by David McAlpine

Come one, come all Bachelorette fans, because it's time for the claws to come out! It's only the second week of the show, and already tensions are mounting. Bentley is driving everyone viewers up the wall with his antics, Jeff still has the mask on, and no one seems to be emerging as the frontrunner. Could that change this week?

It certainly could, considering Ashley is hauling a bunch of the guys out to Vegas. It's usually what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, but not on The Bachelorette!

William (the cell phone salesman--can I stress that enough?) is lucky enough to have the first one-on-one date with Ashley, who jets off on a private plane to Sin City. He's excited, she's excited--I'm hoping she dumps him.

Meanwhile, Jeff still has the mask on, and no one gets it. Gosh, is it really that hard to realize that he's trying to show Ashley his inside by hiding his outside? There's always room for one crazy, and Jeff this season is certainly it. He even gets his mask on over a knit cap!

Back in Vegas, (well-placed) tourists are snapping pictures of Ashley left and right, as if she's Kim Kardashian and/or someone important that people would care about. As if William looks uncomfortable enough, the date is planning a fake wedding ceremony, Vegas-style. They pick out a dress, a suit, a cake, a ring, and it all comes down to Ashley getting to the altar. William says "I do," and Ashley reveals that it's a test to see how well he would perform on the big day.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but on a first date, I'm not usually envisioning marrying a person. I understand the process is accelerated here, but still. Really? And the poor guy looked so nervous, but Ashley saves him from his horror and takes him out on a boat in the middle of the Bellagio's fountain. Still more paparazzi-like tourists.

William admits he doesn't have a flashy job (no, really?), but he tells Ashley's he's good at communication. Cue William's sob story: he had an alcoholic dad who died after getting beaten on the side of the road. Ashley couldn't say no to that, so she gives him a rose, and excitedly so. According to Ashley, the bar is set pretty high. Now, if we do a rewind to last season, who had the first date? Oh, that's right, she did. And look where that got her.

The group date was next with Constantine, Ryan M., Chris, Ben F., Nick, Bentley, West, Lucas, Stephen, Blake, Matt and Ames. They all jet off to Vegas where they have to split into teams and create their own dance to impress Ashley. The winners get more time with Ashley and a 30-second performance with the Jabbawockeez. The losers get put on the next plane back to LA.

It's "The Best Men" vs. "No Rhythm Nation" in a cheese-off of epic proportions. The Best Men do a "jilted at the altar" routine that leaves much to be desired. No Rhythm Nation opt for a more thematic approach with a dramatic interpretation of a rose ceremony, which earns them Ashley's seal of approval. So, Ben F., Nick, Bentley, West, Lucas and Blake get to stay in Vegas and spend more time with our single lady.

Blake pulls Ashley aside first and she doesn't seem to like him because they'd be too type-A to work. Wow, Ashley, quite the look in the mirror, isn't it? I'm loving Blake, but he gets interrupted by West, who opts to spill his sad story: finding his fiancee dead in the bathtub. Now that Ashley buys.

But it wouldn't be an effort without Bentley, who ramps up the d-baggery to a whole new level. He basically admits (to us, not her) that all he wants is some action, and he'd rather get down to it right now. With Ashley, he plays the insecure card, and she's eating out of his hand, because she's not only begging him to stay, she thinks she's giving him advice. Advice! As if it wasn't clear enough that she liked him, she gives him the date rose, putting a snide smirk on Bentley's face.

Back at the house, it's time for the last date after the flip of a coin. On one side is Mickey's face, the other, J.P.'s. Winner gets the date, loser, well, doesn't. Mickey wins the coin toss and gets a ticket to Vegas where he and Ashley play Truth or Dare in an aquarium. Mickey is the third sob story to spill: he's an only child and his mother passed away six years ago. Not quite up to par with others, but close. It's enough to get Ashley's rose and secure another week.

At the cocktail party, J.P. and Jeff are both super anxious to talk to Ashley. Ashley basically tells J.P. he's getting a rose, but she's certainly not prepared for Jeff's story. For the fourth sob story of the night, Jeff talks about how he had a brain hemorrhage when he was 29, he's divorced and he was with his wife for 10 years when he found out about some "untruthfulness." Ashley, now fairly tipsy, is all supportive, so Jeff decides to take off the mask.

At least, until Matt interrupts. Shucks, no Jeff this week! But there's still a whole lot of Bentley as he swoons Ashley into a secluded room and shoves his tongue down her throat, then proceeds to talk about how bad the kiss was. But she loved it, and clearly likes him.

For the rose ceremony, West, Constantine, Ryan, Ben C., Nick, Ames, Lucas, Jeff, J.P., Chris, Ben F. and Blake get the roses, leaving Stephen, Matt and Ryan to head home.

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

(Photo courtesy of ABC)

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