The Bachelor: Seattle's Chantal O'Brien Might Actually Win This Thing

Editor's note: We are two weeks away from the finale of The Bachelor and Seattle native Chantal O'Brien is one of the two finalists vying for the heart and loins of bachelor Brad Womack. Chantal is the daughter of former Seahawks player (and current auto group magnate) Mike O'Brien. Seattlest will be recapping Chantal's escapades in this and the upcoming season finale.

This week’s fantasy date episode opens with Bachelor Brad jumping on a flight from JFK to Johannesburg. In the opening segment we are left to believe he spent the entire 15-hour flight staring out the window contemplating the strengths and weaknesses of his final three choices. Given how awkwardly enjoyable I find Brad’s attempts at introspection and deep thought, it's a shame producers didn't provide us with a transcript of what was surely a gripping inner monologue. While staring out the window he admits “I have no idea what I am doing right now…” Well, you better figure it out quickly buddy.

First up on his agenda once on the ground in South Africa is our local favorite Chantal O’Brien, wearing a top that showcases the goods. The pair spends the day wandering through a game preserve, viewing various animals in a (somewhat)natural habitat, blurting out random observations like “look at him, this, this is his home” while viewing a lunching giraffe, and ultimately having a lunch of their own on a rock formation near a river with hippos floating nearby (and a guide, shotgun in tow, in the distance).

Brad shares that he is “most comfortable and most myself” around Chantal. While she is prone to, um, emotional peaks and valleys, our heroine has proven herself more than willing to be open than the other two remaining contestants. This is something the viewer will want to keep in mind later in the episode.

Conversation continues along these lines at dinner. Brad awkwardly inquires whether she would think about getting married before returning home. This leads to an interesting exchange where Chantal asserts, "yes, I am not one of these people who just goes around getting engaged to people all the time. It has to mean something." Glad we were able to clear the air on that one.

The day wraps up with the two sharing some off-camera bed time in a treehouse. Really?

Next up, Brad spends the day with Emily. In the last few weeks, it has become clear that she is the embodiment of what Brad, and probably a good chunk of American males, think they want in a wife--a stunning blonde with a heart of gold. That said, it appears she is so close to what he thinks he wants that Bachelor Brad is legitimately nervous every time they are together worried about making a mistake. Emily tells the camera she is falling in love with Brad, a first, but is not really able to tell Brad that in as many words. The two have another good night, but the viewer is left wondering if this will ever really work out. Oh, the suspense.

Finally, third contender Ashley springs into the episode, literally bouncing into Brad’s arms with excitement. As their day continues, discussion turns to exactly how they would make a life together work. It becomes clear in spite of how much they both want it to work, they aren’t going to fit into each others’ lives. This results in Brad taking her aside in the end and sending her home.

This leaves Chantal squaring off with Emily in the finale, two weeks from now. Earlier in the episode Brad said, “I don’t want to be that guy.” Well, buddy, if that is the case, you better go with Chantal. Try as you might, you haven’t been able to connect with Emily in the same way. Plus, breaking the emotional Chantal's heart on national television might result in an onscreen beatdown that made that infamous slap seem like foreplay. Whether she is too closed off, or you aren’t good enough for her, it doesn’t matter. Best invest in a raincoat buddy, not all your trips to Seattle to visit the in-laws will be as dry as your first trip last week.

Next up: some sort of reunion show, then the season finale in two weeks.