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BACHELOR, THE
Air Date: Monday, February 20, 2012
Time Slot: 8:00 PM-10:00 PM EST on ABC
Episode Title: (#1608-120) "Episode 1608"
[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

BEN CROSSES THE COUNTRY TO JOIN THE FOUR REMAINING BACHELORETTES IN THEIR HOMETOWNS AND FINDS HIMSELF ON THE HOT SEAT WITH THEIR FAMILIES, ON ABC'S "THE BACHELOR," MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20

"Episode 1608" - The stakes are high as Ben crisscrosses the country on an exciting, emotionally charged trip to visit the final four women's hometowns. Will Lindzi conquer her fear of being vulnerable and share her true feelings with Ben? Will Kacie B.'s cautious, skeptical parents be the downfall of her relationship with the Bachelor? Will Nicki's parents, who are still heartbroken over her divorce, welcome thoughts of a potential future for their daughter with Ben? And finally, will Ben be able to win over Courtney's protective mother? Afterwards, everyone meets in Los Angeles, and Ben must make a gut-wrenching decision to narrow the field to three women - one of whom he believes will be his wife -- on "The Bachelor," MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Ben's journey starts in Ocala, Florida, where he spends the day with Lindzi and her fun-loving parents on their picturesque horse farm. Up until now, she has been hesitant to open up to Ben, but she finally reveals that her last relationship left her heartbroken and she is afraid to make herself vulnerable. Her parents notice the difference in their once reticent daughter whose heart seems open again, but will they welcome Ben into their family?

When he arrives in Clarksville, Tennessee, Ben is met in grand style by a marching band led by Kacie B., his baton-twirling suitor, who has been one of the front-runners for his heart since their emotional first date. As they picnic on a football field named after her grandfather, Kacie fills in Ben about her rich family history and her grandparents' inspiring love story. But what happens when Ben meets Kacie's father? Will he give Ben his blessing, or will this spell trouble for the couple's future?

Ben travels to Fort Worth, Texas, to visit Nicki, the young divorcee. She treats him to a Texas-sized shopping spree, transforming the Sonoma winemaker into a cowboy. Nicki warns Ben that he most likely will be met with a great deal of skepticism from her father, who is determined to protect his daughter after her devastating divorce. Nicki's mother and brother are warm and welcoming, but her father reserves his opinion until after he has a heart-to-heart talk with his daughter. After a tearful and guilt-filled discussion over the failed marriage, Nicki and her father heal some old wounds, but what does it mean for this pair's prospects?

Finally, Ben heads to Scottsdale, Arizona to join Courtney, the glamorous but strong-willed model who has attempted to capture Ben's heart with her aggressive but playful spirit. However, when Ben meets her mother, he discovers that she is skeptical about whether Courtney is really in love with him. What effect will this meeting have on Ben and Courtney's chances? Courtney is not discouraged and summons her courage to tell Ben how she feels about him in a romantic, over-the-top setting. But will it be enough to secure her a rose?

As everyone heads back to Los Angeles, Ben is stymied by the fact that he can see himself falling in love with all four women, but one must be sent home. At a tense and emotionally wrenching rose ceremony, he sadly says good-bye to one heartbroken bachelorette. However, he can take comfort in the knowledge that that one of the remaining three women may be his future wife. So, they toast to the next exotic stop: Switzerland.

The four women are:
Courtney, 28, model, Santa Monica, CA
Kacie B., 24, administrative assistant, Clarksville, TN
Lindzi C., 27, business development manager, Seattle, WA
Nicki, 26, dental hygienist, Hurst, TX

Hosted by Chris Harrison, "The Bachelor" is a production of Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss and Martin Hilton are the executive producers.

This episode of "The Bachelor" will be available on ABC.com the day after airing on the network for users to watch online. For more information on "The Bachelor" visit ABC.com.

"The Bachelor" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with stereo sound. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.

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