'The Bachelor' 2011 Week 7: The Group Date from Hell, Bad Boy Brad Breaks the Rules...Twice

"The Bachelor" 2011 week 7 aired on Valentine's Day, and chronicled yet another week in the life of second-timer Brad Womack as he looked for love in reality TV-driven places. The blonde and his remaining haremettes soaked up tons of sun on the beautiful isle of Anguilla as one gal found herself unexpectedly dismissed following a one-on-one date and three others endured the group date "from hell". By night's end, the list of hopefuls was trimmed from six to four. Here's a full recap.

"The Bachelor" 2011 week 7 opened with the remaining hopefuls bouncin' and cruisin' along the waters of Anguilla in a speedboat. After arriving and seeing their suite, host Chris Harrison welcomed the bunch and shared some new details for the week. He revealed that instead of the usual three dates with their bachelor prey, there would be three: Three one-on-ones with no roses, and one group date with a rose.

He left the first date card with the ladies, and Shawntel emerged to read the name of the lucky girl: Emily. She acknowledged that she'd had a lot of alone time with the stud, but was excited to have even more. Brad arrived to pick her up, and shared that she's everything he wants but that he almost feels like he doesn't deserve her. As they chatted over a drink, a helicopter hovered above and landed in a nearby, super green grassy field. Brad gushed, as they boarded, that he'd planned one of the most romantic dates he's ever had. He hoped that their relationship would "take off" as a result of the day's adventures. They flew over some seriously gorgeous water and landed on a private, sandy island, much to Emily's surprise.

As they sat in the sand and munched on some goodies, there was awkward small talk, and Brad looked oddly uncomfortable. He copped to feeling really nervous, and admitted it to her. (Okay, well, that's a good start!) She shared that she feared "getting my heart absolutely broken" and said that it was scary opening up. He asserted that "I care more for you than I should probably say right now" and voila, a kiss. He was pleased with himself for telling her the truth. Emily still seemed a tad bit uncertain, saying that although she wanted to bring him home to her family, she wasn't yet sure that she wanted him to meet her daughter Ricki. Mmm, she's a tough one to fully crack. Good head on her shoulders. I hope her guardedness doesn't bite her in the bottom come season's end.

Meanwhile on "The Bachelor" 2011 week 7, back at the ranch the other four girlies talked about Emily's date. Of course, no one had a bad word to say about her; crazy Michelle, the only other mama in the group, mused that the day's activities would help the pretty blonde bachelorette to decide if she wanted Brad to meet her daughter. Ding ding ding! The second date card arrived moments later and Britt hoped and hoped that it might be her turn. Chantal retrieved the golden ticket, and all were stunned to hear Shawntel's name called out. Shawntel was sad for Britt, but said she was trying to focus on her relationship with Brad to avoid going crazy "like some of the other girls here". Paging Michelle!

Back with Brad and Emily, the date continued into the evening hours. The pair sat at a table on the beach, waves crashing and fire burning nearby. Both agreed that the date had been "perfect", and Emily asserted that she'd appreciated Brad's confession. Brad seemed nervous as he asked when she'd be willing to let him meet Ricki, and immediately caught on when she sighed and pressed her for her thoughts. Emily explained that she was "overprotective" of her daughter, and that she'd never introduced her to any of her dates. Brad pressed again, saying it would be "huge to me" if she'd let him meet her. She hemmed and hawed, finally coming to the realization that she couldn't expect Brad to propose if she won't allow him to see Ricki. There was a quiet moment, and then Brad said that telling her was breaking the rules, but she'd be receiving a rose at week's end. He called the kiss that ended their evening "more than just a kiss" and professed to having "fallen very hard" for her. Emily said she felt like "the happiest person in the world" and vowed to remember the emotion. Oooh, if she doesn't come out on top at the end of the season, they're totally setting her up to be the next Bachelorette. (Or we could just try to hook her up with Chris Lambton, the rejected dude from Ali Fedotowsky's season. He's a nice guy, she's a nice girl....)

When "The Bachelor" 2011 week 7 picked up again after a break, it was Shawntel the embalmer's turn for a one-on-one date. The two met and hopped onto a pair of bicycles, and Brad explained that he wanted to see her in normal, everyday situations and life. They arrived at a farmer's market with live music, and Shawntel was completely delighted, calling it a perfect date for her. (We hear that a lot, don't we?) They jumped rope, played dominoes, and Brad loved her confidence and comfort level. Shawntel was struck with how kind and open he was with everyone they met. As they had some wine and munchies on a picnic blanket, they praised one another: Brad enjoyed that he could be "natural" with Shawntel, and she confessed that she was "falling in love" with him. But in light of his mind-blowing date with Emily, he needed more: He was eager for the evening's portion of their time together, and said that it needed to be "very big" to not pale in comparison.

That evening, they both gushed over their date. (Again.) Brad said that he still needed to figure out his relationship with Shawntel. She said she hoped he'd come home to Chico with her, and expressed her love for her family. She asked about his mother, and he said he was close to her, and then went on to talk about his father. He was pleased that he was able to talk so openly with her about one of the things in his life that had pained him the most. And then as rain began to fall outside, the kissing began. Shawntel called it "the most romantic time" of her life. But the Bradster had a surprise up his sleeve, as Anguilla's most famous musician arrived to perform (for the duo and the big crowd of people who spontaneously showed up). How romantic.

Back at the suite on "The Bachelor" 2011 week 7, Britt agonized as Ashley H. retrieved the third and final one-on-one date card and read its contents. She was delighted to finally hear her name. Michelle predicted that her ship would sink. Nice. She's just so sweet.

Meanwhile, Shawntel and Brad approached the close of their date. They stripped off their clothes (they had swimsuits on underneath; get your mind out of the gutter!) and got into the water for some smoochie time as the music played. Brad said that the date couldn't have gone better. (But still used his time with Emily as a yardstick. Hmmm. Methinks Ms. Chico won't last much longer.)

"The Bachelor" 2011 week 7 chugged on with Britt preparing for her date with Brad. She was excited to have so much time together and hoped that it would help her to find out if there was anything between them. As they walked along the beach, he pointed to a yacht in the distance and introduced it as their mode of transportation. As they got into the water to begin their swim to sailing luxury, the other five gals watched (jealously) from a distance. Always charming Michelle scoffed that not only did Britt and Brad not seem like couple material, but that she couldn't even see them being Facebook friends. Ooooh.

Back to reality, the two daters cruised along on the yacht before arriving at a private enclave. Britt was quick to scale a rock wall, but not so quick to cliff dive. She psyched herself up, and got 'er done. Brad was pleased.

Back at the house, a date card arrived. Shawntel read its contents, and Michelle complained about going on a group date with Chantal and Ashley. I'm sure they were thrilled to be going on a date too, nutty one.

The Brad/Britt date continued on "The Bachelor" 2011 week 7. Awkwardly. It was painful to watch as they sat on the beach. Brad confessed that he "didn't have that urge to grab her and kiss her". And stressed. He hoped, as they headed back to the yacht, that the evening's portion of the date would go better. Yeah, sure it will. This date has "Alli" written all over it, dude.

That evening, they sat down to dinner on the yacht and Britt was relaxed, feeling safe because of the rose-less situation. Brad was confused over the lack of a "romantic spark" with the pretty blonde girl. But he pressed onward anyway. And it was awkward. Painfully awkward. He sat there in his chair and craned his neck and looked uncomfortable. Ugh, please, just tell her the truth, man! And finally, he did. He said he was glad that he'd gotten the chance to get to know her. She replied that the date couldn't have gone better. Brad looked awkward and uncomfortable again and said that "it was nice but...". He said he liked their conversation, but that he didn't "see a future" with her. Ouch, but good for him for being honest. Britt said she thought he was "wonderful" and wanted more time. Brad hearkened back to his previous experience with the show and how he was "crucified" for stringing girls along, and then led her to a boat that took her away.

Super awkward city time came when Ashley and Shawntel enthusiastically welcomed Britt back to the house and she had to tell them that she'd been sent home. Man, brutal. Bru-tal. She lamented not having done "something" differently. Poor thing. You couldn't have done anything differently, Britt. If it's not there, it's not there. And it wasn't there. America could tell.

With the three one-on-ones in the books and one hopeful dismissed, "The Bachelor" 2011 week 7 moved on to the much-anticipated (ha) group date. Brad felt guilty over having sent Britt home, but that didn't stop him from waking Michelle, Chantal and Ashley at 2 AM for their time together. All were annoyed over being up so early, but they changed their tunes when they learned that they'd be appearing in the February 15 Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. Chantal stressed as she glammed, and worried over having eaten too much in recent days. Michelle and Ashley were pumped. Out on the beach, Ashley was first and drew praise from the photographer. He suggested she take off her top, and she did it with seashells in stragetic places. Chantal said again that she didn't feel comfortable, but that she'd fake it. And fake it she did. She too peeled off her top when prompted. Dude, don't you gals realize that this is exactly how those internet pictures that follow you around forever are taken in the first place?!

A practically drooling, foaming-at-the-mouth Brad then made the understatement of the entirety of "The Bachelor" 2011 when he noted that the topless performances were "extremely hot" but that looking at "the other women, it was a little bit awkward for everyone involved." Hahaha.

Michelle said she wasn't one to take off her top so easily. (Because, you know, Ashley and Chantal are clearly hussies.) So she asked if she could do her shoot with Brad instead. He agreed, and Chantal and Ashley looked on in agony as the two of them writhed in the sand. Brad regretted the decision, and in classic understated fashion noted that "I think kissing Michelle went a little bit too far". DUH. He worried that the date would "get worse, not better". Duh again.

A little later on "The Bachelor" 2011 week 7, the four sat poolside and Brad lamented that things with Michelle had gone too far. During his alone time with Ashley, she said she'd felt like "the kid sister" during their makeout session. Brad assured her that his feelings for her hadn't changed, and asserted that he loved her personality. He worried that he'd caused her to erect walls. Chantal was up next. She gave him a verbal smackdown for his closed-off body language, and he asserted that group dates were "different" somehow. She repeated again that she loved him, and said that it would be "the worst decision of my life" to let her feelings go. Michelle was the last to get some alone time with Brad. He called her a "strong, almost volatile woman" (duh), and worried that they were too much alike to ever work out in the long run. She sang her usual song and danced her usual dance, but this time, Brad-o seemed less than convinced by her chicanery. After Michelle returned to the little group, Chantal asked for another quick moment with the man, and he consented. A visibly scattered Brad explained that it was hard for him to deal with group dates, and called his refusal to show much emotion "respect". (Yeah, because making out with Michelle really made a good impression.) He worried, as he walked her back to the bunch, that the two ladies who go roseless would "shut down". Well, yeah. It wasn't your finest moment, dude.

I snorted my water when "The Bachelor" 2011 week 7 resumed and an extremely squirrelly Brad deemed his situation "the date from hell". In what was probably an attempt to avoid the group setting, he pulled Ashley aside for another chit chat. Ashley worried that she'd ruined their relationship and desperately sniveled "please don't send me home". Ugh, she's so insecure. Brad left her, wondering "what the hell did I get into," as he retrieved the rose from its perch next to Chantal and Michelle. When Ashley saw him coming, she jumped out of the pool and ran toward him in excitement. Moments later, he reappeared and addressed Chantal and Michelle. Michelle blew him off, while Chantal started to cry and refused to go with him. Michelle and Ashley left, and Brad sat down with the tearful Chantal. She lit into him, and asked him to send her home if he couldn't choose her over two other girls. (Uh, yeah, there's really no defense.) He tried to defend himself, though, telling her that it was merely "a measure of timing". He made her tell him she was okay, and she asserted that she was, and then in kid-style held up crossed fingers. Ouch.

Later that evening, the ladies arrived for "The Bachelor" 2011 week 7 cocktail party and trooped quietly to their destination. Michelle worried that she and Brad had "hit a wall" and was rager to have some alone time to right things. Meanwhile, Brad stood looking at photos of the five remaining women and Chris arrived for a chat. Brad told Chris that he wanted to skip the cocktail party because he already knew who he wanted to bounce. He asserted that he was "very clear in this decision", and Chris okayed the move. He addressed the ladies and let them know that the decision had already been made. Bam! Michelle was mad that she wasn't getting another chance to "pull him back in" and said she'd be "[bleepin'] pissed" if she were eliminated. Chantal and Shawntel also stressed over what was to come, and Chantal said she felt like it was her turn to head home. The gals trooped down to the beach to await their dates. Dum da dum.

With all of the excitement and painful awkwardness and Brad's brilliant observations in the books, it was time to send someone home on "The Bachelor" 2011 week 7. Before handing out the first rose, he claimed to be "100%" confident in his decision. After a long pause, he presented the promised rose to Emily. The next bloom went to Shawntel, leaving Chantal the slapper and nutty Michelle left standing. Following a really long pause, Brad called Chantal's name. As he walked Michelle out, he asked for her hand, and she retorted with an icy "probably not". He tried again, asking if she wanted to talk, and she responded with a curt "no". And then she was in the limo and gone. Brad called her depature "bittersweet", noting their great physical attraction but admitting that it would've worn off and left a lot of volatility in its stead. As the limo drove off, Michelle said nothing, and simply laid down. It was odd. My husband wasn't surprised. I was: I wanted a tantrum. A big, scary tantrum.

Woo, Brad Womack finally started thinking with his actual brain instead of his... other brain. With "The Bachelor" 2011 week 7 finito and just four girls remaining, tune in next week for the all-important hometown dates. Will Emily's daughter Ricki take to Brad? Will Shawntel's occupation be the nail in the Brad/Shawntel coffin? And what about Chantal and Ashley? It's gonna get good.