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The Bachelor Season 25, Week 1: First impression rose, no second chances

By Janel Blakely

THE BACHELOR - Ò2502Ó Ð The 24 women who survived the rose ceremony on arrival night discover that dating Matt is intoxicating although the atmosphere among the women is plain toxic. MattÕs adventurous first date with Bri triggers an emotional bombshell between the other jealous women, including Victoria. The largest group date in Bachelor history has 18 women dress up for a wedding photo shoot, with Matt as the groom kissing his brides. Sarah is thrilled to join Matt on a romantic ride aboard a 1930s biplane, but the love-struck bachelorette is having a difficult time seeing him with other ladies, leading to multiple women spiraling out of control on ÒThe Bachelor,Ó airing MONDAY, JAN. 11 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST), on ABC. (ABC/Craig Sjodin)RACHAEL, MATT JAMES
THE BACHELOR - Ò2502Ó Ð The 24 women who survived the rose ceremony on arrival night discover that dating Matt is intoxicating although the atmosphere among the women is plain toxic. MattÕs adventurous first date with Bri triggers an emotional bombshell between the other jealous women, including Victoria. The largest group date in Bachelor history has 18 women dress up for a wedding photo shoot, with Matt as the groom kissing his brides. Sarah is thrilled to join Matt on a romantic ride aboard a 1930s biplane, but the love-struck bachelorette is having a difficult time seeing him with other ladies, leading to multiple women spiraling out of control on ÒThe Bachelor,Ó airing MONDAY, JAN. 11 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST), on ABC. (ABC/Craig Sjodin)RACHAEL, MATT JAMES /
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The Bachelor Season 25 reminds us that there is only one shot at a first impression rose. With that said, who made a lasting impression on our Bachelor’s heart?

With the Bachelor Mansion out of the Covid question, we are introduced to the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort for the quarantined filming location for The Bachelor Season 25.  It’s oozing charm and will be the perfect place to fall in love–just 70 miles outside of romantic Pittsburgh, naturally.

The limousines are lined up and ready to make their grand entrances to introduce Matt James to 32 potential soulmates.  The first dialogue with Matt will go to…Chris Harrison.  Matt requests to talk to him even if it delays the limo entrances. The elder consigliere is sure to oblige and Matt opens up to him about the pressures of being the first Black Bachelor and his worries of “pleasing everybody”.   Naturally, Lord Harrison calms his fears like only he can do.

With Matt’s nerves at bay, the limo arrivals (also known as the fashion show, talent competition, overall spectacle, and auditions for Bachelor in Paradise) are ready to begin.

And…they did not disappoint!  Welcome, 2021 contestants!

The Bachelor drinking game, The Bachelor Season 25
(ABC/Craig Sjodin) /

In past seasons I’ve given certain contestants nicknames for my own amusement.  Most are self-explanatory and I couldn’t resist providing some for The Bachelor Season 25.  By now most fans are aware that Katie Thurston was the girl who brought a vibrator to her limo arrival, so for this week’s episode I decided she was simply to be known as “Good Vibes”.

Saneh Ste. Claire did a play on words for the potential of their love being the G.O.A.T (greatest of all time) and showed the camera her fuzzy goat slippers.   It was a simple determination that she would be “Goat Toes”.  I am sure that as our journey continues, more nicknames will develop.

Many contestants get to share a few moments with Matt during the first cocktail party, and many just didn’t get the time they wanted whether it was due to timidness or being interrupted with the dreaded “Can I steal him for a sec?”.

Serena Pitt sets up an oversized chess game as something to bond over, she foolishly calls the pawns “these things”.  She did, however, recognize that Matt moving his king as his opener was in fact an illegal move. This did fit in nicely since the night at the resort was already off to a regal start.

In keeping with the regality of The Bachelor Season 25 premiere, we get to know “Queen Victoria of Nemacolin”, aka Victoria Larson, a little better.  She is clearly carving herself out to be a villain this season and I’d be hard-pressed to believe she won’t be abdicating that throne.

Moments of authenticity were sprinkled in the premiere as well.  Abigail Heringer introduced herself to Matt, and to America,  and we are all better for having met her.  Abigail is the very first deaf contestant in the franchise history.  She was born with a congenital hearing loss and underwent the procedure to receive her cochlear implants at age 2.  Already typecast as the frontrunner and even a fan favorite, she stood out and was rewarded with the First Impression Rose.

The rose ceremony began with a speech from Matt James himself.  Wait no, that’s a prayer. Could he be saying Grace?  Is Grace a contestant here?  What is happening?  Whatever it is, there isn’t a dry eye in the house as his spiritual blessing has left the women verklempt.  As we all know not everyone can receive a rose and explore the rest of the resort, many were sent home, but the semi-finalists remained with the final thorn going to Queen Victoria, literally.

This episode was a little behind in the count of “Full Moon” transition screens after commercial breaks.  This premiere only afforded 2 of these transitions.  With only 12 full moons occurring in any given year, production works hard to make sure shooting happens during these celestial events.  The LaQuinta season was simply flooded with them.  My eyes will be peeled for what the Pennsylvania sky, and the producers, will offer us.

Next. The Bachelor Season 25: Bachelorette Odds after Week 1. dark

Next week’s episode will be here in the blink of a prescription drug commercial with unpleasant side effects. Are you ready for it?

What was your favorite moment from The Bachelor Season 25 premiere?  Tell us in the comments below!

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