Multiple ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ Contestants Self-Eliminate In Emotional Pre-Finale Episode That Sees Five Going Home: “I Know I Need To Go”

Bachelor in Paradise took a week off so that Bachelor Nation could celebrate Thanksgiving in peace, but rest assured, the spin-off is back and messier than ever.

With one week left until the jam-packed three-hour finale, Paradise‘s penultimate Season 9 episode saw a whopping FIVE people leave the beach, with three emotional self-eliminations.

Curious what went down after Episode 8’s brutal comedy roast that left several formerly-solid relationships on the rocks? Who went home? And who’s headed into the finale with a shot at getting engaged?

Decider’s Bachelor in Paradise Season 9, Episode 9 recap has all the answers you need.

Who Went Home Tonight On Bachelor In Paradise? Season 9, Episode 9 Eliminations

At the top of the episode, nearly everyone on the beach was going through it ahead of what was teased as “the most shocking rose ceremony of the season.” After his ex Katie Thurston left the beach, Blake pulled Jess and explained he didn’t feel the two were where they needed to be at this point in their relationship, and Jess agreed. In the first self-elimination, Blake ended things with Jess and headed home ahead of the rose ceremony.

Next up? Mercedes and Tyler had The Talk. After learning via Paradise Truth Box and Paradise Comedy Roast that Tyler’s just not that into her, Mercedes understandably confronted who she believed to be her Paradise man and grilled him about his intentions with her and on the show in general. When Tyler told her Mercedes he didn’t feel a spark with her, she explained she felt used, pissed off, like her time was wasted, and like he was simply on the beach to have fun. She assured Tyler he wouldn’t be getting her rose, so Tyler self-eliminated behind Blake. Farewell, sir! Consider dating in your own hometown if you want a local relationship!

Ahead of rose ceremonies, roses from Jess and Mercedes were newly up for grabs, so in hopes of gaining maximum vacation time (and potentially one final week-long relationship) in Paradise, Tanner, Brayden, Jordan, and Taylor made last-ditch efforts to impress and secure their stems.

After Tanner made a savage joke on ex-turned-Paradise-love-interest Rachel Recchia’s behalf, she gave up all hope in their potential romance and returned to Jordan to assure him he’d be getting her rose. Jordan seemed thrilled by the news, but later told a group that he wasn’t sure if he could get his romantic feelings toward her back and wanted to explore things with (drumroll, please) MERCEDES! Meanwhile, Tanner gave up on Rachel and went “all in” on Jess ahead of the rose ceremony. Then it was time to hand out the finale flowers…

Post-rose ceremony, here’s the list of couples who’ll be headed into their final week in Paradise, and could potentially leave the show engaged (or dating).

• Eliza and Aaron B.
• Kat and John Henry
• Kylee and Aven
• Olivia and Michael
• Sam P. and Peter
• Jess and Tanner
• Mercedes and Jordan

When Jordan accepted Mercedes’ rose, Rachel looked completely blindsided. When she stepped up to the podium to hand out her own stem, she excused herself and tearfully told host Jesse Palmer that she needed to go home. “I told myself if there was a point where I knew I needed to go, I would go. It’s gonna be so hard but I know I need to go.” Rather than give her rose to ex Brayden or Taylor, Rachel self-eliminated. And because her rose was forfeited, Bradyen and Taylor were sent packing as well. 

With only one more week on the beach, Paradise‘s Season 9 cast is going out with a blast. The finale promises love, drama, tears, engagement talk, and even a wedding?! Stay tuned!

Bachelor in Paradise‘s Season 9 finale airs Thursday, December 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC. Next-day streaming is available on Hulu.