Smack me silly – I love the drama! Last night’s episode of The Bachelor was like epic!! Filled with drama, awkward tension, heated emotions, and enough insecurity to fill the Hoover Dam, this was definitely an emotional roller coaster of an episode, not just for the women, but for Brad as well.
This season has really been different from the past seasons. I don’t recall The Bachelor ever taking so many women to so many exotic locations. Usually it’s the final four that get the exotic location dates while the majority of the dates take place in and around Southern California/Los Angeles area.
Brad Womack takes the six woman – Emily from NC; Shawntel N. from CA; Chantal O. from WA; Michelle (aka Psycho) from UT; Ashley H. from ME; and Britt from WA – to the tropical island of Anguilla.
Photos from http://ivisitanguilla.com/
This is truly a gorgeous backdrop for falling in love or not…at least in Britt’s case. Brad takes Britt on the final of three one-on-one dates, unfortunately Brad did not feel the romantic spark he was hoping for with Britt and he sent her home straight from the yacht! He said in the beginning that he would not string anyone along and by golly he didn’t. He was honest and told Britt he didn’t feel the chemistry between them and escorted her from the yacht.
With no roses on these one-on-one dates, it seems the pressure is off a little for the ladies. Emily gets the first one-on-one and it is a doozy! Brad takes Emily to a private island via helicopter where they have a picnic lunch as they soak up the Caribbean sun. Emily is still on the fence about letting Brad meet her daughter. During dinner, Brad asks the obvious question – will he get to meet her daughter Ricki, who is named after her deceased father Ricky. Emily hesitates citing her reasoning. So what’s a guy to do? Well, Brad decides to bend some rules and flat out tells her he WILL give her a rose so he can go to her hometown. Bold move, Brad, but will it back fire? In the preview clips for the hometown dates, it seems little Ricki isn’t ready to share her mommy with anyone. I think Brad and Emily would make an ideal couple, but they seem to have very similar backgrounds which could be their downfall.
As I watched Brad take Shawntel N. on their one-on-one date, I found myself really picturing these two together. They have great chemistry, both physical and emotional, their conversation seem effortless – nothing feels contrived or forced. Brad even opens up about his estranged father which is huge! He says he doesn’t even talk about it with his own brother but feels that comfortable around Shawntel that he can. If that doesn’t say something to their connection, I don’t know what does. However, that said, I think Brad is going to have a hard time dealing with the reality of her profession back in Chico, CA. Shawntel is a funeral director and unless you have a strong morbid curiosity, then it’s a lot to absorb.
A surprise photo shoot for Sports Illustrated awaits Chantal O., Michelle, and Ashley H. when Brad wakes them up at 2am for their group date. Things become so tense and awkward on the shoot, I was squirming a little in my seat. First, the photographer asks Ashley if she’s willing to go topless – she agrees! Holding two conk shells to shield herself, she immerses herself into the photo shoot. Next up is Chantal O., who by the way looks like she’s put on a few pounds since the beginning of the season. Nothing wrong with it except when you’re as small as she is, it’s very noticeable. I wonder if her weight gain is making her even more insecure. I felt bad for her, but she pushed through and even going topless herself. As usual, Michelle tries to act like she’s better saying she’s not easily coaxed into taking her top off. But Michelle is a crafty one – instead of doing to photo shoot solo, she tells Brad she wants to take pictures with him. This is where the awkward tension begins to bubble over. As Michelle straddles Brad in the sand, kissing him, and getting her hands all over his bare naked chest, Ashley and Chantal watch in disgusted jealousy. I’m sure they’re kicking themselves thinking, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Emotions run high as there is only one rose on the group date. When Brad gives it to Ashley H., Chantal is devastated. After confessing she is in love with him – telling him repeatedly she loves him, she felt she should have gotten the rose. Honestly, I wanted Brad to be with Chantal, but she has been an emotional train wreck as of late and it’s turning me off! Why can’t she be more confident in the connections they established?
My giddy delight of the night came with the final rose ceremony. Brad tells host Chris Harrison he’s made up his mind and he wants to skip the cocktail party. As he hands out the final three roses, it is to my great joy when he sends Michelle home! As he mentioned to her previously on their group date, he sees them butting heads and she has a volatile side. FINALLY! He sees what the rest of us have been witnessing these past seven weeks! This woman is off her rocker. I don’t know if she is like that in real life – maybe the whole premise of the show being a sort of competition brought it out, either way, I’m so glad she got sent home.
I can’t wait for the hometown dates!! I thought I had a pretty good idea of who he was going to pick but now, I have no clue!!
Tune in Monday Feb 21, 2011 at 8/7C for all new episode of The Bachelor – Brad goes on the hometown dates! And watch full episodes at ABC.com
Judy Manning
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