The Bachelor Sunday night kicked off with a “Chris Tells All” special before the remaining women were shown heading off to Iowa to check out Chris Soules’ hometown.

Chris Tells All

Before Chris took the hot seat opposite Chris Harrison, Kelsey got the chance to defend her behavior on this season of The Bachelor. She claimed that she did not, as people suspected, think she was smarter than everyone else – nor would she concede to faking her panic attack. When Chris sat down, he admitted that ratting on Kelsey to Ashley I. during the two-on-one date wasn’t his smartest move. His other big reveal was his appreciation for Jillian’s barely-there bikini.

The other two standout parts from the special were a visit from former Bachelorette star Andi Dorfman and Chris Harrison’s presentation of Ashley S. Andi, during her time with the host, revealed that her engagement to Josh Murray fell apart following the live premiere of the Bachelor. Fielding questions about the wedding they’d yet to consider planning made them realize it really wasn’t working. As for Ashley S., her audition tape didn’t give any hint to the crazy she’d unleash at Bachelor Mansion.

‘The Bachelor’ Recap

Back to Chris finding a wife, after hopping on the helicopter out of the Badlands where he’d left the dumped Kelsey and Ashley I., he headed to the Martin & Mason Hotel for the cocktail party. Over drinks, Megan got direct with the bachelor and asked him what their deal was. Chris met her directness with candor and admitted that he has deeper feelings for the other women and said goodbye to her right then and there. And then, to the delight of the remaining women, Chris put his foot down and refused to have another Rose Ceremony. He wanted all six of them to come to check out Iowa.

The group’s first stop was in Des Moines, but before they could get too comfortable, Jade received the first one-on-one date card and would be joining Chris for some romantic time in his hometown of Arlington. During their stroll through the downtown area, most of the family-owned businesses were closed, including the bar. For some entertainment, Chris brought Jade with him to the football game at the local high school and then introduced her to his parents.

After his time with Jade, Chris then had a one-on-one date with Whitney in Des Moines. Though Des Moines definitely has more to offer in the way of diversion than Arlington, they kept the date simple – taking kissing selfies with each other all around the city. For dinner, the two went to one of the city’s eateries, where they met a few of Chris’ best friends. They peppered her with questions about her intentions, which she fielded with ease. It’s an overall successful date that ended with a passionate kiss.

As for the other women, while Chris was out with Whitney, Carly, Britt, Becca and Kaitlyn took a recon trip to Arlington. Britt, recovering from learning that Jade had spent the day there with Chris, was as shocked as the rest to see just how rural the town is. According to the local pastor, it’s an hour to go out to eat or see a movie, which depressed Britt. For the group date, Britt, Carly and Kaitlyn went ice skating with Chris. Britt tried to monopolize the date and to convince Chris that she fell in love with Arlington. Carly, meanwhile, became newly determined to expose Britt as a fraud.

After Carly told Chris that Britt might be fibbing, he confronted her about what she really thinks about Arlington. She admitted that it initially made her nervous, but more important than living in a bustling metropolis is being a mother, which is all she wants these days. Chris, seemingly satisfied with her answer, then pulled Kaitlyn aside. Talking about their easygoing date to Costco, Chris seemed to remember his feelings for her and gave her the date rose. When Britt saw Kaitlyn’s rose, she lost it on Chris – in front of Kaitlyn and Carly – which led Chris to suggest they chat about it in private another time.

The Bachelor will return when the second half of its two-part special airs Monday on ABC at 8/7c