The Bachelor Season 26, Episode 8 recap: Hometowns week

Honey, I’m coming home! In this episode of The Bachelor Season 26, Clayton Echard goes on hometown dates to meet the contestants‘ families. Prepare for an emotional rollercoaster as families reunite and Clayton gets put on the hot seat.

Oh yeah, and shrimp…again.

The Bachelor Season 26, Episode 8 recap

1) Choking, Shrimping, and Family Meeting

Susie is the first woman up for the hometown dates kicking things off in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Her date with Clayton? A trip to the local jiu-jitsu dojo. Susie picked up the sport in Japan and shows Clayton a thing or two on the mat even choking him out. Of course one of the moves is called, “shrimping.” I’m curious to see how they continue to bring up shrimp for the rest of the show.

At home, Susie’s best friend, mother, and father await her arrival. It’s an emotional homecoming where Clayton meets with both her mother and father. After getting her father’s blessing Clayton can’t say he loves Susie to her mom. She in return tells Susie to keep an eye out. Even Susie says she could see Clayton breaking her heart. Not good.

2) Families, Feelings, and Bears Oh My!

Next up is Gabby bringing Clayton to Denver, Colorado. They start the date off in Gabby fashion going on a hike and preparing to encounter bears. A not-so-subtle stop at Proposal Rock makes you realize how close Clayton is to proposing with only four ladies left. They take a dip in a hot tub where Gabby tells Clayton who he will be meeting. Gabby says that due to COVID precautions he won’t be able to meet her father…or will he?

They meet Gabby’s uncle, aunt, cousin, and grandfather. Gabby’s grandfather tells Clayton to take it slow. Gabby reveals to her family that she hasn’t told Clayton she loves him. As they are talking a car is honking outside. Gabby goes out to find her dad with a hand-written message on queue cards. Clayton and Gabby share a moment. Gabby ends the date by saying she’s falling in love with him. About time.

3)  Leap of Love on The Bachelor Season 26

Clayton meets Serene in her hometown of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They work through an obstacle course that pushes both to the limit. In the end, they take a leap (of love) off the obstacle course. It was an 80-foot drop that allowed Clayton to conquer his fear of heights and allowed Serene a nice laugh.

Clayton and Serene rendezvous with her mother, brother, and best friend. Clayton meets with Serene’s brother first where he tells her how fragile Serene is. Her brother asks Clayton if he loves Serene and he holds firm on his stance of not saying the L word yet. Serene meets with her mother and brother both telling her to stay protected but both know she’s fearless and will continue to put her heart on the line. She ends the date by telling Clayton that she’s not falling in love anymore, but actually in love with Clayton. He’s excited, obviously, but doesn’t return the same sentiment.

4) Cruising Down the River of Love

For the final hometown date, Clayton meets Rachel in Clermont, Florida for a date in the swamps of central Florida. Rachel is losing her voice but powers through the date. They journey down the river in a kayak seeing the sights and a giant spider that according to Clayton could take down Godzilla. The two stop at the kissing tree and share a moment before shedding some layers and diving into the water. They kiss (a lot) before discussing who Clayton will meet on the date. Rachel’s mother, father, and two friends will be in attendance with her dad being the toughest critic.

Clayton meets his toughest family member yet in Rachel’s dad. He put on a strong persona and wasn’t afraid to ask Clayton the hard questions. They discuss how much he knows about Rachel and what he’s willing to do for her. Her father declines to give Clayton his blessing face-to-face until he talks to Rachel. In an ultimate bro move, he and Clayton came up with a sign if he had Rachel’s dad’s blessing. A pat on the arm was all it took for Clayton to have the green light with Rachel.

5) And then there were three!

Clayton and the four remaining women return to the mansion in Los Angeles, California for the hometown rose ceremony. Clayton meets Jesse and discusses the week’s events. He admits to falling in love with all four. In his toughest decision yet Clayton decides to keep Susie, Gabby, and Rachel (in that order). That leaves Serene without a rose. Before the ceremony, she said she would be shattered if she left Clayton because he was her person.

Clayton walks Serene out and explains his decision. Serene is obviously speechless after telling Clayton she loved him during her hometown. Did she say the L word too soon? Was she moving too fast? Did he have stronger connections with the other women? It’s hard to tell.

What is evident is that he has really strong connections with the three remaining women. Fantasy suites are next on the docket in a The Bachelor Season 26 two-night episode. The previews tease the shocking revelation that Clayton gets intimate with at least two if not all three of the women. What’s in store for the bachelor next week?

Who’s family do you think made the best impression on Clayton? Who’s family did Clayton make the best impression on? Let us know in the comments below!