Ep 1. Series 2 Episode 1

First Dates season 2 episode 1, entitled Series 2 Episode 1, brings viewers back to the beloved restaurant where single men and women meet up to go on their very first dates. The episode follows a diverse group of individuals each hoping to find love, offering entertaining, heartwarming, and sometimes cringe-worthy moments.

The episode kicks off with Louise, a 31-year-old from Wakefield, who comes to the First Dates restaurant with high hopes of meeting a man who shares her love of musical theater. On the other side of the restaurant is Mike, a 28-year-old from Liverpool, who has come looking for love in the big city. Will Mike's down-to-earth personality be a turn-on for Louise, or will his Liverpool accent be a dealbreaker?

Up next is Becky, a 29-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent, who seems very particular about her future partner. She has a checklist of what she is looking for in a man and is not afraid to express her standards. Sitting across from her is 34-year-old musician Rich, who lives in a camper van and could not be more different from her. Will Becky be impressed by Rich's free-spirited lifestyle or will his unconventional living arrangements turn her off?

The third couple of the night comprises Jordan, a 25-year-old salesman from Essex, and Aston, a 26-year-old retail assistant from Maidenhead, both of whom seem a little nervous. While Jordan seems to have a lot of banter, it's unclear whether Aston is feeling it. Will Jordan be able to break through Aston's reserve?

In the meantime, we also meet Gemma, a 30-year-old marketing executive from Birmingham who is looking to settle down with the right man. Her date for the night is Ben, a 34-year-old project manager from Manchester. The two, who have a lot in common, hit it off immediately, exchanging stories about their shared love of travelling and making plans for a potential second date.

Later on, the episode brings us to the tale of 56-year-old Tom and 47-year-old Julie. Both widowed, they seem to bond over their shared grief and hopes for finding love again. While Tom is a joker and loves to have a laugh, Julie is more reserved, leading to some potentially awkward moments. Will their connection be strong enough to overcome their differences?

The episode ends with a surprise twist as cameras finally show us what has been happening outside the restaurant all night. Viewers get a glimpse of a passerby – who has no idea the cameras are rolling – making a bold move to ask another person out for a date.

Series 2 Episode 1 of First Dates offers viewers a charming and entertaining look at the often-frustrating world of dating, with its emotional highs and lows. From Louise's search for a theater-loving man to Tom and Julie's shared pain, the show presents a diverse and engaging set of stories, ultimately reminding us of the joy of finding a connection with someone.