'Bachelor in Paradise' premiere: More teasing of Corinne, DeMario controversy

Justin Kirkland | Special to USA TODAY

Take a breath, beach babies. Sure, that season of The Bachelorette may have been a bit up in the air (unless you love Brian, then good for you), but before we get started, we open with an evacuated beach. If you follow The Bachelor at all, you know there were some pretty serious allegations before the season started, and Chris Harrison assures all of it will be addressed... in time.

The Corinne and DeMario issue

Regardless of how ethical it is, this season of Bachelor in Paradise hinges on how the controversy involving Corinne Olympios and DeMario Jackson plays out. Producer Warner Bros. found no wrong doing after a complaint was filed implying alcohol-fueled sexual misconduct, with Corinne claiming she was "a victim" and DeMario asserting his name was smeared.

But backlash continued after the Warner Bros. investigation, when ABC aired a promo that some felt exploited the situation. Will that feeling linger through the season? If the first night was any indication, it may.

Neither contestant was without their fair share of drama on their original season, and when each arrived, it seemed the trend would continue.

The blatant exploitation of everything with Corinne and DeMario is... ugh. Enough. #BachelorInParadise — Brett S. Vergara (@BrettSVergara) August 15, 2017

DeMario’s arrival was greeted with contempt, mostly by fan-favorite Raven. She hopped right into it, asking DeMario as he walked up if he’s single, and Ben Z laughed so hard because he’s really into Raven. Knowing who the kingpin is, DeMario takes Raven aside to clear the air, but she’s not one to be swayed easily. She says if he’ll own it, they can get past it, but DeMario dances around it all.

DeMario’s waves were quickly interrupted by Corinne who saunters up with two glasses of champagne and announces “Let’s Make Paradise Corinne Again.” It’s probably not a good opening line, but when has Corinne been worried about anyone’s opinion? She had three drinks in her hands within five minutes, and that does not feel like an accidental edit.

But the impending incident comes into focus as Alex debriefs the audience on DeMario and Corinne in his confessional. They break into the frame and jump into the pool, and Alex narrates as the two are clearly intoxicated in the afternoon, fully clothed and beginning to make out in the pool. Then the cameras cut away.

And the rest of the crew

Once the whole cast is introduced, Chris Harrison comes in to explain the premise of the show, and Jorge the Bartender announces that he’s leaving, but he’ll be replaced by Wells, who's here to make drinks and not date. We’ll see how long that lasts.

Harrison throws in another plot twist before the crew is cut lose: For the first time, the ladies will not be on the chopping block for the first elimination.

me when jorge started crying vs me when he introduced wells as the new bartender #bachelorinparadise pic.twitter.com/GzjcSv5PYx — ashley (@therealiteas) August 15, 2017

Couple talk

The young

Naturally, the first sincere conversation is between Adorable Dean and Kristina. She gets the first date card and whisks Dean away for the first date of the season. Danielle is pretty bummed about it, so she retreats to the bar where Wells is hanging out, doling out drinks and advice. Too bad for her though because Dean and Kristina immediately seem like a couple worth rooting for.

The restless

Nick makes the first move and kisses Jasmine G, who he apparently came here to meet. It’s the first kiss of the season! But here’s the thing: Jasmine G wasn’t feeling it, so she ends up in the hot tub with Matt, and Nick? Well, Santa Claus brought him a bit of coal this season. It’s only clearer to Nick when Matt gets a date card and asks Jasmine on the date. They head out on a drag queen date, and it’s the best thing this show has ever done, y’all.

The irrelevant

Lacey and Iggy find each other, and it’s nice because they’re both kind of revered as contestants that no one really remembers. But as quickly as they find each other, they’re torn apart. Lacey has to leave when her grandfather passes away, leaving Iggy behind in Paradise.

Lacey and Iggy finding each other makes me realize that no matter how irrelevant I am, I can still find love. #BachelorInParadise — Justin Kirkland (@justinkirkland4) August 15, 2017

The mismatch

With a more complex hairdo than usual, Robby walks in with a date card and takes Mama Raven aside. God knows she spent enough of that first day coaching everyone else through their relationships. The next day, the two of them take Sea-Doos out to ride around, which is the water-dwelling man’s four-wheeler. They mesh and head into the ocean to make out, but Raven admits that Robby just isn’t her person. She’s actually into Ben Z, who is very, very serious about dog-ownership.

So, the three seconds when @RavenGates09 drops a chip in her hair is essentially my entire dating life in one scene. #BachelorInParadise — Justin Kirkland (@justinkirkland4) August 15, 2017

The roses

When the night approaches for the rose ceremony, Raven gives the down-low on who is giving roses out to whom. It appears that Diggy and DeMario are definitely on the outs along with Robby, Iggy and likely Nick.

But the night turns upside down when production comes in and pulls Corinne and DeMario aside. The whole cast is left wondering what exactly is going on, and production comes to a stand still.

At the end of the day, no one’s questions are answered, save for a promise that they will be addressed in the second part of the season premiere Tuesday.

More: Corinne Olympios, DeMario Jackson will appear on delayed 'Bachelor in Paradise'