'The Bachelor' 2011 the Women Tell All: A Spider, a Dagger and Emily Versus Chantal

Just a week before the all-important question is finally answered -- who does Brad Womack pick to be his fiancee, Emily Maynard or Chantal O'Brien? -- some of 'The Bachelor' 2011's most colorful and controversial contestants reunited for the popular women tell all expose on March 7. Here's a look back at the good, the bad, and the crocodile tears.

"The Bachelor" 2011 women tell all special opened with host Chris Harrison's pre-taped chit-chat with Brad regarding his stint as the show's first "recycled" bachelor. The Texan viewed Chantal's now reality TV-famous slap heard 'round the world as a great start to the season, and went on to call his carnival date with Ashley Hebert the best first date he'd ever experienced. He called the season's only self-eliminee, Madison Gartonb, an "extraordinary woman" and said that she'd "make some vampire very happy one day", referencing her signature fangs. He called himself "a trooper" for enduring Shawntel Newton's creepy hometown date, calling it "a little awkward" although he still found her an "incredible woman."

And then there was "The Bachelor" 2011's most controversial, crazy, off-the-wall bachelorette, Michelle Money. Both men puzzled over her mysterious black eye. Brad said she had "a lot of game," but that he was "easily blindsided" by such antics. Blech. Well, at least he finally kicked her nuttiness to the curb. A few weeks too late, granted, but it happened.

Before the ex-members of Brad's harem took to the stage, what amounted to a promo for the second season of ABC's smarmalocious "Bachelor Pad" aired. The segment featured a bunch of past "Bachelor" and "Bachelorette" hopefuls talking about how great it would be to find love via yet another TV show. Uhm, yeah. Try a bar. Or church. Or bingo night.

With the shameless promotion out of the way, the chit-chatty meat of the evening got started in earnest as Brad welcomed the gals, including Sarah, Lisa M., Melissa, Alli, Britt, Marissa, Raichel, Meghan, Stacey, Ashley S., Jackie, Ashley H. (with a brand new brunette 'do), Michelle, Maidson and Shawntel, to the show. Ashley H. said she was "really excited" to see Brad there when she arrived at the mansion for the first time. Jackie agreed, calling herself "giddy" over meeting him.

Chris noted that "The Bachelor" 2011's in-house drama got started earlier than usual, likely referring to the tension between Raichel and Melissa. And of course, the onslaught of the "we hate Michelle" convention. Yeah, there was plenty of that. Lisa M. quickly jumped to Michelle's defense, calling her "the most sarcastic person" she'd ever known, but Stacey had none of it. Marissa claimed to be "hurt" by what she'd seen of Michelle during the airing of the show. Jackie agreed, and likened her to a spider, calling "creepy, and everybody's afraid of you," and said that she wasn't funny. And then Michelle cried.

And sniffled. And sort of apologized. Ashley H. called Michelle "a great friend" and "a great mother" and asserted that "the good does outweigh the bad." Madison backed her up for being honest about her intentions behind appearing on the show. A tearful Michelle went on about how she'd gone into it with the right reasons in mind, and cited her daughter as her reason for being aggressive. And then suddenly, the whole Michelle-thing was over, poof.

And the action moved on to the whole nasty -- but not nearly as juicy -- Melissa versus Raichel insanity. Melissa "owned" her part of the drama, but said that she didn't feel like she'd ever "initiated" anything. Ooooh, girl. Raichel quipped "she brings out the worst in me" and declared "I don't like her." She called her "poisonous, toxic" and blamed Melissa for "ruining" her chances with Brad. Jackie nipped Raichel's nonsense in the bud, telling her that she'd ruined her own chances, and the ever-sweet Ashley S. agreed, saying that it was never good to act as Melissa and Raichel had acted during their time on the show. Melissa apologized to Raichel, but Raichel refused to return the courtesy. Ah, how mature. Speaking of maturity....

Up next on the Women Tell All special was Chris's hot seat time with Michelle. She reiterated that she'd been in the house for the right reasons and called herself "easily misunderstood." Chris remarked on her surprising "vulnerability" and she asserted that she wasn't a strong person. He called her "unbelievably entertaining," likely referencing her sarcasm and attitude throughout taping. Michelle deflected some of the negative attention onto the entire group, calling the situation "intense and emotional." The other gals didn't seem to buy it. Then she cried more. There was lots of awkward silence. She said she regretted leaving her daughter, but that she didn't regret being on "The Bachelor" 2011.

And then the hounds emerged. Sarah said she didn't but Michelle's routine and Stacey slammed her for not putting her daughter first. Chris jumped to the sobbing Michelle's defense. (My ever-observant husband was unimpressed by the drama.) Michelle turned to the women to defend herself, but again, Jackie wasn't buyin' what she was sellin'. She called the show "uncomfortable to watch" because of Michelle's mouth and behavior. Michelle put a little bow on it by saying "I was being me." Britt and Meghan joined Team Michelle, calling her "funny as hell." Michelle called Emily the best choice for Brad, and claimed that after watching the show, her own relationship with The Bachelor hadn't been "as unique and special" as she'd initially thought.

Up next in the Women Tell All hot seat was Ashley S., who was sent home following a two-on-one date with Brad and her best friend in the house, Ashley H. It was painful to watch her viewing the tape of her own rejection. She said that entering "The Bachelor" 2011, she'd hoped for better than the past few years of lackluster relationships had given her. Ashley called Brad's comment that she wouldn't be "a great wife" for him "a dagger to her heart" and said that losing out to Ashley H. had been especially painful. She said that despite her parting words on the show, she knows "that that perfect guy is out there for me."

Speaking of Ashley H., the third-place finisher's time with Chris was up next. She said that she "felt something really strong for" Brad from the get-go, but admitted that she'd never felt "100%" sure of it all. She called the experience "eye-opening" and regretted her self-defensiveness. She clearly regretted her own behavior, and Chris essentially forced her to admit that she'd been in love with Brad. She said she felt "primed" for a new relationship with her new hair and attitude.

And then... dull crayon Brad Womack joined Chris and the ladies on stage. He called himself "a little nervous" but said he was happy to be there. He was stunned to see Ashley H.'s new look, and apologized to Ashley S. over her painful departure. He called her "an incredible woman" (his catchphrase!). He moved on to Michelle next, telling her that he'd defend her until he was "blue in the face" and he praised her for her "confidence." Ashley H. apologized to Brad for wasting so much of their time together, but Brad said it wasn't necessary to say she was sorry given the intensity of the show. Then they hugged it out. Yeah, she still wants him.

The season's "Bachelor Gives Back" moment aired next, with clips of Brad and Chris visiting with children at the Henna School in South Africa. Aw. Cute kids.

Brad called himself "happier than I've ever been" and asserted that it all has to do with his finacee. Chris said he was pleased to hear it because they wouldn't have Brad back again for another helping. Brad said he had no regrets about doing the show a second time (well duh!).

Finally, Brad assessed the two final ladies via taped segment. He called his relationship with Chantal "incredible" and loved how he could be himself around her at all times. He loved how "classy" and sophistocated Emily was from the beginning of the show and said that if she ever loved him as much as her former fiance, he'd be a very lucky man. Aw. The Emily-segment made me cry.

So will it be Emily Maynard or Chantal O'Brien accepting a proposal from Brad on "The Bachelor" 2011's final episode next week? The spoilers have been inconsistent, so we'll have to wait and see!