The Bachelor (American season 26)

The season begins with Clayton arriving at his parents house in his hometown, where he surprises his mom to share the news that he is the next Bachelor.

The ladies are preparing for the first night. Several hours before the limo entrances, one contestant, Salley, knocks on Clayton's room at Westlake Village Inn, during her quarantine period, to talk to Clayton. Salley told him that she was recently engaged but broke off the engagement a couple of weeks prior. Clayton then offers a rose to Salley, but she rejects it and says she is not ready to start a new relationship.

On the first night, memorable entrances include Sarah presenting a pin from Clemson University, Susie holding a buzzer to shock Clayton's right hand, Kate presenting two mini bottles of whiskey hidden in her dress, Sierra making a reference from Back to the Future, Melina bouncing in on modified kangaroo boots, Jill carrying an urn containing the ashes of her deceased ex-boyfriends, Marlena throwing a penalty flag, Jane driving in a vintage car, an older woman, named Holly, introducing Rachel, Kira dressing a sexy doctor's uniform, Hunter presenting a boa constrictor, Samantha arriving in a bubble bath, Cassidy driving a toy car, and Shanae arriving in a 4x4 monster truck.

The twenty-two women have moved in at The Bachelor Mansion. They are greeted by host, Jesse, who gives them an envelope for the upcoming date.

The first group date of the season has Teddi, Ency, Melina, Gabby, Kira, Mara, Sierra, Genevieve, Serene, and Cassidy. They go to the iconic Beverly Hills mansion and meet with Hilary Duff to take part in planning a children's birthday party. Gabby and Cassidy are supposed to build a dollhouse together, but Gabby is left alone to do it while Cassidy goes to speak with Clayton and they kiss. Genevieve decorates a cake for Maya, and Cassidy takes the cake to Maya but ends up disastrously dropping it on the lawn. At the after-party, the ladies discuss Cassidy, Serene tells Clayton that she is a school teacher who loves kids, Gabby assures Cassidy's behavior, Teddi and Clayton kiss, and Genevieve makes another cake for Clayton. Cassidy receives the group date rose.

Susie gets the first one-on-one date of the season. Clayton takes her to a seaside cliff to explore and for a helicopter ride to see the Bachelor Mansion and Downtown Los Angeles; they land on a yacht. They relax in a hot tub while having a glass of champagne and plunge down onto the Pacific Ocean. At the after-party, Susie tells Clayton about her father's health problems when he suffered an organ failure and how that impacted the relationship between her parents. They were passed to see Amanda Jordan on stage and Susie receives the rose.

Shanae, Marlena, Elizabeth, Kate, Sarah, Lyndsey, Rachel, and Tessa are chosen for the second group date of the week where they meet with Ziwe Fumudoh for a "Relationship Red Flags" challenge. The first was an educational challenge: Shanae sits up alone and Elizabeth sits next beside Clayton, leaving Shanae pissed. Shanae shows her dance moves. The final challenge is to take part in an obstacle course (Sliding Into DMs, Thirst Trap, and Breadcrumbing); Shanae pushes Elizabeth and ends up frustrated, and Sarah wins the challenge and gets to spend time with Clayton. At the after-party, there is tension between Shanae and Elizabeth: Shanae calls Elizabeth "fake" and "two-faced", Elizabeth tells Clayton about Shanae and her violent actions, and she then goes to Shanae for a talk knowing that Elizabeth has ADHD. Clayton hands to give a group date rose to Shanae but Sarah ends up receiving the rose. Shanae and Elizabeth start to bicker again.

The episode concludes when Cassidy has the group date rose as the other ladies hated her, where she tells Clayton about lying about her previous relationship a couple of years earlier as she quickly denied her actions. Cassidy then goes to a bathroom and she has sobbed, Clayton follows her and takes her rose ultimately he sent her home. At the rose ceremony, Ency, Kate, and Tessa are sent home; with much a dismay of Shanae, who thought to send Elizabeth home.

Serene, Susie, Eliza, Marlena, Mara, Genevieve, Hunter, and Jill are called for this group date to take part on a therapy session with season 11 bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe. Hunter begins her story when her ex-boyfriend had caught cheating on her and she dyed her hair, Serene had been struggling with anorexia, Mara got bullied at school, and Clayton himself how he treated him he had hated his look when he was younger. At the after-party, Serene did open up with a bond on their emotions, Susie gives insecurity on Clayton and they dance a lot, Eliza feels a lot genuine who has her looks and Clayton gives her a group date rose.

Sarah has the one-on-one date, she and Clayton have to meet with season 14 bachelorette Becca Kufrin to perform an "Extreme Scavenger Hunt" in Downtown Los Angeles. They strip into their underwear to start a marathon run at the park, smashing piñatas to give clues, and perform singing together on how they first met together. Afterward, they get a romantic snack on the helipad at the tower. At the after-party, the duo traveled to Van Gogh Exhibit Los Angeles, Sarah opens up her adoption story to Clayton and she ends up receiving the date rose.

Back at the house, Elizabeth cooks the shrimp for the remaining ladies in which Shanae has eaten all; Shanae then cooks the shrimp all by herself and Elizabeth thinks she hates Shanae.

The episode concludes the rivalry between Shanae and Elizabeth as the cocktail party approaches. Clayton arrives at the mansion in a somber mood and he asks both of them to start for their two-on-one conversation like recalling Shanae cooked several shrimps and Elizabeth spent time at the bathtub, Shanae calls Elizabeth "Fat". Marlena and Genevieve rise their tensions together about Shanae and her antics, Elizabeth soon rejoins with the other ladies, and Shanae shortly rejoins as well that she brings a treat of shrimp. Jill complains the drama that she really hates Shanae. Genevieve then yells Shanae for not getting the bad reasons. Jesse then cancels the cocktail party as they would be heading straight to the rose ceremony. At the ceremony, Elizabeth, Kira, and Melina are sent home, and Shanae is excited the departing Elizabeth leave.

After the "shrimpgate" drama, Jesse comes in at the mansion and he announces the ladies would be going to Houston, Texas for their first journey together. In Houston, Clayton is surprised to see his former Missouri Tigers football teammate Clarence Green visiting at the hotel where he is staying and sharing their time together.

Rachel gets the one-on-one date, she met with Clayton in Willis where they take a horseback riding at The Historic Hill House & Farm until they have reached at the farmhouse for a barbecue feast hosting by a Texan family. The family discuss on Clayton and Rachel's potential relationship as they are seeming a lot happy, knowing Clayton has a good charm and a better chemistry on Rachel. At the night portion, Rachel is being busy as a pilot and explains her backstory on a previous relationship that did not last together. They have seen Restless Road on stage and Rachel receives the rose.

The next day, Sierra, Gabby, and Genevieve discuss about Shanae and her behavior that she is left alone at the room where she overhears the conversation and gives herself reacting.

The morning after the group date chaos, Susie, Rachel, and Jill discuss about knowing of Shanae's bizarre behavior as they wanted to have Shanae sent home.

Serene gets the second one-on-one date and travelled to Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier in Galveston to meet with Clayton where they have an amusement ride and fun games for themselves. Clayton and Serene eat ice cream cones, as he used to work at the amusement park. At the night portion, Serene opens up her backstory about she had lost two of her family members in the last two years, and being raised by a single mom. Serene receives the rose.

At the cocktail party, Clayton called the winners of last week's group date to speak with them, Sierra tells Clayton on Shanae and her eccentric behavior for being rude, as the group rejoined with the rest of ladies, Shanae gets pull aside with Clayton where she gives an apology by threw the trophy and she then apologizes to the others. At the rose ceremony, Jill, Lyndsey, and Sierra are sent home. Clayton then announces the 12 women would be going to Toronto, Canada.

In Toronto, the women explore the city and take a first view at the hotel they are staying. Gabby gets the one-on-one date to take a helicopter ride with Clayton over Downtown Toronto and they landed on a park where they have to play street hockey and eating fried dough pastry. At the night portion, Gabby has had some troubles on her life and is being close to her mom. Clayton gives her a rose and they take a night swim.

The group date has Rachel, Sarah, Serene, Marlena, Susie, Hunter, Eliza, Teddi, and Mara at the Distillery District where they are surprised to meet with Jesse, Clayton and comedian Russell Peters of Roast Battle Canada as the women will perform a stand-up comedy onto a crowd of audience. Most of the women have referencing about Shanae, who is not on the date, especially Marlena, who is impressed with her comedy routine as she is letting Hunter and her irritable bowel syndrome, Sarah thinks Mara is a cougar being with a 9-year age gap, that should be not better as Mara is older in the group. At the cocktail party, Susie performs a stand-up comedy to steal Clayton's charm, Eliza takes a toast of a small glass of maple syrup, and Rachel receives the group date rose.

The episode concludes from the last week's two-on-one date in Niagara Falls, Genevieve, Shanae and Clayton set up a picnic at Dufferin Islands as both ladies have their interest on Clayton where Genevieve gives Shanae an apology that knowing her Genevieve is an actress, Shanae finally gives her apology to Clayton on her wrong doings that she has been single for the last five years, Clayton goes into a break to give each lady a rose and he grabs it to Genevieve, with an overview of the waterfalls. Shanae left alone and the remaining women celebrate her exit.

At the cocktail party, Rachel and Clayton get smooched and give a kiss, Mara shows poutine to Clayton as she grabs him to taste the dish until getting interrupted by Serene. At the rose ceremony, Hunter and Marlena are sent home, and Clayton announced the remaining women would be going to Hvar, Croatia.

In Hvar, the women explore the old town and they treated for lunch, Clayton comes over to meet with them and he picks Teddi for her one-on-one date to stroll around the downtown and they eat an ice cream cone. At the night portion, Teddi reveals Clayton on being a virgin that she's never in love before. Clayton gives the rose to Teddi.

Serene, Rachel, Susie, Gabby, Eliza, Genevieve, and Mara are chosen for the group date, as Mara felt discouraged that she is wasted on not having her one-on-one date. They have taken part for a knight and shining armor challenge where they met with Katrina as the women are set in a series of challenges like eating fancy delicacies and knight training, Serene wins the challenge. At the cocktail party, Clayton is thinking on preparation for hometown dates as he asks each women on their feelings, Rachel feels a lot happy if Clayton would meet her family, Mara becomes a lot frustrated that she is ready to get married and her opinion with Sarah, and Rachel receives the rose.

In the middle of the night, Clayton receives the envelope and this would follow at Loggia Clock Tower, as he surprises Susie to meet at the place. Susie feels a lot happy with Clayton as they give a kiss.

The episode concludes when Sarah returns at the hotel after her one-on-one date, Mara can't really stop on seeing Sarah to give her another effort.

At the previous week's cocktail party, Serene presents a jar to Clayton showing "fireflies" in honor of her late cousin, Mara and Sarah began to step aside as the two started to clash off, Mara knows that Sarah is intensive and little ignorant and accusing her to be a trophy wife. At the rose ceremony, Eliza and Mara are sent home.

The show moves on to Vienna, Austria as the women strolling the city, Susie gets her second one-on-one date, where she and Clayton give a free ride to Innere Stadt into a Pretty Woman style date as they arrive at Fisher's to buy clothes, and have met with fashion designer Eva Poleschinski to browse for her wardrobe collection and Susie chose the red dress. The two give a romantic kiss at Stephansplatz to show their affection. When Susie heads back at the hotel holding her clothes to show to the other ladies, the bellboy comes at the hotel carrying a package of Eva Poleschinski red dress to be delivered for Susie as she is taken to Schönbrunn Palace where Clayton is waiting for the night portion. Susie tells Clayton that her parents have both humble upbringings to be as an independent woman, Clayton receives her a rose. Chris de Burgh appears inside to perform the song "The Lady in Red" and the couple get serenaded.

The final group date for the season has Genevieve, Sarah, Teddi, Rachel, and Gabby where they take part for the couples therapy session as they have met with Dr. Katherine. The Doctor will evaluate Clayton and the women. As all of the women get freaked out as Gabby goes first as she has a supportive relationship with her dad; Teddi tells on her childhood; Genevieve looks miserable to stir her feelings, Clayton goes to step her aside to give some private talk and Genevieve is sent home; Rachel feels a little worried; and Sarah gets a lot difficult that therapy is a big part of her life, to examine on being better. At the night portion at Palais Modena, Rachel shows her tearful odds to share the details between Sarah and Teddi that has a fair connection. Clayton then goes to Sarah to give them for a talk, as Sarah looks crying as Clayton doesn't believe her and Sarah is sent home. Clayton can not decide who would give a rose.

Serene gets the final one-on-one date of the season to ride a fiacre from Hofburg Palace to explore across Innere Stadt, and they get a waltz where Austrian couples start to follow them. At the dinner portion in Belvedere Palace, Serene opens up about her past relationships like the guy who was last dated years earlier. Clayton gives Serene a rose and they "recreated" Gustav Klimt's The Kiss scene in front of that portrait.

Clayton visits Poquoson, Virginia to meet with Susie at the park where she shows Clayton for her passion: Brazilian jiu-jitsu at Breakway Jiu Jitsu and Self Defense in Newport News to give Clayton learning this form of martial arts. Then, they have stopped at Virginia Beach Fishing Pier in Virginia Beach. Susie tells Clayton on her father's health issues that he would be able to meet her family. When Clayton is going to meet Susie's mother Jean, her father Tom, her sister Barbara, and her best friend Lauren, to give a warm welcome. When Susie's father pulls her aside knowing about his scheduled MRI diagnosis that he would be there for Susie's intended wedding, Clayton goes to Susie's mom telling his strong feelings with Susie, and Susie gave her mom's advice that she and Clayton are falling in love.

Next is at Denver, Colorado for Gabby. Clayton meets her at the Rocky Mountains to take a hike and get relaxed on a hot tub. Gabby tells Clayton that her father won't be there because of his long term girlfriend's COVID-19 condition that could not be there, only he would meet Gabby's grandfather John, her aunt Julie, her uncle Rich, and her cousin Kira. Clayton welcomes the family and he talks to the grandfather that he really likes Clayton a lot much, as he doesn't give to share his true feelings for Gabby where she has missed her late grandmother even he keeps the wedding ring. Then, Gabby is running out of the house when she heard a horn of a car parked outside as she surprises her father despite they could not talk and he holds the placard to greet each other.

In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Serene meets with Clayton and they have arrived at Riversport Adventures to face with fear of heights as Clayton is scared of heights to have challenged with free fall ride down to the ground. Clayton gets to conquer his fears and he has done it for his first try. At the night portion, Clayton would meet Serene's mother Sherri, her brother Roland, and her best friend Melanie. Clayton and the brother have a man-to-man talk, while Serene and her mom telling about the deaths of her cousin and grandma, and presenting a jar of fireflies on their memory. Then, Serene and her brother to sit for a family talk that she would be worried if she's getting a risk to fall in love with Clayton and Serene goes emotional when it ends.

Clayton meets with Rachel in her hometown of Clermont, Florida as they have arrived at King's Landing Canoe in Apopka, to take a kayak ride on a creek with alligators and spiders until they are reaching at "kissing tree" until they swim on the river's edge. When Clayton met Rachel's mother Mary Anne, her father Tony, and her best friends Sam and Nate. Rachel's dad and Clayton have going to talk about her life as a pilot, Rachel and her friend discuss about the upcoming fantasy suites, and her other best friend does not want her to be heartbroken. When Rachel's dad did not give a blessing to Clayton as Rachel getting a lot passionate being a pilot, and Rachel told to her dad about she is falling in love with Clayton and they would get a happiest time ever.

Clayton arrives in Reykjavík, Iceland to start for the overnight dates where he has a doubt to have feelings with the three women. Jesse comes in to see the women where they stayed at Hilton Nordica Hotel.

The day after Clayton’s disastrous fantasy date with Susie, Clayton is seen sitting at Hallgrímskirkja church to give a prayer, that he has felt terrible, angry and depressed. Jesse comes in to see Clayton to have talk together at Lake Tjörnin for the preparation of the rose ceremony later tonight.

At the Rose Ceremony at Harpa Concert Hall, Rachel and Gabby realize that Susie was missing and Clayton begins his speech that he was in love with Susie and was intimate with the two ladies as he is in love with them as well, both ladies then walk out and start crying. Rachel thinks that Clayton has in love with three women, including her, Gabby takes the news much harder as she feels that Clayton is not giving the answer for solving the problem. Both women each have a one on one chat with Clayton. Clayton returns to the podium and he gives Rachel a rose, Gabby initially declines the rose but Clayton tries to talk Gabby into staying and succeeds. Gabby finally accepts the rose.

The episode concludes in the aftermath of Rachel met Clayton’s family in Iceland; Clayton’s self-problems are still not done as he is admitting on his love with Susie. Jesse comes in to see Susie and asked to have her chance to talk with Clayton. When Susie is able to meet Clayton’s parents at the rental home, and the two have to talk in private as they are trying to forgive what happened at their overnight date, Clayton gives Susie an apology but Susie has not yet to be ready and she soon leaves to be back at the hotel.

The next day, Clayton writes a letter on the upcoming proposal, he goes at Alda Hotel to meet with Rachel and Gabby and tells them that he’s in love with Susie. Clayton then calls Gabby to talk at the separate room as she looks pissed that she is admitting wrong and addresses on the wrong doings in the past, Clayton then asks Gabby to walk her out but she denied his response and leaves at the exit vehicle; Rachel starts weeping her emotions that she fell in love with Clayton during their one-on-one date in Houston and gets quickly sobbed her feelings on being heartbroken starting to lose her love connection, even haunting her expression, Rachel and Clayton soon walk them out and give their one final hug before Rachel saying goodbye, including a devasted tears inside the vehicle. Each woman is on the stage recapping their respective journeys and Clayton give them a separate apologies.

On the final day, Clayton holds a black velvet box contains a Neil Lane engagement ring, Susie receives a letter from Clayton when she reads it, as Clayton arrives at Ingólfsskáli Viking restaurant for the Final Rose Ceremony, and Susie is there telling her unconditional manners as she rejects the proposal when she leaves and Clayton doesn’t want to give up and is left alone on the rain. Weeks after filming ended, Clayton resumed his normal life and four months have passed after the events, Susie appears at the stage explaining that she had protected herself after left Iceland, and the two are now back together. Clayton announces that he would be going to Virginia for a few days as he already left his job and sold his condo. Once Clayton returns to the stage and he presents a final rose to Susie but no engagement proposal.