Chris Harrison Blogs ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ Week 3

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Ashley I. in Paradise before her first cry. (Photo: Chris Harrison)

Welcome back, Bachelor Nation! It’s only been one week since my last blog, and yet so much has changed. Things between Josh and Amanda have only gotten more intense, Jared has moved on to Caila, and now Ashley is back to stir things up again. America can’t stop talking about Paradise, so let’s break it down right here.

Related: ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ Recap: The Virgin, Suicidal

When we left off last week, Evan was taking a big swing at Amanda and trying to make his dreams come true. Meanwhile, Josh was even more confident than ever in his relationship with Amanda (and pizza). A lot of people have been asking, “What is wrong with Evan?” But the truth is I think Evan is just trying to make the most of this situation. Evan is a great dad, and he left his kids behind to try and find love in Paradise. On one hand, he could have just taken his breakup from Carly harder and accepted his fate, but I think Evan knows he doesn’t get a second chance at this. While watching him can be unbelievably cringeworthy, at least he’s swinging and swinging, and maybe eventually he’ll hit that love piñata after all.

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While people like talking about Evan, they really love talking about Josh. I never expected Josh to be so polarizing, but now that we are seeing it all unfold, it seems very reminiscent of a lot of the drama that takes place on a typical season of The Bachelorette. A lot of the time, the Bachelor or the Bachelorette sees one side of a person they’re dating and everyone else sees a different side. Just as in this season a lot of people were worried that Jordan wasn’t the right guy for JoJo. While she took that into consideration, she obviously had to follow her own heart, and the two are happily engaged. In this case, Amanda is very much like the Bachelorette. She too took time away from her beloved children to be here, and she is perhaps the most sought-after woman in Paradise to date.

Related: Your Burning Questions About the ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ Hotel Answered

Amanda has gotten a warning from Evan and another semi-warning from Nick. While no one has really told her that Josh is a bad guy, they have advised her to be very careful. I understand Josh’s point of view as well. If I were him and I felt that my intentions were true, I would be very upset to hear that people are talking badly about me behind my back. At the same time, Nick and Evan have the right to be protective of Amanda, who everyone loves and cares about. Caught in the middle of this firestorm is Amanda, who is just earnestly looking to find love. Is Josh a really great guy, or is he just trying to attach himself to Amanda to look good? At this point, we’ll just have to keep watching and hope that Amanda makes the decision that is the best decision for her.

In the meantime, Jared has finally moved on from Ashley I., and then he moved on from Jubilee, and then he moved on from Emily, and now he has moved on to Caila. It was clear that she had the same affliction that affects so many other women in Paradise: a bad case of the Jareds. But for the first time, it seemed like Jared was excited at the prospect of a new love interest. Things started off really great, but then, as things often go in Paradise, the worst possible thing that could happen did happen: Ashley I. arrived.

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It’s hard to know exactly what transpired between Ashley I. and Caila, but it’s pretty clear that Ashley I. does not want Caila to be with Jared and doesn’t feel she is being authentic about the relationship. Whether that’s true or not, I think it’s pretty easy to see that Ashley I. will stop at nothing to try and win Jared’s heart. While the results may not be pretty, you have to respect her dedication. Much like her tears, it is endless.

As things start to bubble over there, next week they are going to really go off the rails. Lace and Grant and Vinny and Izzy have been couples since the first week in Paradise, but one of those couples is about to go down in flames. Which will it be? Find out next Monday night on Bachelor in Paradise! See you soon, Bachelor Nation.

Bachelor in Paradise airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC. After Paradise airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on ABC.