After a ton of promotion about a "Bachelorette first" we actually got one: Nick Viall, a runner-up in the 2014 Andi Dorfman season, returned to the ABC series.
He entered the competition for Kaitlyn Bristowe's heart, showing up in New York City and asking her to give him a chance. The two previously struck up a friendship via text and social media, and Nick told Kaitlyn he'd regret it if he didn't take a shot with her. Eventually, she agreed to bring him aboard.
Needless to say, the other men weren't thrilled by the arrival; they'd already begun assessing the competition. Kaitlyn's decision hasn't received Andi's support, either. Andi's advice on Twitter: "One word.... RUN! Okay two... RUN FAST!"
This past Monday's episode continued its tradition of picking up in the middle of the previous episode's rose ceremony cocktail party cliffhanger.
Clint was still on his way out, but the cameras hung around just long enough to catch him bicker with bro-mance buddy JJ, despite the lukewarm-at-best reception to the network teasing that they might actually be falling for one another. (I find the previews amusing myself, but I'm immature.)
They got into each other's faces, with Clint telling JJ that he had confided in him things that he hadn't told other people in a long time, to which JJ replied that he had done the same with Clint.
Kaitlyn decided against a rose ceremony, so all of the remaining suitors were told to pack their things for a trip to New York City. Jonathan, Justin, Ben Z., Corey, Ryan, Tanner, JJ and Shawn, it had been decided, would rap battle. (If you'll recall, she had Chris Soules rap during her time on "The Bachelor.")
ABC dragged both Doug E. Fresh and "Aladdin" into this. "Aladdin" is a Disney property, and Disney owns ABC, so it's all so in the family.
The suitors were all pretty terrible at both singing and dancing, but Chris was the most enthusiastic and the least terrible, so he got to join Kaitlyn in a walk-on role for that evening's showing of "Aladdin" in front of 1,800 actual people.
As a dancer, Kaitlyn has always dreamt of performing on Broadway. This will have to suffice.
Later, Kaitlyn and Chris went to the rooftop of One Times Square, where the Times Square Ball rests. Kissing - as opposed to chaos - ensued.
"That guy has heart," said Kaitlyn of Chris. "I just think he would be a great husband." As if on cue!
There are still, of course, plenty of dates, one-on-ones, and make-outs to take into consideration.
The episode ended with the aforementioned Nick Viall entering the guys' hotel suite. We'll see how Nick mixes in with his fellow bachelors beginning next Monday night.
Also Worth Noting…Kaitlyn and Jared had a one-on-one date. He proved funny and even sincere, but I don't expect him to last.
But, aside from that, it was difficult not to come away from this episode feeling as if the network brought in a "ringer," which begs the question, Why?
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