Mike O Brien Seattle Seahawks

On the latest episode of "The Bachelor," we get what is my very favorite of all the episodes - the hometown visits. I love seeing the contestants' families because they are usually completely adorable or they are bat-crap crazy/scary and of course that's funny.

Chantal's Date

Chantal is the first hometown date we see. They are up in Seattle, where Chantal lives close to her parents. They go to her apartment to meet her two cats and a dog first, which is a nice house. Her father Mike O'Brien was a defensive back for the Seattle Seahawks and is now a auto dealership king in the Seattle area, so presumably the family has some money, in case you were wondering about the house ...

The O'Brien house is crazy impressive. Just a straight up mansion out on Mercer Island. And while her mom is a good indication that Chantal will age well, mom Billie Jo also has the Joan Rivers eyes going on, ifyaknowwhatimean.

Brad and Mike bond over Mike's dad and Brad's grandfather being masons, but it's also like - Mike played NFL football. He wasn't the Little Match Boy. Anyway, Brad assures him he'll be a damn good father because of his absent father and I have to cheer Brad on in that sentiment. Here's hoping, of course, and he seems into it, so you go on, Brad.

Chantal talks with her mom and - my god, it looks like she's talking to a "Dynasty" character. Seriously. Chantal is pretty, please don't do that to yourself. Just age. Just age gracefully. You can do it.

Ashley's Date

Ashley is from the northeastern most town in the U.S., which is awesome. I want to go to the NH/VT/ME area so badly, it looks beautiful. Plus, Stephen King says all the bad stuff happens in Maine, so I'm down.

Ashley speaks quite a bit of French because she's from near the border to Canada, which is awesome. Very cool. After an uneventful lunch, they go to Ashley's parents' house. They are the cutest. Her dad has on a lumberjack shirt and she hugs her sister so tight, it's just wonderful. I want to marry into that family, are you kidding?

The sister gives toast about Brad choosing Ashley and then he stops to say that they chose each other and not just him choosing her, which is so nice. It may be the wine talking, but that really touched me that he did that.

Sister Christy (oh, your time has come) and Ashley's mom seem to really like Brad, her mom even invites him to sleep over (in only a slightly inappropriate way). It's adorable.

Shawntel's Date

Creepy organ music ushers us into Shawntel's date, which is a bit unfair. My college roommate grew up in a funeral home family and she thought it was totally normal that she and her sister played it the casket room as kids, while it totally freaked the rest of us out. And her sister took over the family business and it's normal for them and it should be totally normal for the rest of us because it's a service just like any other service.

But I can tell that's not how this date is going to go. First off, they make Shawntel look like a total nutjob, which we know she isn't. Secondly, it's not weird to think about death or to not be afraid of death. But Brad is kinda freaking out that she embalms people. I am flashing back to what-his-face's Basement o'Taxidermy during Jillian's "Bachelorette," but honestly, this is just work and it's an important part of our society and stop making her look like a freak, please.

This is also making me think of the "Never Kill a Boy on a First Date" episode of "Buffy." Just me?

Brad gets major props for being impressed with Shawntel's passion for her work and recognizing what she does is important. He does not appear to be as freaked out as the editing would make us believe.

At Shawntel's house, she has two adorable parents and two beautiful sisters. At lunch, Brad tells how she had him "lie down on the table" at the mausoleum and her dad goes, "No rose for you." Haha, Shawntel's dad! Seriously, that was awesome.

Shawntel brings up Austin, TX and the vibe really changes. Her dad talks to her alone about how she is a part of the community and while she was gone filming "The Bachelor," her high school teacher's son was tragically killed and the teacher was looking for Shawntel to be there as funeral director, which speaks very highly of Shawntel in her job, but is something to consider when leaving the area.

Her dad gives her blessing after talking with Shawntel, but you can kinda tell they aren't super keen on her possibly moving away.

Emily's Date

Emily has to steel Rickie to meet Brad. She's old enough to know what is up with her dad, but young enough not to understand what is going on with Brad and the cameras, so this is super-tricky. I hope this doesn't get gross.

Rickie is very shy. Brad brings her a present to break the ice, but she is having none of it. She is very withdrawn and this is painful. Brad is making such an effort and finally when they fly her kite present, she seems to open up a bit.

The stupid romantic in me wants this ruggedly handsome Brawny man to just sweep this walking Barbie doll off her feet and make a family with her adorable little girl, but I'm just not sure Emily/Brad is the best couple on this show.

That night, they go back to Emily's "house." In case you didn't know, Emily's fiancee who was killed was from a very wealthy racing family and that explains the huge house she lives in.

After Rickie goes to bed, Brad wants to kiss Emily but he is reticent to do that with Rickie sleeping upstairs. Emily wants him to be himself and points out that if they work out as a couple, Rickie will always be upstairs. Haha, mama's got some needs.

But Brad can't do it. So Emily takes charge at the front door and the sweeping "Titanic" music comes up and it's lovely. Emily talking-heads that it's the happiest she's been in a long time.

Therapy Time

Brad and Chris Harrison sit down to dish about the hometown visits. It's nothing earth-shattering, just filler.

Rose Ceremony

Who's going home? Not Chantal or Emily, I don't think. I'd like to say Ashley, but I think Shawntel creeped him out too much, especially with her crazy dad. When Brad comes out, all the girls look ready to just vomit. It's interesting how much I like all of these girls and I've come to really like Brad too.

The roses go to Ashley, Emily and ... Chantal. Bummer. Shawntel was our favorite, hands down. We think she would make an awesome next Bachelorette, but we suspect that unless Brad picks Emily, it'll be her.

Brad sits her down on the way out and tells her how much he cares for her and that he just didn't feel the way a man should feel when she told him she was falling for him. She starts crying when she says that he treated her so well and he says she deserves that. It's nice.

This season is just making me so sappy, god! What is with this season?!

In the limo, Shawntel says she's never been treated like that in a relationship and she hopes she meets someone who does. Oh, Shawntel. You are wonderful! You will meet him!

Next week: South Africa! And overnight dates. And tears.