Bachelor's Astrid Reviews Colton's Episode for Playboy

'The Bachelor' Knows the Importance of When to Let Go

Bachelor Nation's Astrid Loch shares her thoughts on realizing things with Colton aren't working

Written by Astrid Loch

Published on February 12, 2019

Rick Rowell/ABC

Written by Astrid Loch
Published on February 12, 2019

I may or may not have missed last week’s episode of The Bachelor because getting a tan in Mexico was higher on my priority list. Apparently, that was for the better, as the drama that rolled into this week was … exhausting. Although I side more with Nicole, she quickly lost me in entertaining Onyeka for as long as she did. I totally get wanting to clear your name, but there comes a point in arguing with someone where you have to rise above, and unfortunately, neither of these ladies did, leaving Colton no choice but to send them both home. Judging by their exit interviews, this was 100 percent the right decision, as both Nicole and Onyeka decided to talk about each other rather than Colton—whom they were supposedly there for. Major eye roll.

As the ladies travel to Vietnam, I have to say there isn’t a single one of them who I don’t like. Now I obviously don’t think they’re all the one for Colton, but I find myself rooting for each of them … especially as they all started to “crack” a bit. There comes a point every season where things get serious, and we have officially reached that point. On my season, I was eliminated well before this, and as I was watching the women question themselves this week, I realized how much easier I had it by being sent home before there were any real feelings involved.

Tayshia and Sydney impressed me most with how they handled their need for reassurance from Colton. Both women realized that they needed more from him in order to feel secure in the relationship, and both women communicated this clearly and maturely. I think people often assume that because the women are technically “competing” for the lead, they should be doing all of the work. But realistically, if these relationships are supposed to work in the real world, then the relationship needs to be equal.

Even more impressive was the fact that Sydney realized the reassurance Colton gave her wasn’t enough, and decided to leave on her own. Many contestants would choose to stay for a number of reasons—such as travel, hanging out with friends, *cough* extra screen time *cough*—but instead Sydney knew what she wanted and realized the relationship wasn’t going anywhere further. Sydney seems to have a good head on her shoulders, and I have no doubt in my mind that she will find exactly the kind of person she is looking for and the kind of person she deserves.

On my season, I was eliminated well before this, and as I was watching the women question themselves this week, I realized how much easier I had it by being sent home before there were any real feelings involved.

Speaking of things we deserve … or didn’t deserve: Demi. Let’s pour one out for the greatest “villain” this show may have ever had. She may not have been everyone’s cup of tea, but she was certainly my favorite contestant to watch this season. I will more than miss her amazing looks, one-liners and overall commentary that kept me laughing and entertained every Monday. Demi better be in Paradise this summer, or I’m boycotting the show.

Last but not least, we had to say goodbye to Katie. This didn’t come as a total shock to me, as I think Colton has much better chemistry with some of the other women left standing. The true shock came with the fact that Katie was the third woman to warn Colton about some of the remaining contestants there. At this point of the season, we are too far along to still have women there for the well-known “wrong reasons,” and this clearly shook Colton to the core. As I said before, I very much like all of the remaining women, so I am beyond curious to tune in next week to find out who exactly is just a shiny object looking for their five minutes of fame.

Until then.

Xo,
Astrid

Astrid Loch competed for Nick Viall's affections on The Bachelor season 21, and has found both love and friendship from the franchise. Her relationship is stronger than ever with Kevin Wendt, whom she started dating last summer on Bachelor in Paradise season 5.