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!["The Golden Bachelor" Gerry Turner holding a rose. the golden bachelor gerry turner holding a rose](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/television/info-2023/the-golden-bachelor-premiere-episode-1-recap/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/container_image/articlecontentfragment/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/television/2023/09/1140-the-golden-bachelor-rose-episode-1.jpg)
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
In the Sept. 28 debut episode of The Golden Bachelor, a wonderful time was had by all — all except Anna, 61, who loves chocolate and diving with sharks; cheerleader Renee, 67; retired salon owner Pamela, 75; North Carolina Realtor Patty, 75; Sylvia, 64, from Los Angeles; and Maria, 60, from Teaneck, New Jersey. They failed to make a love connection with Gerry Turner, 72, the aforementioned bachelor, so all six went home with no First Impression Rose, the official token of his affection.
But roses buoyed the hopes of the 16 love-seeking women who remain on the show. Here are some of the memorable moments of the premiere and their lessons for lovers.
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!["The Golden Bachelor" Gerry Turner shakes hands with host Jesse Palmer. the golden bachelor gerry turner shakes hands with host jesse palmer](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/television/info-2023/the-golden-bachelor-premiere-episode-1-recap/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par3/articlecontentfragme_560366108/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/television/2023/09/1140-the-golden-bachelor-gerry-turner-jesse-palmer-episode-1.jpg)
Gerry wears his emotions on his sleeve
One reason Gerry is so popular is that he wears his emotions on his sleeve. Quick to laugh, he’s also inclined to tears when he recalls his high-school sweetheart and wife of 43 years, who died six years ago. “The love of my daughters and granddaughters pulled me out of a dark spot,” he said to the show’s host, Jesse Palmer, in a quavering voice. “I yearn for a second chance in life to fall in love again.” He even gets teary when he has to reject women on the show. “The only time I’ve felt worse was when my wife died, and this is a goddamn close second!”
!["The Golden Bachelor" Gerry Turner with the 22 women contestants. the golden bachelor gerry turner standing with the 22 women contestants on the reality dating show](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/television/info-2023/the-golden-bachelor-premiere-episode-1-recap/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par5/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/television/2023/09/1140-the-golden-bachelor-gerry-turner-women-episode-1.jpg)
But that emotional side just seemed to make the women swoon for him more
When the contestants met the man of the hour, this is what they excitedly said:
“He has beautiful blue eyes — I could swim in them!”
“Oh my God, I want to pinch myself!”
“He is so handsome!”
“I've got to give him a kiss!”
“I just want to drink him in!"
“He is absolutely a doll!”
“Give me the rose, dammit!”
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