The Bachelorette, Season 16, Episode 5, Recap: Let’s Talk About Tayshia Adams’s First Week

What a difference a week makes! Last episode of The Bachelorette I was comparing Clare Crawley to the entire state of Nevada. This week we have a new president and a new Bachelorette. I’m not saying Tayshia Adams is connected, but…let’s just say I feel a whole lot lighter. LET’S DIVE IN.

First, we need to talk about Tayshia’s incredible dress. That olive green! The sparkle! I was as slack-jawed as the men were when she walked into the room. When Glamour’s former The Bachelorette recapper Megan Angelo and I were messaging about it last week, I joked that I hoped The Dress was not a Jovani. (Bravo fans, you know.) I had reason to be concerned. Turns out Tayshia’s wearing a Randi Rahm Raquel gown—but, and this is an important distinction, Clare’s red dress was a Jovani. So, I rest my case: We have entered a new, and better, chapter.

The men seem to think so too. The reaction to our new Bachelorette is a mixture of puppy-dog excitement and extreme relief. Riley instantly declares, like a overenthusiastic judge at a Miss America pageant, “You can’t deny the beauty! You can’t deny the energy she gives off!” Ben grins wildly as he says this change ”couldn’t be better.” After one conversation with Tayshia, Blake feels the interaction was “more real” than the last four he had with Clare. Ivan seems the most smitten of all—he’s quick to share that he’s more attracted to Tayshia and feels like she’s given him “new life.” The only one who seems skeptical is Jason, and even he says she “excites” him.

But then Chris Harrison comes in with a twist: A limo has arrived with new men!!!

Thank God. It was shitty that Tayshia, a Black woman, was coming in to date men cast for Clare, a white woman. And worse, that the men weren’t told who the new Bachelorette was before being asked to stick around. Tayshia deserves her own limo moment to shine…but then, sigh, she only gets four new guys? 

At least they’re hot. The new contestants are Montel, Peter, Noah, and Spencer, who immediately catches Tayshia’s eye. The reception from the O.G. contestants is much colder, but to be fair Spencer did walk into the room and say, “Which one of you guys scared away Clare?” (Reader, I laughed.) 

The animosity toward Spencer grows even more after Tayshia gives him the First Impression rose. I mean, I get it: These men spent the past two weeks watching Clare moon over Dale, so I can understand the fear that Tayshia might also be ALL IN on a guy. As a viewer and recapper, I don’t want that to happen again either! But then Tayshia tells the men she’s canceled the rose ceremony so they can all have another week. See? A benevolent queen! 

In fact, I’ve transitioned to stanning Tayshia so quickly and easily that I am very thrown when Chris Harrison interrupts so we can “check in” with Clare and Dale. 

Um, no? In a few weeks, maybe. But now? Pass. I don’t need to know if they were texting before filming started or when they fell in love. They left! Let’s all move on. Also, when was this filmed? They seem very much together, but rumors on Deux Moi say otherwise… 👀They talk about how the relationship is going (good), whether or not they talked before filming (no), and what’s next (“Babies!” Clare shouts with glee, to which Dale goes, “Uh. Erm. Heh.”). 

Okay, enough of that. 

Tayshia’s first group date is a pool party. The men are given too-small Speedos and told to compete in a game of “splashball,” which I think is just water polo? I don’t know…sports. Spencer plays a little too aggressively and ends up cutting his face on Riley’s (extremely chiseled?) elbow. He milks it for extra time with Tayshia, which of course doesn’t go over well with the others. That night at the after party, Kenny says Spencer comes across as a dick. Spencer’s reaction is very, “Who??? Me???” I see the makings of a villain, and I am here for it! Also, Eazy gets the group date rose, which sparks joy in my heart. 

After the date Jason reveals he’s decided to leave. He claims he’s still in love with Clare–After one date? Who are you…Clare?—and it isn’t fair to Tayshia or the other men if he stays. As he tells her, “You deserve someone amazing. You deserve someone who’s all in. Unfortunately I can't do this anymore.” Tayshia respects his decision but admits that this exact situation was something she feared would happen. Jason insists she shouldn’t worry—he knows the 19 remaining guys are so excited about her, and that’s why he’s leaving. Gotta say, it is…attractive to see an emotionally mature man. Jason, you sure you don’t want to stick around? 

And if Tayshia was feeling any doubts, they were gone the next day after she took Brendan out for her first one-on-one date and he immediately says, “You’re more my type, my style, in every way.” They ride horses around the La Quinta Inn while Chris Harrison runs around handing them margaritas and coconut waters. 

The whole thing makes me worried about the quality of dates this season. Like, Chris Harrison should be lounging by the pool! Not getting sweaty scooping out ice cream cones. 

Over dinner Brendan and Tayshia bond over the fact that they both married and divorced in their 20s. Brendan seems truly genuine and sweet, and I’ve moved him to the top of my Bachelorette Dudes leaderboard. Their date also reminded me why we’re here: With all the attention on Dale, we didn’t get to know the other contestants. It’s like Brendan said—we’ve been here for weeks, but it feels like the first day. 

And we still have so many more episodes to go! See you next time. 

Anna Moeslein is the senior entertainment editor at Glamour. Follow her on Instagram @annamoeslein.

Originally Appeared on Glamour