The Bachelorette Season 19, Episode 1 recap: A second chance

And here we go! The Bachelorette Season 19 features not one but two Bachelorettes. Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey set off on their collective journey to find love. After striking out (for the better) with Clayton Echard on The Bachelor Season 26, both women will try to find love together with the same group of guys.

For the first time in The Bachelorette history, there will be two leads looking to find love. So with that in mind, let’s dive into the first episode!

The Bachelorette Season 19, Episode 1 recap

1) Bring on the Men!

Rachel and Gabby welcome 32 men into the mansion for The Bachelorette Season 19! As always the first impressions were exciting, memorable, and downright crazy. From school choirs and neverending meatball subs to shirtless and even shoeless men. The best entrance either went to Tino the 27-year-old general contractor from Playa Del Rey, California who rode in on a forklift or Spencer the 27-year-old graduate student/venture capitalist from Chicago, Illinois who brought chairs for the ladies to sit on after all that time on heels.

The first entrance that mentioned Clayton was funny I’ll give you that…but the fourth? It got old quickly. The Bachelorettes thought so as well. These ladies want to put the past behind them and build authentic relationships with the men but bringing up Clayton didn’t seem to be the way to go.

It didn’t take long for the elephant in the room to be addressed. Halfway through the introductions both Gabby and Rachel make references to liking the same guys. This is something that has been on the minds of all of Bachelor Nation heading into this season.

Is it double the fun or should the men focus on one girl? Does going after two women make them more susceptible to cheating? I mean the show normally has one person flirting with 32 or so of the opposite sex, but what happens when there are two leads?

2) Double the Fun, Double the First Impressions

After doing the traditional group toast, Gabby and Rachel set off to talk with each potential Bachelor. The first three men address both women together. Roby, the 33-year-old magician, performs another trick for the duo and transitions into a conversation that ends up being really awkward. Then as if by design, the twins talk to both Bachelorettes together and try to show their differences.

The one twin who described himself as reserved did all the talking. The other twin who was described as bold barely said a word. When asked if they did anything individually it sounded like they had lived their lives together since birth. The ladies weren’t into the double trouble.

Once the women split up they were able to dive deeper and build unique relationships with each man. However, the men were a little hesitant to make a move. Both Gabby and Rachel wanted the man to make the first move but the first couple of guys missed the moment with both ladies.

Mario the 31-year-old personal trainer from Naperville, Illinois broke the curse on The Bachelorette Season 19 and kissed Gabby, the first man to do so during the opening night. Right on cue Tino pulled Rachel aside to the stairs and sealed his first impression with a kiss.

The ladies have a pow-wow as Jesse brings out the first impression roses. That’s right roses, plural. Logan was the next man to make a move and kissed Gabby then talked with Rachel but didn’t kiss her. Do you the men need to build relationships with both women or focus on one?

3) First Impression Roses…Plural

The first, first impression rose of The Bachelorette Season 19 went to Tino! Rachel ended up giving her rose to Tino and the two shared a loving embrace (and kiss) again. He is already pegged for being a front runner for Team Rachel.

Rachel goes back to tell Gabby about giving out her rose and Gabby follows suit. She pulls Mario aside and gives him her first impression rose. Logan is shocked thinking after making out he would be the lucky recipient. Jesse signals to the guys that the night is over and to prepare for the rose ceremony… but is it really?

The Bachelorette Season 19 has already been unique and changed up the norm of the show. So why not throw another change into the show? This is THEIR journey to find love right? They should be able to set the rules. The duo didn’t have time to talk to everyone but collectively decided to send three men home; the twins and Roby.

Honestly, this may be better for the viewer and the Bachelorettes so we don’t have to try to figure out who is who amongst the twins. Then they decided to keep the rest of the men and cancel the first rose ceremony. Why not change a show 19 seasons in? The ending credits tease a very dramatic season as most figured it would be. It’ll be interesting to see who the ladies end up with in the end.

Who are the early contenders for this season? What surprised you the most from The Bachelorette Season 19 premiere? 

Let us know what you’re thinking in the comments below, Bachelor Nation!