If you thought the claws were out during the first episode of The Bachelor Australia, think again.
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During the season six premiere, snide comments flew across the room as the big personalities butted heads (aided, of course, by a healthy drop or two of champagne).
But episode two saw things escalate, with this year's "villain" – 27-year-old marketing manager Jennifer -– teaming up with two other women to heckle fellow contestants while on their group dates.
There was also a verbal stoush between Jennifer and Elora, the fire twirling intruder and person selected to go on the first one-on-one date with Matty J. The tiff culminated in Elora calling Jennifer a "dark" person who was trying to cause trouble.
Speaking to Fairfax Media, the Bachelor himself said what happens in episode two is just the tip of the iceberg.
"One thing that I underestimated was the dynamics of the women in the house," he said. "From my experience, all the guys [in The Bachelorette] got along so well. I expected it to be the same when I was the Bachelor."
Johnson said the divisions between the contestants forged in episode one and two only get deeper as the season progresses. And at one point, the tension "boils over".
"I didn't want to play peacemaker because that would suck up all my time when I was getting to know the women," he said. "But at one point it got so bad I had to step in."
Despite all the drama, the 30-year-old admitted he couldn't wait to start watching the series because he knew the women were on their "best behaviour" whenever he was around.
"A lot happened when my back was turned," he said.
- The Bachelor returns to TV screens on Wednesday August 2 on Channel Ten.