‘The Bachelor’ recap: Peter bails on Victoria F.’s hometown date but Kelsey goes home – USA TODAY

Bachelor Nation, hometowns are here. And you know what means: Concerned parents, proclamations of love and deeper narrowing of the competition. 

Buckle up, everyone. You might not see this one coming.

We start off with first impression-rose winner Hannah Ann in Knoxville, Tennessee. Hannah Ann’s father, Rick, works in the lumber industry as a forester, and there are two ways to impress him: Good character, and being tough. Ah, yes, traditional masculinity (we’re rolling our eyes). 

The two go ax-throwing, and neither are particularly good at it. Peter manages to nail a bullseye, which foreshadows the successful date to come. No, that’s not a spoiler: What did you think was going to happen?

If you watched last week’s episode, you’ll remember that Hannah Ann wrote a letter to Peter detailing all the things she loved about him. He returns the favor this week and lets her know that he loves how intentional she is, how she gives him butterflies and how she has a name for every dress she’s worn.

Time to meet the parents. Hannah Ann’s mom, Jennifer, warns Peter that Rick is guarded and won’t give her away to just anybody. Peter explains to Rick that he has something real with Hannah Ann, and that he hopes to tell her that he’s falling in love with her. Rick doesn’t want him to say it unless he means it.

Apparently he does. Peter tells her! And Hannah Ann has an announcement of her own: She’s in love with him. Rose one seemingly secured.

Last week: ‘The Bachelor’ recap: Peter picks final four women for hometown dates; pressure ratchets up

Kelsey tells Peter she’s in love with him

Next up is a visit to Kelsey’s hometown of Des Moines, Iowa. She takes Peter to a winery where they stomp on grapes and make their own bottle of wine. They dance while grape-stomping – a blatant audition tape for “Dancing With the Stars,” if we’re being honest with ourselves.

Peter cannot stop himself from making wine metaphors about their relationship. “It’s that perfect blend that just makes you want to keep coming back,” he says.

Kelsey tells him that she’s in love with him. Will he ultimately find this too sweet?

“When she loves, she loves like no other,” her mother Beth tells Peter later. She warns him not to break Kelsey’s heart.

Gulp.

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Madison is keeping a secret from Peter

Peter heads south for a date with Madison in Auburn, Alabama. The pair play basketball at Auburn University’s Auburn Arena (Madison’s dad is an Auburn Tigers coach).

Retired basketball player and “Inside the NBA” analyst Charles Barkley warns Peter over the Jumbotron to treat Madison right, and Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl stops by before they play some one-on-one. Madison wins, obviously.

The pair head to dinner with Madison’s family, including parents Tonya and Chad. Tonya later asks Madison if she’s  talked to Peter about decisions she’s made about her relationships. This has been hinted about it previews but now we know: Madison is saving herself for marriage – and Peter doesn’t know it. Yes, this is the same man who slept with Hannah Brown four times in that windmill.

Madison was hoping to tell Peter she was in love with him, but is still trying to figure out if their spirits and souls are compatible. Telling him the truth might help matters!

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Victoria F. and Peter’s hometown date is a disaster

The show pays a visit to Virginia Beach, Virginia, for Peter’s hometown date with Victoria F. The day stars off great: They pose in costumes at Old Time Photos, eat ice cream and dance to a live performance by Hunter Hayes.

Appropriately, he sings “I Want Crazy,” echoing the sentiment Peter left Victoria F. with toward the end of last week’s episode.

But then the date actually turns crazy.

A woman from Peter’s past named Marissa – her face is obscured by the camera –  approaches him. They apparently knew each other in 2012 (we later learn she’s an ex-girlfriend) and her hometown just so happens to be Virginia Beach. Convenient!

Marissa warns him about Victoria F. “Be careful,” she says. She used to be her friend, and apparently Victoria F. has broken up many relationships. Marissa doesn’t think this is a good one for Peter to be in.

When it’s time to meet Victoria F.’s family, Peter pulls her aside. He notes that her ex Chase Rice stopped by one of their dates, and now his ex interrupted this one. Victoria denies causing these supposed breakups and is disgusted.

“Do you think that I enjoy this right now?” Peter says, asking if she thinks there was any way he wouldn’t address it. He wants the truth, but Victoria F. says it doesn’t matter anymore. (Peter: The fact she can’t have a rational conversation with you portends a horrible future. Run!)

Peter apologizes if it sounded like he was taking Marissa’s side, because that’s not what he was doing. Victoria F. explains she wanted to tell him that she was falling in love with him, and wonders how they’re supposed to move forward from this. 

Peter opts to leave before he gets a chance to meet her family. They find her outside and comfort her. Does that mean she’s off the show?

The next day, she says she’s falling in love with him. He feels like she doesn’t want him to love her the way he wants to love her, and that they lack communication skill. You think?

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Who goes home on ‘The Bachelor’ this week?

Hannah Ann and Madison nab the first two roses. The third goes to … Victoria F., which means he cuts Kelsey. It looks like their wine soured after all. 

Kelsey told him she was in love with him, but Peter wasn’t quite there.

Before the episode ends, Madison asks to talk. Will she finally tell him her secret? We’ll have to wait. 

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