‘The Bachelor’ Season Premiere Recap: Brad is Back!

By Krissy Dolor

This season of ABC’s The Bachelor has officially begun, and after last night’s episode we can already tell it’s going to be a doozy. Brad Womack has spent the past three years soul searching, trying to get his life back on track after his infamous decision to say goodbye to both Jenni Croft and DeAnna Pappas.

“I hit rock bottom,” said Brad last night. “I was a broken man.”

Brad opened up about his experience in therapy, and found the root of his phobias of commitment – his father’s abandonment. And because of this, he said, “I don’t know if I’ve let someone know the real me.” Realizing that he’s been a closed off-person, Brad has learned that in order for him to truly fall in love is to be vulnerable. And he to wants to prove to America – and most importantly, himself – that he can be a better person.

Regardless of what America thought about Brad before tonight’s episode, it’s apparent that he’s back on The Bachelor for the right reasons. He sounded earnest whenever he spoke about trying to prove himself and teared up each time he mentioned his father. When he talked to Bachelor host Chris Harrison, Brad often tripped over his words, and seemed genuinely nervous to be back at the mansion again. Fidgety, playing with the back of his head, Brad looked visibly uncomfortable – and even more so when Jenni and DeAnna were brought out to meet him.

This was the moment everyone was waiting for. To see Brad sweating, adjusting the collar of his suit as he stood up to greet those women must have been gratifying for them – and everyone at home. “Now I feel even more like an idiot,” Brad muttered as they walked out. In a word, the entire situation was awkward.

“It means the world that you made – that you both made the attempt to come back here,” Brad told them. ”I failed miserably, and I’m so profoundly sorry.”

But he got through it. And so did Jenni and DeAnna (who both look fantastic!). While Jenni was hopeful for Brad, DeAnna was skeptical of the whole thing, and these two women encompassed the thoughts that everyone must be thinking: Is Brad really ready for this?

And that was exactly what the 30 bachelorettes were thinking as soon as they walked out of the limo to meet him. In fact, Chantal, who was the first woman out, said, “I have something for you,” and proceeded to slap Brad across the face. “This is for every woman in America!” Brad took it well, and Chantal’s bold move actually landed her the last rose of the night (kudos!).