because she’s going to go find her whimsical attachment somewhere else.

Kirk gave his rose to Carly, Tanner gave his to Jade, Nick to Samantha, Josh to Tenley, Justin to Cassandra and Dan decided to remove himself from the competition without giving anyone a rose. Finally, Mikey gave his rose to Mackenzie but she denied him, so he left without giving anyone his rose. So six girls and two guys ended up leaving in total. 

And so started the final week, where the remaining couples would spend the time trying to see if they could grow beyond all this. They got dates and fantasy suites.

But before this happens, Kirk starts to have some doubts.

Turns out he’s been feeling that way for a week, and he’s mad at HER because she got so angry she decided she didn’t want to hear it from him. BUT EFF THAT GUY. It was one of the most maddening scenes, and the only good thing to come out of it was seeing the women bond together to help one another out. 

I mean, I feel betrayed and I’ve just been watching the show, the way Carly must feel is unreal. 

Kirk is the worst. It has been officially confirmed by ladies everywhere. That is all I have to say about the first part of the season finale.