Zach’s COVID-19 Diagnosis Disrupts the London Trip
This week’s episode of The Bachelor took a surprising turn as Zach Shallcross tested positive for COVID-19, disrupting the planned events during the cast’s trip to London. The illness forced Zach to isolate in his hotel room and led to the cancellation of key dates with the women. The episode, which had initially promised to be pivotal for Zach’s relationships, was instead marked by a series of unexpected setbacks, leaving both him and the contestants grappling with uncertainty.
Gabi’s One-on-One Date and the Cancelled Group Date
Zach had already shared a romantic one-on-one date with Gabi Elnicki in London, during which they explored the city together and ended the day with a rose. Gabi’s connection with Zach seemed to be growing stronger, but the other women were left disappointed as COVID sidelined the group date that was supposed to follow. While the women still enjoyed sightseeing in London, they couldn’t help but feel frustrated by the lost opportunity to spend quality time with Zach. This unforeseen turn of events had an emotional impact on many contestants, leaving them uncertain about their place in the competition.
A Virtual Cocktail Party and Rose Ceremony
Later that evening, it became clear that Zach would not be able to attend the group date or the scheduled rose ceremony due to his illness. The next morning, Jesse Palmer informed the women of Zach’s positive COVID test, which also meant that Charity Lawson’s highly anticipated one-on-one date would be canceled. While Zach was devastated by the circumstances, Kaity Biggar, who had already formed a strong bond with him, took it upon herself to visit his hotel room with a thoughtful get-well basket. Although Zach couldn’t be with her in person, they shared a touching moment through the gesture, strengthening their connection despite the unfortunate situation.
Greer’s Misstep During the Virtual Rose Ceremony
With Zach still in quarantine, a virtual cocktail party and rose ceremony were set up to replace the in-person events. The women had the chance to interact briefly with Zach via video call, but the experience was far from ideal. For contestants like Greer Blitzer and Mercedes Northup, who had not yet had a one-on-one date with Zach, the virtual setup felt like a missed opportunity. The frustrations began to boil over when Greer, attempting to empathize with Zach’s situation, made a comparison between his frustration with COVID and her own struggles with the virus during a busy time at work. Zach, however, felt that the comparison didn’t resonate with him and explained that his journey to find his future wife was far more significant than a work deadline. This conversation left Greer feeling emotional and worried that her attempt at empathy had backfired.
The Elimination and Growing Pressure on the Contestants
Despite the awkwardness, Greer ultimately received a rose, while Kylee Russell and Mercedes were eliminated during the ceremony. The experience of the week left many of the women questioning their positions in the competition, with some feeling that they had lost valuable time to connect with Zach. As the number of women dwindles and the stakes rise, the pressure is on for each contestant to make a lasting impression in the coming weeks.
What’s Next for Zach and the Remaining Contestants?
With only nine women remaining in the race for Zach’s heart, the drama and emotional stakes are sure to intensify. The season is heading into its final stages, and while the setbacks caused by COVID have created challenges, they have also set the stage for even more personal moments and meaningful connections. The next few weeks will likely bring new twists, with the finale looming just ahead.
