“The Bachelor” Zach Shallcross continued his journey to find his person by traveling to London with the remaining women.  Gabi got the first one-on-one date in London.  Her date card read: “Gabi, You’re my Queen.”  Gabi got the most envied date of each season.  It was the shopping date where this date always ends with the girl returning with a bunch of shopping bags, then a fancy dress being delivered for the dinner portion of the date.

All of the women were so jealous.  But, Greer in particular couldn’t endure Gabi’s shopping haul and proceeded to excuse herself to cry in the hotel hallway.  Before that, Greer was feeling discouraged and wanted the chance to show Zach her “full self.”  Greer feared she would get sent home before that.

The next day was supposed to be the Group date.  However, Zach was “feeling under the weather” and cancelled on the women.  His sickness turned out to be Covid and he was also not able to attend his next one-on-one date with Charity.  The women were upset and some of them felt fearful of being sent home.

Because of Zach’s diagnosis, it was the first ever virtual Cocktail Party and Rose Ceremony.  Everyone’s alone time with Zach during the Cocktail Party seemed to go well, except for Greer’s.  When Greer started off her conversation with Zach, right away she made him feel that it was all about her.  She stated that usually, on Zoom (they weren’t using Zoom) that she looks at herself in the box on screen the whole time.  She suggested that if she could see herself on the screen, then she wouldn’t be looking at Zach.

Her next strike came when she told Zach that she understands how he feels trying to meet a goal but couldn’t due to an illness from Covid.  She compared his situation to when she had Covid while at the end of a quarter at her sales job. LOL!   Of course Zach was not thrilled with the comparison because he reminded her that he’s looking for a wife, and the two situations can’t compare.

But, Zach was really disheartened when Greer responded that that’s important to him. Soooo, hmmm.  It’s important to him, and NOT her? So, she gave off some subliminal messages to Zach that she isn’t really serious about meeting her person like Zach is.  And, he picked up on it big time!
Miraculously, Greer survived another Rose Ceremony, and it was Kylee and Mercedes who were sent home.

THE FULL RUN-DOWN:

THE FIRST ONE-ON-ONE DATE:

Pictured: ZACH SHALLCROSS, GABI / Photo: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Zach said each week getting to know Gabi has gotten better and better, and “it’s so easy and fun with her.”  They got the “royal treatment” on their date. Zach and Gabi went to a high end perfumery where they got to create their own fragrance.  The royal family goes there to get their perfumes made.  

They created “Zabi” , a combo of both of their names. Next, the two were greeted by Grant who was King Charles’ former butler, now he was waiting on Gabi and Zach along with a stylist for Gabi.   Then, Pembroke Welsh Corgi dogs from the Royal bloodline ran in to join them.  After that, Gabi got her choice of dresses to choose from.  She picked a beautiful purple tulle dress with bows on the shoulders.  It was a jaw-dropping moment for Zach.

Pictured: GABI, ZACH SHALLCROSS / Photo: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Back at the hotel: The women were talking about trying to get the connection with Zach they hoped for.  Then, Gabi walked-in with tons of shopping bags. The womens’ jaws were on the floor. She showed off some of her shopping finds which included Jimmy Choo shoes.

Next, the dress arrived with a card that read: “Gabi you really are my queen today.  Seeing you in this dress gave me butterflies.” Then, Greer couldn’t take any more and got up and walked out of the room.  Greer was upset because that was her dream date, she expressed.

During dinner Zach told Gabi that he loves how she makes everything feel special.  He said with her it’s so “easy and natural.”  She told him that it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.

Zach said he’s looking for someone to do life with.  Gabi thanked Zach for making her feel beautiful without looking into a mirror.  Zach said the dress aside, he sees her for her.  She said that she feels like she’s seen by him and she didn’t feel like that in her last relationship.  Gabi said Zach makes her feel so special, she certainly felt like a queen.

Back at the hotel: Greer said Gabi’s date fit her to a T.  She wants that for herself.  Then, the next date card arrived. It read:  Brooklyn, Kat, Kaity, Ariel, Kylee, Jess, Mercedes, Greer.  “Let’s double up on Love – Zach.”  That meant Charity was going on the second one-on-one date.  Then, Mercedes started hyperventilating and had to excuse herself.  She was upset by not being the one chosen for the one-on-one date.

Back to Zach and Gabi:  Zach gave Gabi the date rose.  He said it was an incredilbe date and he got to see her beauty inside and out.  Gabi said she felt so special to have a moment like that.  They finished the date off by being serenaded by UB40 who sang “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.”

THE GROUP DATE:

THE BACHELOR / Photo: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Zach was too sick for his group date.  The women ended-up being on a tour group of their own and seeing the sights of London amongst themselves.  Kylee said “this doesn’t even feel like a date.”  Then it got worse because it started raining on the women on their topless tour bus!
Zach said he felt run-down and jet lagged.  The last thing he wanted was to get them sick.  The women were hopeful that there would be an after party.  They did have some fun between themselves at a bar then trolling the guards.

THE AFTER PARTY:

All the ladies got dressed-up in hopes to see Zach at the After Party.  There was a date rose lying on the table.  Then, they were greeted by a butler who left a note card on the table.  It stated that he wasn’t well enough to join them. Then the tears started flowing from every woman in the room.    Mercedes said they don’t have the chance now of having that “make or break conversation” with Zach.  Kylee stated, “what’s even the point.”  They said they felt stood-up.  Then the women split-up the date rose among them by each taking a petal.

They went back to the hotel to tell Charity and Gabi what happened. They couldn’t believe it. Meantime, Zach was hoping to be well enough to go on his one-on-one date with Charity the next day.  Charity was feeling disheartened hearing about Zach’s sickness. She compared the incident to being a toy in her face that she can’t have.

THE SECOND ONE-ON-ONE DATE:

Jesse brought the ladies bad news that Zach tested positive for Covid.  He said Zach was absolutely crushed to lose this type of quality time with all of them which is crucial at this phase.  Charity started crying and said she was preparing her heart for this date.  She said the date could have been a “huge turning point.” She was scared of being left behind and being looked over.

Zach & Kaity: Kaity decided to go talk to Zach through his hotel door and left him a gift basket.  She told him that she hasn’t stopped thinking about him and hearing his voice means so much to her.  She told him she is invested and sees a future with him.  Zach told her that he has so  much confidence in them.  He brought up their museum date.
Kaity said all her fears and doubts were dissolved just by talking to Zach through a door.  She said she hasn’t met a man so genuine and ready to fall in love as Zach.

Self shot footage of Zach was aired more than half-way through the episode.  The women were all in limbo and waiting to hear what happened next.  Then, Jesse arrived to update them.  He said Zach was feeling well enough for a virtual Cocktail Party.  Footage was shown of Zach setting-up the camera equipment himself inside his hotel room.

THE COCKTAIL PARTY:

Jesse also told the women that Zach would be holding the first ever virtual Rose Ceremony.  Greer said she felt “very defeated.”  Charity reacted that she was “super excited” to see Zach through the video chat. She was also nervous to be the first one to interact with him virtually.

First of all, every woman was taken aback by the fact that they couldn’t see themselves on the video chat, only Zach.  Charity told Zach not to say sorry for missing their one-on-one date because it wasn’t his fault getting sick.

Zach had producers hide a gift he had gotten for her behind the pillows of the couch that she was sitting on.   It was a small statue of Big Ben.  It was a wonderful gesture which Charity absolutely loved.  Zach promised her that their time would come.  After that, Charity said she felt chosen and was excited for what’s to come

Kat gave Zach a virtual kiss through the tablet.  Zach said Katherine gives him butterflies.  Kylee said she misses Zach and his kisses.  Brooklyn told Zach about how they came across one of the guards during their tour.  Aly had an orange for herself and one for Zach so they could share a kiss via that orange.  Zach told Jess that he couldn’t wait to see her.

GREER & ZACH Misunderstanding(?):

Pictured: ZACH SHALLCROSS, GREER / Photos: Nino Munoz, Ricky Middlesworth /ABC

Before her virtual conversation with Zach, Greer told the women that she didn’t know where she stood with Zach and thinks other women have progressed further with Zach.  Then Greer told Zach that if she could see herself in the corner of the screen, that she would be looking at herself the whole time and not Zach.  He didn’t like hearing that.

Then, she told Zach how she understands what it’s like to have a goal and have Covid.  Because she had Covid when she was trying to make her sales goal at the end of the quarter at her retail job.  Things really went South when Greer couldn’t understand how Zach looking for a wife is completely different from meeting a sales goal.  The worst of it was when she told him how that’s important “for him.” But, never addressed that it was also important for her.  That is, to find her person.  The look of Zach’s face…well!  We can guess Greer won’t last much longer.

Jesse talked to Zach virtually.  Zach told him it’s really difficult to send anyone home at that point and he was having a hard time.  Zach said “this week was robbed” as he was fighting back his tears.  Jesse asked if he knows what he’s going to do with the roses?  Zach was confident.  Jesse said he was going to prep the women that Zach would be handing out roses through the monitor.  This was a first in ‘Bachelor history.

THE ROSE CEREMONY:

Brooklyn compared it to “someone breaking up with you over the phone.”   Zach spoke to the women via a large monitor.  He said “this has been very unique and strange,” and they made the most of it.”  He described it as very “aggravating.”

Zach’s first rose went to Kaity, followed by – Charity, Aly, Kat, Brooklyn, Jess, Ariel, Greer.

The women who went home:  Kylee, Mercedes.

Mercedes said usually, she’d get to hug Zach before leaving, but it was through a screen and couldn’t get closure.  Kylee said she kept hoping that Zach was her person.  She said she’s tired of waiting for the right person.

Zach said it was still a great week and he can’t wait to get to do this journey with them all.

Season Preview:  Footage of the preview showed Zach getting closer to: Charity, Jess, Kaity, Brooklyn, and Ariel.   Brooklyn and Kat got into a fight.  Then Jess complained about not getting a one-on-one from Zach, to Zach!  Zach said it’s been a heartbreaking journey but he’s found his love.