TeeVee: Bachelor Brad, Take 2, Episode 2
The Bachelor, Brad (Mondays at 8PM on ABC)
I'm sorry I'm a day late, but I had a snow day and decided to stay away from my computer at home... But let's get to the recap of Episode 2.
With 20 ladies and only 3 dates this week, 1 group and 2 individual dates, Harrison came to warn the ladies to use their time with Brad wisely because not all of them will get a date this week.
Cut to the first Date Card:
"Ashley H., the road to love is a wild ride."
Brad comes to pick of Ashley H. who was wearing a purely prom-tastic gold strapless mini-dress with yellow ruffled tiered skirt (BARF). Brad drives her to a dirt road and than asks her to get out and hike in her gold strappy heels, in the pitch black.
Maybe Brad didn't get all the therapy he needed, because I totally agreed with Ashley when she said "it feels like something out of a horror movie." But once the giant switch was flipped, and the abandoned carnival was lit up, the creepiness was forgotten, at least for Ashley H.
Photo Credit ABC
The two seemed like excited pre-teens running around, playing the carnival games and riding the carnival rides. They finally sit down for an actual conversation and realize they have something deep in common. There "non-role-model dads". Ashley's dad was an addict, and was never really in her life and still isn't which makes her want to prepare for the worst at all times. Brad can, of course, relate, since he told us last week his commitment issues were linked to his crappy no-show dad.
He gives her the single rose, and the two make-out the rest of the night.
Photo Credit ABC
Back at the Bachelorette dorm, the girls get another Date Card, and it's a doozy. 15 ladies, 1 PSA for the Red Cross. Sounds romantic.
Keltie, Chantal, Madison, Melissa, Kimberly, Marissa, Raichel, Britt, Meghan, Emily, Stacey, Alli, Shawntel, Michelle and Lisa climb into a limo and to meet Brad on location. Highlights of the date.
"If you haven't got the memo, it's her birthday."
It's Michelle's 30th birthday, and she isn't thrilled to be sharing it on such an intimateless date with 14 other girls. And she tells us OVER and OVER. About halfway into watching the other girls do their PSA spots with Brad (mostly involving some sort of kissing), she ups and walks out. That prompts Brad to seek her out, giving her the solo attention she wanted in the first place. (PUKE)
Photo Credit ABC
Other than that, there was a scene between Stacy, Emily and Brad... where the two trade off kissing him, that was shown over and over. Melissa decided they were doing too many takes, so she took it upon herself to inprov, walk in the shot and kiss Brad... It didn't go over well with anyone.
Photo Credit ABC
The other contraversial spot was one with Chantal and Britt, in which they were supposedly two party girls ready for a threesome, when it turns out Brad's a vampire ready to suck their blood. It took a few takes before the shy, goody-two-shoes, prude, Britt decides to go for it... and by go for it, I mean hardcore make-out with Brad in front of everyone. The kiss seemed good, I mean, it was long and intense and Brad didn't seem to want it to stop... so props to her, I guess.
Photo Credit ABC
The other biggest spot they showed was like a speed dating segment, where Melissa was the "cougar", Marissa was the "southern belle", Madison was the "dominatrix" and poor, poor Keltie was the "butch girl with neck brace and 2 arm casts".
Photo Credit ABC
Once the girls get to the rooftop party, it seemed they all went a bit crazy. Michelle pulled Brad away for some one on one time, and it's clear from her slurred words and droopy eyes she's intoxicated. (which by the way is totally attractive...not) But that wasn't the craziest thing to go on at the party... Out of what seems like nowhere Raichel and Melissa start arguing, because Raichel though Melissa was "lying by omission" since she didn't tell Brad she was ready to leave if she didn't get one on one time with him (which by the way, she did get, although REALLY awkward).
But then it was time for some pool time...
Photo Credit ABC
Brad jumps in, grabs the rose, and gives it to intoxicated birthday-girl, Michelle, who then does a slow swaying victory dance and tells us via interview she got everything she wanted for her birthday as she clenches the rose in her teeth.
Photo Credit ABC
But back at the Bachelorette dorm, the last Date Card arrives. With 4 girls all hoping their name is on it. But unlucky for Lindsay, Sarah P. and the other Ashley... it's not. Jackie gets the last inidividual date of the week.
Brad and Jackie get into some robes, enjoy a facial and a hand massage before Brad brings her to a room full of fancy gowns and shoes. She gets to pick whatever she wants, get her hair and make-up done before meeting him again, where he shows her the jewelry she'll be wearing for the night. They head off to the Hollywood Bowl for a private dinner, where they actually have a conversation...
It comes out that Jackie has only had 2 serious relationships, and that she didn't date in college, which worries him A LOT. He seems to think that she's like him 3 years ago, and that she might not be taking this as seriously as him. She's able to convince him she is (for now), and he gives her the rose. Then they dance will Train performs just for them. The whole time, Brad clearly wanted to kiss her, but she didn't realize it... it took a rose, and two whole songs before they finally do.
Photo Credit ABC
COCKTAIL PARTY!
Brad could barely start his speech before Michelle was dragging him away to ask him about his coffee preferences and how he stocks his refrigerator. While Brad meets up with Emily, the girls are wrapped up in the Melissa vs. Raichel drama. (In my opinion, I'm siding with Raichel, because Melissa really does seem bat-sh!t crazy)
He sits down with Melissa first, who completely breaks down and calls out Raichel, while also calling out her onion breath. It was miserably awkward.
He then goes to talk to Raichel, and she breaks down as well. Crying does NOT equal sexy. I actually heard that there's a pheromone in women's tears that makes men's sexual desire completely disappear for an amount of time for the woman.
But, the Bachelor producers wanted to show off their last happy couple (while they're still happy), so insert Ali and Roberto. They'll be speaking to all the women to find out who's the most genuine and here for the "right reasons". Melissa shows her crazy once more, and I gotta say I love Chantal's thumbs down for both Melissa AND Raichel.
Ali and Roberto tell Brad that they think Emily is the most genuine, and he gives her the rose for the night.
ROSE CEREMONY
So we have Ashley H., Michelle, Jackie and Emily all safe with roses. Chantal's the next to get a rose, and then in no particular order Ashley S., Shawntel, Marissa, Stacey, Madison, Alli, Meghan, Sarah P., Kimberly, Lisa, Lindsay and finally Britt.
(Biggest shockers for me were Sarah P and Lindsay, since they didn't get a date, which is also probably why it shouldn't have been a shock they stayed...)
Therefore the 3 girls leaving are Keltie, Melissa and Raichel. I went 0-3, but I couldn't really predict the drama between Melissa and Raichel, which was their complete downfall. I think Raichel could have lasted longer if she didn't get wrapped up in Melissa's crazy. All three girls left in tears.
1. Melissa - The one I don't feel bad for at all - she's been waiting for this for 8 years, spent so much money on gowns and shoes, plus quit her job. She has no idea why the girls were "targeting" her and thinks Brad made a mistake. I'm sorry, but this chick is whacked (or at least edited that way). First of all, she didn't leave some great job; she's a waitress. Second of all, who's dream is it for 8 years to be on a reality dating program?! And third of all, the only person that thought she was a target was herself.
2. Raichel - The one I sort of feel bad for - she got caught up in the Melissa drama, but it was partly her fault. She did instigate it at first by bringing up something that didn't really mean anything (the fact that Melissa said she'd leave if she didn't get one on one with Brad), but then allowed Melissa to get to her, which she should have just brushed off.
3. Keltie - The one I feel really bad for - she seems fun; I mean, the "fun" clips at the end of the show have both featured her (episode 1, high kicks with Brad, and episode 2, white rapping). But she got the worst outfit on the PSA date, plus she might have seemed like she wasn't taking this seriously. Her exit interview had me jutting out my lower lip for her; but I say, honey, don't give up.
Check out my rankings for next week here.
For the recap of episode 1, see here.
