The Golden Bachelor featured Gerry Turner having an amazing first date with Theresa Nist and then eliminating three bachelorettes at the second Rose Ceremony of the season during the episode that aired Thursday night on ABC.

ADVERTISEMENT

Gerry denied roses to Jeanie, a 65-year-old retired project manager from Estill Springs, TN; Natascha, a 60-year-old pro-aging coach and midlife speaker from New York, NY; and Peggy, a 69-year-old dental hygienist from East Haven, CT.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS)

"I know he was feeling bad about hurting me tonight, because it really is a hurt," Jeanie explained in her final words.

"But a lot of us, we were kind of giving up on love, and with Gerry, there's nice guys out there and there's hope! That's all we could ever ask for. I know my mama found love in her seventies, and so I can do it too."

Marina, a 60-year-old educator from Los Angeles, CA, was edited out of the episode and apparently did not participate in the Rose Ceremony.

The Golden Bachelor released a deleted scene on Twitter after Episode 2 aired and revealed that Marina actually quit the show some time after the first Rose Ceremony. Marina said she had a pressing family matter to attend to at home, and Gerry was very understanding and gracious of her situation.

The Golden Bachelor broadcast began with the senior bachelorettes moving into the mansion and picking their beds, or bunk beds.

"I didn't want to be ontop [in a bunk bed]. I've had my knees replaced and that's a lot of climbing," Sandra, a 75-year-old retired executive assistant from Doraville, GA, explained. "So I'm going to be underneath, and it puts me three steps closer to the bathroom!"

April Kirkwood, a 65-year-old therapist from Port St. Lucie, FL, said this was like "big-girl camp," although she never really liked going to camp.

The Golden Bachelor host Jesse Palmer then dropped off a Date Card for Theresa, a 69-year-old financial services professional from Shrewsbury, NJ.

Faith Martin, a 60-year-old high school teacher from Benton City, WA, was hoping she'd receive the first date after earning the First Impression Rose, but Gerry decided to ask Theresa out to continue her birthday celebration.

Faith had gotten married to her high school sweetheart when she was 18-years-old during the Vietnam War. Her husband Billy ended up passing away after 42 years of marriage, but before he died of kidney failure, he apparently told Theresa that he'd like her to find love and get married again.

Gerry was admittedly scared and nervous about his first The Golden Bachelor date because he was "so out of practice." And Gerry became more anxious when he had to drive down the California freeway in a convertible -- with headlights that weren't working great -- at night.

Theresa admitted she was scared to death, and so it wasn't the best start to their date. However, Theresa put her hand on her shoulder and attempted to relax and comfort Gerry, which he said meant a lot to him.

Gerry, who previously served fries and milkshakes as a restaurant owner, took Theresa to a diner where their waitress was wearing a poodle skirt.

Theresa told The Golden Bachelor star that she really liked him and felt a connection with him right away. Theresa said she felt something when they had kissed on Night 1 -- twice -- and Gerry agreed.

Theresa shared with Gerry how her late husband, Billy, was close to receiving a kidney transplant but then they failed on him and she watched him take his last breath. Gerry could relate to Theresa's story given he had lost his longtime wife Toni to a bacterial infection.

"I didn't feel like breaking down and crying for once. I felt like I was talking to someone that understood the loss of a spouse," Gerry explained in a confessional.

Gerry and Theresa discussed how they felt lonely at home, and Theresa told The Golden Bachelor star that she wanted to be with someone and there was no time to waste.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOW: WHOM DID 'THE BACHELORETTE' STARS AND THEIR BACHELOR PICKS ULTIMATELY END UP WITH?! (PHOTOS)  

The Golden Bachelor star and Theresa talked about potentially traveling to Italy together, and he told her that he really liked her. Gerry said Theresa and their date far exceeded his expectations.

The pair's date ended with a break out of dance inside the diner and outside in the parking lot -- the restaurant staff included -- to "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. Gerry and Theresa ended up right in the middle of a flash mob, and Theresa called the experience "spectacular."

Gerry shared with the cameras, "Theresa could be the person I spend the rest of my life with. Theresa could be my life partner, and I think it would be very comfortable."

The Golden Bachelor star then handed Theresa a rose, and they shared a hug and kiss at the end of the evening.

The next day, Gerry embarked on a group date with 12 women including April; Jeanie; Natascha; Christina, a 73-year-old retired purchasing manager from Sierra Madre, CA; Edith, a 60-year-old retired realtor from Downey, CA; Ellen, a 71-year-old retired teacher from Delray Beach, FL; and Joan, a 60-year-old private school administrator from Rockland, MD.

Kathy, a 70-year-old retired educational consultant from Austin, TX, and Nancy, a 60-year-old retired interior designer from Alexandria, VA, also participated in the date, along with Leslie Fhima, a 64-year-old fitness instructor from Minneapolis, MN; Sandra; and Susan Noles, a 66-year-old wedding officiant from Aston, PA.

The Golden Bachelor group of ladies participated in a romance novel cover's photo shoot. The overall concept was that a person can be sexy, attractive and spontaneous at any age.

The women were able to pick out their outfits, which ranged from 70s hippie dresses to modern wedding dresses.

Leslie got stuck with a black leather jacket, which she wasn't happy about since she said the 80s weren't her vibe at all. Leslie was admittedly "a little upset" Natascha had stolen her ensemble of choice, but she decided not to let it affect her time with Gerry at all.

In the middle of the The Golden Bachelor date, Nancy broke down into tears because it had been so long since she had a wedding dress on. Nancy said the day she got married to her husband, who ultimately passed away, was the best day of her life and she really missed him.

Gerry later approached Nancy, who didn't seem like herself, and he explained how they seemed to be missing each other during the photo shoot. Nancy explained how it was difficult for her to remember her wedding day -- which was filled with only lovely and positive memories -- yet she felt hope about the future.

"He's very genuine and I feel a lot better now, and I think he made me feel that way," Nancy gushed.

The Golden Bachelor star went on to learn that Edith loves to cook and Ellen has a Master's Degree in Health Education. He also found out that April is very spiritual as he got to know the women on a deeper level.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' COUPLES NOW: WHO DID 'THE BACHELOR' STARS AND THEIR BACHELORETTE PICKS ACTUALLY END UP MARRYING? (PHOTOS)

Gerry told Leslie that she's "a very sexy woman" and it seemed to almost be "a state of mind" for her. Leslie shared with The Golden Bachelor star how she's very sensitive and she could see Gerry's "beauty from within" coming out.

"There aren't a lot of men like you," Leslie told Gerry.

Gerry could tell that Leslie had soft, gooey insides, not just a tough exterior, and then she revealed how she also wears hearing aids. Gerry thought her candidness was "very darling," and then the pair whispered something to each other that Leslie refused to share with production.

Despite his obvious and strong connection with Leslie, The Golden Bachelor star chose to give Nancy the group date's rose. Nancy said this was something she didn't expect and she appreciated how Gerry made her feel seen and listened to.

The following day, it was Gerry's birthday and so the women surprised him with a big party in the form of a barbecue. There were party hats, confetti cannons, and balloons. And at one point, Susan jumped out of a giant cake!

Christina gave Gerry a special bottle of wine, Natascha hit a pinata with Gerry, and Faith gushed about how she was drawn to Gerry and thought he was beautiful.

Joan then opened up to The Golden Bachelor star about her husband's passing and how he wanted her to find love again. Joan said she felt "selfish" because she never wanted to talk to her husband about death.

"I'd say, 'No, I'm not doing this. You're not going anywhere.' And he died three days later. So I feel very guilty about that one," Joan told Gerry.

Gerry advised Joan to let those emotions go and just live her life, and they shared a sweet little kiss. Joan told the cameras that Gerry was very thoughtful.

And on that note, The Golden Bachelor star gifted Ellen a framed photo of them from the photo shoot. Ellen felt overwhelmed and so special in that moment that she broke down into tears.

After a wonderful day of celebration and sharing stories, the second Rose Ceremony of The Golden Bachelor commenced.

Gerry told the bachelorettes that the process was working for him and he had strong feelings for all of them.

Gerry proceeded to hand out roses to Leslie, Joan, Edith, Ellen, Sandra, Susan, Christina, Faith, April, and Kathy.

Gerry -- who cried at the end of the Rose Ceremony -- therefore eliminated Jeanie, Natascha, and Peggy.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS)

Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group!


About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON GOOGLE NEWS