Tayshia sends four men home; Bennett returns

This week’s episode of ABC’s “The Bachelorette” had more twists and turns than an out-of-control roller coaster – and we couldn’t be happier (though we now have serious whiplash).

We pick up following last week’s cliffhanger, Tayshia’s two-on-one date with Bennett and Noah. Tayshia pulls Bennett aside to talk first, and asks if he’s ever questioned her integrity. He says he hasn’t, but Tayshia isn’t buying that (remember he said there’s a 0% chance Noah will end up with her). “You don’t have the right to tell somebody else that I will not end up with them,” she says.

He starts talking to her about Noah’s lack of emotional intelligence, and is sorry she feels like he’s questioning her.

Tayshia later tells Noah he’s the common denominator of much of the drama in the house. Noah explains Bennett’s condescending gift that included a book on emotional intelligence, and warns her he’s concerned Bennett will treat her poorly too, if she picks him.

But who stays and who goes? Tayshia sends Bennett packing. He asks, “Is this really goodbye?” “Unfortunately,” she says. He doesn’t seem like a guy who’s been told “no” a lot in his life. Tayshia admits her decision did not feel right.

Noah downs some mints and smiles, thinking he won. Not so fast. “That wasn’t a victory for you by any means,” Tayshia tells him. And she won’t give him the rose, either. But she’s also not sending him home; he’ll attend the cocktail party with everyone else.

During the party, Riley gives Tayshia a one-week anniversary cake, which is cute. Also cute: Zac brings her a framed picture of them in the wedding outfits they tried on together.

Less cute: The gutting cuts at the rose ceremony. (Remember that Zac and Ben already have roses.)

Brendan, Riley, Blake, Ivan and … Noah (!) all receive roses. That means Ed, Spencer and Demar are going home. Poor Ed.

In case you missed last weeks’:‘The Bachelorette’ recap: Bennett, Noah spar for a rose – but who will Tayshia choose?

‘I see you and I hear you’

Next week is hometown week – meaning Tayshia will be meeting the contestants’ families. We’re not sure how this will play out given COVID-19 protocols, but we’re going to learn soon.

Ben scores the week’s first date card. “Falling in love is full of surprises,” it reads.

JoJo Fletcher (who’s still hosting while Chris Harrison takes his son to college) leaves clues for Tayshia and Ben around the resort to find an oasis. Tayshia is still struggling tolearn who Ben is and hopes to learn more about him on the date.

The pair chase clues by digging into a ball pit at the tennis court, wading through a fountain and hitting piñatas. It’s adorable and silly – the opposite of what happens later.

Ben admits he doesn’t want to share things because he’s afraid of being a burden.

He says he was raised to be perfect and was left without much emotional support. Remember,  this is the same man who in last week’s episode said he had an eating disorder. He didn’t know how to say he needed things, and his sister was the only person he could talk to – but he couldn’t tell her everything.

Ben says he made two failed suicide attempts in 2018 and 2019, and not even his sister knows. He (again) didn’t want to burden anyone, and went to therapy.

No, YOU are crying, dear reader.

“I see you and I hear you,” Tayshia tells him – and, clearly, he opened up. She gives him the rose and is excited to meet his family. She says she loves him and can see being with him for the rest of her life.

Have you been watching this season? ‘The Bachelorette’ recap: Tayshia bonds with Ivan, Ben; sends 4 men packing after cocktail party drama

The truth will set you free … or send you packing?

Zac, Brendan, Ivan, Noah and Riley are on deck for the group date: “The truth is that I’m falling in love,” the date card reads.  This means Blake will go on the next one-on-one date.

The “truth” is that Tayshia and her dates will take polygraph tests. “If I can’t trust you, what’s the point?” she asks. Fair question.

We learn some key facts: Tayshia is falling in love with more than one person, and she might regret sending someone home; Brendan seems ambivalent about meeting families; Zac has cheated on someone in his past; and Riley’s name isn’t actually Riley.

Zac’s cheating answer disturbs Tayshia, because that was essentially the reason her marriage ended … except he was talking about cheating on his first girlfriend, in the sixth grade. She gives him a pass, and also says she’s falling in love with him.

Brendan explains his nerves have to do with being married before, since he already introduced someone to his family in such a deep way. Their relationship doesn’t seem like it’s progressed much from their first one-on-one date.

Riley explains he and his father (who took sole custody of him and his brother) had a falling out, and he reconnected with his mother. He decided to “start over” with a new name.

Tayshia decides not to give out a rose, as they all had meaningful conversations. She needs more time. (Uh, sure.)

Seems like a lukewarm way to end the episode … until Bennett shows up to surprise Tayshia after the group date and he tells her he loves her! She’s speechless.

Tayshia wasn’t planning on saying goodbye to him and is very confused (as are we!)

She says she’ll let him know tomorrow. For us, that means next week.

If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time day or night, or chat online.

Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.

Remember the mustache? ‘The Bachelorette’ recap: Ed, Chasen clash – but Noah (and his mustache) may be the season’s true villain

And who could forget this drama:‘The Bachelorette’ recap: Tayshia’s takeover comes with a few twists – including more men