There was a lot of champagne. Much saliva is exchanged. A number of roses. And, yes, some serious tears were shed.
That’s right, people: The Bachelor is back!
On Monday night, 26-year-old tech executive Zach Shallcross stepped into a role previously occupied by a handsome, boring white man, telling the cameras early on:
“I’m not here to do anything.”
Let’s get right to it, shall we for Shallcross?
abide Arielwho told The Bachelor: “I missed my flight to get here, my suitcase was broken, my clothes were torn, but nothing stopped me from coming.”
abide Gabi, who asked Zach to sample some maple syrup from his native Vermont. (Zach refers to it as “mapley.”)
abide Greer, that is, offers Zach something to drink, as well: a cup of coffee so that he has energy for the long night ahead. (“Careful, it might be as hot as you,” she laughs to Zach.)
There is also Baileywho Zach previously met in The Bachelorette After the Final Rose special… whose name I forgot… and who, therefore, was honored with the first kiss of the season.
“It felt right,” Shallcross said in his confessional. “There was some spark there and I want him to know that I felt that spark.”
At the next cocktail party, Zach told his 30 future wives:
“I’m just a guy who likes family, football and frozen pizza. But really, who’s looking for a best friend?
“And for me, I grew up with two very loving parents who have been married for over 30 years and they love each day. And that’s what I want.
After asking for honesty from the suitors, Zach goes ahead and kisses Kaity, Greer, Jess, Charity. and Christina, while dancing with most of the women in the party bus.
Shallcross also gets to first base with Madison, but she says it’s a “subpar” romantic moment, while Zach agrees.
“I don’t know if I felt that kiss,” Zach admitted in an on-camera interview. “It doesn’t feel right.”
In the end, Greer got the First Impression Rose.
“It’s one of the easiest conversations we’ve ever had,” she said. “I’m so happy and I can’t wait to get to know you better.”
Madison, meanwhile, was torn apart for not receiving this rose (despite all the “subpar” kissing classification) and interrupted Zach’s chat with another woman to ask where he stood with her.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Shallcross admitted.
“I don’t want to force it and I don’t want to make you go through something unrealistic because I know how it feels to be led and I don’t want you. I’m sorry, I don’t see a future for myself.
And, just like that, Madison left the show.
“I can’t believe I gave my life for her,” Madison cried as she left.
Zach stands by his decision.
“He’s not my man,” he told the camera. “I didn’t do anything by keeping him.”
Back inside, Zach told the group what happened and then proceeded to give roses to the woman he wanted to sleep with at some point.
Christina, Charity, Bailey, Jess, Genevie, Davia, Aly, Brooklyn, Kaity, Anastasia, Kylee, Gabi, Katherine, Mercedes, Ariel, Victoria J., Kimberly and Cat all got roses.
“I really can’t wait to continue this journey with you,” Zach said to the remaining ladies. “I’m really like best friends in this room.”