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"The Bachelor" Women Tell All With Tears And Anger

Anita Dukart |
March 6, 2012 | 2:20 p.m. PST

Contributing Writer

Ban Flajnik (ABC)
Ban Flajnik (ABC)
I have mixed feelings about Monday's episode of "The Bachelor." I like hearing from all of the girls who have already left, but it always ends up getting a little bit mean. I almost always end up feeling uncomfortable just watching the episode.

Who else is loving the preview of the "Bachelor Pad 3?" I definitely saw a few favorites from previous seasons! I totally fell for the reunion of Frank and Allie. They’ve always had such great chemistry… I wonder if anything will happen?

“The Women Tell All” starts with a montage from the beginning of the season. It’s always so weird to see everyone who left episodes ago. They do a little montage of Blakeley’s worst moments, and then move onto Jamie’s embarrassing seduction scene. I cringed when I saw her dress rip! Then of course, they end with Courtney’s skinny dipping scene. It’s strange to think about all of the girls being aware of all of her actions, now that everything is over.

Blakeley is the first person Chris addresses. She says that she didn’t want to look at it as a competition, but just that was going after the guy. Samantha chimes in with a few arguments of her own, but it’s hard to focus on what she’s saying because she sounds like she’s sucked in helium. She needs to relax. Blakeley, of course, says that she doesn’t regret anything that she did, including revealing her “blessings.” Hah!

After that, Brittney explains that she didn’t have any attraction to Ben. I thought this was pretty bold, but refreshing! I liked that she was so honest. I’ve always thought that one of the weirdest parts of the show was that all of the girls, no matter how obviously incompatible, went for the guy as if he was their perfect match. I have to give her credit for being upfront about her feelings. Then Samantha yaps a little more, but no one listens. Even Chris laughs when Brittney calls Samantha a Chihuahua. 

The Shawntel segment is up next. She comes in for an interview with Chris to clear things up, but it’s starting to seem like maybe Shawntel just likes the drama. That said, the things that the girls said about her were truly horrible, so I can understand if she wants some closure.

The girls were clearly really jealous about her appearance, which I think is a little bit of an overreaction. All of the girls made excuses about their behavior. They seemed pretty insincere to me. 

Emily is in the hot seat next! Watching the summary of their relationship makes me like Emily even more—I really do think that she’s a sweet girl. And she’s smart! She chats with Chris about the problems in their relationship. She specifically brings up the skinny dipping episode, and says that Ben was clouding his judgment by thinking only about sex. You go girl! She then explains that she didn’t like his reaction when she spoke to him, and I have to say, I think she’s got an excellent point! He used a derogatory tone of voice, which is really unacceptable.

Then Chris asks the million-dollar question—what happens if he chooses Courtney? She says if he chooses her, he’s made his bed and he can lie in it. I don’t think Emily could have handled this conversation any better. She’s classy and endearing!

Nicki’s the next girl that Chris pulls up for a conversation. She says that she was really in love with him, which was exciting for her. Chris even adds that he thought that it was very effortless between the two of them. I never saw that as much with those two as with other people, but looking back, I can see how she fell so far into it. I think Nicki’s a great person—she deserves better than skinny-dipping Ben!

Kacie B. comes up to the stage next. Watching her reaction to getting broken up with is difficult. She certainly had one of the most heartbreaking exits. She says that she left feeling like she wasn’t good enough. She says that she was completely blindsided when she was sent home, so she needed to fly across the world in order to find that closure. She does recognize that their families are different enough that she could see why it didn’t work out. 

Finally, we’ve made it to the Courtney segment. I have a bad feeling about this portion of the show. The girls agree that Courtney was a split personality, which was the most frustrating part of dealing with her. Casey S., who was her friend, says that she was incredibly sweet and sincere to her, and that she was just uncomfortable. Other girls, including Nicki, say that her apologies at the end of the show seem insincere and manipulative. 

When Courtney comes out, she says that she’s terrified of the girls. Courtney says that she is disappointed in herself, and that she would do many things differently. In reference to Emily’s apology, she says that she should have accepted her apology. Nicki asks Courtney what the turning point was that made her apologize to Ben, and Courtney explains that after she had looked back, she realized that her bad behavior was hurting her relationship with Ben. Honestly guys, I’m trying to write everything that’s going on here, but it’s pretty much just one girl after another attacking Courtney, and her saying that she regrets it and that she’s sorry. It’s painful to watch! She actually starts tearing up at one point, and for whatever reason, I believe her. At least, I believe that she’s an incredibly insecure person who regrets her actions. I still wouldn’t want to be friends with her!

Then Ben comes out. Ben says that Emily’s involvement with Courtney was a frustrating element of their relationship. Nicki says that she really respects him, and he clarifies that watching the show now has been difficult. He also says that he wished that he had handled Casey’s goodbye differently, with more respect and gentleness. 

Jamie even throws out an invitation to get to know Ben if things don’t work out with the other girl, which was pretty cute. 

Then there’s the bloopers reel. You really just gotta watch this one guys. It’s not the same in synopsis form.

After they preview both of the final two girls, the show comes to a close. Do you all have a favorite? Who do you think would make the better couple long-term? Who do you think he will actually choose? I’m already excited for next week! Plan your "Bachelor" finale parties now, ladies!

Reach writer Anita Dukart here 

For more "Bachelor" recaps from Anita, click here. 



 

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