The Very First Golden Bachelor
design: Ella Welch
It’s never too late to find love…again.
by ALI ROSENBERG ★ OCTOBER 11, 2023
As a Bachelor superfan, I was extremely skeptical when the franchise announced that they would be starting a new show titled The Golden Bachelor, a dating show for seniors. Don’t get me wrong, I love everything Bachelor as much as the next girl, but I didn’t see the vision. But, after watching the first episode, I have been convinced.
Gerry Turner, the first Golden Bachelor, was introduced to us this July and he is already winning our hearts.
The world and I instantly fell in love with Gerry as he shared the romantic story of how he fell in love with his high school sweetheart and was married to her for over 40 years. Bachelor Nation immediately started to rally behind Gerry as he opened up and shared how he lost his late wife, Toni, unexpectedly in 2017 to a bacterial infection.
Gerry is open to love again, and everyone is rooting for him. The Golden Bachelor aired Thursday night, as 22 women between 60 and 75 would be vying for Gerry’s heart. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t shed a couple of tears while tuning into this monumental moment in The Bachelor history. This episode was one of the most wholesome introductions I have ever seen and I genuinely hope Gerry can find love again.
Woman after woman exited the limo, just like any other season of The Bachelor, and made their entrances, but what felt different about this particular season was that the women were supporting each other. This is something you don’t usually see on the reality show, and we are here for it.
This season, each contestant redefines what it means to be a senior, as each woman is extremely active and full of life. Faith, one of the contestants, is the perfect example. She made her entrance into the mansion on a motorcycle and later sang a song to Gerry on her guitar, which ultimately led to her receiving the infamous first impression rose. Are Gerry and Faith end game? It definitely does appear that way just after night one.
During the second episode, Gerry had his first one-on-one date with Theresa. As they had dinner at a local diner, the two shared the pain they’d experienced from losing their spouses. After this romantic and heartfelt dinner, they were surprised with a flash mob.
After the first and second rose ceremonies, Gerry sent home nine women collectively and ended the night in tears, as it broke his heart, as well as mine. As a viewer, there is something very bittersweet about the concept of The Golden Bachelor, but I’m definitely eating it up. As Gerry has said, it’s never too late to fall in love again and I can’t wait to tune in to see the rest of his adventure!