The Bachelorette Season 20 Episode 1 Recap: 10 Biggest Moments
The Bachelorette season 20 premiere was filled with excitement and romance, as Charity met the 25 suitors competing for her heart. Charity, a 27-year-old Child and Family Therapist from Columbus, Georgia, accepted the role of the Bachelorette after she placed fourth on Zach Shallcross’ The Bachelor season. They had a strong connection, but he sent her home after her hometown date and before the Fantasy Suites.
Charity was thrilled to accept the lead role on The Bachelorette season 20, and was happy to have a second chance to meet her person. She also was ecstatic to be able to show little girls who look like her that this was possible for them too. Charity was the ideal choice for the Bachelorette because she proved on Zach’s season that she was there not to engage with drama, but to find her husband. The Bachelorette season 20 continues that journey to find her one true love.
10 The Bachelorette Season 20 Begins With Limo Entrances On A Rainy Night
The Bachelorette season 20 began with a sneak peek of the highs and lows of the season. The episode continued with a recap of Charity’s experience on The Bachelor with Zach, which she said helped her to open herself back up after her previous relationship. Charity’s brothers Nehemiah and David, her sister Amiyaka, and her parents, David and Vickie, who have been married for 48 years, were shown speaking to her about her experience.
Charity’s love story began on a rainy night that required a canopy to be built at the Bachelor Mansion. The 25 men emerged from the limos, attempting to make great first impressions on Charity. She told host Jesse Palmer that in order to impress her, all they had to do was be themselves because authenticity is something she values. The first man to meet Charity was Aaron Bryant, who flipped his lucky coin to determine if they got engaged, or he went home.
Another memorable entrance came from Joey Graziadei, who gave Charity a plumeria flower to wear because he currently lives in Hawaii. Caleb Arthur, who’s a doctor, had Charity listen to his heart with a stethoscope, and said that it was beating just for her. Chris Spell, who’s a world record jumper, did a backflip. Brayden Bowers, who’s a nurse, brought two tequila shots and joked that he wanted to make sure they were up-to-date on their shots. Sean McLaughlin wrote a giant check to Charity, which gave her his heart. John Buresh brought a fortune cookie that said, “You will meet the man of your dreams. His name is John.”
9 Charity’s Brother Nehemiah Lawson Goes Undercover
Jesse then surprised Charity by telling her that there was one more arrival, who was someone she already knew. A nervous Charity eagerly awaited to find out who it was, and was ecstatic when Nehemiah emerged from the limousine. Although Charity thought that Nehemiah was just stopping by to wish her luck, he actually went undercover as Charles the bartender at the cocktail party in order to spy on the men. As Charles, Nehemiah wore a curly black wig, a fake mustache, and a fedora. He wanted to make sure that Charity’s suitors were there for the right reasons.
Charity’s first kiss of The Bachelorette season 20 went to Xavier Bonner. They had a strong connection during their first conversation. Xavier told Charity that she was so pretty. She asked him what he was looking for in a woman, to which he replied that he wants someone who’s beautiful and able to be honest, genuine, and vulnerable. Xavier told Charity that it’s not hard for him to express his emotions, and he looked forward to doing that on their journey together.
After some more conversation, Charity and Xavier kissed. In her confessional, Charity gushed, “Xavier, Xavier, Xavier. Definitely takes me by surprise. He is one I gotta keep my eyes on.” She went on to say, “That kiss is just almost too good to be true. Like, too good. Too good. I’m hoping that all the guys are this great.”
7 Charity Lawson Makes Some Strong Connections
In addition to Xavier, Charity smooched a few other The Bachelorette season 20 men. They included John B., Aaron B., and Brayden. Brayden was so giddy after his kiss, that he told some of the other men about it. He also told the bartender, who, unbeknownst to him, was actually Nehemiah.
Charity had some great conversations with some of the other men as well. Joey had a heartfelt conversation with Charity. James Pierce brought a box of donuts and cider from his farm in Indiana. Inside the box was a handwritten letter from his mother, which made him very emotional because he didn’t expect it. Charity also bonded with Spencer Storbeck, who opened up to her about the fact that he has a son.
6 Charity’s Brother Nehemiah Reveals Himself To The Bachelorette Season 20 Men
Before the rose ceremony, Nehemiah revealed himself to the shocked men. Josh Young, who had said that Nehemiah looked familiar earlier in the night, felt validated. Some of the men, including Brayden, were nervous about what they had said and done throughout the night in front of Charity’s brother.
5 Charity Lawson Confronts Brayden Bowers After Hearing Nehemiah’s Information
Charity was surprised when Nehemiah revealed that he had been spying on the men all night. He told her that he heard some good things and some interesting things, as he posed as Charles the bartender. Nehemiah was especially concerned about Brayden, who he thought was arrogant when he presumed that he might get the first impression rose.
When Charity asked to speak to Brayden privately, the other men assumed he’d be going home. However, Brayden explained to her that he was giddy about his connection with her, and he wasn’t trying to boast. Charity told him that she needed to take a breather and left the room.
4 Charity Lawson Gives Out Her First Impression Rose
When Charity returned to finish her conversation with Brayden, she surprised him with her first impression rose. She said that she loved how excited he was about her because that’s what she’s been searching for. They returned to the group, and Charity announced that she had given Brayden the rose. This upset some of the men, including Aaron B., who thought that he might receive the coveted prize.
3 Charity Lawson Eliminates Six Men
Charity began The Bachelorette season 20 rose ceremony by thanking the men for an incredible night. She said that it blew her away, and told them that she had to make some difficult decisions, but she was truly following her gut and her heart. Charity hoped that the guys could respect that. Her call-out order honored the connections she made throughout the night, as she gave the men she bonded with the most the roses first. Charity started with Aaron B., followed by John and Xavier, all of whom she had kissed during the first night.
The next man to receive a rose was Joey. Charity then gave roses to Caleb Balgaard, Warwick Reider, Aaron Schwartzman, and Caleb Arthur. They were followed by Adrian Hassan, James, Sean, Michael Barbour, and Tanner Courtad. Finally, Dotun Olubeko, Kaleb Kim, John Henry Spurlock, Josh, and Spencer received their roses. In the end, Charity sent home Chris Spell, Joe Menzia, Khalid Hassan, Nick Barber, Peter Cappio, and Taylor Pegg.
2 Former Bachelorettes Wish Charity Lawson Well
In honor of The Bachelorette season 20’s milestone season, former Bachelorettes sent Charity videos wishing her luck on her journey. These videos were aired throughout the episode. JoJo Fletcher, Kaitlyn Bristowe, and Ali Fedotowsky all sent their best wishes to Charity.
1 ABC Gives A Preview Of The Rest Of Charity’s The Bachelorette Season
The Bachelorette season 20, episode 1 ended with a preview of the rest of Charity’s season. It included many romantic and dramatic moments. She was shown kissing several of the men, including Joey, Xavier, Aaron B., and others. There’s also some conflict as Brayden seems to get into a confrontation with some of the men. Whatever happens throughout the season, Charity was the perfect choice for the Bachelorette. The Bachelorette season 20, episode 1 is only the beginning of a journey that hopefully ended with Charity’s happily ever after.
The Bachelorette airs Mondays at 9 p.m. EDT on ABC.
