Ep 1. Welcome Back Bates

Welcome Back Bates marks the beginning of the third season of the popular reality TV show Bringing Up Bates. The episode is a warm and delightful return to the lives of the Bates family, who live in the quiet town of Rocky Top, Tennessee. The show opens with the entire family, all 21 of them, gathered at the airport excitedly waiting for the arrival of their oldest son, Zach, with his wife Whitney and their newborn son Bradley. It has been months since they have seen each other, so the family is eager to catch up and meet the newest addition to the family.

After what feels like an eternity, Zach, Whitney, and Bradley finally arrive, and the family is ecstatic. The first thing they do is head to the Bates' family home, where they immediately jump into a big family dinner and catch-up session, with everyone sharing stories and updates on their lives. It is obvious that the Bates' family bond is strong, and the love and affection they have for one another are palpable.

The episode goes on to showcase how life has changed for the Bates family since the last season. Many of the Bates children have grown up and moved out of the house and started their own families. For instance, Michael has recently gotten engaged, so the family is busy planning for her upcoming wedding that will be taking place in a few months. The episode highlights how the family comes together to plan the wedding, including choosing the wedding dress, the venue, and the decorations.

The episode also showcases how the older Bates children who are now young adults are pursuing their own unique paths in life. For instance, Carlin and Erin are in their last years of college and trying to figure out what career path to pursue after graduation. They are both considering going to nursing school as a way to give back to the community, and they visit a local hospital to observe nurses in action.

Meanwhile, Lawson Bates, who dreams of becoming a country music star, has just returned home from Nashville, where he has been working on his music. He is excited to update his family on his progress and play them one of his new songs. He performs the song, and the family is impressed, and they support him to follow his dreams.

As the episode comes to a close, the family gathers for a night of game, where they all compete against each other in various games that they have developed over the years. The family tradition is that the winner of the game is named the "flying eagle" and has bragging rights until the next game night. The game ends with Jackson winning, which he is very excited about.

In conclusion, Welcome Back Bates is a beautiful start to the third season of Bringing Up Bates. The episode showcases the way in which the Bates family is changing and growing, as well as the deep love and affection they have for each other. It is a heartwarming reminder of the beauty of family and the importance of maintaining strong family bonds. The episode makes it clear that the Bates family is one that loves each of its members deeply and supports them as they pursue their dreams in life.