Charity Lawson’s search for forever love got underway Monday night as 25 men descended upon everyone’s favorite California mansion. As is the case for almost all first night episodes, it was a whirlwind of new faces, new names (SO MANY CALEB/KALEBS) and introductory gimmicks.
Lawson, who didn’t find a connection last season of The Bachelor with titular love interest Zach Shallcross, is a child and family therapist from Georgia. Now, she’s the 20th bachelorette in franchise history.
MORE: The Bachelorette 2023: Meet the 25 men hoping to marry Charity Lawson
As far as first episodes go, things went pretty smoothly. We had a guy seemingly vlogging, a charm bracelet gift and a coin flip (if it was tails he said he was leaving), but overall nothing too, too over-the-top.
Outside of Charity’s brother, Nehemiah, going undercover as a bartender for a bit of the cocktail party, things were relatively tame. The First Impression Rose going to Brayden was a bit of a shock to everyone not named Charity, especially after the aforementioned big brother said he didn’t like the vibes from the travel nurse from San Diego.
This is only just the beginning. Don't miss a moment of @CharityLaws_'s journey as #TheBachelorette, Mondays at 9/8c on ABC and stream on Hulu. pic.twitter.com/8HIecPwahN
— The Bachelorette (@BacheloretteABC) June 27, 2023
Let’s get into who our contenders and pretenders are, plus who has work to do.
Contenders
Joey – Tennis pro + Hawai’i vibes = YES.
James – You’d think a package from a guy’s family — complete with a hand-written note from mom — might be too much for night one, but somehow James made it work. Also, donuts are always a good choice.
Xavier – This man is a unicorn. He’s 6-foot-6, a biomedical scientist who is kind and knits and plays the ukulele and wears a suit well. He gets a passionate kiss from Charity.
When Xavier the biochemist comes on my screen 😍💕 #TheBachelorette #Bachelorette pic.twitter.com/0GvCYJTcxc
— Alyssa (@aallyyyyssssssa) June 27, 2023
John – Usually the first night gimmicks are cringe, but John, who is Chinese-American, brought a fortune cookie that proclaimed he would be her forever love. The best part, however, was him saying, “wow, I’m just as surprised as you” after she opened it. My kind of humor.
Work Left to Do
Guys named Kaleb/Caleb – There are so, so many Caleb/Kaleb-named men in the house this season. Please send some home to make this a little easier for us.
Nehemiah’s disguise – Charity’s big brother is the absolute cutest, but his disguise as a bartender could use some work.
Charity’s brother spying #TheBachelorette pic.twitter.com/ZB0wQhUARh
— Kaitlyn Ashleigh (@K8lynAshleigh) June 27, 2023
Pretenders
Spencer – Look, I’m sure these first meetings are difficult. Charity’s interactions with Spencer were some of the more awkward things we’ve seen on this show.
Brayden – OK YES, HE GOT THE FIRST IMPRESSION ROSE. I just feel confident Charity will (eventually) see through his bravado, even if she didn’t listen to her big brother’s warnings about his ego.
the guys when brayden walked back in with the first impression rose #TheBachelorette #bachelorette pic.twitter.com/ABAJSM1vzf
— natalie collins (@nataliercollins) June 27, 2023
Power Rankings
5. Brayden (begrudgingly)
4. James
3. Aaron
2. John
1. Xavier
