Bachelor Nation, the wait is finally over. After taking a break last summer, Bachelor in Paradise has returned for its landmark 10th season and trust us, the beach looks very different this time around. With a stunning new resort in Costa Rica, the show kicked off with a three-hour premiere (July 7) that delivered everything we love: messy love triangles, petty fights, steamy first dates, and of course… eliminations. But this time, there’s a twist – actually, several.

Keep reading for the full season premiere recap and fair warning, spoilers ahead!

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Welcome to (Rainy) Paradise

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Host Jesse Palmer welcomed 16 hopefuls to the new resort, alongside fan-favorite bartender Wells Adams and a surprising new addition – former Bachelorette Hannah Brown, who now runs the all-new “Champagne Lounge” as Head of Paradise Relations. But paradise wasn’t so peaceful. While the upgraded resort looked like a dream, Costa Rica’s rainy season quickly crashed the party, canceling Justin Glaze and Lexi Young's romantic date before it even began. As Wells bluntly put it: “We probably shouldn’t have filmed here in May…”

Game On

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Aside from weather drama, the premiere dropped a huge surprise – this season will include compatibility games and competitions. Yes, Bachelor in Paradise just got a game show glow-up and fans are comparing it to Love Island USA, just with less bikinis and more actual feelings (for now). Jesse even teased a mysterious “life-changing opportunity” for the strongest couple, and the trailer showed a flash of a $500,000 prize. You read that right, money is on the line this season.

First Impressions & Love Triangles

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Things got flirty fast, and with the women holding the roses for Week 1, the power dynamic was on full display. Early connections started forming, especially between Jess Edwards and Spencer Conley, Lexi Young and Justin Glaze, and Kat Izzo and Dale Moss. But there was no shortage of tension. Zoe McGrady shaded Kat for allegedly scheming to land a date with Dale (even though producers didn’t show us any scheming), and Spencer’s budding romance with Jess was put to the test when new arrival Sam McKinney asked her on a date.

And let’s not forget the hilariously awkward “heart or X” compatibility game, where each contestant had to react to anonymous statements. Ricky Marinez and Hakeem Moulton turned the vibe sour with a cringeworthy argument about being called “vanilla,” which didn’t do them any favors.

The First Rose Ceremony 

With 10 men and only 6 roses to give, it was time to cut the dead weight. Jess chose Spencer over Sam, leaving Sam heartbroken but… not entirely out of the running. Lexi stuck with Justin despite their storm-shortened date, Bailey Brown picked Jeremy Simon over Kyle Howard, and Alexe Godin gave her rose to Jonathon Johnson. That meant four men –  Hakeem, Kyle, Ricky, and Sam were sent packing night one.

The Ones To Watch 

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By the end of the premiere, these couples were standing strong: 

• Lexi & Justin

• Zoe & Brian

• Kat & Dale

• Jess & Spencer

• Bailey & Jeremy

• Alexe & Jonathon

But this is Paradise...things change in an instant. And in true BiP fashion, the trailer teased major shake-ups ahead, including the bombshell arrival of Justin’s ex, Susie Evans, which is guaranteed to turn the beach upside down. Plus, the Golden Bachelor and Golden Bachelorette contestants haven’t even stepped foot in the resort yet… and when they do? All bets are off.

The Season 10 premiere proved that Bachelor in Paradise is back and better than ever. The rebrand feels fresh, the new twists add serious intrigue, and the cast? Already delivering. Bachelor Nation are invested, the drama is bubbling, and with that $500K tease hanging in the air, it’s safe to say this season is going to be one for the books. 

Photo Credit: @bachelorinparadise on Instagram.