(ABC/Craig Sjodin)
Bachelor in Paradise is back! My favorite show of the entire Bachelor franchise. I love the location, I love that the contestants get a second chance at love and I love that it’s more organic than any other Bachelor show. The couples get to mingle like they would at a party or a bar and decide who they would like to know better, rather than everyone competing for the same person. Plus it’s a free vacation!
Before everyone arrives at Playa Escondida, host Jesse Palmer meets us on the beach. He teases, “While we’re certainly hoping for engagements here on the sand, one couple will actually get married right here on the beach … Let’s see who’s headed to the beach right now.”
The players arrive Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images
Up first, Rachel Recchia, who was the Season 19 co-Bachelorette, alongside Gabby Windey. Rachel’s ready to have some fun. She’s hoping to meet quirky Brayden Bowers from Charity Lawson’s season.
Looks like Rachel will get her wish, as Brayden is next to be introduced. He’s hoping to find the “girl of my dreams on the beach.” One of the girls he’s hoping to meet is Kylee Russell from Bachelor Season 27.
Hey, guess what? Next up is none other than Kylee Russell! What a coincidence! Kylee’s hoping to make a connection with Aven Jones, who was Rachel’s runner-up. They’ve been flirting on Instagram, so she’s looking forward to meeting him in person. “I just hope no one else comes between us,” she says. Uh oh. That sounds like foreshadowing to me.
Could it be Aaron Bryant who completes the triangle? I see trouble between him and Brayden. Aaron was the one who didn’t think Brayden was there “for the right reasons” on Charity’s season and got him sent home. He wants to meet Mercedes Northup from Zach Shallcross’ season.
Aaron’s wish is this show’s command, ’cause there she is! Mercedes wants someone “manly” who can do farm things with her dad. Okay …
Next up is Sean McLaughlin, also from Charity’s season. Sean thinks he looks like a Ken doll, and he’s definitely a metrosexual, as he describes his beauty regimen in detail. He’s hoping to meet Jessica (Jess) Girod since they’re both Taylor Swift fans.
And they just keep coming…
Next up is — surprise! — Jess Girod. She really wants to have a “beautiful love story.” Maybe she and Sean will hit it off and go to a Taylor Swift concert.
Next is Will Urena from Michelle Young’s season. Will apparently spends a lot of time in the gym. He’s super excited to find his person in Paradise. He’s looking to meet Kylee and Brooklyn Willie.
And poof! There she is. It’s like magic. Brooklyn says, “I’m gonna rope me a man this summer!” She’s hoping she doesn’t run into her arch nemesis Kat Izzo in Paradise.
Oh, Brooklyn, you should know better than to speak her name. It’s like Voldemort. You say her name, and there she is. Kat is happy to be in Paradise but isn’t looking forward to dealing with the humidity, the bugs, the crabs, the sand … and Brooklyn Willie. Kat wants to meet her Bachelor Nation crush Blake Moynes, originally from Claire Crawley’s season.
Next up is Blake, who’s “looking for what’s eluded me for a long time: a lasting partner.” Blake was also on Katie Thurston’s season and ended up engaged to her, but it didn’t work out. Blake is hoping to fall in love in Mexico.
Let the fun begin Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images
Rachel is the first to arrive in Paradise. Jesse greets her with open arms. He tells her that she’s only the second Bachelorette to come to Paradise looking for another shot at love. And the first person to arrive at the beach! That has its advantages and its disadvantages, as viewers of this show realize. “The beach is all yours,” he says.
Aaron is next to greet Jesse. He’s excited to be in Paradise. “So much less pressure here,” he says, as he walks down the stairs to meet Rachel.
Brooklyn arrives soon after Aaron. When she introduces herself, she mentions that Charity was her best friend when they were both on Zach’s season. The mention of Charity makes Aaron squirm a bit, and Brooklyn interviews that she has “inside information” on Aaron, but she’s willing to give him a chance. “First impression is that he seems really nice.”
Meanwhile, Jesse is welcoming Catherine “Cat” Wong to Paradise. Cat was also on Zach’s season, so she’ll have friends here. In fact, she gets a warm welcome from Brooklyn, who gives her a big hug.
Just as Aaron is enjoying being the Bachelor of Paradise, here comes another guy. It’s Sean, who greets his buddy with a hug.
Next to come down the stairs is Will, who nobody recognizes (including me). The guys spend a few minutes discussing who they’d like to meet in Paradise, while they wait for the next person to arrive. Both Aaron and Will are looking forward to meeting Kylee, so we’ll see how that goes.
The most popular girl on the beach Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images
And here comes Kylee. Even though she’s looking forward to meeting Aven, she’s willing to keep her options open. Good thing because when she comes down the stairs, Aaron lights up like a Christmas tree.
Next to arrive is Brayden, who greets Jesse just as Sean is telling Aaron that the last person he wants to see in Paradise is Brayden. Sean’s last words to the travel nurse were, “Go back to San Diego, you douchebag.” This show loves a good foreshadowing moment.
But Aaron’s a grownup and says, “I just turned 30, bro. I’m not here for the drama. My eyes are on Kylee right now.” However, at that very moment, Brayden is telling Jesse that he’s interested in meeting Kylee. Here comes that drama Aaron wants to avoid.
When Aaron comes down the stairs, Sean’s only comment is, “Oh, f*ck.” You should know by now that if you don’t like someone, this show will go out of its way to put you together. It was inevitable. Aaron’s cool until Brayden invites Kylee to the bar for a drink (where’s Wells Adams?). So much for being a grownup. Aaron’s feelings are hurt that Brayden went straight for the girls and didn’t even acknowledge the guys. He’s not there to date you, Aaron.
Even though he says he doesn’t want any drama, Brayden is already filling Kylee in on the drama from Charity’s season. “There was this guy named Aaron B. … ”
After chatting with Kylee, Brayden moves on to Rachel and Cat. He tells us in an interview, “I know there’s more people coming, so I’m always looking for that next best option.” He’s got drama written all over his forehead. I’m already over him.
A Paradise alum returns for another try at love Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images
Meanwhile, Jesse welcomes Eliza Isichei from Clayton Echard’s season. She was there for Season 8 and initially hit it off with Rodney Matthews, but when Justin Glaze hit the beach, things got complicated. This time she says, “I just want to find my person … I just don’t want any more love triangles.”
Greer Blitzer from Zach’s season arrives shortly after Eliza. I always get her mixed up with Kylee. Mercedes is right behind her. Aaron was looking forward to meeting her, too, so he should be happy.
Finally, another guy comes down the stairs. It’s Aaron Schwartzman from Charity’s season. He’s quickly followed by Peter Cappio, from the same season. Charity sent Peter home the first night, so I hope he gets to stick around a little longer this time.
The boys are followed by the girl Will was hoping to meet, Kat from Zach’s season. Brooklyn and Kat had drama on the Bachelor, so it’s only a matter of time.
Another girl approaches Jesse, and I have no idea who she is. Neither does Jesse, as he asks, “Who are you again?” Rude, Jesse! You’re supposed to remember everyone. She’s Samantha Jeffries, and she was on Clayton’s season for about five seconds. She showed up in a bathtub full of bubbles but dipped out before the Rose Ceremony. Guess she just wasn’t that into him.
Olivia Lewis (Zach’s season) gets an enthusiastic greeting. Will says he had her “on my list” and then says she “smells like a fresh garden.” She seems equally impressed with him and says, “Will is an attractive human being, baybee … God took his time on you, honey.” They immediately walk down the beach for a private convo. Will’s the first guy to move in for a kiss.
Sean wants to be covered in Jess’ body glitter Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images
Just when Sean is telling Aaron he hopes Jess will show up soon, she magically comes down to the beach. “Go get her, bro,” says Aaron.
“I’m really excited to talk to Jess,” Sean interviews. “She’s the number one girl on my list.” He wastes no time introducing himself to the newcomer. Even though Sean has “very blue eyes,” Jess admits she wants to explore other options.
Blake has actually dated three Bachelorettes (Clare, Katie and Tayshia Adams), but he still hasn’t found that lasting love. He’s back to hopefully find his life partner. All the girls are drooling over Blake’s hot body when he arrives on the beach. Jess says she’s “starstruck.” Kylee calls him “eye candy.” Olivia has heart eyes.
Jesse calls a Paradise meeting Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images
When Jesse comes down to the beach, he tells everyone to “come meet me in the Rose Palapa.” Since there are currently more girls than guys, it will be the men handing out the roses this week. The girls are gonna have to compete for the guys’ attention. Anyone who doesn’t get a rose at the Rose Ceremony will immediately go home. The guys are pretty happy with that arrangement. Just wait, guys, next week the tables will turn, so it’s a little early to gloat.
There are currently seven men and eleven women, so four women will be going home this week. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think Paradise would work for me,” says Greer. That and the free trip to Mexico. “So I’m gonna have to pursue.”
“With that,” says Jesse, “go check this place out and let the Paradising begin!” Class dismissed, they all run to check out the sleeping quarters. I’m sure they’re all thrilled about sleeping in a bunk bed in a crowded dorm room with no AC.
The claws are coming out
When Olivia admits that she and Will already kissed, Kylee’s heart breaks a little. She teases Will about her broken heart, prompting him to apologize and say, “We need to talk.” It’s only night one, and Will’s already in a love triangle.
Greer has the first date card! “Kylee,” she reads aloud, “choose your first spark and set that love ablaze.” Yikes. Who will she choose? She says she came here to meet Will (I thought it was Aven?), but the fact that he’s already kissed another girl is a turnoff for her. Now she’s torn over who to pick. She excuses herself to go “figure myself out.”
Kylee sits down with Mercedes to talk it out. Her top three are Will, Brayden and Blake. She’s scared of making a mistake. Kylee, it’s just a date. You’re not marrying the guy. Go have fun with someone. She’s definitely overthinking the situation. Finally, she picks Will and he quickly accepts, much to Olivia’s surprise. She thought she’d already staked her claim.
Olivia tries to accept Will’s decision philosophically. “That’s a grown man, he can do what he wants to do,” she says. “Just like I can do what I want to do.” Privately, though, she confesses she’s “annoyed.”
“Don’t mack on me,” she says, “and then go on a date with someone else.” Why not? It was a kiss, Olivia. He didn’t ask you to be his girlfriend. Sometimes that’s just what happens. Saying she can “stoop,” Olivia seems to hint that she’d be up for some payback. “Oh, it’s game on,” she concludes. Look out, Paradisers, here comes your first summer storm.
Wells is back behind the bar
