Bachelor Season 21 Viewing Guide - Episode 3 (Part 1)

Disclaimer - once again, there are no spoilers in this review except about what happens in Episode 3.  I have not watched any of the season previews nor do I know anything about future episodes.

I'm conflicted - normally I like to have my whole week's recap done before posting.  And I like to have my post done before the next episode.  But I don't want to fall too far behind.  So I'm now posting my quick reactions to Episode 3 and there will be some further video clips posted in a second post later this week.

Backstreet Boys and The Bachelor

Quick Reactions

If you have never seen The Bachelor before, this is the episode to watch.  It has EVERYTHING - true connections between the lead and the lead contestants; a villain being perfectly villainous; the Backstreet Boys; socio-economic privilege on full display; a ridiculous set of physical challenges overseen by actual Olympic gold medalists; horrible product placement; too much whipped cream (and blatant manipulation by the producers) many of the women turning on the lead...

The only thing about this episode that sucked was the first 10 minutes where there was a rehash of the previous week's cliffhanger... Apparently Nick slept with Liz the Doula nine months before the show filmed which, coincidentally, was before Nick knew he was going to be the Bachelor.  Oh no! A one-night stand?  Maybe this would be a problem if we were in an overly conservative country where women were told what they could and could not do with their bodies, but clearly that would NEVER happen in the good ol' US of A. (see what I did there?)

We learned a few things about this season of The Bachelor in this episode.  We learned that every fucking episode is going to be a cliffhanger.  We learned who the runner-up will be.  In fact, Nick had significant time with each of the three women I predict will be in the fantasy suite.  We learned of three more people who will be on Bachelor In Paradise IV.

Predictions!!

Three episodes in and I'm feeling pretty ready to predict the rest of the season (barring any major crazy twists like Corinne having sex with Nick in the pool in front of everyone or Chad showing up somehow)...

1. I think that the whole confrontation the women are having with Nick about Corinne is a red herring.  Yes, women are pissed right now (and rightfully so).  I think that the confrontation that happened will be enough of a "wake-up call" to Nick that he needs to start getting more serious.  He's going to do what happens on every season - he'll insist during the rose ceremony that he is doing this for the right reasons and everyone will melt because in the end, everyone is predisposed to like him.
2. Further, I think that Nick will have a serious conversation with Corinne about what's going on and she may evolve into an actual contender.  I think that Nick sees a lot of himself in her and he may be able to get through to her.
3. The winner is going to be Danielle L
4. The runner up will be Vanessa.  My theory is that the runner up ALMOST ALWAYS has a better all-around relationship with the lead than the winner.   The way she got him to get all blubbery on their one-on-one date shows that they have a true connection - she understands him and he feels comfortable being vulnerable in front of her.  And then he'll throw it away for someone he's less sure of, but more attracted to.  By the way, this is not making me happy.
5. Rachel will be the third woman who makes it to the fantasy suite round.
6. Corinne will be the fourth woman who goes on hometown dates.  A separate prediction that is running contrary to this in my head is that she is going to contact her nanny (don't ask) who will join the show and then 
7. Danielle M and Alexis will be the two eliminated before hometowns.
8. Taylor and Raven will be the two eliminated before that.
9. Josephine and Whitney will be eliminated in Episode 4 and thus, won't be traveling with the rest of the group.
10. The next one-on-one date is going to be with Corinne, Raven, Alexis, or Taylor.
11. Ladies who will not get a one-on-one date are: Christen, Kristina, Astrid, Brittany, Sarah, Jaimi, and Jasmine
12. Three women going to BIP IV are: Hailey, Lacey, and Dominique

The only thing I don't know is who will be on the 2-on-1 date.  My thinking is that it has to be Corinne and someone else... Taylor?