‘The Bachelor’ Episode 3 Recap: Girls Walk, Talk and Whine

By Krissy Dolor for Cupid's Pulse

Looks like I spoke too soon in judging Madison, The Bachelor’s resident fang girl. It turns out that yes, one of Brad Womack’s 17 remaining bachelorettes left the mansion for good, and I must admit that after last night’s episode, I wish that Madison had given herself a chance and stayed. But more on that later.

The first date card, which said, “Let’s find our love song,” went to Ashley S.. This date was crucial as Ashley S. received the first impression rose during the season premiere. Brad took her to Studio A of Capital Records, where they sang a terrible rendition of Seal’s “Kiss From A Rose.” And when I say terrible, I mean God-awful. However, the couple looked like they were having a blast and were completely relaxed in each other’s company, despite the ear-splitting noise that was coming out of their mouths. “I picked the perfect girl to do this date with,” said Brad.

But we all know that Brad (and the producers of ABC) always have a little trick up their sleeves, so phase two of Ashley’s date was a serenade from Seal himself. Lucky! The couple canoodled in the corner while Seal reminded us why we’re jealous of Heidi Klum. The date ended with a romantic dinner on the rooftop of Capital Records, where (surprise, surprise) Ashley S. opened up to Brad about her father, who died of a brain aneurysm. Ashley told Brad that she “felt like he was here tonight.” With Brad being a new man and all, he loved that Ashley opened up to him and gave her the first rose of the night. In fact, he said afterward, “Ashley has far exceeded my expectations…she’s the whole package.” Is this a possible wife alert?

Ehhh, not so fast. The second solo date recipient was Emily, my personal top-runner, who hadn’t yet told Brad about her situation (first love died in a plane crash, found out she was pregnant and has a 5-year-old daughter). Brad took her by private plane (really?) to Santa Marie, Calif. – wine country. Brad hoped this date would open Emily up, but Emily deflected Brad’s questions back onto him, which made him upset (and made me feel awkward just watching them). But during dinner – which took place in a candlelit barn – Emily finally told Brad everything. She said that her reason for withholding the past was because she wanted Brad to like her as a person and not as someone with “all this stuff.” Without the “elephant in the room,” as Emily put it, sparks flew, and Brad and Emily shared their first kiss. “The way I feel right now is the way people feel when they begin a future with somebody,” said Brad. “I can see Emily being the woman I want to spend my life with,” (!!!). One point for Team Emily.