Zach Shallcross got COVID and had to do the first-ever virtual cocktail and rose ceremony on Monday’s episode of The Bachelor on ABC.
The 26-year-old salesperson was emotional when host Jesse Palmer, 44, explained that the final rose ceremony would have to be virtual.
“This week was stolen from them,” Zak said tearfully.
Zach eventually hands out the roses roughly through a screen with the women walking up to the table and picking their own. He told them he was upset that he couldn’t be in the room with them.
“I would do literally anything to get out of this room and be with you,” Zack said. “It’s very annoying.”
Virtual reality: Zach Shallcross got COVID and had to do the first-ever virtual cocktail and rose ceremony on Monday’s episode of The Bachelor on ABC
When the season 27 episode began, the 11 women on the show had remained in London. A date card arrived in their room for Gabe Elnicki, 25, an account executive from Pittsford, Vermont, and read “You’re my queen, Zack.”
Zack waited for her in the basement of his chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce.
“My chariot is waiting for me,” Gabe said.
Zack planned the ultimate royal experience for her. He first takes her to Floris, the perfume factory that made scents for the royal family, and they create their own perfume.
“This might be a scent we wear on our wedding day,” Gabi said in a confession.
Next, they meet Royal Butler Grant Harold who makes them the late Queen’s cocktail and brings Corgis to play with them from the royal bloodline. Then Gabby tried on gowns for Zack.
“She’s like a queen,” Zack said when Gabi tried on a long blue dress.
They also had tea time together as they continued to get to know each other.
Remote roses: The 26-year-old salesperson later distributed roses remotely as he remained in quarantine
Bad news: The show’s host Jesse Palmer, 44, explained to Zach that the final rose ceremony will have to be virtual
It got emotional: Zac fought back tears after learning he couldn’t attend the rose ceremony in person
Remote Ceremony: The woman walked to a screen while Zach offered roses remotely
Gabi returns to the hotel with shopping bags and shows the ladies her new Jimmy Choo shoes, diamond earrings, and perfume.
“I’m jealous,” Kylie Russell, 25, a postpartum nurse from Charlotte, North Carolina, said in a confession. I just don’t see how that is fair. I don’t even remember the last time a guy bought me a meal let alone a pair of Jimmy Choos.
There was a knock on the door and it was Gabby’s blue dress with a card from Zack saying she gave him butterflies.
Greer Blitzer, 24, a medical sales rep from Houston, stormed out of the room angrily. She sat in the hallway crying. Charity Lawson, 26, a child and family therapist from Columbus, Georgia, went to comfort her. Greer said she was upset because she told Zack about the importance of tea to her and even had a cup of tea tattooed on her hand.
Gabby walked in carrying all of her goodies and clothes and told Greer that she was sitting in front of her room door.
“This was torture,” Jarir said.
Later that night, Gabi puts on her blue ball gown and runs into Zack. Zack tells her that it just crossed his mind how she made every situation “fun and effortless”.
“You make me feel safe and seen without trying,” Gabe said.
Royal scents: Zach first took Gabe to Floris, a perfumery that made scents for the royal family, and they created their own fragrance
Gorgeous dress: Then Gabi tries on dresses for Zac and he likes her in a blue dress
Dinner date: Later that night, Gabi puts on her blue ball gown and runs into Zack
Zak gave her a rose, and they kissed. Zack takes her to a room where UB40 performed a private concert for them singing their hit song Can’t Help Falling In Love.
“He’s the kind of guy I want to be with,” Gabe told the camera. “It’s mine”.
Back at the hotel, the group date card arrived and it was for Badger, Kelly, Brooklyn Willie, 25, a rodeo rider from Stillwater, Oklahoma; Katie Biggar, 27, an emergency medicine nurse from Austin; Kathryn Kat Izzo, 26, is a registered nurse from Tampa, Florida. Ali Jacobs, 26, a healthcare strategist from Atlanta; Ariel Frenkel, 28, of New York; Jess Jerrod, 23, an e-commerce coordinator from Winter Springs, Florida; and Mercedes Northrop, 24, a nonprofit owner from Bloomfield, Virginia. Charity is not selected, which means she will get a one-on-one date with Zack.
“I’m giddy now,” Charity said in a confession. ‘I feel very good.’
I didn’t get a one-on-one, I’m going to hyperventilate,” Mercedes said, leaving the room in tears.
The next day, the women prepare for a group date with Zack. Just as they are about to leave, a card arrives from Zack announcing that he is “a little under the weather”.
“I feel bad,” Kelly said in a confession. You weren’t too sick to stay up all night with Gabe. You won’t be too sick to go on a one-on-one with Charity tomorrow.
The women took a double-decker bus and were upset that they didn’t explore London with Zack. Zach was in his room and said he felt so exhausted he ran downstairs.
Rose kisses: Zach gives Gabby a rose and they kiss
Group date: The women set off on a group date without Zack
“I wish I could be with them now,” Zach said. “I hope this passes and I’ll be ready for tonight.”
The women went to a bar and hoped Zack would join them later.
“I’m a curious cow and she’s my teller, pretty girls, what are you up to?” the waiter asked.
They tell her that they were all dating the same guy, but he was under the weather.
‘It must be some onlookers,’ said the waiter.
The women crowded into a phone booth and then went to a fish and chip shop and continued their tour of the city.
For the night, the women dressed up for cocktails, but were then told that Zac was still not feeling well.
“I hate that it doesn’t feel good,” said Brooklyn. But I feel selfishly stood up and it really hurts. And I can see the hurt in all of you. I am honestly at this point too upset to cry.
It really hurts: “I hate that it doesn’t feel good,” Brooklyn said. But I feel selfishly stood up and it really hurts. And I can see the hurt in all of you. I’m honestly at this point too upset to cry’
The next morning, Charity gets ready for her appointment but then Jesse walks in and tells them Zach tested positive for COVID.
“When Zach got the results, he was absolutely devastated to lose out on this kind of quality time with all of you at this point in the journey, and this is Zach’s worst nightmare,” said Jesse.
Charity started crying. Kitty was worried about Zack being alone and brought him a basket of gifts to make him feel better. She knocks on his door and tells him she hasn’t stopped thinking about him.
‘I see a future with you,’ said Kitty.
“I want you to know that I trust us a lot,” Zach said.
Kitty turned away, Zack opened the door, and pulled the gift basket into his room.
Later, Jessie enters the women’s room and informs the women that because of Zack’s condition, they are going to have their first ever virtual cocktail party and virtual rose party.
One woman at a time each went into a room for one-on-one screen time with Zack. Charity went first and I felt reassured talking to Zack on a tablet. Kat asked Zack if he wanted to actually ‘take a swing’ during a one-on-one match.
Screen time: One by one, each of the women went into a room for their one-on-one screen time with Zack
“I miss all the women so much,” Zach said during the confession.
Greer and Zach didn’t really connect during their conversation when she compared his frustration at not being able to see women due to COVID when she had COVID during a crucial period of her job at the end of the sales quarter.
She later broke down crying.
“He was offended,” Greer said. “I feel insulted.”
At the final rose ceremony, Zak gives roses to Kaity, Charity, Aly, Kat, Brooklyn, Jess, and Ariel and gives the last rose to Greer.
Kylie and Mercedes never got roses.
They walked over to the screen and said goodbye to Zack. Zack tells the rest of the women that he can’t wait to continue the journey with them.
The Bachelor will return next Monday on ABC.
Bad Communication: Greer and Zach didn’t really connect during their conversation when she compared his frustration at not being able to see women due to COVID when she had COVID during a crucial period of her job at the end of the sales quarter
TEARS FLOWING: Greer was shaken by the virtual conversation, who felt like she had insulted Zack
The Final Rose: Zack gives Greer the final rose
The journey continues: Zack tells the rest of the women that he can’t wait to continue the journey with them
