The teasers for Season 26 of “The Bachelor” repeatedly told viewers they would not soon forget how Clayton Echard‘s season of “The Bachelor” was going to unfold.
Sure, we’ve all heard similar refrains during past seasons of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” but Bachelor Nation soon found out in the first part of Echard’s two-night finale would indeed be “The most dramatic season ever!”
Those closely involved with Bachelor Nation weren’t mincing words when sharing their thoughts. Season 21 winner Nick Viall checked in on social media ahead of Monday’s first finale installment and held nothing back as he compared the end of Echard’s journey to the likes of Arie Luyendyk and Peter Weber‘s respective finales.
Accept this rose with caution. There are spoilers for part one of the finale ahead!
And Then… There Were Three?
it’s giving “don’t leave me with this creepy guy from the bar.”#thebachelor #bachelorabc pic.twitter.com/yEBnOmurPY
— bachelor realist (@bachelorcomment) March 15, 2022
In case you need a refresher on the chaos that was Echard’s last pre-finale episode, the 28-year-old figured out exactly where he stood when it came to matters of the heart, much to the dissatisfaction of one key component on his journey.
Susie Evans, a wedding videographer from Virginia, made it all the way to Echard’s top three contestants, and everything looked promising to the couple, until the arrival of the (often explosive) fantasy suites week.
Evans chose to leave after she and Echard failed to see eye-to-eye on where they stood on physical intimacy.
Echard was dumbfounded after Evans revealed she was uncomfortable over Echard visiting the fantasy suites with the other remaining ladies, and continuously lamented the outcome of their relationship, and asked Evans at one point why she neglected to share her feelings earlier.
Evans’ exit left her ex “So broken,” as he told cameras in the intro to last night’s episode. He was also seen sitting in a church pew in Iceland, looking for solace and listening to a choir.
As if Echard’s situation could look any bleaker, he had to face the two women still standing, Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey.
I would literally pay money to see them run away together instead 👭 Gabby and Rachel, you deserve better #thebachelor #Bachelor pic.twitter.com/Pta42PicgS
— TiffanyToms (@TheTiffanyToms) March 15, 2022
Tensions were extremely high as the trio gathered in a giant dome-like building, overlooking a much more serene snowy scene outside, for the rose ceremony.
Neither Recchia nor Windey was aware Evans had left the previous night, and the duo immediately went into detective mode as they exchanged worried glances and whispers before Echard had even walked into the room.
Once Echard entered the room, he wasted no time letting his ladies know he was not only in love with the both of them, he had also been in love with the recently departed Evans.
Both women were stunned and quickly left the scene to compose themselves. Several quiet and extremely awkward seconds soon followed as both women are heard crying their hearts out as they quickly scramble over their next moves.
Among the uncertainty, Echard explained how he was certain about one aspect of the situation: He refused to “Go into a relationship with secrets.”
His commitment to transparency and telling the truth unfolded further as he soon told both ladies respectively he fully intended to see their relationships through and take them “One day at a time.” Once the trio returned to continue the rose ceremony, Recchia ultimately chose to take Echard at his word, and go through with the next step of meeting his family who had already arrived in Iceland.
Windey, however, was less convinced and she told Echard she could not accept his rose.
The look on Recchia’s face when she realized a trip to the altar could be much closer than she anticipated, summed up what we were all feeling!
what’s the difference #Bachelor #TheBachelor #bachelorabc pic.twitter.com/Nirn39Bbw0
— H E A T H E R (@heather_baker01) March 15, 2022
Bringing Home The Bachelor Babes
In the most dramatic rose ceremony ever, Clayton’s parents choose the girls and walk Clayton to the limo. #BachelorNation #BachelorABC #TheBachelor #finale pic.twitter.com/0Hze0kMG54
— Donna Dwyer (@Divadeedee) March 15, 2022
In a seemingly lightning-fast decision brought on by Echard pleading for her to reconsider, Windey decided to rejoin Recchia at the rose ceremony after deciding to go forward with their relationship and see it through.
The gals set BFF goals for the entirety of Bachelor Nation when Windey embraced Recchia and apologized for leaving her hanging.
The trio managed to survive the rollercoaster of a rose ceremony, and the next two days were dedicated to meeting the parents!
Echard’s parents and his two brothers soon met and were charmed by both ladies, and Echard’s mother and father were also satisfied with the signature ‘Bachelor’ private one-on-one conversations.
The real heat, however, came when the family gathered once more to figure out where Echard’s head was. As Echard worked through his feelings, he determined his heart was NOT with Recchia or Windey, but still remained with Evans!
Clayton’s Cliffhanger
@ClaytonEchard already knew who he loved the most and yet asked Gabby & Rachel to stay by giving roses. Wish he let them both go! And just pursued Susie. He already figured out who he loved “most” 😒 #TheBachelor https://t.co/MZ0bjTtAlC
— Grace (@91takecare) March 15, 2022
The “Curveball” Jesse Palmer had previously mentioned to E! was soon thrown, and Bachelor Nation quickly learned Evans was STILL in Iceland, leaving Echard room to explore a potential reunion.
Will Bachelor Nation have another heartbreak on its hands, or will Clayton Echard finally find true love? The conclusion airs tonight!
