‘The Golden Bachelor’ Episode 3 Recap: ‘I’m Not Dating Mel, I’m Dating America’

Nicolle reveals her true motivations, a sexy photo shoot stirs up jealousy, and Mel sends three more contestants home

Christina Ianzito,

AARP

Comments

Published October 08, 2025

mel owens in a scene from the golden bachelor episode 204

John Fleenor/Disney

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

As Cheryl, 66, puts it, “Feelings are getting real” on Season 2 of The Golden Bachelor, the ABC reality dating series for older singles. (The show airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET and is available for streaming the next day on Hulu.) Episode 3 features the nine remaining women elbowing for the attentions of NFL player-turned-attorney Mel Owens, 66. Meanwhile, some of the contestants are convinced that there’s a bad seed among them. (Guess who.)

Here are more highlights from Episode 3.

The contestants (as always) are having trouble with the premise of the show

Pitting multiple women against each other for one man’s attention makes for entertaining viewing, but it’s pretty wretched if you’re one of the women with actual feelings for the guy. “My mind can’t help but see other women with him.… It’s really, really hard,” Carol, 63, says to Cindy, 60, who’s described herself as a “smitten kitten.”

Peg gets the one-on-one date with Mel

When Peg, 62, the fun former firefighter, is chosen for the solo date with Mel, the other women pretend to be happy for her, clapping and cheering.

Then Peg and Mel head off to the Orange County Fair, where we see a classic made-for-TV montage of the couple Having a Good Time: laughing on rides, eating corn dogs, drinking beer, playing games and winning stuffed animals. (“Mel, will you accept this cow?” Peg jokes. “Peg,” he asks, “will you accept this monkey?”)

“She’s a badass, which I like,” says Mel, who’s beginning to look dangerously sunburned.

Later, they head to a KC and the Sunshine Band concert and boogie to “Get Down Tonight.”

Nicolle is becoming unbearable

Nicolle, 64, who showed her no-holds-barred strategy in Episode 1 when she kissed Mel seductively in front of the other women in the pool, reveals her real reasons for being on the show: to boost her brand as a yoga instructor and fitness influencer. The camera catches her whispering to Roxanne, 62, “I told myself from the beginning, I’m not dating Mel, I’m dating America. I’m dating everybody watching. And not watching. That gives you exposure like you’ve never had.”

Carol looks sick, overhearing this. “It just, wow. It just rubbed me the wrong way.”

Cindy and Robin, 63, are also shocked by Nicolle’s self-serving motives. Should someone tell Mel?

The group date is particularly cringe-inducing

OK, here’s the premise: Eight of the women can choose from a selection of sexy outfits for a photo shoot with a photographer from People magazine. The pictures will appear in a special feature called “Sexy at Every Age.” The never-married Debbie, 65, chooses (no, don’t do it!) a wedding dress for a “beach bride” themed shoot.

Gerri, 64, and Cheryl are in red bathing suits, posing with Mel for a “beach patrol” vibe.

The photographer asks if he can do one last shoot featuring Mel and Cindy, who roll around kissing in the sand, From Here to Eternity–style — a setup the producers no doubt designed for maximum jealousy-inducing effect.

“I’m catching feelings,” notes a miserable-looking Debbie. “I mean, c’mon already.”

Then everyone wrestles for alone time with Mel

Still on the beach, they take turns pulling Mel aside for kissing and high-intensity emotional bonding. Goofy, adorably self-deprecating Carol kisses him, then says to the camera, “You know what, I’m all flustered, OK? … The kiss was good!”

Robin decides she’s going to be the one to tell Mel the truth

“I care about you,” she says, when she gets the now seriously sunburned Mel alone on the beach. “I think there are people here who I don’t think are being completely authentic with you.…” But she doesn’t name the woman in question, so it doesn’t seem to do much good — except possibly contribute to her being sent home at the end of the episode.

Nicolle takes undue credit for the lemon bars

Mel has told them that his favorite dessert is “anything lemon,” so we see Cindy, Gerri, Robin, Roxanne and, briefly, Nicolle, in the kitchen, whipping up lemon bars. Then someone asks, “Where’s Nicolle?” She’s in the Jacuzzi.

The rose ceremony is preceded by a tailgate party, which includes beer pong — with prune juice. (Note to the producers: Seriously?) Nicolle hands Mel the container with the lemon bars and says, “I made them…. The secret ingredient is always love.”

Mel clearly doesn’t get that Nicolle is the “people” Robin warned him about. “Nicolle is lovely and giving,” he observes. “She’s all about me, and I like that.”

Cheryl thinks she’s a princess

Sure, ABC is owned by Disney, but Cheryl is going overboard on the princess metaphor: “You have turned me into a princess, and you’re the prince in my life,” she tells Mel. “I feel like I found my prince. I want to take that journey with him,” she adds, to the camera, tearfully. “I’m hoping this fairy tale may come true.” Sigh.

Three women are sent packing

Robin, Gerri and Roxanne don’t receive a rose. Mel and the six remaining contestants celebrate by jumping into the pool wearing their evening clothes. We still like Peg and Carol the most. Who does Mel really like? Maybe Cindy? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

See you next week!

%{postComment}%