Now, where did we leave off?
Eliminated contestant Kimberly ran back into the mansion to have a word with Chris. The conversation was painful to watch as she blubbered on about why she was destined to be there and Chris gave her a second chance.
The large group of remaining ladies from round one forced smiles and applause as Chris broke the news, arm-in-arm with Kimberly. “This is a slow clap. That’s how I feel about it,” one contestant said. (Me too, girl. Me too. Let the games begin.)
The next day, six women were asked to “show your country” on a group date invitation. The lucky six showed up to the group date in cowgirl attire to race tractors in downtown L.A. The winner, Ashley I., was rewarded alone time with Chris.
The couple later reunited with the original group, and Chris asked Mackenzie to be his evening date.
Their date went smoothly, until the conversation got weird: Mackenzie talked about her love for big noses and asked if Chris believed in aliens. He said he’s turned off by their conversation, but she somehow gets lucky and receives a date rose at the end of the night. (Seriously?!)
The next morning, Megan received a one-on-one date card, giving her a leg-up in the competition. But the date was over-the-top on ABC’s part — they flew from L.A. to the Grand Canyon. (Which is totally what any normal couple would do on a date because this is a real representation of what love and dates are supposed to look like. Duh!)
That night, in another group date, Chris and 11 ladies played an intense round of paintball with zombies as their target. Crazy eyes, Ashley S., of course took it way too seriously, thinking the other girls were targets, not teammates, and ran around with crazy eyes spooking Chris into giving Kaitlyn the date rose.
Rose ceremony:
We had not one, but two, highly intoxicated women in this week’s rose ceremony, which then gave everyone the excuse to complain: “How dare Chris pick a drunk girl over me.”
To top it off, Chris called Juelia’s name and Jillian stepped forward, before stumbling and tripping on the rug in front of her. Luckily, she was called back a few moments later.
Kimberly (who has now been rejected twice), Alissa, Tara (the one who managed to be drunk the entire show) and Jordan (also drunk, but could have been the next Tara if she stayed) were all cut.
Frontrunners:
Britt: Chris’s first kiss on the show, and again last night
Kaitlyn: A flirty challenge that has Chris intrigued
Megan: The one from the Grand Canyon date and who has “the most beautiful eyes in all of America.”
Ashley S.: Because she’s a nut who the producers are pegging as the psycho of the season
Ashley I: Because she’s pulling the virgin card, which the producers are banking on this season #FantasySuite
And finally, some quality Twitter commentary:

“We’re a little 80/40 on the date right now……” come onnnnnn #TheBachelor
— Kiersten Olsen (@KierstenOlsen_) January 6, 2015

I was a little weirded out! #TheBachelor
— Chris Soules (@C_Soules) January 13, 2015

“@marcusgrodd: This girl who almost literally fell head over heals for @C_Soules lol pic.twitter.com/IUxb8W02ac” @CaseCart8
— Taylor Meek (@TaylorMeek94) January 13, 2015

Ashley S does eat roses. Take it from a rose who knows. #TheBachelor
— Final Rose (@TheFinalRose) January 13, 2015