Quick Take: The Bachelor (Brad Womack), "Week 7"
The six remaining women and Brad travelled to Anguilla this week with four hometown dates on the line.
Review: The Bachelor (Brad Womack), "Week 7"
(S1507) The adventures continued on The Bachelor this week with the gang heading to Anguilla, a tiny island east of Puerto Rico. There were three one-on-one dates and a group date, with only four women making the cut for next week’s hometown dates.
The first date went to Emily -- she and Brad are taken by helicopter to another tiny island, one in which they have all to themselves. They swim, watch the sunset, and Brad confesses that he feels like he doesn’t deserve to be with her. They talk about their relationship and Emily discusses how scared she is of what she is feeling.
At dinner, he asks her if she will allow him to meet her daughter. Emily is afraid of this and admits that she is overprotective and that having someone meet her daughter is a huge step. It is understandable where she is coming from as her daughter might get attached and she might not be the chosen one in the end. This may put her at a disadvantage, but she would probably be making the right decision. Instead of getting frustrated with Emily, Brad decides to tell her that she will be getting a rose at the next ceremony just so she knows how serious he is. I don’t think a Bachelor has done this before, but Brad didn’t care about the rules. Emily was pleased and they kiss in the moonlight.
The second date of the week goes to Shawntel. Every time Shawntel gets the spotlight, I like her even more. She seems mature and Brad is comfortable around her. After getting her date card, I liked her comment about not wanting to think about the other ladies dates and how they feel about hers because she doesn’t want to be like some women in the house. Some women, AKA Chantal and Ashley!
Brad takes Shawntel to the streets of Anguilla and they have one of the most normal dates there is on this show. They walk around, shop, talk to some locals, play games and have a good time all around. Shawntel ends up telling Brad that she is falling for him and he appreciates it. They have dinner and he opens up to her about his dad, which he says is something that rarely happens. They finish the night with a concert and a walk on the beach.
The last one-on-one goes to Brit, who has had not had an alone day with Brad since the season began. She is understandably nervous since she is way behind the other women regarding getting to know Brad. They go aboard a yacht and are taken to a beach where they do some cliff jumping. They sit on the beach together, but there is zero chemistry between them. Even though I was only watching this date I felt awkward!
At dinner, Brad realizes that he and Brit cannot continue on this journey. There is no rose to hand out on the date, but Brad feels he knows his decision and Brit is given the boot right off the boat. I never understand why the girls who get booted always get a crappy send off. It was sad to watch her get off the yacht into a rubber boat and then do the walk of shame back to the hotel. The other girls greeted her warmly and were shocked when she started to pack her things.
The last date belonged to Michelle, Ashley, and Chantal. Brad wakes them up at 2:00 a.m. and they learn they are going to do a photo shoot at sunrise on the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue of 2011 (you can find the photos here). The girls are not happy about being woken up and less happy about how they look for a photo shoot. No need to worry ladies, as there is a team on hand to make you pretty but this does not stop Chantal from believing she looks fat.
The girls tried to compete with each other with Ashley and Chantal going topless and Michelle getting revenge by making out with Brad for her photos. This obviously upsets the other two and Brad knows it. Back at their pool party things get intense with Ashley and Chantal breaking down. Ashley keeps whining about not wanting to be sent home and Brad gives her the date rose to reassure her. It is awkward when he has to pick up the rose in front of the other women just to walk away to give it to someone else. Chantal goes full on crying after the rose is given out. She tells Brad that if she can’t be chosen out of the three, then she should be sent home.
When it comes time for the cocktail party, Brad pulls Chris Harrison aside and tells him he doesn’t want a party and just wants to go straight to the rose ceremony. He has made his decision and this week he makes the right one: Michelle is sent home with Ashley, Shawntel, Emily and Chantal getting roses for the hometown visits. Michelle leaves without saying a word. I was hoping for a limo breakdown, but she gave us nothing. She just laid down on the seat and stared at the camera.
With only three more episodes to go, it is hard to even guess at who will be the last one standing. Brad has different relationships with each of the women. From what the cameras show us, it seems easy with Emily and Shawntel, but a struggle with Ashley and Chantal. They are both insecure and let the other women get to them very easily. I would like to see Shawntel or Emily be the final woman.
I expected more of a breakdown from Michelle as well but the good news is that she finally got 86ed!
It seems clear that Emily is in the "lead" with Brad breaking "the rules" in telling her she was being advanced to the next round. For all of The Bachelor's heavy editing that's the first time I've seen a Bachelor/Bachelorette do that.
I like both Chantal and Shawntel for Brad. (Talk about confusing! How'd they manage to find two women with the same not-so-common name?) I think Emily isn't quite right for Brad and should be the next Bachelorette. I'm a little sad that Michelle left, just for sheer entertainment value though. ;)