Night one of Charity Lawson’s “journey” to find “love” was a family affair.
Welcome back, rose lovers!
Tonight’s premiere had everything: Rain, acrobatics, and a truly terrible wig.
The Bachelor mansion driveway gets a makeover.ABC
Since when is there a wooden pergola on the mansion driveway???
Fortunately, TeamBachelorknew we’d be flipping out over this major change.
“They say a little rain is good luck on your wedding day.
A Maybelline product shot on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
Hopefully, it’s good luck for Charity tonight, too.”
Doubtful, but we appreciate the sentiment, sir.
Cue the Ready to Find Love AgainTM montage!
Aaron arrives on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
(She’s the youngest of four siblings.)
Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s Maybelline.
[hands script back in disgust]
Product placement onThe Bachelorette?
Charity gives Josh two thumbs up.ABC
I thought this show had integrity!
(Obviously kidding, LOL.
Get that cosmetics company coin, ABC!)
Xavier is a man of many interests.ABC
Wow, is it limo time already?
hey welcome the first man out:
Did he just say, “Some people call me A-A-ron”?
Okay,Key & Peelereferenceright out of the gate!
Caleb A. lets Charity listen to his heart.ABC
Do you approve of this change, rose lovers?
He pulls a lucky coin from his suit pocket.
“If it’s heads, we get engaged.
That is a terrible towel, Tanner.ABC
If it’s tails, I pack my bags and go home,” he announces.
Go big or go home, Aaron!
Fortunately, it’s heads, so this handsome gentleman won’t be leaving tonight.
Kaitlyn Bristowe wishes Charity well.ABC
Next up isJosh, a 28-year-old grad student from Pennsylvania.
A little intense, but sweet.
The Bachelorette LOVES it.
Spencer is at a loss for words.ABC
“We’ll see,” she says with a giggle.
Now let’s welcome 27-year-old construction managerWarwick.
“I went ahead and booked us a flight,” he explains shyly.
Caleb B., not to be confused with Caleb A. or Kaleb K.ABC
Very cute both the gimmick and the guy.
Plus, he loves to knit!
“That is a heart beating just for you,” he coos.
Taylor makes an homage to ‘How I Met Your Mother’.ABC
Smooth and a little cheesy, but I’ll allow it.
Meanwhile, 27-year-oldChrisis so excited to meet Charity, he’s literally doing backflips.
Of course, jumping up and down is kind of Chris' job.
Dotun is huge!.ABC
He’s a world record holder for “highest standing jump.”
And Chris' rivals, watching his acrobatics from the mixer room window, think so too.
“That guy’s doing backflips, and I’m in HR,” sighs Nic.
Charity’s brother Nehemiah.ABC
Side note: Is Kaitlyn Bristowe okay?
Pish-posh, dear weirdo.
You’ll never be “washed-up” to us.
Nehemiah in ‘disguise’.ABC
Up next isSpencer, a 32-year-old medical sales director.
The poor guy is so “terrified” that he can barely speak.
“I’ll tell you more about me,” he begins, before completely falling apart.
Joey and Charity.ABC
“For instance, me…
I’m Spencer.”
Yes, yes you are, buddy.
Charity and Xavier.ABC
But don’t tell Spencer that!
He thinks everything went great.
“It seems like maybe we did have a bit of a spark there,” he says.
John and Charity.ABC
Oh joy, thepro wrestleris here.
MeetCaleb B., 24, from Orlando.
“My wrestling persona is a self-loving douche,” he explains in his intro package.
Charity and Aaron S.ABC
“But it’s the opposite of my personality.”
Joe, a 32-year-old from San Francisco, kicks off the next montage: Tall dudes!
Watching these towering hunks with increasing chagrin is Joey the tennis pro.
Aaron B. and Charity.ABC
“Why is everyone so tall?”
“They’re huge.
I’m just like, ‘Damn, I’m gonna be the shortest guy.'”
Charity and Brayden.ABC
Inside, the message reads, “You will meet the man of your dreams tonight.
His name is John.”
Rooting for you, buddy.
Charity and Brayden on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
Holy cow, look at this guy!
Why wasn’t he in the tall dudes’ montage?
Bachelor Nation, just meetDotun, a 30-year-old integrative medicine specialist (?)
Charity gives Brayden the First Impression Rose.ABC
And she LOVES it.
“He’s a charmer,” she murmurs as Dotun walks indoors.
“I’ve gotta keep my eye on him.”
Sean and Aaron B. canNOT believe their eyes.ABC
Just when Charity thought the limo exits were over, Palmer walks up and drops the bomb.
Who could it be?
Awwww, it’s Charity’s adorable older brother Nehemiah!
And he’s here to scope these men out to determine whether they’re good enough for our Queen.
And to do that, he’s going undercover in a cheap Party City wig and stick-on mustache.
Charity seems into it, and she snuggles into his shoulder for warmth.
“Joey gives me butterflies,” she admits.
Charity moves inside for her chat with James, who brings her a gift from his parents.
Awww, that’s sweet.
The Bachelorette LOVES it, and says James is “a precious lamb.”
Charity must like what she’s hearing, because she leans in for the first kiss of the night.
“Hearing guys talking about my sister like that is weird.”
Real “Sir, this is a Wendy’s” energy right there.
John the adorable data scientist is currently having a one-on-one chat with Charity.
They’re bonding over how they are each super close to their siblings.
“I value her opinion the most,” John says of his sister.
The Bachelorette clearly approves, and she leans in for a kiss.
Wait, what’s going on in the mixer room?
Oh boy, someone needs to getBig Pauliein here.
Chris is acting out.
When Charity walks into the mixer room, Chris makes an announcement.
“I have something to show you!”
He’s not wrong.
As for the firefighter, he has a more lighthearted activity planned for his time with Charity.
“I pulled out a dope-ass first little date,” he brags.
“So I feel like I’m winning.”
You were, pal, until you said “dope-ass.”
“I have a little boy; I have a son.
I’m a dad… Is it weird that I feel so much to tell you that?”
Spencer is so relieved he can’t contain it.
“You’re awesome!”
Hmmm… where’s that music coming from?
Is someone playing piano?
Oh no, I sense a serenade coming on.
Oh my God, it’s worse.
Aaron B. is tickling the ivories while reciting aspoken word poemabout Charity… to Charity.
I think I just pulled a muscle cringing.
If it’s tails, you play the piano."
It’s heads again, and he gets his kiss.
Even if it is, Charity doesn’t mind.
The kiss goes on for alongtime.
“You look so familiar,” Josh says.
“Is that a fake mustache?”
Damn you, Party City!
And when she asks him to elaborate on why he was happy, Brayden comes correct.
“I think it was the empathy,” he responds immediately.
“Brayden’s a good kisser, a good person,” says a giddy Charity.
It’s a check!"
Get it, girl.
), because Nehemiah is listening in.
“Brayden has a huge ego,” says Nehemiah.
“I hear it in the way that he’s talking.”
And now it’s time to make Brayden eat those words.
That’s right, boys big brother was watching you.
And now he’s going to report back to Charity.
He pulls the Bachelorette aside and gives her the debrief.
“That’s problematic,” adds Nehemiah.
Awwww, come on!
That is ridiculously sweet.
Of course, you know what happens next.
“Brayden, can you come with me?”
Ooooh, you’re about to get a talking to, you Clark Kent-looking dummy.
Charity asks him to explain this “overconfident” behavior that Nehemiah witnessed.
“I wasn’t trying to be cocky,” a chastened Brayden says.
“That kiss that we had was really amazing.
I was giddy.”
Hmmm… will this explanation be enough?
Charity walks away to collect her thoughts, and after a tense few minutes, she returns, stone-faced.
Enter Jesse Palmer with his Butter Knife of Bad News.
Hop on home, gentlemen.
Your “journey” to find “love” will have to continue elsewhere.
Night one is in the books, rose lovers!
Who are you rooting for?
Are you surprised Brayden got the FIR?
And would you let your sibling vet potential dates?
Let me know on Twitter:@KristenGBaldwin.
The Bacheloretteairs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
