This week, Charity and Joey break a record, and First Impression Rose recipient Brayden threatens to walk.
This is getting exhausting, rose lovers.
This week, that contestant was Brayden.
Charity shares her excitement.ABC
Spirits are high as we join our Bachelorette for week two of her “journey.”
Ugh, she is gorgeous.
Is it me or does she look amazing in every color?
Aaron B. and Charity on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
Plus, she’s funny!
Whoever gets this first date better bring his A+++ game.
The men, meanwhile, are settling into the mansion.
Hooray for Hollywood.ABC
This is also the first we’re hearing that Adrian, the 33-year-old realtor, has a daughter.
“We sacrifice things for what we want,” he explains.
“And I want love.”
Charity and Aaron B. kiss on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
And so I got my ears pierced, and then I got the craziest earrings I could.
I feel like they kind of represent how I’m feeling in the moment."
Gather ‘round in the living room, fellas hostJesse Palmeris here to drop off the first date card.
Charity and Aaron B. dance on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
It’s a one-on-one date, and it goes to… Aaron B.!
But c’mon, no spoken word poetry this time, okay?
Charity picks him up in a vintage Mustang convertible and you better believe the Bachelorette is driving.
Charity and Jesse Palmer on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
They leave the freeway and start motoring along some windy side streets up a mountain.
At last, they arrive at their destination.
Turns out, it’s the100th anniversary of the Hollywood sign, which Charity dutifully mentions.
The beach boys on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
“God, it just feels so good.”
I bet you’ve got the option to guess what happens next, rose lovers.
Oh, for Pete’s sake, Aaron B. just pulled out his lucky coinagain.
John and Charity on ‘The Bachelorette’.
“If it’s heads, we get that everlasting love we were talking about,” he says.
Finally, he admits that it’s a double-sided coin, and Charity thinks it’s hilarious.
They smooch some more as the giant “L” looms behind them.
Season 19 Bachelorettes Rachel and Gabby.
In keeping with the Old Hollywood theme, the evening portion of Charity and Aaron B.
’s date takes place at theLos Angeles Theater.
“I struggled withactive listening, I struggled with communication,” he says.
Sean Lowe and a woman who is not his wife on ‘The Bachelor’.
“It’s something that I messed up.”
but props to him for embracing the concept of personal growth.
Also, the Bachelorette LOVES it.
The men give Charity a sign on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
“That is what I’m looking for in a man.”
Go on and give that man the date rose, ma’am!
Wait… what’s that?
Charity and Joey make out on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
We have to watch you and Aaron B. dance awkwardly to a “private” concert byLauren Alainafirst?
“That can’t be a good sign,” says John the adorable data scientist.
It’s time for the fourth annual Bachelorette Dodge Bowl!
Don’t let the door hit you, buddy.ABC
Winners go to the after-party, losers go home in shame.
And everyone plays the game in… this:
“Sports cups are mandatory!”
Hey, at least they won’t be playing naked, like they did on Clare’s season.
Charity and Joey on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
Shield your eyes, impressionable viewers here come the banana hammocks.
Charity joins Palmer and sports anchor Liz Habib at the commentators’ table.
She’s hoping to see good sportsmanship and spirited effort on the court.
Dotun and Charity on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
Round two begins with pro wrestler Caleb B. going in hard but not always with the best aim.
Dang, producers, maybe next time invest in a fence?
Though Adrian manages to knockthreepeople out with one throw (!)
Charity and Brayden on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
in the final game, the match goes to pink 3 to 2.
Brayden and his dangly pearl earrings sit down with Charity first.
(Why bother to get to know more about the woman you’re allegedly trying to date?)
“I definitely am crushin' on you,” he says.
“I want to explore what further connections we can have.”
Wow, what a meaningless string of words!
Uh, I’ll take your word for it, bro.
John the adorable data scientist is having his one-on-one time with Charity!
Did you know he used to be a professional basketball player?
And Charity was a cheerleader in school!
These two are made for each other!
Yes, I am trying to manifest John and Charity as the final couple!
“To go from having the First Impression Rose to not being on a one-on-one date?
It’s hard for me.”
Caleb A. is like, “Aren’t you being kind of an egotistical asshat?”
(I’m paraphrasing), and Brayden does admit, “Maybe I sound like a spoiled brat.
I don’t want a First Impression Rose, I want your time.”
“No offense, man, I wouldn’t have picked you for the MVP,” he adds.
Oh, butplentyof offense was taken, sir.
Xavier, for one, is over it.
He brings that chip-on-his-shoulder attitude with him to his sit-down time with Charity.
“I didn’t come here to, like, kick it with the guys,” he says.
“I sacrificed a lot to come here.
One of those sacrifices is that I have a daughter.
That’s my everything.”
There’s nothing left for Charity to do than give all the guys a warning.
“I’m not interested in that… My purpose is solely for me finding my person.”
With that, she gives the rose to… John the adorable data scientist!!!!
“It’s not a spring break for me.”
Who cares if people are doing flips into the pool?
Plus, our season 19 Bachelorettes are here!
In front of an audience.
Cool, no notes.
The last record was set by none other than Sean Lowe himself back in 2013.
Hold up there, Joey!
Don’t slather on the Chapstick just yet.
Oh no, Warwick spelled “demeanor” as “demenor.”
That’s cause for instant elimination.
It’s not attractive at all, but Joey still manages to win all the Bachelorettes over.
“Joey will not stop looking at you,” Rachel whispers to Charity.
“It’s like, every single time he can make eye contact, he does.”
And the Bachelorette LOVES it.
Guess what, sir?
Your fantasy is about to become a reality.
The men, however, are forced to stand there and watch the whole darn thing.
“This sucks,” grumbles John Henry.
“Why did no one tell us to stop?”
“They did!”
“You just didn’t hear them!”
“I thought I would get more time with her today,” says Josh with a sigh.
It does seem unfair.
Joey already got plenty of makeout time give some other cuties a chance!
“So, what would you have done?”
“Thrown a fit and walked away?”
And then things take a hard left turn into Red Flag territory, by way of Tantrum Town.
“I feel like they were disrespected,” huffs Brayden.
Oh my God, I guess we must go over thisagain.
Part of that “dating” involves kissing… and more.
“I felt love from both of them,” he says.
Then comes the real bombshell: “My parents broke up actually because my dad came out.
So my dad, when I was about in kindergarten, came out as gay.”
“It’s amazing to see the love they still have for each other,” he adds.
“It taught me how important love is…
It’s made me now a more loving and accepting person.”
Oh man, that is very moving and sweet.
Now I really want Joey to get a hometown so we can meet his family.
Do I even need to tell you that Joey gets the date rose?
The next day, Palmer comes to see the guys a few hours before the rose ceremony.
Sure you are, pal.
The Bachelorette LOVES it.
Oh man, I think I may be shipping these two even harder than Charity and John.
Tanner, a man we haven’t seen much of so far, goes next.
“I’m truly ready for my forever person.”
At long last, it’s Brayden’s turn.
“I had a lot of doubt about your character to some degree,” he adds.
“When I heard what happened, I felt so bad for those guys…
I felt like I was lied to in that moment when I heard what happened.
And I was just like, ‘How can I be here?’
I’m going to be honest with you: I was ready to run away.”
The person who should be running away and fast is Charity.
How dare this dumb-dumb attempt to impugn the Bachelorette’s character.
Somehow Charity does not seem angry at Brayden.
Instead, she tries to explain her motivation in that situation.
“It makes me sad to hear that I was frustrating you,” she groans.
Ugh, do not be sad about this guy.
She’s confused: Did Adrian mishear something or is Brayden being manipulative?
Adds Joey, “At this point, they’re kind of a distraction.
It might be best for both of them to go home.”
He finally has to tap Michael on the shoulder to get someone to acknowledge his existence.)
Welp, rose lovers, looks like we’ll have to put up with Brayden for a while longer.
(The preview shows him getting a rose next week, too.)
Are you surprised Charity kept him and Adrian this week?
Are you loving John and Dotun as much as I am?
Let me know on Twitter@KristenGBaldwin.
The Bacheloretteairs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
