Every rose has its thorn, and last season on "The Bachelor," Ari Luyendyk Jr. pricked Becca Kufrin by breaking her heart on national television. But the 27-year-old publicist has been given a second chance at love on the new season of "The Bachelorette," which premiered Monday night.
Becca is looking for redemption in the 28 men vying for her affection. There's one man, however, who seems to be lingering in the background: Ari.
(MORE: Bachelorette Becca Kufrin says she can 'empathize' with ex Arie Luyendyk Jr. after choosing her match)"It wasn't too long ago that I was completely blindsided by Ari," she said in the beginning of the episode. "My biggest fear is that it's going to happen again. I'm going to fall for somebody, and they're going to not feel the same."
That went a little sideways.#TheBachelorette pic.twitter.com/ggXI4zxfa5
— The Bachelorette (@BacheloretteABC) May 29, 2018
Before meeting the men, Becca chatted with three former bachelorettes -- Kaitlyn Bristowe, JoJo Fletcher and Rachel Lindsay -- who all went through the experience. Rachel expressed everyone's feelings best about Ari when she said, "Please don't edit this out. F--- him."
Attempting to move on from her bitter past, Becca waited outside the mansion as her suitors climbed out of the limos armed with funny bits, cringe-worthy puns and killer smiles.
The first suitor to arrive was Colton, a former pro football player. He attempted to impress her by popping confetti to show his fun side.
Let's get poppin'! #TheBachelorette pic.twitter.com/rkgrkUR0xa
— The Bachelorette (@BacheloretteABC) May 29, 2018
Other memorable first impressions included Mike, a sports analyst, who brought a cardboard cut out of Ari. Blake arrived not by limo but on the back of an ox. Trent raised the stakes when he arrived in a hearse, saying, "When I heard you were the bachelorette, I literally died. But then you brought me back to life." Garrett, a medical sales rep, drove in with a minivan filled with car seats, soccer balls and diaper bags -- all signs that he is ready to commit.
David, a venture capitalist, made her laugh when he arrived dressed in a chicken costume. But, Chris, a sales trainer, brought real entertainment when an entire choir stepped out of the limo with him.
Others called upon her backstory, saying, "Let's do the damn thing" -- a catchphrase Becca uttered a number of times during her season on "The Bachelor."
There were also a couple of shockers. Jake, an acquaintance that she knew from back home in Minnesota, arrived at the mansion much to Becca's surprise.
Once she met all of the potential suitors, the competition began to heat up. Some of the men were more successful than others at one-on-ones.
Christon, a Harlem Globetrotter, taught Becca some basketballs moves -- including jumping completely over her head for a slam dunk. Clay attempted to create a statue of Becca out of, well, clay. And, Garrett continued to impress Becca with his fishing skills.
She especially enjoyed her time with Blake, a sales rep, who was saying all the right things in terms of her breakup with Ari.
"We just get each other and we don't even know each other. Blake makes me feel very hopeful. He has made such an impression on me," she said.
But the first impression rose actually went to Garrett.
"Since he pulled up in the minivan, I was smitten by him," she laughed. "I loved it all. He's so easy to talk to and so sweet."
It wouldn't be "The Bachelorette" without some drama, though. Most of the tension came from male model Jordan, who is as pompous as he is overly confident. For instance, he went into great detail as to why he is the best dressed man in the house.
Chris stirred up tension when he revealed that someone else in the house may not have the best intentions. Chris said that Chase's ex-girlfriend texted him that Chase is not on the show for the right reasons. When they both approached Becca with the information, it created an uncomfortable moment and uncertainty about Chase's fate in the competition.
The worst kind of the wrong reasons. #TheBachelorette pic.twitter.com/jloHNcXdr1
— The Bachelorette (@BacheloretteABC) May 29, 2018
"It's hard to gauge because I don't know the whole story. There's a lot of things that just seem weird to me that don't add up at this point," she said to Chase.
Becca felt she had to approach the elephant in the room: the man she knows from her hometown, Jake. When she asked to speak with him, she explained that they have met on several occasions but nothing had ever happened; no one made any moves. She sent him home immediately.
Finally, it came time for the rose ceremony where Becca eliminated six more men. After the drama with Chase, he was sent packing, along with Kamil, Joe, Grant, Darius, and Christian.
Becca’s journey continues! Retweet if you’ll be joining us next week for #TheBachelorette
— The Bachelorette (@BacheloretteABC) May 29, 2018
?? pic.twitter.com/6Y28nrJnEs
"The Bachelor" returns Monday at 8 p.m. on ABC.
