The Bachelor: Brad Womack Returns - Episode 9 Recap "South Africa Fantasy Dates"

Brad Womack is back as "The Bachelor" to find true love for the second time. Brad infamously didn't choose a woman on his first attempt on "The Bachelor" four seasons ago, so this time he feels he's ready. He's been through three years of intense therapy to deal with his commitment issues. Brad realized that his absentee father was the reason why he couldn't open up and commit to a woman before.

Last time Brad went to the hometowns of the final four women and let Shawntel go.

This time the cast and crew headed to South Africa. Right before the trip, between packing his South African safari clothes, Brad once again pondered the last three ladies: Chantal the sexy, insecure one, Ashley the feisty, insecure one and Emily the saint whom he's so lucky to even be in the presence of.

Brad's first date was with frontrunner Chantal. She greeted him in an olive safari shirt and sort-of-unflattering jean shorts. Look Chantal, you are a cute girl, but those shorts just don't do it for you. Plus weren't you worried about all the bugs that could crawl on your legs? Anyway - the two went on a safari in an open-air jeep. The two oohed and ahhed over the monkeys, lions, giraffes, elephants, rhinos etc. Then it was time for a picnic by a river inhabited by a hippo. Hippos are actually very dangerous so even though it made for a nice backdrop it would've been much more funny/terrifying if the hippo charged the two lovebirds. Unfortunately Fortunately this didn't happen. The only funny/terrifying thing during the picnic was what was showed during the end credits: Chantal ate a worm! And Brad refused to even try it. Brad told Chantal that he missed her family! Really - he must've had a great time going with both Chantal's dad and mom to the plastic surgeon for botox injections and hair stylist for grey touch ups. Yay! Family bonding.

At dinner Chantal wore a gown and Brad wore a plaid shirt. The two ruminated over their relationship. They talked about what it meant to get engaged. Chantal informed him that when she got engaged it meant to get married, not to get un-engaged. Considering that's usually how things work on the show, Chantal applied for the wrong one. But then the Fantasy Suite card showed up and Chantal forgot all about the serious relationship stuff and practically jumped on Brad right there. But the two held off until they made it to the Fantasy Suite situated in an open-air tree house. Yes it's so romantic to talk and get to know each other better with bugs and monkeys and birds landing all over you.

The next day it was Brad's date with saint Emily. First he greeted her in person. Then he ran away. Maybe he was scared by her safari outfit of a faded jean shirt, jean shorts and leather boots. But no, he just had to go retrieve his "ride," an elephant. So what are the chances for a lady on the show if she gets picked up by an elephant? Helicopters are one thing but the elephant is so now, so green, so eco, I'd say it's a very good sign. So the two rode the elephant to a romantic picnic next to a river. Sort of the same as Chantal's date but hey if that's what works for him then no point in breaking the formula. Brad also told Em that he missed Ricki. Then Emily asked Brad the question all single men dread: "Are you ready to be a father?" Brad's reply: "Errrr ummmm weeellll ummmmmm eerrrr... ye.. ye... yes?" My advice to Emily - Run. Away. Now. Then Brad tried to save himself by mumbling something about asking her to a movie and knowing she was a package deal or something commitment-phobic like that. Personally I think Brad is trying to convince himself that he should be in love with Emily because she's so awesome, but since he's objectifying her so much he's actually not really seeing her as a person.

So then at dinner the talk was stilted and seemed like both parties wanted to try to convince themselves that they were "in love." Emily seemed to hem and haw over the Fantasy Suite card because she wanted to set a good example for Ricki. Like trying to find a husband on television is a good example but whatev. So she did accept the card just so the two could "talk" and "get to know each other better." And in the Fantasy Suite they both actually professed to each other that they were "falling in love." I don't buy it.

The final date with Ashley was the last and most boring. Ashley seemed to wall herself off Brad - did she already know that she would have 25 new and different prospects as the next "Bachelorette." Or was she just being smart because it's a hard situation to be open with a person you're dating while knowing that he could be falling for the other two women that you know he's also dating. So Brad picked up Ash in a helicopter. But it was a little too late for that don't cha think Brad. Ashley also seemed to know the helicopter pickup was a bit lame. She literally ran away from the chopper since she is scared of them. Anyway they were whisked to a... picnic! Brad said he liked meeting her family. But then when the two tried to talk about their future, Ashley waffled about committing to move to Austin. Yeah why would she commit to move there when she doesn't even know if she's Brad's choice. Eye roll Brad.

Dinner was equally painful. Both parties felt distant and talked about reassuring each other about the "relationship." But she accepted the Fantasy Suite card however it seemed more bittersweet than hot and sexy like it should be.

Then Brad met with Chris Harrison to further ruminate over the final three before the rose ceremony. Brad decided to pull Ashley away and try to talk to her before the final decision. Basically it was the same wishy-washyness and he finally told her that he had to say goodbye to her. OK at least he made some decisions there.

At the rose ceremony, Brad gave roses to the final two women he wanted to continue the journey with.

Chantal
Emily

Brad didn't give a rose to:
Ashley

Next time: It's "The Women Tell All." Look for appearances by Michelle and the just dismissed Ashley who is rumored to be the next "Bachelorette." And in two weeks it's the finale where Brad introduces the final two to his family and he could propose to one of the lucky finalists.

The Bachelor airs Mondays at 8 pm on ABC

Already dismissed from the show:
Episode 8: Shawntel

Episode 7: Britt, Michelle

Episode 6: Alli, Jackie

Episode 5: Ashley S, Lisa, Marissa

Episode 4: Lindsay, Meghan, Stacey

Episode 3: Madison, Sarah P, Kimberly

Episode 2: Keltie, Melissa, Raichel

Episode 1: Britnee, Cristy, J, Jill, Lacey, Lauren, Lisa P, Rebecca, Renee, Sarah L

More Bachelor:
Click here for a recap of Episode 8

Click here for a recap of Episode 7

Click here for a recap of Episode 6

For more on contestant Emily Maynard click here

Click here for a recap of Episode 5

Click here for a recap of Episode 4

Click here for a recap of Episode 3

Click here for a recap of Episode 2

Click here for a recap of Episode 1

Click here to read about all 30 women cast on The Bachelor