‘The Bachelorette’ recap: A tale of two group dates

So who’s here for the right reasons and who is simply looking for screen time in order to sell whaboom T-shirts?

Things are about to get intense on Bachelorette2017 Episode 2’s basketball group date – both on and off the court. Also, #neverforget that Blake is an “aspiring” drummer. But first, noted Bachelorette fans Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis are on hand to test the contestants’ marriage-making credentials. First station is to change a dirty diaper and redress the baby.

“I’m husband material”, Lucas yells as he throws a baby doll to the ground. They kissed as well, and she was a “smitten kitten”. However, there are so many air balls that I can’t even argue there are enough bricks to build a homeless shelter.

During the second group date of the night, a woman approached Rachel and claimed to be the girlfriend of one of the guys.

Unglert, sparked some controversy when he told Rachel, “once you go black you never go back” during their first meeting on the Bachelor: After the Final Rose in March. Let us know in the comments!

Fans of The Bachelorette and The Bachelor can visit FanSided’s Accept This Rose for the latest on the entire reality franchise. A third party – Rachel’s adorable dog, Copper – joins them as they fly to Palm Springs for a day at a pool party with other dogs at “Bark Fest”.

There is always a Romanesque battle of warriors on this show, and this one is the typical ego tripping silliness we’ve come to expect. Then they make out as actual fireworks explode around them, which Copper probably did not enjoy almost as much as Peter did.

For the second group date, 10 men get an opportunity to play basketball with NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. So apologies if there are some gaps in the timeline, but it’s worth it just knowing that Rachel has changed the game … uhh … journey to find love? “It was just what I was feeling with them.” OK!

During half time, the game really heats up. Turns out, he ghosted her and she didn’t know what happened to him until she saw him on TV.

Yeah, Lexi may be a insane ex-girlfriend (which is DeMario’s go-to argument), but she also has information to back up her claim that he was with her for seven months before ghosting her three days before she saw him on TV. Rachel and every girl in America roll their eyes hard enough to cause a pre-existing condition. So, fine. I’ll let you have this one. “It’s no secret one of my weaknesses is an athlete”, says Rachel. Rachel’s dentist told her it adds character!

So, if that means The Bachelorette needs a few “Whaboom” moments or the surprise ambush of Lexi the ex in order to maximize the live television tension, I’m willing to make that trade in favor of getting to see Rachel share meaningful connections with the men of color on her season.

After the obstacle course, the men and Rachel get gussied up and head to a hip bar for some chatting time. However, DeMario’s ex had the receipts, and once Rachel saw the exposing texts she had no choice but to kick him out. We won’t find out until next week!

On a side note, can someone please explain how Rachel’s dog hurt his paw?