The Bachelor Season 29: Is Grant Ellis Struggling As The Lead Because He's In Love With Rose Sombke? (Will Anyone Else Really Make Him Happy?)

Grant Ellis' turn as lead on The Bachelor has seen the former basketball player struggle to find his footing in the game of love, since a woman he had feelings for self-eliminated after drama during episode 4 of The Bachelor season 29. After failing to capture Jenn Tran's heart on The Bachelorette, Grant was named as Bachelor, giving him a second chance to find the love of his life. However, between meddling of the contestants and underwhelming dates, this season isn't living up to the hype and I'm wondering if Grant has already checked out of the game.

While the the season only on episode 4, a few women have emerged as front-runners to become Grant's fiancé: Alexe Godin, Carolina Sofia, Dina Lupancu, Juliana Pasquarosa, Litia Garr, Rose Sombke, and Zoe McGrady have all seemed to form a special bond with Grant. Grant's diplomatic personality and generally chill nature has left fans feeling like Grant has failed to take a strong stand with any of the women in order to spare feelings. This is The Bachelor, after all, and by nature, some people will leave with broken hearts.

Grant Was Thinking Of Rose While Dancing With Carolina

Grant's Waffling Failed To Impress Rose

After whittling down contestants each week, Grant wasn't given a choice when Rose decided to leave the show after a misunderstanding with Carolina left her feeling like she'd been done "dirty" by the Puerto Rico native. Grant and Rose had a strong connection, but when he failed to stand up for her in her drama with Carolina, Rose decided he wasn't the man for her and left the show. Now, without Rose, Grant is struggling to find his life partner—and make good TV in the process.

Grant and Rose's connection was apparent from the start when Rose first emerged from the limousine in a baby blue slip dress to meet Grant. Rose seemed a bit more unassuming than some of the other contestants. The registered nurse's quiet nature and lack of a flashy intro didn't stop Grant from commenting, "I like this Rose," after she went into the mansion.

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Still, other contestants were more forward in trying to make an impression on Grant, like the fiery Carolina. Carolina took control of a group date where the women had to write songs and perform for Grant. Carolina straddled Grant and sang to him in Spanish, even kissing him in front of the rest of the group. Later, when Rose confronted Grant about Carolina, Grant told her she didn't need to worry because, despite dancing with Carolina, he was thinking of Rose.

"I'm very interested in you. Like even today, right, you know, the whole dancing thing on stage and everything, I was thinking about you. I don't want you to feel like I wasn't paying attention, because I am."

This confession set off a chain reaction, which led to Carolina tearfully confronting Grant about what he'd said, and caused Grant to admonish Rose for repeating his words and creating issues with Carolina. Grant is so careful not to hurt anyone's feelings and maintain his "gentleman" persona, but he fumbled by not sticking up for Rose and taking accountability for saying what he said. Rose may have misconstrued his words, but he did say them.

Rose Self-Eliminated Because Of The Scandal

Grant Wanted To Move Past Issue, But Rose Couldn't

By the end of episode 3, Rose felt betrayed by Carolina, especially since their conversation took place off-camera and Carolina brought it to Grant on-camera. Grant clearly cares about Rose, as he gave her a rose that night to remain in the competition. He said he wanted to move past the misunderstanding, but it wasn't enough for Rose.

As the women gathered around her, Rose let Carolina know her feelings in no uncertain terms. Not only was Rose being played by Carolina, but she felt that Grant's inability to take accountability, and the way he stood up for Carolina, were red flags. Rose put herself first and left the show, and Grant will forever regret that his actions caused him to lose Rose. Like Rose said, once the trust was gone, she had no other choice.

"It's just that your actions really set me back and it really kind of f****d me over in a big fat f*****g way... I was the martyr of your feelings... You backstabbed me... You f*****g did me dirty."

Other Women Might Not Compare

Grant Will Regret Losing Rose

Grant will regret losing Rose, since she really seemed to be genuine in her feelings for him. From the start, Rose and Grant had chemistry. I think he found Rose's unassuming nature intriguing, especially compared to the other women. Rose wasn't putting on a front or going for the over-the-top route, and she wasn't chasing clout by being on the show. She maintained her dignity right up until the end of her time on The Bachelor, and Grant is now left to choose from women whose motives may not be as pure.