Bachelor in Paradise Season 8, Episode 15 recap: The End is Near

The beginning of the end for Bachelor in Paradise Season 8! We’ve reached the first episode of the two-part season finale. Finally, we get to see which couples leave Paradise together or not. Will some couples break down at the last minute?

This season has been a rollercoaster of drama filled with love triangles across the beach. The only stable couple has been Serene and Brandon. While they are most likely to get engaged at the end of this season, if not this episode, do we think anyone else will join them?

Danielle and Michael are a close second, but can they stick together through the end? Victoria and Johnny are there as well, having survived their love triangle, but does Johnny check all the boxes? Let’s find out what happened in this episode, the first of the two-part finale.

Bachelor in Paradise Season 8, Episode 15 recap

1. Another Story Time with Wells

We opened the penultimate episode of Bachelor in Paradise Season 8 with Wells giving another story time for BachelorNation. He recapped all that has happened so far this season from day one on the beach to split-week and everything after. It was interesting to get the full perspective on this season and everyone that was together and then no longer together.

He recapped Lace’s demise and Jill’s heartbreak and what couples survived split-week. We quickly ran through the important remaining couples that could realistically be engaged at the end of it all, which omitted Shanae, Florence, Mara, and Brittany.

Wells revealed that no one would get engaged tonight, but everything would build to that moment. There is still one final rose ceremony, where the men give out the roses. The recent self-eliminations have evened out the beach, but we can’t expect many shakeups at the ceremony this late in the season.

2. Balancing the Scales

Now for the final rose ceremony of Bachelor in Paradise Season 8. Currently, women outnumber men, 9 to 8. Before the cocktail party began, Mara self-eliminated, seeing everyone else was paired up and that it was too late to build a connection. This was an obvious decision as no one wants to face rejection, especially at a rose ceremony on national television.

Jesse came in to provide some simple math: now everyone is paired up, and the genders are equal. He followed this up with more valuable insight into the days and decisions ahead. He said they needed to focus on the future and be prepared to propose and build a life together outside the show. He then dropped the bomb that there would be no cocktail party.

On the one hand, this made sense because the numbers were equal so that everyone would be getting a rose. On the other hand, some couples needed the time to talk to give context behind giving the rose and perspective on the future. This left more couples on edge than originally, including Genevieve, who seemed to freak out about everything this season.

3. Last Rose Ceremony

Michelle gave out the first rose to Danielle, who accepted. Brandon had some kind words for Serene, who graciously accepted his rose. Johnny was up next and gave his rose to Victoria but did mention that he didn’t know what the future held for them. Uh oh. Tyler gave his rose to Brittany, who accepted, although it’ll be interesting to see what they do in the end. Now for the most interesting couple of Paradise, Genevieve, and Aaron.

Aaron looked troubled at the podium, and Genevieve was uncertain whether he would give her his rose. In the end, he gave a nice speech, and Genevieve accepted his rose. They’re together now, but what fight will break them up in the end? Now the twins were up and gave roses to Florence and Shanae. Again, these couples will be interesting to watch when engagements come around.

Last but not least, or maybe least, was Logan, who solidified his feelings for Kate and wanted to spend more time with her after Bachelor in Paradise. He gave a nice speech and asked if she would accept his rose. She started in with his comments about her being critical and not warm. She said she didn’t feel love and didn’t want to stay with Logan, so she rejected his rose. This also sent Logan home packing, which was shell-shocked after this happened. Let’s say Kate did not look upset at leaving…like at all. She also had to get one last jab in before leaving, saying she hoped God would bring her a man with a bigger, you know what, a bigger bank account. Ouch.

4. Paradise Lost…or at least Over

Jesse gathered the beach the morning after the rose ceremony and dropped another bomb that Bachelor in Paradise was officially over, and no one else would be joining the beach. Tough decisions and conversations are on the horizon as all the couples will embark on individual one-on-one overnight dates away from the camera. They will continue as a couple if they go into Fantasy Suites. If they decline to spend the night together, then they will leave Paradise.

Serene and Brandon had a small chat before addressing the obvious that they were going to go through with their relationship. Tyler and Brittany didn’t see an engagement but revealed they were in love with each other and wanted to pursue things outside the show. They left together to explore their relationship.

As Shanae and Joey were discussing their date, Shanae broke into tears now that reality had set in. She mentioned the age gap and that he was still living with his parents. He rebutted, but she said he needed a man who didn’t do Tik Toks. They agreed to split ways. Following suit, Justin and Flo did the same thing. The twins hit the beach together and left together.

Johnny and Victoria are next up to talk. Their conversation went well, with both saying their love each other in public. Aaron and Genevieve were up next, and he let her know how he was feeling and brought up the times she was prepared to leave, but they were able to reel each other back in. In the end, he said he needed security and elected not to continue their relationship after Paradise. He said he wouldn’t have changed anything but couldn’t continue doing this. Genevieve was silent the entire time. She was upset because Aaron pinned everything on her, and after walking away and packing her bags again, she returned to Aaron to say her piece.

The two got into it again as they started to point blame or not point blame. Genevieve asked why he gave her a rose, and said he hoped there would be a change. They started to realize they weren’t a good match and found that they won’t work well together. Aaron again doubled down on not wanting to change anything and wanted to be friends because he did cherish their time together. Genevieve could say her piece, but it still ended in an argument symbolic of their relationship.

5.  Compass of Love

Michael and Danielle have their long-awaited chat where Michael talks about and shows a compass he keeps with him everywhere he goes. He has a deep connection with his late wife and family and felt that it led him to Danielle. He talked about the future for the two and wanted to meet each other’s family. Danielle said that she didn’t want to step in and take over his late wife’s role and respected the love they once had.

The two decided that although they weren’t ready for an engagement, they wanted to leave Paradise together. They were both looking forward to the real world and what life had in store for the couple away from the beach. It was a long journey for both of them, not just on Bachelor in Paradise Season 8 but in life in general.

6. Then there were Two

All conversations were now settled. Only two couples remained ahead of fantasy suites and the opportunity for an engagement. Brandon and Serene. Johnny and Victoria. Jesse had one final surprise for the two remaining couples. He said they could finally relax with a special dinner tonight ahead of Fantasy Suites.

A fancy double date was set up for the couples. Many fancy hors d’oeuvres were set out, and the couples started recapping their best moments of Bachelor in Paradise Season 8. This blossomed into a meaningful conversation about when they knew they were the one and the future they hope is in store for each other.

Brandon and Serene were first up at fantasy suites and were both looking forward to getting the alone time to have the necessary conversations before a potential engagement. They accepted the opportunity and were excited about what the future held for the pair.

Next up were Johnny and Victoria looking forward to the alone time to have private conversations. They talked about their journey thus far and their insecurities still in their relationship. As the discussion progressed, Johnny revealed that he still wasn’t ready for an engagement. Victoria and Johnny decided to spend the night together because she wanted to discuss these feelings.

Tomorrow is the big finale, and more drama is on the horizon as the reunion show and proposals will take place.

Check out the article above to get insight into the good and bad guys from the most recent episodes. How will Victoria react to Johnny’s new feelings? Will the overnight make everything right? Will Johnny propose in the end? There aren’t many questions for Brandon and Serene other than, will they get married on the spot? 

Let us know what you think in the comments below about Bachelor in Paradise Season 8, Bachelor Nation!