Season 16 | Episode 1

It’s been a long, LONG 7 months but The Bachelorette is back and I couldn’t be happier. I really thought this day would never come. I’ve truly missed Chris Harrison and this crazy show but holy moly I actually believe Chris this time when he says this is the “most dramatic season ever”.

First of all, what is this world. Covid has totally gotten in the way in all aspects of our lives and this episode is a continued reminder. Instead of being in LA in the usual Bachelor mansion, Clare and her guys are secluded in a hotel in Palm Springs.

First, I have to say this is all freaking insane/fascinating. We start the episode by seeing Clare’s dudes get to Palm Springs, all quarantining in their respective rooms while they each get Covid tested – hoping to all test negative so they can meet Clare. Again, I just can’t believe this is real life.

Before Clare meets her men, her and Chris Harrison have a sweet moment where she talks about her late father and how he left her a video to watch with her husband before he passed. She still hasn’t watched the video and won’t until she finally meets the one. I know we’ve all heard the rumors but I truly hope she does find her person for real this time.

Now it’s time for Clare to meet her men. Men after men roll through and we get the usual cheesy pick up lines, nervous laughs and just overall awkwardness. Although she seems intrigued by some of the men, I don’t see any real chemistry between her and any of them. Tyler C. comes in aggressive in his station wagon and I-want-kids-with-you bit, then Bennett, AKA Mr. Harvard comes in hot with a Rolls Royce which the other men definitely don’t appreciate. The rest of the men’s entrances go between forgettable, awkward and funny. My personal favorite was Chasen, showing up literally as a knight in shining armor. Then, Dale shows up. It is undeniable how infatuated Clare instantly is with him and honestly I think they met before the show started filming. Whether it was on Facetime or whatever it was, her and Dale DEFINITELY have been talking beforehand. I mean she’s so hooked on Dale its to the point where she doesn’t even want to meet the rest of the men.

Honestly, we can just end the recap and maybe even the season now. Clare is so smitten kitten with Dale it’s insane. I actually feel bad for the rest of the men that are trying to pull out their bag of tricks to impress her.

Then the drama starts. Tyler C. claims he “knows something” about Yosef, AKA Yosef was DMing girls in Tyler’s hometown that he knows before the show started. Yosef simply says he “doesn’t remember” doing that, which in my opinion, means he did it. Clare confronts this issue head on with both men and ultimately says she has things to think about and leaves them to it. She then pulls Blake aside, admitting that he was the only guy who reached out to her during quarantine, which per ABC “broke the rules”. Clare tells him how much she appreciated it though and Blake gets the first kiss of the season.

But, which comes as a surprise to no one, Clare gives her first impression rose to none other than Dale. SHOCKER. After she steals some kisses from Dale, we get the actual rose ceremony, which is a bit of a doozy. Clare keeps all the men we’d assume minus Yosef and sends home several men including Tyler C. The rest of the insane looks INSANE and I can’t wait to see how this season unfolds!

Till next week!

Laura

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