Things heat up as Clayton Echard gets down to the final three women and takes them to the fantasy suite. Sarah, Gabby, and Rachel are the three women left standing on The Bachelor Season 26. This leg of the journey takes them to Iceland where Clayton lets down his walls and starts to fall in love.
Here’s what happened en route to the big finale!
The Bachelor Season 26, Episode 10 recap
1) Deep Dive for Love
Rachel receives the first overnight date taking her and Clayton on a helicopter ride around a volcano. How convenient…the pilot gets a helicopter ride. The two kiss (a lot) before Clayton reveals they are going into the volcano. They journey down the dormant monstrosity as Rachel hopes Clayton gets deeper into their relationship.
Next, they share a romantic dinner where Clayton reveals that he is falling in love with Rachel. Mission accomplished. They elect to spend the night together in the fantasy suite.
Meanwhile back at home base Susie is shocked that Clayton can be intimate or in love with other women. Did she not know what happens on this show? The two woke up practically kissing each other and made breakfast. Clayton said he loves Rachel and they were able to discuss a lot of things overnight. They profess their love aloud cementing their relationship. Everything looks natural with these two.
2) Off-Road Loving
With conflicting feelings after Rachel’s overnight date, Clayton takes Gabby on a dune buggy tour of an Icelandic beach. They have a fun time together off-roading. Although the date definitely wasn’t as romantic as Rachel’s and there wasn’t as much physical contact, it looked like Gabby was enjoying it. Her playful, adventurous personality fit well with the date. Although Clayton doesn’t say it to her face at lunch he reveals in a confession interview that he is falling in love with Gabby.
At dinner, Clayton decides to let the feelings flow and tells Gabby he is falling in love with her. They decided to go to the suite which is a cozy yurt with a hot tub. I believe this is at least the second time Gabby and Clayton have shared a hot tub.
As the two are making out on a couch they cut to Susie who is “spiraling” emotionally while walking down a spiral staircase. The producers had to…it was right there. She can’t imagine what Clayton and Gabby are doing right now. Let me tell you honey…it isn’t good. Gabby and Clayton share breakfast in bed before they depart. He did not say he was in love with Gabby only that he was falling in love. That is important to note.
3) Springing into (and out of) Love on The Bachelor Season 26
Susie finally gets her alone time with Clayton as the two meet in a hailstorm. With the wind and hail crashing down the two embrace and begin their day at the rejuvenating springs of Iceland. They bounce between cold and hot as they brave the elements in swimsuits. It was kinda confusing to watch as the two journeyed through the spa. The two swim around and share a long romantic kiss under a waterfall. Clayton hopes to reveal later that he is in love with Susie. Susie hopes to ask Clayton so serious questions. This should end well.
At dinner, Clayton opens up first and tells Susie that since the night at the clock tower he has been falling in love with her. She is excited and speechless but has to ask Clayton the hard question. He tells the truth and says that he has slept with someone else on the show and has expressed the same feelings to them as he did Susie.
She stands firm in her morales and Clayton starts to backpedal saying he is most in love with her. It becomes a situation of too little too late as Clayton waited to share his feelings Susie was watching his actions for an answer. They go back and forth until Susie gets up and leaves. The camera crew struggles to keep up as the two spiral out of control…see what I did there.
When the two reconnect Clayton is over Susie and they decide it’s in their best interests for Susie to go home. Should Susie have told Clayton her reservations about him sleeping with other women sooner?…probably. Should Clayton have been a little more respectful of Susie’s feelings?…probably. He was essentially asking Susie to work through him cheating on her. They tease the season finale in a two-episode special filled with drama. Who knows what will happen in the end.
What do you think of Clayton’s reaction to Susie’s feelings? Did Clayton make the right decision?
Let us know what you’re thinking in the comments below, Bachelor Nation!