'The Bachelor' recap: Clayton takes back a rose as drama heats up

This week's episode of "The Bachelor" began with host Jesse Palmer telling Clayton he could "do whatever you want" in regards to taking back the rose he gave to Cassidy after hearing a rumor that she was dating a guy back home.

Cassidy initially denied the rumor when confronted about it, later clarifying that the man in question was "a friend" of hers whom she had hooked up with "a few times over the course of the past few months." She added that he "does not want a relationship" and she had no interest in getting back with him.

Despite her assurances that there was no one in the competition as "excited" about Clayton as she was, Cassidy was sent home.

"The wicked witch is gone," said Kate, who would soon be gone herself.

But if Cassidy was the Wicked Witch of the East in this "Wizard of Oz" analogy, having the metaphorical house crash down on her with her elimination, Shanae, whose aggressive play for Clayton during a group date two weeks ago ended in disappointment, is proving to be the Wicked Witch of the West.

During a group date on Monday that featured former "Baywatch" star Nicole Eggert taking a few of the ladies through romantic lifeguard training, Shanae once again tried to grab Clayton's attention by throwing herself at him every chance she got. Once again, she came up empty as Gabby snagged the date rose.

Finding herself in a "do or die" situation, Shanae escalated her ongoing fight with Elizabeth, telling Clayton that Elizabeth was bullying her and causing the other women to avoid her when they were in the room together. Shanae seemed to acknowledge it was all a show, by bragging to the camera, "I was good!"

Whether the ploy worked or not will be answered on next week's episode.

Elsewhere, Kaitlyn Bristowe made a surprise appearance, leading an emotional group date where Clayton and some of the women opened up about their insecurities, ending with Eliza picking up a rose.

Sarah picked up a rose after a one-on-one date that featured Becca Kufrin sending her and Clayton on a semi-naked scavenger hunt.

Kate, Ency and Tessa were sent home at the rose ceremony delayed from the previous episode.

Here are the other women still in the running:

Eliza, 25, a marketing manager from Berlin, Germany
Elizabeth, 32, a real estate advisor from Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Gabby, 30, an ICU nurse from Denver, Colorado
Genevieve, 26, a bartender from Los Angeles, California
Hunter, 28, a human resources specialist from Charlotte, North Carolina
Jill, 26, an architectural historian from Scituate, Rhode Island
Kira, 32, a physician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Lyndsey W., 28 an industrial sale representative from Houston, Texas
Mara, 32, an entrepreneur from Collingswood, New Jersey
Marlena, 30, a former Olympian from Gainesville, Florida
Melina, 27, a personal trainer from West Hollywood, California
Rachel, 25, a flight instructor from Clermont, Florida
Sarah, 23, a wealth management advisor from New York City, New York
Serene, 26, an elementary school teacher from Oklahoma City, Ohio
Shanae, 29, a recruiter from Sycamore, Ohio
Sierra, 26, a yoga instructor from Dallas, Texas
Susie, 28, a wedding videographer from Virginia Beach, Virginia
Teddi, 24, a surgical unit nurse from Highland, California

"The Bachelor" returns Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.