TeeVee: Bachelor Brad's Ladies, Ranked
The Bachelor: Brad, Take 2 (Mondays at 8PM on ABC)
Along with my weekly recap of the show I'm also going to rank the ladies after each episode based on who I think made the best impression / has the best connection with Brad and give you reminders of each of the ladies. (Much like I didn't with The Bachelorette - Ali, if you remember Roberto was at the top of my list nearly every week, although I must admit I fell more for Chris L...)
We're down to the final 2. Emily vs. Chantal. We have the Women Tells All Special, and then the ladies meet Brad's family in Cape Town, South Africa. I don't care about the supposed "spoilers" that have now switched back and forth. This is who I think Brad should be with, but no matter who he chooses (he is going to choose this time, right ABC?!) I hope him and the "lucky" lady are happy. (All photo credits belong to ABC)
1. Emily - "The Perfect Southern Belle" (last rank # 1)
Episode 1 - she's got the "tragic story"-edit, being a young widow of her high school sweetheart and mother of the daughter he didn't even know/meet. But besides the story, Brad calls her "perfect" straight out of the limo, and the two have an easy conversation on night
Episode 3 - Solo Date - had quite a few awkward moments, from having to fly on a small plane, to the awkward question-answer segment of their solo date, but during the second half, she told Brad her back-story, and he completely accepted it, got her talking about her daughter, and gave her the rose.
Episode 4 - NO Date - although she didn't have a date this week, she did have special alone time with Brad during the cocktail party (a picnic) which had all the other girls jealous...
Episode 5 - Group Date - Bachelor Production makes her go on a NASCAR date, and she pulls through it, tells Brad the whole story and ends up with the Date Rose after Brad tells her he feels strongly for her.
Episode 6 - Group Date - Brad continues to seek her out, but this week she tells him she tends to sabotage her relationships, which is why she slipped a spot this week. She backtracks on that statement, and the two share a steamy make-out session during the group date, which keeps her at a close second this week.
Episode 7 - Solo Date - she gets her second solo date of the season, and it's the one that Brad thinks is the most romantic thus far. He breaks the rules for her and tells her she'll definitely be getting a rose at the rose ceremony and badly wants to meet her daughter next week.
Episode 8 - Hometown Date - Emily allowed Brad to meet her daughter Ricki, and although it wasn't smooth sailing from the beginning, I think it showed everyone involved that the 3 of them could be a nice little family.
Episode 9 - Fantasy Date - Elephant ride, picnic, dinner and Fantasy Suite... Brad tells her he's ready to be a dad to her 5-year old daughter. She tells him she's "falling in love" with him. He "breaks the rules" and returns the gesture telling her he's "Falling in love" with her too.
I think Brad she's Emily as "perfect", he still feels nervous around her, but it's because he's afraid he's not good enough for her. I think he feels like a better man with her. He wants a family; she has a daughter. He continually made an extra effort with her. He was always shown seeking her out for one-on-one time (not the other way around) and spending extra time with her even when they didn't have a date (see cocktail party picnic) or on group dates (see multiple alone time during the NASCAR date). Plus he's "broken The Bachelor rules" for her twice now, in order to tell her just how much he cared for her (she'd get a rose before home-town dates AND that he's falling in love with her too). I'll be surprised if meeting Brad's family changes things between them...
2. Chantal - "The Slapper" (Last rank # 3)
Episode 1 - She's the first one out of the limo, and slaps Brad... hard. But he likes it (and so did I, she's basically the reason I decided to watch this season, for the slap alone). She's gets a little pay back, being the last one given a rose.
Episode 2 - Large Group Date - Although we didn't see much of her interaction with Brad; her two on one PSA moment was overshadowed by Britt; but I like her dislike of Michelle AND her comments on the Melissa/Raichel drama..
Episode 3 - Large Group Date - we see her get 2 one-on-one conversations with Brad, where they share a connection over failed relationships with their biological dads, as well as continually commenting on their intense physical attraction for each other.
Episode 4 - Solo Date - Helicopter ride to Catalina, conquered her fear of deep water, and seems to have a real relationship blooming with Brad. She's straight-up with Brad and the other ladies, which I think is a big plus.
Episdode 5 - Group Date - She cries in front of Brad, and is jealous of his time with Emily. He's worried she's bringing too much drama. But she uses the word "love" and they seem to patch things up by the end of the episode when he gives her the last rose.
Episode 6 - Solo Date - She's the only one to have 2 solo dates with Brad and she totally made up for her dramatics in Las Vegas with an adventurous zip-lining excurision and a wet and steamy dinner back in Brad's suite. Plus she's the first to say "I'm falling in love with you", thus she nabs the top spot this week.
Episode 7 - Group Date - She had to fake some confidence during the photo shoot, but couldn't hold in her emotions after Ashley got the date rose. She pleaded with Brad to let her go if he couldn't choose, but he ended up giving her a rose at the ceremony... so that means something.
Episode 8 - Hometown Date - she moves up the ranks because she makes sure that Brad knew she's ready and willing to move to Austin to be with him, plus her family totally approved. Especially her dad, who has lots in common with Brad.
Episode 9 - Fantasy Date - Safari Jeep ride, picnic with a hippo, and a Fantasy Suite in a tree-top. She makes it clear that she's in love with him and takes family and being engaged seriously. He loves her spontanteous side.
If anyone could upset Emily, it'd be Chantal. I think she's been totally up-front with Brad about how badly she wants this to work out with them. I think they have amazing chemistry and an ease/fun to their relationship that doesn't seem as buttoned-up as it does with Emily. I think she pushes Brad in ways he normally isn't. And I think he fits with her and her family effortlessly. But I don't know if it's the same kind of "fairy tale" love he has with Emily. We'll see.
CUT EPISODE 8 - (1 for 1)
Ashley H. - "Dancing Dentist" (when I ranked # 3)
Episode 1 - her early clip showed that she's smart (I mean, she's a dentist!) and likes to have fun (I mean, she totally dances in her room in tube socks!). Plus she's much younger-looking and prettier than her picture. Plus it seemed like a fun and flirty meet and greet with Brad. (What has me nervous is it looks like she gets the "crazy edit" this season)
Episode 2 - 1st Solo Date - Carnival Fun and Make-out session. The two have similar dads, they bonded and seem to have good chemistry.
Episode 3 - No Date - After telling Brad she was feeling insecure, he tried to convince her she didn't need to be. It almost didn't work, until he came back and kissed her in front of the fire.
Episode 4 - Large Group Date - She gets a little drunk and stalker-ish, but Brad continues to make sure she knows he likes her...
Episode 5 - 2-on-1 Date - No crying for her this week (at least none shown with Brad), plus she wins the dreaded 2-on-1 because Brad feels like himself around her.
Episode 6 - Group Date - No dramatics this week, and no real alone time featured with Brad, which allows the other girls to sneak up the rankings.
Episode 7 - Group Date - Although she's still not confident in her relationship with Brad, Brad doesn't seem to have a problem trying to prove it to her. He gives her the group date rose over both Chantal and Michelle.
Episode 8 - Hometown Date - They had a very cute and affectionate date both alone and with her family, but she's the only girl left that hasn't expressed her feelings for Brad and her dad planted a seed of doubt that Brad may hold her back.
Episode 9 - Fantasy Date - Helicopter ride to God's Window for a picnic, dinner then the Fantasy Suite. The topic of her schooling/work came up and where she wanted to live. She never flat-out said "I'd move to Austin" which scared Brad. They both shut down, and she was eliminated.
CUT EPISODE 8 - (1 for 1)
Shawntel - "The Funeral Director" (When I ranked # 4)
CUT EPISODE 7 - (2 for 2)
Michelle - "The Stunning Villian" (when I ranked # 5)
Britt - "The Chef du Jour" (when I ranked # 6)
CUT EPISODE 6 - (2 for 2)
Allie - "The 'Insert Foot' Girl" (When I ranked # 7)
Jackie - "The Teacher's Pet" (when I ranked # 8)
CUT EPISODE 5 - (2 for 3)
Ashley S. - "The Southern Sweetie" (When I ranked # 6)
Marissa - "Sports Revolver" (when I ranked # 9)
Lisa M - "Ruby Red Kansas" (when I ranked # 11)
CUT EPISODE 4 - (3 for 3)
Stacey - "The Exotic Bostonian" (when I ranked # 12)
Meghan - "The Shoe Obsessed" (when I ranked # 13)
Lindsay - "The Token Redhead" (this is how diverse this cast was!) (When I ranked # 14)
CUT EPISODE 3- (1 for 3)
Madison - "The Model Vamp" (when I ranked # 11)
Sarah P - "The Proposal Chick" (when I ranked # 14)
Kimberly - "Miss Serious Concerns" (when I ranked # 15)
CUT EPISODE 2 - (0 for 3)
Keltie - "The High-Kicker" (when I ranked # 6)
Raichel - "The Manscaper" (when I ranked # 9)
Melissa - "The Jumper" (when I ranked # 15)
CUT EPISODE 1 - (9 for 10)
