Everything's coming up roses for Madison's Karina Sabol. On the April 17 episode of Farmer Wants a Wife, the former gymnast scored a dance, a kiss (well, many kisses), and a coveted solo date with Farmer J'Marick "Jay" Woods. She's one of four daters still in the running for him.
We left off last week in the midst of the first full group event of the season, a Tennessee barn dance with all four farmers and their remaining daters. Beef that had been building between one of Woods' daters, T’yana, and his other three came to a head. "There's been like a lot of drama tonight with T’yana," Sabol said in a confessional on this week's episode. "This has definitely put a stress on myself. And so, I've been anxiously waiting and trying to be patient for Jay." That patience would sure pay off.
Here's a recap of Episode 5: Farmer Jay and Karina tear up the dance floor; T’yana gets reassurance. After a little two-step action, Sabol taught Woods some moves. "There we go," she said, beaming. T’yana, onlooking, said she really likes Woods but is worried that her connection with him could be jeopardized by her drama with the other girls on the farm. "I do feel like if I don't have a moment with him or anything like that, it might be time to just pack it up," she said.
T’yana went over to Halleh, one of the other farmers' daters, to continue spilling tea. After talking to Woods' other ladies, which was shown on last week's episode, she said she felt uncomfortable, left out, and iced out. She told Halleh that she hadn't been nasty to anybody — just sweet — and wondered if there was something wrong with her. When T’yana turned on the waterworks, Woods asked his other gals if they knew what she was crying about. "Because you're not giving her attention," Sabol said. Woods, blindsided by the drama, went to check on T'yana.
"Because of T’yana constantly interrupting, I really feel pretty angry," Sabol said in a confessional. "So, I would like to just do what I need to do to get my time with Jay." When Woods asked T'yana what was going on, she started sobbing. "I've just been feeling left out in a way," she said. "I haven't felt like that in so long." Woods validated her feelings and thanked her for opening up to him but said she needed to focus on why she's there: Him. T'yana said she's been feeling like Woods doesn't want her there, which he hated hearing. "I'm definitely happy that you're here," he assured her. "I definitely want to get to know you a little bit more, for sure."
Karina finally gets some alone time with Farmer Jay at the dance. "I'm a big believer in actions over words," Woods said. "With Karina, she is very gentle, very kind. I see her putting the effort in every day. So, I want to dive deeper and get to know her a little better." After whisking Sabol away for some alone time, he let her know that he's noticed how she's always the first one up, checking on the dogs and gathering the chicken eggs. "Those little things, that's what I really look at," he said, adding that her being good on the farm is a huge plus for him. "I'm glad you notice it," Sabol said. "It does make my day to see you."
But, she felt she hadn't yet seen him fully. With coaching gymnastics being important to Sabol and football being dear to Woods, she told him she wanted to see that side of him. "It sounds like you have similar stuff, so I feel like that's more of where my heart's at," Sabol said, which Woods enjoyed hearing. While Woods was praising Sabol, calling her beautiful, Sabol pulled a very Midwestern move: Jumping in to compliment him right back. "Trust me, when you walked in the other day in your three-quarter zip and your athletic clothes, I was like 'Shoot,'" she said, laughing.
Even though Woods hadn't had much time to get to know Sabol, he said he really wanted to. They had themselves a deal and even shook on it. "Karina definitely surprised me tonight," Woods said. "She's all-around a great person. Beautiful on the inside and out. I think we have a great chemistry and definitely vibe well together." As they walked away, some serious kissing commenced, which Woods called the highlight of the night.
Who did Farmer Jay choose to take on his next solo date? "This is someone who I have not spent a lot of time with, someone who tonight I've really seen open up to me and be vulnerable," Woods said. Was he talking about Sabol? T'yana? Sabol, it was! "I'm definitely starting to get those giddy feelings and I'm ready to see where this goes," she said in a confessional.
Farmer Jay and Karina's solo date: A mix of football and romance. On Woods' date with Sabol, she'd get exactly what she asked for: His football side. He took her to the youth football program he helps out at a couple times a week. When Woods introduced his guest to a sea of kids in jerseys and helmets, one blurted out: "Is that your girlfriend?" "Something like that," Sabol replied. Sabol had one line of kids and Woods had the other for a throwing and catching drill. But, not before Sabol dished out a little friendly trash talk. What would the losing team's punishment be? Pushups. Despite Woods' impressive football background, Sabol's team was victorious. She gave out great works, nice jobs, nice hustles, and high fives to her group.
When Woods asked the kids if they had any questions, he got some advice: "You gotta keep up that rizz if you want her." "I hear you, big dog," Woods replied. Later that night, Woods brought Sabol to the bed of his pickup, which was decked out with candles, a pile of pillows, and blankets. After cozying up and clinking beer bottles, Woods told Sabol he was glad he got to spend time with her and show her his world. Sabol said she loved it and thought it was special. "Seeing the kids admire you, you literally looked the happiest I've ever seen you," she said.
While they covered "surface-level" stuff during the dance, Woods said he wanted to get to know more about Sabol, her family, and upbringing. Sabol told him that she's one of six kids. Her family drove around a big eight-seater, which was what she eventually used to learn how to drive. "We spend a lot of time together," Sabol said. "I know how important family is to you," Woods said. "Wisconsin and Alabama — that's a big jump, though. How do you feel about it?" "It is a big jump, yeah," she said. "We can figure it out."
As the two held each other's hands, Sabol asked what it would take for Woods to feel confident one way or another about her. "Well, right now, I feel very confident in you," he said. "You have four women living in your house," she replied. "I don't know if you can say that." He assured Sabol that he felt a connection and bond growing with her. "Good. I like that answer," she said. Cue: A make-out sesh. "I would say this is probably the best date I've had in a very long time," Sabol said in a confessional. "I think I definitely am starting to catch feelings for Jay. It is very movie-esque."
How to watch Farmer Wants a Wife Season 3. To find out what all went down between the other farmers and their daters during episode 5, it's streaming on Hulu. Farmer Wants a Wife Season 3 airs at 8 p.m. CT Thursdays on Fox (and streams on Hulu the next day). This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Farmer Wants a Wife Episode 5 recap: Karina gets Jay's solo date, kiss.
