THE RELATIONSHIP STAKES ARE HIGH ON ABC'S 'BACHELOR IN PARADISE'

"Episode 303A" - The third day in the gorgeous town of Sayulita, Mexico, picks up after the dramatic cliffhanger, on the next episode of the highly anticipated "Bachelor in Paradise," MONDAY, AUGUST 15 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT).

A newly single, yet ever hopeful, bachelor makes a desperate plea for the heart of a taken woman. With the girls in power this week, the remaining cast members prepare for a cocktail party with the unattached bachelors realizing they will have to bring their A-game, or risk being sent home.

Heading into the second rose ceremony, a Paradise vet remains caught in a love triangle, torn between the "perfect on paper" bachelor with a heart of gold and the more mysterious one. Another undecided bachelorette is questioning whether a new connection is worth exploring, or if she should save a friend who deserves a chance to find love. And a newly single bachelorette contemplates her options.

During the cocktail party, a rejected bachelor makes a point to warn his former love interest that the man she is dating might not be who she thinks he is. This once confident bachelorette takes the warning to heart and is left confused, concerned and doubting her relationship heading into the rose ceremony. The rose ceremony comes to a close, and while some bachelors are left feeling confident and some are feeling hopeful, ultimately two smitten bachelors are shocked to find out that their feelings were one-sided, and are sent home.

Waking up the morning after the rose ceremony, it is clear that Paradise is working and love is in the air, as our couples continue to develop their relationships. But the peaceful atmosphere is quickly shattered when a gorgeous, well-known, and totally unexpected bachelorette arrives in Paradise with a date card. When she asks out a popular bachelor, he is thrilled to accept, which leaves his recent love-connection back at the house, stunned and unsure about their future. Not letting the drama back at the house set the tone for their date, the new couple sets off to enjoy a picturesque date horseback riding along the beach - complete with stunning views, gorgeous sunsets and plenty of romance!

In a Paradise first, a double-date card arrives and two party-loving, tequila-shooting couples head out for a wild night on the town. But will this fun-loving foursome prove to be too much for Mexico to handle? Meanwhile, two unattached bachelorettes take matters into their own hands and arrange a double date of their own with two potential suitors. But things take a shocking turn when one overly excited bachelor goes to extreme measures to win back his former fling, and his desperate actions bring both his crush and the medics rushing to his bedside!

With the previous night's drama behind them, all appears calm and peaceful in Paradise, but perhaps this is the calm before the storm, as the arrival of an infamous bachelorette threatens to bring lots of drama, and plenty of tears, to Playa Escondida.

In "Episode 303B," which airs TUESDAY, AUGUST 16 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT), the story picks up as our remaining cast members are shocked to see that an infamous drama queen has arrived in Paradise! This determined bachelorette is ready to find love and put the drama, her ex and the tears behind her for good! But the best laid plans often go awry, and, as she walks into paradise, she is confronted with her worst nightmare: her ex has met someone else, and she will have to watch from the sidelines as he finds love with another woman.

Having run out of options this teary-eyed bachelorette invites the free-spirited bachelor to join her on the date, but as the duo departs, a storm rolls into Paradise, leaving the remaining cast members on edge, fearing that the storm is an omen of the inevitable drama to come. The new pair are both surprised to find themselves enjoying a dinner filled laughs and easy conversation, but just as they start to connect, a tribe of Aztec warriors dances in and takes this virgin bachelorette off to the sacrificial alter, leaving our lonely bachelor to finish his dinner alone.

Back at the house, Paradise's most unorthodox couple have an equally unorthodox date, a day at a Mexican hospital ordered by the house doctor, and it is clear their feelings have deepened, leaving this optimistic bachelor more hopeful than ever heading into the cocktail party. And it looks like his elaborate medical-themed plot has worked, and he is shocked to hear his crush finally admit she has feelings for him, and they share a passionate kiss!

A show-stopping bachelorette arrives in Paradise and makes some bachelorettes nervous. But she delights one long-time "Bachelor" fan-favorite, who is instantly smitten, and when she asks him out on a date, the two head off for a sexy and luxurious day filled with yachts, private beaches and plenty of chemistry. But will some unwelcome guests ruin their picture perfect date?

Heading into the rose ceremony, one bachelor finds himself at the center of all the drama and worries that the arrival of his possessive ex and all of their baggage could be too much for his new relationship to take, and to make matters worse, his concerns grow as rumors about his lady start to spread through Paradise, leading him to confront her at the cocktail party. But just when it seems the two have put the past to bed and are ready to move on, the ex-in-question steals him away, and the two have a heated conversation that pushes our now fed-up bachelor to threaten to leave Paradise just moments before the rose ceremony.

Over the course of six weeks, we'll follow these former bachelors and bachelorettes as they explore new relationships while living together in Mexico, in a secluded and dreamy paradise. America will watch as they fall in love or go through renewed heartbreak. "Bachelor in Paradise" will feature shocking twists, surprises, unexpected guests and some of the most unlikely relationships in "Bachelor" history. There's no telling who will find love this season, just like Jade and Tanner did last year with their engagement and subsequent wedding.

Hosted by Chris Harrison, "Bachelor in Paradise" is produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss, Martin Hilton, Nicole Woods, Peter J. Scalettar and Elan Gale are executive producers. "Bachelor in Paradise" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format. (CLOSED CAPTIONED)