Welcome to the new season of ‘The Bachelor’! This time, we have the ever-controversial Lucas Harper stepping into the spotlight. Having graced the Bachelor franchise more than anyone else, Lucas is back to search for love—or perhaps to promote a new car model.
The episode kicks off with an introductory sequence designed to make Lucas seem relatable, featuring a grocery store employee swooning over him and a heartfelt moment with his sister. Lucas declares he aims to provide America with a “happy ending,” which, let’s be honest, feels a bit off. “Being in love is the best feeling ever,” he insists, but given his history, one might wonder if he truly believes that.
This premiere stretches on for two hours, so to fill the time before we meet the contestants, the show brings in past Bachelors like Matthew, Oliver, and Ryan. Ryan, who recently welcomed a baby, provides a yawn-inducing update. Meanwhile, Oliver, who lives in a remote area, seems distant from his chosen partner, and Matthew offers bland relationship advice while pretending that no one remembers his own awkward moments on the show.
Lucas has a dramatic declaration in his dressing room: “I’ll never be discouraged enough to give up,” which is good news for fans, as he’s likely to return for future spin-offs.
Finally, the introductions of the contestants begin—not the glamorous limo entrances we anticipate, but rather long-winded mini-docu-dramas showcasing their lives. Among the women, there’s a lawyer, a boutique owner, a teacher, and a self-proclaimed “daddy’s girl.” The diversity is amusing, with one woman obsessed with dolphins and another who comes dressed as an Eskimo looking for an “Eskimo kiss.”
As the women arrive, it’s clear they are significantly younger than Lucas, who is 36, with most contestants in their early twenties. The entrances range from quirky, like one contestant in a bright yellow dress dancing with a matching fan, to awkward, with one woman directly referencing her friends’ negative opinions of Lucas.
Then there’s the one-night stand—Lucas doesn’t recognize her, and her confidence in having an “advantage” is questionable. A commercial break later, we delve deeper into the introductions with more bizarre antics. One woman brings a stethoscope, another offers a “beard massage,” and yet another shows up on a camel, claiming, “Hi, I hear you like a good hump.”
The women, all clad in red, express their frustration about the color choice, except for the woman in the shark costume who humorously states she almost wore red too.
When Lucas finally enters the room, the women erupt in cheers. He stumbles through a speech about empowerment, a message that feels forced. The small talk begins, revealing some contestants are far more animated than others. One, named Grace, brings a bag of “tokens,” while another, a lawyer named Sarah, seems far too intelligent for this setting.
As the night progresses, tension builds among the women, especially with Grace hogging Lucas’s attention, leading to frustration among the others. In a moment of comic relief, the woman in the shark costume, whom we’ll call Lily, jumps into the pool to demonstrate her dolphin calls, much to Lucas’s bemusement.
When it’s time for the first impression rose, everyone holds their breath, and to their surprise, it goes to Sarah, the lawyer. The night wraps up with the rose ceremony, where emotions run high and insecurities bubble to the surface. As the women bid farewell to those who don’t receive roses, it’s painfully clear that this journey won’t be easy for anyone involved.
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In summary, the premiere sets the stage for a season filled with drama, awkward encounters, and the usual antics that come with seeking love on reality television. Lucas Harper’s journey promises to be entertaining, albeit with a fair share of cringeworthy moments.