“The Bachelor” Recap: Episode 10 - The Suite Life!

We’re almost there, “Bachelor” fans! This week is the last time our main man, Matt James, has a chance to explore his heart before the season finale next week (March 15). Last night’s (March 8) episode featured the much-awaited Fantasy Suite Dates! With just three women remaining, here is what went down on this dramatic episode!

1. Blast from the Past

Before Matt moves forward with the overnight dates with his potential wives, he decides he needs to deal with his commitment issues that stem from his broken family background. The show invites Matt’s estranged father, Manny, to have a heart-to-heart with our Bachelor. Things get heated for a while, as Matt opens up about never having a father figure to have tough man-to-man conversations, and Manny gets defensive about his relationship with Matt’s mother. When Manny mentions celebrating Matt’s successes, Matt snaps back with what may be the best line of the season: “If we wanted to go celebrate, we'd go to Chuck E. Cheese!” However, the conversation ends emotionally and peacefully, as Manny promises to do better, and Matt forgives him, finally gaining some closure.

2. First Fantasy Date: Michelle

To really add some romance to their relationship, Matt and Michelle have a unique “Pennsylvania Dutch” spa day, which involves multiple ingredients for breakfast food. They soak their feet in an oatmeal foot bath, rub butter all over each other, and then rinse off with milk. They then cozy up in front of the fireplace surrounded by the sound of pouring rain and talk about last week’s hometown date. Matt admits that Michelle’s family made him feel the most comfortable out of all families he met, and Michelle is grateful he was able to see such a big part of her life. Finally, she tells him that she loves him, and the two head to the fantasy suite off-camera to spend some uninterrupted time together.

3. Second Fantasy Date: Bri

Matt takes Bri on a romantic adventure as they hike through the cold Pennsylvania forest and set up base to go camping. After they pitch up the tent and roast marshmallows, they head to their real fantasy suite date in a hunting-themed cabin decorated with eerie candles and antler chandeliers. The two discuss their respective relationships with their dads, having both grown up without a father figure. Bri too admits she loves Matt, and the two spend the night together in the fantasy suite.

4. Third Fantasy Date: Rachael

Throughout the episode, we see Rachael having an emotional crisis over Matt spending intimate time with other women (it’s literally the point of the show, Rachael). She heads to her date rather unenthusiastically and Matt can sense that something is off. The two participate in a pottery-making class, an activity much less intimate than that of the previous two dates. Afterwards, Rachael essentially tells Matt that she needs reassurance that he will pick her, which he, of course, is unable to do. He cheers her up by saying how much he cares and thinks about her, which is enough for her to accept the fantasy suite invitation.

5. The Final Two

At the rose ceremony, Michelle and Bri comfort each other through the anxiety, yet stiffen up when Rachael arrives. In a surprise move, Matt hands out the two roses first to Michelle and then to Rachael, sending Bri home. She is clearly heartbroken and feels blindsided, stating that it hurts to see the man she loves move on with other women.

Next week, we will see an emotional season finale as Matt makes his choice between Michelle and Rachael and gets advice from a few loved ones!