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One of the biggest psychological pitfalls of being on The Bachelor seems to be getting so far inside of one's own head that one can no longer differentiate between what's real and what's projection. It's understandable, since 95% of the contestants' time is spent obsessing over their relationship with the lead, but it's still fascinating to watch the dramatic irony play out. This week it happened to Vanessa.

Vanessa told Nick she's in love with him on her one-on-one date, and fully expected him to respond in kind. This is not what happened. Nick is not Ben Higgins, and he's not about to go telling one woman he loves her when there are five (at this point in the episode) other women back at the house.

She said those three little words (in as many words), and they kissed. Her hair was blowing in the wind like a sea goddess. She looked gorgeous. And then Nick finally spoke, and it was an excruciatingly graceless response.

"I have been in love before. I have fallen in love in this environment before. I have said 'I love you' in this environment before. I'm not ashamed of it. I don't take it back. But I'm looking for the type of love I've never had before," he said.

BRO. BROOOOOO. Why would you respond to a woman telling you she loves you by bringing up all the other times you've been in love? Way to make her feel unspecial.

Then he made it worse! "I really really like you a lot," he said. Not the same as "I love you," dawg! He eventually said he wants to say "I love you" like it's the first time and really, truly mean it, which is passable, but by then Vanessa was already disappointed.

Nick handled the situation poorly, but Vanessa did get herself in this position. She expected something she should have known Nick was not able to give. Unless she's only watched Ben's season, in which case maybe she thinks the Bachelor tells women he loves them all the time. She was annoyed with his non-response, which is the wrong reaction. Other women have been sent home after expressing their feelings this season.

"I'm just afraid to end up like Nick did," she said. "Heartbroken at the end of this." Way harsh, bro.

Next week is hometowns, which we will watch through the filter of knowing Rachel is the next Bachelorette. Exciting!

The Bachelor airs Mondays at 8/7c on ABC.

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• The Bachelor
• Nick Viall
• Vanessa Grimaldi

One of the biggest psychological pitfalls of being on The Bachelor seems to be getting so far inside of one's own head that one can no longer differentiate between what's real and what's projection. It's understandable, since 95% of the contestants' time is spent obsessing over their relationship with the lead, but it's still fascinating to watch the dramatic irony play out. This week it happened to Vanessa.

Vanessa told Nick she's in love with him on her one-on-one date, and fully expected him to respond in kind. This is not what happened. Nick is not Ben Higgins, and he's not about to go telling one woman he loves her when there are five (at this point in the episode) other women back at the house.

She said those three little words (in as many words), and they kissed. Her hair was blowing in the wind like a sea goddess. She looked gorgeous. And then Nick finally spoke, and it was an excruciatingly graceless response.

"I have been in love before. I have fallen in love in this environment before. I have said 'I love you' in this environment before. I'm not ashamed of it. I don't take it back. But I'm looking for the type of love I've never had before," he said.

BRO. BROOOOOO. Why would you respond to a woman telling you she loves you by bringing up all the other times you've been in love? Way to make her feel unspecial.

Then he made it worse! "I really really like you a lot," he said. Not the same as "I love you," dawg! He eventually said he wants to say "I love you" like it's the first time and really, truly mean it, which is passable, but by then Vanessa was already disappointed.

Nick handled the situation poorly, but Vanessa did get herself in this position. She expected something she should have known Nick was not able to give. Unless she's only watched Ben's season, in which case maybe she thinks the Bachelor tells women he loves them all the time. She was annoyed with his non-response, which is the wrong reaction. Other women have been sent home after expressing their feelings this season.

"I'm just afraid to end up like Nick did," she said. "Heartbroken at the end of this." Way harsh, bro.

Next week is hometowns, which we will watch through the filter of knowing Rachel is the next Bachelorette. Exciting!

The Bachelor airs Mondays at 8/7c on ABC.

Other Links From TVGuide.com

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