The Bachelor: Season 16
The sixteenth season of the reality television series The Bachelor features Ben Flajnik, a winemaker and owner of Envolve wines from Sonoma, California, who previously finished as the runner-up in the seventh season of The Bachelorette. In this installment of the dating and relationship series, a single bachelor dates multiple women over the course of several weeks. The competition begins with twenty-five women, foll
Season 16 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- The dating and relationship reality television series debuted on ABC on March 25, 2002.
- The premise involves a single bachelor dating multiple women over several weeks.
- The bachelor progressively narrows down the pool of women with the goal of finding true love.
- Chris Harrison hosted the series for its first twenty-five seasons.
Season overview
The sixteenth season of the reality television series The Bachelor features Ben Flajnik, a winemaker and owner of Envolve wines from Sonoma, California, who previously finished as the runner-up in the seventh season of The Bachelorette. In this installment of the dating and relationship series, a single bachelor dates multiple women over the course of several weeks. The competition begins with twenty-five women, following the exclusion of a senior citizen, as the bachelor narrows down the field in hopes of finding his true love.
Episode Guide
Season 16 Progress Shield
Week 1
Jan 2, 2012 · 90 min
Ben returns to the mansion for the first big cocktail party. He explains to Chris Harrison that, as painful as his experience was last season, he has no regrets. When Ben began his
Week 2
Jan 9, 2012 · 90 min
The 18 bachelorettes vying for Ben's affections travel to his hometown of Sonoma, Calif.; 12 ladies take part in a group date where they must participate in a community theater pro
Week 3
Jan 16, 2012 · 90 min
One lucky bachelorette makes a 500-foot trek atop San Francisco's Bay Bridge during a date with Ben; one lady does the unthinkable and rejects Ben's request for a private date; an
Week 4
Jan 23, 2012 · 90 min
While visiting Utah, Ben and the remaining bachelorettes see the sights and bond on romantic outings; one woman tries to warn Ben of the other ladies' intentions, but her advice ma
Week 5
Jan 30, 2012 · 90 min
While in Puerto Rico, the 11 remaining ladies quickly become frustrated after fighting for personal time with Ben; despite being chastised by the other women, Courtney continues he
Week 6
Feb 6, 2012 · 90 min
Ben is forced to eliminate one girl after a two-on-one date of salsa dancing; Ben and six of the women go on a romantic date deep inside the Panamanian jungle; Chris confronts some
Week 7
Feb 13, 2012 · 90 min
With only six ladies left, each bachelorette desperately seeks time with Ben before he chooses the final four; everyone participates in a date while visiting Belize; upon arriving
Week 8
Feb 20, 2012 · 90 min
Ben travels across the country visiting the families of the remaining four women, hoping to impress his potential in-laws; the ladies' parents put the pressure on Ben when question
Week 9
Feb 27, 2012 · 90 min
The three remaining ladies travel to Switzerland where each is granted a full-day date with Ben and possibly the night; a surprise visitor demands answers from Ben; after romantic
The Women Tell All
Mar 5, 2012 · 90 min
Sixteen scorned women return to confront Ben about personal decisions he made during filming while also planning to grill Courtney about her inherently deceptive behavior; new foot
The Final Rose
Mar 12, 2012 · 90 min
Ben is given a last-minute chance to spend time with the two remaining ladies before he makes his final decision; Ben must reject one hopeful woman before handing the final rose, a
After the Final Rose
Mar 12, 2012 · 90 min
Ben and the special bachelorette that stole his heart sit down with Chris to discuss their plans for future; the couple is reunited, after which they assess the current state of th