RECAP: The Bachelor 2020 Episodes 9 & 10

Ellie Stephenson recaps this week’s episodes.

Episode 9

Episode 9 is another ‘Love in Lockdown’ episode, where the Bachie contestants will somehow manage to continue stoking drama even via Zoom. The episode opens with Maddy - who as far as I can tell has still not interacted with Locky even once - confronting Juliette for upsetting Roxi last episode. The producers have evidently decided viewers will want to see more Roxi drama, which I unequivocally do not. Anyway, unsurprisingly, this provokes a video call shouting match. “Girls! Stop!” shrieks Maddy, who brought the issue up in the first place. 

Osher joins the call to inform us that thankfully the women will be returning to the mansion next week. Love in Lockdown is nearly over. 

But first we endure a group date, where Bella, Steph, Nicole and Roxi introduce a member of their family to Locky. The key plot detail of this quasi-hometowns date is that Roxi’s mum is completely off her rocker. “Maybe if he meets my mum he’ll know why I’m mental”, Roxi laughs, worried that her mother will embarrass her. 

Roxi’s mum doesn’t exactly give her a glowing character reference; she refers to her daughter’s dramatic alter ego as “Rhonda” after Rhonda Rousey, which is a great description but understandably doesn’t make Roxi feel delighted. Locky remains undeterred by Roxi’s less-than-mellow personality, which makes her mum conclude:  “Ah well, you’ve got your work cut out for you”. 

After the date, the women chat about the group date. Bella says her mum was charmed by the bachelor, which annoys the other girls. It particularly upsets Irena, who hears about the date from Roxi. “I’m constantly the loser in this friendship with Bella”, she complains. This seems pretty unfair on Bella, who was simply happy her mum approved of her shared boyfriend. 

Next, Osher turns up to Locky unannounced, informing him that he will be taking an entirely new woman on a single date. “DAAAMN”, Locky exclaims, watching her introductory video. This introduction is simply a compilation of our new bachelorette, Bec, playing various sports, which of course is guaranteed to excite the outdoorsy bachelor. 

The other girls are also subjected to a video of Bec paddleboarding as they find out that she is on the single date. They are universally intimidated by her; Roxi decides she is not here for the Right Reasons™ purely because she’s pretty. 

On the date, Locky and Bec discover that they are both selfish and fear being trapped in a relationship, which honestly doesn’t seem like the greatest start, but they’re quickly planning to have 4-6 children and travel. This makes it not at all surprising when Locky says he has “really strong feelings” for her and she receives a rose. 

Tonight’s cocktail party desperately squeezes a little more tea from the Roxi/Juliette feud. Juliette exposes Roxi for describing Bec as fake behind her back, and Rhonda jumps out to play the victim once again. Juliette insists, rightly, Roxi’s bitching is all on camera and she is simply telling the truth. Poor Bec is completely bemused. 

Pictured: how I feel about this drama.

At the rose ceremony, dancer Nicole does not receive a rose. This seems strange given she had three solid dates with Locky and Maddy has yet to say a word to him. Maybe he’s trying to let her down gently early on? The mind of the Bachelor works in mysterious ways. 

Episode score: 4/10 - I am SO tired of the Roxi/Juliette feud

My patience: fraying

Mentions of  the Right Reasons™: several too many 

Best moment: The admirable, if foolhardy, optimism of wanting to travel with six children in tow

Worst moment: Genuinely feeling bad for Roxi.  

Episode 10. 

We’re back in the mansion. This means we’re going to get a second set of entrances. Irena returns first. She and Locky kiss for ages. It’s a lot. Surely they could have edited some of this out. Izzy is back, cackling and asmathic, relatable as ever. Steph, Maddy and Kaitlyn return too. Roxi is anxious about seeing some of the other women - specifically Juliette:  “I’d rather gouge my eye out with a spoon than see Juliette tonight” she declares. 

Juliette walks in - looking incredible - and Roxi instantly manages to yell at her. She accuses Juliette of having “come and ambushed me out of nowhere” by which I can only assume she means ‘re-entered the mansion’. She asserts Juliette is an actor and charges her with lying about something unspecified - a grievous crime indeed. Maddy looks done with this shit, and she’s a primary school teacher, so that’s probably saying a lot. 

Bella arrives and runs into Locky’s arms. She’s happy to see him, but “not stoked” to see Irena, who she’s decided is “toxic” while in iso. Apparently, this is because Irena has been gloating to her about her relationship with Locky. Irena knows Bella’s not happy, saying the breakdown of their friendship has hurt her badly. This is ironic, given Irena was complaining about Bella getting too close to Locky literally last episode. 

Finally, Bec turns up. Locky is smitten. 

Bec enters a mansion wracked with tension; Bella and Irena’s mutual jealousy is escalating, with Bella worried Irena will manipulate Locky, and Irena missing their friendship. They have a confusing argument about whether Locky called Irena or vice versa (it’s unclear why this detail matters), and Bella storms off. “Friendship done”, Bella yells, calling Irena a manipulative bitch. 

Irena, sniffing at Bella’s immaturity, insists that she will never be talking to Bella again. “Ever?” a producer asks. “Ever”, she confirms. 

Roxi’s memory is long and possessive, and she’s decided to confront Locky about kissing Bella weeks ago at the last in person cocktail party. Locky is for once unrepentant, saying he would totally kiss Bella again and groaning “give me a break”. This latest attack is surely the beginning of the end for Roxi. 

In a move which must be galling for Steph, Maddy and Juliette - who have received no time with Locky yet - Bec gets a single date. Before she can escape the mansion for some outdoor fun, she must sit through the real extreme sport: tolerating Roxi and Juliette. 

Poor Juliette is being persecuted by Roxi. She dares to walk past Roxi, who instantly growls at her. Totally normal. Juliette doesn’t love being growled at - unsurprisingly - and snaps back. “Let’s all be inclusive”, Bec preaches, annoyingly. 

Bye Roxi.

Roxi has had her last meltdown. She storms out, yelling at the poor film crew “get the cameras off my face”. Maddy attempts to help her see reason, reminding her that she’s here for Locky. This is fruitless. Roxi has had enough. Off she goes. In a charming final hurrah, she calls Juliette a skank. Frankly, she will not be missed. 

Locky is unjustifiably confused that Roxi is gone - she’s only been threatening for the last five weeks. Luckily, he can take solace in Bec, with whom he’s going white water rafting. In a refreshing twist, Bec is not scared of the activity and genuinely has fun. The producers are obviously missing their usual knight-in-shining-armour narrative, so something has to go wrong. She falls in, allowing Locky to rescue her, probably unnecessarily. They kiss. 

Locky has pretty much had his ideal date - adventure sports, “rescuing, kissing”. They’re obviously quite compatible. Still, it’s amply obvious that this is a couple who would describe their sex life as “hectic”. I can’t fully approve. 

Episode score: 7/10 - No more Roxi/Juliette feud

Rhonda appearances: thankfully over

Film crew: Preparing a compensation claim over emotional damages

Best moment: Roxi finally fully committing to her dramatic exit

Worst moment: The annoying Bella/Irene drama.