[woman] I see the microphone.
Maybe lower it down a little because I'm short.
-[Cian] Hello. -Hello.
-[Cian] It's good to see you. -You too.
I'm so happy to see your face.
-[Cian] So you guys are still together? -Yes, we are.
[Cian] How would you describe your ideal partner?
[sighs, chuckles]
Oh, I'm not sure how much… if we have that much time.
A girl who's… who's very talkative like me
and… and a girl who eats nicely.
Has a very nice giggle and smile.
Witty, charming.
I got a weakness for brunettes.
Someone who is able to have a back-and-forth conversation.
Polite, respectful, friendly.
I mean, there's, like, eight billion people in the world.
Somebody's gotta be the one for me.
[Adan grunting]
[narrator] Finding love can be hard for anyone.
I'm just a little nervous.
Always wonder what it'd be like to kiss a girl.
-He's never gonna get married. -[sighs]
[narrator] And for some people, it can feel like an impossible dream.
I'll find my prince. I'll find my prince.
I'm hoping for sparks.
I want her to be a party animal.
[narrator] This series follows people on the autism spectrum…
[Adan] Oh!
[narrator] …as they navigate the confusing world of relationships…
-Oh, uh… -Yeah?
I don't think we're a romantic match.
…and dating.
You wanna hug?
I'm gonna have to get the hose out on you two.
[laughter]
[whimsical music playing]
[Cian] Hello again.
Hello. Hello agai… Uh…
Oh, uh… Uh…
Oh, sorry.
Hello, uh… Hello again. It's me, Connor.
I'm 25 years old, and I'm looking to make a love connection.
[Cian] Things didn't work out with Emily, but you're ready to meet someone new?
Uh, yes.
When a cowboy falls off his horse, he gets back in the saddle again.
-[intriguing music playing] -[dog barking]
[Cian] Any new additions to the collection?
[Connor] Oh, this!
-[short horn blast] -Wait.
[resonant horn blast]
The Vikings would blow when they were bringing their ships into port,
or sometimes they would bring it out into battle
to sound for the warriors to advance.
This right here
is an authentic royal family English teacup,
plated with genuine gold.
It even has the royal family's crest on it.
You can't drink out of it though. It's strictly ornamental.
Mostly, what I'm looking for is someone who I could share all my excitements,
my thoughts with,
and my feelings as well.
I'm hoping for a relationship
that might lead…
lead… lead to
a more physical level.
[Cian] You wanna get laid?
Bluntly speaking.
[Cian] It's an important part of dating and relationships.
Yeah, but remember, there's lust and there's love.
There are two things that separate humans from animals.
One, we can control our sexual tendencies.
Two, when we eat, we use cutlery.
[Connor humming]
[narrator] Connor lives in Georgia with his mom, Lise…
Thank you.
…stepdad, Tony, and his three siblings.
[Connor] Hey. Hey, Jack.
Yeah, you ever heard of this, uh,
movie series from the '80s called Revenge of the Nerds?
[Jack] Uh-uh.
Basically, it's about a bunch of, well, nerds
who are picked on by, you know, the handsome guys.
What galls me about that is great minds aren't appreciated.
It seems the only thing women are into nowadays
is handsome faces, big muscles,
and tight… tight abs and big arms.
I don't think that's completely true. That's just a stereotype.
A nice woman would be interested in a guy who's interesting and smart.
Yeah.
How are you feeling about getting back out there and dating
after you and Emily decided to be friends?
-I feel comfortable with it now. -You feel a lot more confident?
Yeah, more confident.
-[Jack] Yeah, we can all see it. -And I see a totally different man.
And I… I think you are more ready today
to get to the next level with somebody.
-Like kissing or intimacy. -[Tony] Yeah.
-[Connor] That sort of thing. -Yep.
-I mean, it's a big step. -[Lise] I think you need to feel sparks.
Yes, exactly, that's the most important part.
-Don't force it. -[Lise] Don't rush anything either.
-[Tony] Ever practiced on a mirror? -A mirror?
-[Tony] Yeah. -A mirror?
[Connor] That's weird.
I could teach you some tricks, Connor.
Oh, I… I… Hard pass!
[Tony] How do you propose to do this?
-Hard pass! -Oh, no, he doesn't mean, like… No.
I could give you some advice on how to do it, but not physically do it.
One note, just don't shove your tongue down someone's throat.
Oh God, no!
[all laugh]
[Jack] Do you feel like your perfect woman
has changed a little bit now that you've been through dates?
Yeah.
So she's still gotta… brunette, or are you gonna settle for, like…?
[Jack] Has that shifted at all?
Well, brunette or, uh, or black hair.
-Yeah. -[Jack] No blondes?
Nah, not really a blondes person.
[Jack] Fair enough.
-Sure? -I'm sure.
-Some blondes are cute. -I'm sure.
[Tony] What is your next date?
I don't know. I've never seen her.
-[all talk at once] -[Lise] You need to be open-minded.
-You know something you're not telling me! -[Lise] Oh God.
-[Jack] No. -[Lise] Okay, please don't get mad at me.
So one of my customers came into my showroom,
and she said, "my daughter-in-law's cousin,"
that she's very close to,
"is a nice young lady."
She showed me a picture of her,
and she was a very attractive young lady.
Her name is Kate,
and she's blonde.
But I didn't think that we were so hung up on the hair color.
I just kind of thought these are a really nice family--
[Connor] And you didn't think to tell me?!
[Lise] Connor.
I can hear just fine.
-[Lise] Okay. -Speak.
-I feel like you're upset with me. -I am very upset with you.
[Lise] All I was trying to do is to help you get to meet somebody
that was a nice person and from a nice family
and heart in the right place.
I think tomorrow is just about meeting somebody new and having fun.
[Connor] Yeah, I gue…
I guess. I guess so.
I was expecting something else.
The whole dating experience and dating world is full of unknowns.
You're going to meet someone new tomorrow. It's exciting.
-Okay, all right, all right. -[Tony] Yeah.
[Connor] I know. I guess I could give blondes a try.
I mean, the Targaryen women have gold, silver hair and violet eyes.
-I mean-- -[Tony] Denise, what's her name? Is it--
Daenerys Targaryen, First of her Name, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar,
and the First Man… Lady of the Seven Kingdoms,
and Protector of the Realm.
[Tony] Mm. Would you go on a date with her?
Uh, 50-50.
-[Tony] Oh. Wow! -[all chuckle]
-[Lise] Oh! -[chuckling]
[whimsical music playing]
-[Cian] Hello. -Hello.
My name is Madison. I am 26 years old.
I am from Tampa, Florida,
and I'm looking to find a companion.
To be honest, I haven't found my person yet.
I think the show will give me my person.
-[Cian] That's a lot of pressure on us. -[giggling] Yes.
[Cian] How would you describe yourself?
If I were to describe myself, I am very upbeat, outgoing, playful.
I'm a girlie girl.
Colorful because I love bright colors.
I'm very strong because I've overcome so much.
I wasn't talking at all till I was four years old.
My first day of kindergarten, jeez!
I was really disruptive. I broke my teacher's pointers.
I was a runner.
And then I also loved to rip things when I was little.
-[Cian] Oh really? -I ripped my parents' family room rug.
I ripped the seat belts in the car.
I would draw on the wall and rip the paint off the wall.
I had very bad pica.
I would chew erasers, pencils, Styrofoam boards,
water bottles, crayons, pens, markers, bark.
I would suck on rocks.
-I would chew pool noodles, kickboards. -[Cian] Oh no.
Like, anything and everything, I would put in my mouth.
[narrator] Madison lives on her own just outside Tampa.
[Madison] This is my apartment, and I love living on my own.
Over here, I have all of my beads right here.
Neatly organized by color, by shape.
I have enough beads until I can die.
It gives me something to do with my hands,
so that way, I'm not engaging in behaviors.
Ripping the rug or throwing glass like I did when I was a kid.
When I was a little girl in California,
my best friend from childhood, her mother was a jewelry designer.
I was at her house,
and then I started to destroy picture frames in the house.
And then her mother suggested to me,
she's like, "Madison, I wanna show you something."
She showed me her closet
full of nothing but jewelry and beads!
And then I put on her 1980s bangles,
and what it felt like was a weight that lifted me
It felt like a shield.
And I used my behavior allowance for that week
all on beads and friendship bracelet thread.
And since then, beads never left my hand,
and I picked it up so quick.
Yes, and then since I started making jewelry,
I never destroyed anything in the house again.
-[Cian] Really? -I'm serious.
[Cian] Do you think people ever judge you because of your autism?
Yes. I was bullied a lot when I was growing up.
-[Cian] Really? -It's a sad topic for me.
Like, they were dropping school supplies on my head.
They were calling me loser, freak, names like that.
Because I… Emotionally, I happen to be more of a child due to my autism.
I don't think of it as a bad thing at all.
But when I was younger, I wanted to be like everybody else.
But as I've gotten older, I've started to embrace it more.
One thing about having autism is my dolls are a part of me.
They can't be taken from me.
[dramatic music playing]
So these are my 40 American Girl dolls
and my favorite dolls to collect.
Right here is my Madison doll.
She's my ultimate comfort object.
This doll's my mini-me. I'm never getting rid of her.
Ever. Like, on a bad day, she'll go with me somewhere.
Come on. Come on, girls.
Shoot.
My dolly's fallen over.
Sit up, Madison.
Oh my God, why is this happening?
Bad dolls.
And then here's Molly. Her story takes place during World War II,
so she's in a patriotic outfit to defend the homeland.
And then Rebecca, the Russian immigration one.
Nancy, Alexis,
Kit, Felicity, the colonial era one.
Haley, Rylie, Caroline.
-Why do you have so many? -I love their backgrounds.
I love the time period some of these stories take place in.
Felicity's time period is nostalgic for me.
Because I grew up in Massachusetts,
all that colonial history was right in my backyard.
Over here are all my plush princesses and Care Bears.
I've been sleeping with these since I was a kid.
Because I've always struggled with anxiety,
and my dolls have just been that comfort to me.
Dolls went everywhere with me when I was growing up.
My dad has tried to make me get rid of them.
I've said no every time.
They're like my best friends.
They continue to bring comfort to me when I get anxious.
[sighs] Yes.
-[sighs] -[Cian] Hello, James.
Wha…?
Oh yes. Well, I mean, you have to say… I mean, you have to say welcome back.
Then I'll say "Yes, like the villain in a horror movie, I keep coming back."
And then… then you can just say something.
"Tell us about yourself."
Then I can say, "Yes, I'm James. I'm 36, I'm looking for love, etc."
-What do you think? -[Cian] Okay.
-Sounds good. -Good. Excellent. Thank you very much.
-Mm. Let me know when you're ready. -[Cian] Go for it.
Well, hello. Welcome back again.
Yes, like the villain in a horror movie, I just keep coming back.
[quirky music playing]
[James] You two like alcohol, so alcohol is a depressant.
Caffeine is a stimulant.
Would you rather be depressed or stimulated?
I know which I would rather be.
You would be surprised at how much alcohol stimulates a person.
[sighs deeply]
[mutters]
[narrator] James lives just outside Boston with his parents, June and Lawrence.
[James] Do we really need all of these lights on?
James, keep this in mind. Happy wife, happy life.
-All right? -[sighs]
Well, no, see, that's something else I don't like, Dad.
You're too old-fashioned.
-I don't like some of your beliefs. -Sit.
Someone else said you could say, "Happy spouse, happy house," you know.
That works.
That… that's fine too! Okay?
But again, happiness is what counts, you know.
[James sighs loudly]
[Cian] Why are you back again, James?
Yes, I have returned because my quest,
my search to find love has not yet reached its conclusion.
It is not yet complete.
[Cian] How do you feel about still being single?
Well, I… I don't like it very much.
But I've been able to handle it better as time has passed.
And, of course, also, you know, having been on this series,
I have been receiving far more messages
and communications from women on dating apps,
and I… I've made more friends in general, so that is very nice. Mm.
[Cian] You feel you're on a positive upswing?
Yes, I very much feel like things are… are going well for me
and, you know, as they say, third time's the charm.
At least that is my hope this time around. [chuckles softly]
So speed dating tomorrow?
Yes. Yes, very excited about that.
-Yay, that should be fun. -Yes, good.
Hopefully, I'll actually have a match this time. Mm.
[yawns]
That's one thing you don't wanna do when you're speed dating.
-Yes, Dad. -Show some interest in the young lady.
-Yes, of course. -Of course.
[Cian] Why do you think you've never had a match?
[yawning loudly]
-[Lawrence] James! -Excuse me, sorry!
It's a very good question. I wish I knew, but I don't know.
I mean, the common factor is me,
so, I mean, I certainly don't wanna contemplate the idea
that I'm not sufficiently attractive, you know, or that I have a bad scent,
but, um… but I don't know, yeah.
I must have been doing something wrong. I just wish I knew what.
James, there's no necessary right or wrong.
It's just a matter of finding the right match, that's all.
True. I do make an effort to subtly find out
if they have any children or if they have any pets or I…
So this one's not as important.
I wouldn't ask about pets. That's not a big deal.
Hold on. Well, let's just say things go well enough
that she invites me to her house or place of residence.
I'd like to know before I go to her place of residence
if she has any pets or children.
-[Lawrence] Why? -What do you mean?
So… so, like, in case she has a dog that's poorly trained,
I don't want it attacking me or otherwise leaping on me,
or… or she has children who are poorly trained. I don't like them.
-Oh, listen to him! Children! -[giggling]
Let me rephrase that. Children who are poorly disciplined.
No, no. No.
-[June] Well, the thing is-- -I don't want them attacking me or--
You could tell her beforehand you're a little timid around dogs.
No, there's no way I'd ever openly admit to being timid.
[giggling]
-JB… -And stop yawning!
I can't help it.
-[jaunty music playing] -[steam hisses]
[Lise] I love my steam.
It makes me feel like it's working.
-[whimpering] -[Lise] Scares the dogs, but…
[narrator] In Atlanta, it's the morning of Connor's first date in over a year.
-Hey, Mom. -Hey, dude. How you feeling?
[exhales sharply] Ready as I'll ever be.
I think you're more ready now than you were then.
Yeah, what… what… what am I saying? Of course I'm ready.
You are ready.
-And listen, open mind, right? -Yeah.
-Hair color doesn't matter. -Right.
If you don't mind, it don't matter.
[Lise] I really like that attitude because, yesterday,
I'll be honest, I was a little nervous.
You were pretty rigid about that, and guess what.
-Yeah. -You've had time to process.
And look at you. You're right back in there with the best attitude.
Would you ever like to learn how to iron so that we can move on from this?
-Yeah. -You wanna try?
-Yeah. Let's try. -Come on this side.
-This is super hot. Look at me. -Okay.
Don't get your face near. The steam'll waft up.
Okay, so do I press--
You don't have to press. Just kind of start running the iron on it.
Good, looking good!
Hidden talent.
What do you think?
-[in Cockney accent] Nice! -[chuckling]
Don't get too good at this. You might have a new job around here.
-[in normal accent] Oh boy. -I'm proud of you, man.
Learning things like this is gonna help you be more independent.
It's time for this little fledgling to leave the nest.
Love hearing you talk like this.
-[Connor] All right, then. -Get out of here.
-Yeah, all right. -[Lise chuckles]
-[Cian] How are you feeling about today? -Oh, I am really excited.
He's really open-minded. He's super excited.
I don't know. I've never seen him this ready to go.
His attitude is just different.
The confidence. I mean, he's not nervous. We're not talking him off a ledge,
so really excited.
All right. We're excited. Let's do this.
-[Connor] All right. Here we go. -Here we come, Kate.
-Yep, here we go. -[Lise] Awesome.
[Lise singing] ♪ Kate is great! ♪
-[Connor] Please don't. -[Lise] All right, I won't sing.
Bye, Coke! Gosh, she's so in love with you, dude.
[Connor] Yeah.
[suspenseful music playing]
Wow, look at the size of this place!
Ooh!
Probably just cubic zirconium.
Fool's diamonds.
Ooh. Oh my, that's lovely, that is.
Hi, Kate. I'm Connor.
Hello, Kate. My name's Connor.
Oh yeah, that's the one, that's the one.
[exhales nervously]
[Kate] Oh my gosh.
[narrator] Connor is meeting Kate.
She likes slasher movies…
[scream]
[narrator] …and the smell of fresh tennis balls.
She doesn't like nudist colonies…
[wolf-whistling]
…or Pomeranians.
Right! [nervous moan]
Shirt.
[exhales nervously]
Hi, Connor. I'm Kate.
-It's so nice to meet you. -Oh, uh, hi, Kate. It's nice to meet you.
-[Kate] You too. -Yeah.
Uh, here. Let me get that for you.
[grunts softly]
These are big chairs.
-[Kate] Yes, they are. -Yeah.
-[giggling] -Okay.
-[grunts] -[giggling]
Uh, that good enough?
-Yes, thank you. -All right, thank you.
Okay, so, uh, it's, uh, nice to meet you.
It's nice to meet you too.
[Connor] Mm.
Um… um…
-Oh, sorry, I just lost myself. Um… -It's okay.
So, uh, from what I hear,
you're from Nashville?
Yeah.
I've, um, actually been to Nashville one time.
What do you think about it?
Oh, it… it's pretty great. I actually ate a whole chicken there once.
Wow.
So, uh… [hesitates]
…why don't… How would you like…
How about you tell me a little about yourself?
Okay, so for fun, I love to ride horses. I love nature.
-Cool. -[Kate] I like to go to national parks.
And I like to go riding horses in the wilderness.
Hey, I actually wanted to take up riding horses.
I mean, I thought about it, yeah.
-That's great. -Yeah.
So, um…
[hesitant music playing]
Oh.
Okay, what can I tell you about myself?
Well, I enjoy collecting swords,
watching TV,
movies.
Oh, and I like to read a lot.
I like to collect snow globes from places I've been to.
Oh yeah? [chuckles softly]
I know people who like to do that. Not personally, but, you know…
Yeah. Yeah.
So, um…
[clicks tongue]
Uh, oh… [sighs]
Give me a sec.
[Cian] Do you think you'd be a good catch?
I hope so.
I was not the best catch at my high school prom.
-[Cian] Why not? -No guy asked me out.
I asked some of the special-needs guys to prom, and none of them wanted to go.
[Cian] And why do you wanna find love?
I don't wanna be single the rest of my life.
I get lonely being single.
Shoot. I had some go all over the place.
Right now, I'm organizing all of my beads
because my friends are coming over to make some jewelry.
These are all friends from church.
I feel like a lot of my closest friends, like, happen to be more neurotypical,
but my friends mean the world to me.
[doorbell rings]
Hey.
Hello.
[girl 1] Hey.
-Hello, how are you? So excited I'm here. -[Madison] Great.
I like the flowers.
[girl 2] Ooh, look at these.
I think I'm gonna do, like, a blue-y green-y.
Yeah, so I'm going on a date on Wednesday.
-[all] Oh! -Are you excited?
Yes.
I…I have no idea who this guy is, what he's like.
It's a blind date?
-It is a blind date. -How do you feel about that?
A little anxious.
-Yeah. -[girl 1] That's normal.
[girl 2] Do you hope he's older? Same age?
[Madison] I don't have a preference.
I don't have a preference for physical either.
I would love to meet a guy who is into decorating, who loves Christmas.
-Yeah. -Yeah.
And I'm hoping he likes Disney because I love Disney.
That's one of my special interests.
I don't know if I've shared this with you guys,
but I wasn't talking until I was four years old.
[girl 3] Oh really?
I tried to get my words out watching Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
When "Hi-Ho" would come on,
I would try to get my words out, but I couldn't.
But then I was watching The Jungle Book,
my mom, like, was hearing me on the baby monitor
singing "The Bear Necessities."
It was the best day of her life.
So Disney gave me my voice. The Jungle Book gave me my voice.
I didn't know that. That's so cool.
[Madison] I'd love a guy who would like to go to Disney World and ride on the rides.
[girl 3] Do you like roller coasters?
-Love! -[girl 1] Okay, good.
I love the fast motion. When I was a kid, at Six Flags Marine World,
I couldn't sit through the dolphin show, for crying out loud,
because I was nine years old, I have ADHD, and I don't like animals.
My dad snuck me on the fastest roller coaster in the park.
I just felt way better after getting off
a very fast upside-down coaster with seven loops.
-[girl 1] Oh my goodness. -Wow.
[girl 2] Wait, I dropped a bead. [chuckles]
So my very first date I ever, ever went on,
he offered me beer.
-[all] Oh! -[girl 1] Yeah, that's a no-go for you.
This guy, like, kept inviting himself over every night after the first date.
-Oh my gosh! -Oh! [giggling]
He tried to snuggle me.
Oh. [chuckles]
He'd invite himself to my apartment.
He gets onto my bed. He gets into all my dolls.
And then… and then after that, he literally wanted to have…
I did… don't wanna say that word.
-S-E-X. -[chuckling]
[friends giggling]
Yeah, you definitely need someone who's willing to take it slow with you
and get to know you for a while.
-Okay. -[girl 2] That's a good idea.
I met Madison at our church.
It was my first time going to a young adults' night,
so I didn't have any friends there. I was pretty nervous.
But Madison came up to me, put her hand out. "Hey, I'm Madison."
She was just very welcoming. She was very friendly.
Then we started hanging out.
She has such an amazing heart,
and I just hope that she finds somebody who also has an amazing heart
and is willing to reciprocate the love that she shows for everyone.
Well, I'm super excited for your date.
Definitely. I'm expecting a phone call. Tell me all about it.
You're definitely the first person I'm gonna call.
[girl 2] Aw!
-[Madison] I love you. I love you so much. -I love you!
[sweet suspenseful music playing]
[narrator] In Boston,
James is getting ready for a speed dating event.
[James] I have given much thought to my own wedding.
If I do get married, you know,
it is my hope that my bride and I shall enter the church together
because, as I've already said, I think it's extreme…
I, frankly, think the practice
of a bride's father walking you down the aisle
is extremely creepy and possessive.
It's a holdover from patriarchal days, you know.
-JB, I will pay you to elope. You know? -Ugh!
But, Dad, you know I like being the center of attention.
I… I want to have an extravagant wedding ceremony.
On your wedding day, the bride will be the center of attention.
-Well, what makes her so special? -Oh my God.
[sighs]
You know, it's… it's the bride. It's all about the bride, James.
You see again, Dad, you're so old-fashioned. That's--
-No! I bet you'll never get married. -Hey! Excuse me!
That's not the sort of thing you should say to your own son.
You're married. If you could get married, what makes…
And guess who was the center of attention at my wedding.
[groans] Who?
-Um, James wants-- -[June] Good morning!
James is trying to guess who the center of attention was
at our wedding.
-[Lawrence laughs] -Ugh! Oh yeah, well, that's the thing.
If not my wedding,
when am I going to have a day where I get to be the center of attention?
-Father's Day. -Yeah. Father's Day.
I don't wish to have children.
-Okay, well, then-- -Tough luck.
[June] Then… then Uncle's Day.
What about my birthday?
-Your birthday, yes. Okay. -[James] Oh.
[June] So what about today? What's…
No, I'm excited. I mean, I hope I actually find a match this time around.
-Don't bring anything negative. -[James] No, of course not, Dad.
No, of course not, but just keep things positive.
-Absolutely. -[Lawrence] All right.
-And no yawning. -[James] No, of course not.
Better be getting going.
I think I'm gonna quickly brush my hair before I leave.
Yeah. Wash your face too. Splash some water on it and…
-[James] Of course. It'll be fine. Thanks. -Okay.
-[gentle instrumental music playing] -[Cian] How do you think it will go today?
I mean, I'm hoping it goes really, really well.
[Lawrence] We always have to have hope.
Hope he finds somebody and--
-[James] Yes. -Hey.
-Hope he… hope he moves out. -[James] Ugh!
-You all washed up? -Hey, yes.
-I told you I'm looking for my own place. -[Lawrence] All right. All right.
-Yeah. You look good. -[James] Yes, thank you very much.
-So have fun. -Yes, of course I shall.
-Thank you. -Okay.
-Yes, very good. Thank you. Absolutely. -Go get 'em, kid.
-See ya. -Have a good time!
-[James] Yes, you also. Goodbye. -[parents] Bye.
[intriguing music playing]
On this scorecard, every person has their own number, obviously,
so you write the number, their name, then there are five categories.
The rankings are "Definitely fancy a go,"
"One more drink, maybe,"
"Not really my cup of tea,"
"Oh dear, never mind,"
or "Never in a million years."
Hopefully, I won't need to mark anyone as that last category. Mm.
[intriguing music fades]
[clears throat]
[sighs]
[Cian] Hello.
Hello there.
My name's Adan.
Uh, I'm 27,
and I live in beautiful Orange County in the heart of the county, Santa Ana.
Where specifically, that's confidential. [chuckles softly]
I'm a huge nerd. Love anime.
I'm bilingual too.
[speaking Spanish]
[Cian in English] Did you date when you were at school?
No. I did socialize, but I never went on any dates, not like the other guys.
I was picked on a lot by the guys and the girls.
There were instances where they would make me cry just because I was different.
[Cian] So are you still with Dani?
I am. It's officially a year since Dani and I became boyfriend and girlfriend.
[Cian] And have you guys been intimate yet?
Mm. We have not.
Well, unless you count kissing, but that's really it.
[barks]
[narrator] Adan lives in Santa Ana with his family,
and he's preparing for a special celebration.
Today, I am going to meet up with my lovely lady…
[in singsong] …Dani Bowman,
for our anniversary, and I'm so happy.
Hard to believe it's already been a year since we've been together.
Every time I see her, always a gift.
Allow me to introduce the man who made me who I am today.
A great role model in my life. My father.
Absolutely, big dog. How are you?
I'm doing good.
Everybody's seen how Dani gets ready for dates,
but now they get to see how Correas help one another get ready for a date.
That's right, my son. You got a tuxedo or just a suit?
-I got a suit. -Let's go see it.
[gentle instrumental music playing]
Wow! You're looking good, bubby.
[in British accent] Name's Bond. James Bond.
James Bond, yes.
Let me look over here. Come over here. Let me see.
[Adan] Roses are red, violets are blue
When I see Dani, I'm in love with you
-You're in love with her? [chuckles] -Exactly. With her. With her.
I have something special planned for her.
I'm presenting her with a gift I know that she'll love.
[dad] Okay, let's see. How do you wanna do this?
[Adan] Here. Hold it right there. Mm-hmm.
[dad] With Adan and Dani, seeing what's going on,
it… it's a beautiful thing to witness.
[Adan] Not too much tape.
[dad] I hope it works out for them. I hope they continue to grow.
We're not gonna push it. We're not gonna make it happen.
We're just gonna watch it happen.
-Enjoy yourself. -[Adan] Thank you.
-Be well, buddy. -[Adan] I will.
[in Spanish] Thank you, Jesus Christ, for this good night.
Amen.
[intriguing music playing]
[cocktail shaker rattling]
[woman 1] Hi, everyone. Welcome to speed dating.
When you hear the bell, everyone rotate. Have fun, everybody. Enjoy the event.
-Hi! What's your name? -Yes, hello. My name is James.
-I'm Jackie. Very nice to meet you. -Jackie. Very nice to meet you.
-Short for Jacqueline, very nice. -Yeah.
I'm very pleased to meet you. So, yes, what do you like to do in your spare time?
-Um, I like to dance. -Excellent! I love dancing.
-What kind of dance do you like? -I'm not really bound to one style.
Like, typically, I just… I basically just freely improvise.
I watch what other people are doing. I never directly copy people, obviously,
but I just try to get a sense of what the general atmosphere is, perhaps.
As long as you're feeling the music and enjoying yourself.
Yes, exactly, yes.
-What do you like to do for fun? -Oh, I love outdoor activities.
Like hiking, swimming, mountain climbing. I like stuff like that, you know.
Absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah, I have two dogs.
-So I like to take them for hikes. -Oh. Mm. Uh… [sighs]
Right, right, I get it.
So is this… Have you ever been to a speed dating event before?
-I have once before. Um… -[James] Okay, not bad.
Yeah, it was… it was not really… I was very uncomfortable in the beginning.
No, I get it. I was… I was nervous the first time too.
-Sure. -Sadly, I haven't had any matches yet,
but, you know, there's always the first time.
Hopefully, you never know. Hopefully, you'll get a match at some point.
-[Jackie] You gotta keep trying. -Exactly.
I've been single for two and a half years.
-So, you know… -Okay. Not bad. Yes.
I'm trying to think… No, I get it. Um…
If you don't mind me asking, do you have any children?
Um, I do not.
[bell dings]
-Next. -[James] Oh dang!
-Time flies when you're having fun. -So nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you also, Jackie. Hope you have a very nice day.
-Thank you so much. -It's fine. Of course, have a nice day.
I marked Jacqueline as "Definitely fancy a go."
[Cian] Doesn't she have pets?
Oh, yes, yes. But I don't know, maybe it's not too big a deal.
It depends on whether she'll wanna get more pets
when they eventually die, I suppose.
-Yes. -[Cian] I think she said two dogs.
Yes. Oh God. One dog's bad enough. I can't even imagine having two.
[sighs]
[intriguing music continues]
[indistinct chattering]
-Hello, hello. -Yes, hello. Yes, how are you doing today?
-Doing well. How are you? -Great. I am doing just fine.
My name is James. What is yours?
-Mikaela. -Mikaela, very pleased…
So what are you looking for?
Oh, I'm looking for someone special.
Like, a person with whom I can share the best moments of my life, you know.
-Absolutely. -So what are you seeking?
-I'm seeking similar, you know? -Okay, good.
Somebody to support you
'cause it's not always gonna be good times.
-There will inevitably be bad times. -Exactly.
So do you have any dating dealbreakers?
Ooh, uh, mm…
Ugh, mm, uh…
I… I… I know I cannot handle being a parent.
I know I don't have the patience to be a parent, you know,
so that's a pretty big thing. And what about you?
-Do you have any dealbreakers? -Um…
I think I might wanna have a family one day.
Mm. Yes.
-Sorry. So… -[bell dings]
Oh, I think I heard the bell ring. Dang.
Wow, time flies, but it was great meeting you.
-You too. Thank you. -Yes, thank you.
Uh, yes, good afternoon to you.
-Hi. -Yes, hi, my name is James.
-What is your name? -I'm June.
June, okay.
Yes. Mm. So what do you like to do in your spare time?
Uh, I like to go for running and walk.
-Oh, good. -And, uh, read… read a book.
Excellent. What type of books do you like to read?
-Oh, I like to read some fiction and, uh… -Not too bad.
-Ecology book and… -[James] Good. Good.
Excellent. Good. Yeah, that's not too bad.
So have you ever been to one of these speed dating events before?
-[yawning] -[June] Yeah, yeah.
[James] Good, yes. I've been to a few others.
I have not had any matches yet, but hopefully I shall soon. Yes.
Definitely… definitely soon. It's pretty good. It's…
Mm.
It's not bad, it's not bad, but let me see now.
Have you ever been to one of these… Wait, no, I already asked that. [yawns]
Yes, but let me see. But, oh yes, what is it now? So…
Um…
-[buzzing] -[whimsical music playing]
[server] Good evening. How are you today?
-Yeah. Very good, thank you. -[sever] Got your menus. Big selection.
Thank you.
[shocked gasp]
Uh, no… no, sorry.
It's just I'm surprised the filet of rib eye is the same price
as a bronze statue.
[laughs]
Sixty-one is out of my price range.
Have you, uh, have you ever been on a date before, Kate?
I've been on multiple dates.
Really? [chuckles]
Uh, me, I've been on only a few in my life,
but it didn't work out with either of them.
-I'm sorry. -Ah, it's all right. It…
Plenty fish in the sea.
Yes.
What exactly are you looking for in a man?
He's very sweet, kind,
wants to respect me, and doesn't…
I'm sorry. I'm just trying to think of the person.
Just that it's a nice gentleman.
People say that I… that I'm something of a gentleman.
-You very are… you are. -Yeah.
I'm also smart and very… and… kind,
and,
dare I say, I find myself very good-looking.
-[Kate] I agree. -Yeah.
The reason I wanted to go out with you
because is I really fell in love watching your season of the show.
I really loved watching every minute of it.
Yeah? Whoa…
That's, uh…
that's pretty big.
I… [chuckles nervously]
I honestly don't know what to say.
It… that's quite an honor.
-You're welcome. -[Connor] Yep. Mm…
[exhales sharply]
-[Cian] How's the date going, Connor? -Oh, it… it's going quite well.
It… it's really good.
I mean, Kate's a nice person. She seems to have a lot in common with me.
[Cian] Do… do you think she just said that she fell in love with you?
Uh, in love with me?
Yeah, I think she likes me, but I don't know. I…
[hesitates]
[sweet instrumental music playing]
[Dani] Ooh.
Adan.
Oh my God.
Oh my God, you look fabulous.
Oh, thank you so much. You look fabulous with this nice decorative tie.
Really great seeing you.
-Great seeing you as well. -[chuckles]
You brought our special Sprinkles cupcakes.
And you brought something wonderful too. I didn't expect--
-This is part of your gift. -Thank you. This is lovely of you, Adan.
-Brings back memories already, doesn't it? -It sure does, Adan.
Oh my gosh, they did such a wonderful job. The army that put…
the army that helped you prepare for this momentous night.
[in cartoon voice] They did fantastic! Yeehaw!
-Oh, yes, indeed. -[in normal accent] Yes.
Especially that cartoon voice that you just add… adds lots of emphasis.
[as the Three Stooges] "The boss is in love. He's in love!"
"Oh, shut up."
-[chuckles] -"Sorry, Moe."
[chuckles] "Curly, Joe, Larry, get lost."
"But, Moe, I…"
"I said get lost, you pea-brain."
-[chuckles] -Oh dear.
[Adan] Yeah, but…
And I certainly hope you'll love my gift.
-I made it with love. -Wow.
I wonder what this is.
Well, let's see.
[gasps]
Oh my goodness.
Happy?
This is wonderful!
-Wonderful book. -[Adan] Happy anniversary.
Why don't you open it? I think you'll love it.
[Dani] "Our story begins."
"The first time we laid eyes on each other."
"Our first real date."
-And that's us at the GWEN Awards. -Yeah.
You're holding the purse for me. That's what the gentleman does.
Yep, that's what he does.
That's us at a film screening.
Our very first kiss.
"One year ago."
This is me teaching you how to kiss.
-[Adan] Mm-hmm. -Well, at least you did it.
At least you've practiced, and you've gotten better.
-Thank you. -I think your family is also very proud.
-"To the best kissing coach. I love you." -[Adan chuckles]
I love you too, Adan.
I love you as well.
Oh my gosh.
Well, I just need to give you a hug and a kiss for this.
Of course. It's not a gift without that.
[Dani chuckles happily]
[Adan] Glad you loved it.
Oh, careful. Wait.
[Dani] We're just taking many different steps at a time.
Let's dive deeper. You know, dive deep?
More like dive deeper to the second base.
You talking about, like, scuba diving or something else?
-It's a metaphor. -Mm.
[sweet instrumental music fades]
[intriguing music playing]
[James yawning]
Yes. But let… let me see.
Oh, yes, what is it now? So…
Um…
Oh wow. Dang. Well, we got to… we had a great conversation though.
-Yeah. -Nice to meet you. Have a nice day.
-[June] You too. Thank you. -Good.
Oh, thank God!
I actually really, really would… do not wish to be in a relationship
with a woman who has the same name as my mother.
So that could get really weird and awkward.
[indistinct chattering]
-[woman] Hello! -Oh, yes, hello. I am James.
-What is your name? -Erika.
Very pleased to… Is that Erika with a C or a K?
-A K. Thank you for asking. -Okay, very good.
And so what do you like to do in your spare time?
Um, I do jujitsu.
-Have you ever heard of that? -Oh, very nice.
I was actually a student of karate for many years.
It's not quite the same. They're both Japanese but very similar.
Yes, I started taking it when I was in elementary school
to help me fend off bullies and such.
So it definitely helped with my self-esteem.
-Absolutely, yeah. -Absolutely. Yes, yes. So it's…
Uh… um…
-Do you have any pets at home? -Ugh.
No. I've never been much of a pet person.
-You're not?! You don't like animals? -Sorry.
I don't know. I like cats more than dogs if I had to keep a pet. That's a big--
-Uh-oh, James, I like dogs more than cats. -Oh, uh…
-[Erika] Uh-uh. [giggles] -Uh…
-I'm just kidding! -Oh, okay.
It's okay. I love all animals.
Okay, well, I don't know. It's not the end of the world, I suppose,
having… having… having pets.
Do you… do you wish to have children?
-I would like to. Um… -Oh.
But, you know, I'm a bit older. I'm 35.
So the reality, probably that's a small window.
I see. Oh. Mm…
But anyway, so, um…
Oh dang it.
Everyone, all right. This is the end of our event.
Thank you. You can hand your cards to me on your way out.
-All right, well-- -It was very nice to meet you.
-Thank you so much. -Yes, very nice to meet you also.
I really liked how Erika is taking self-defense lessons. That's awesome.
That would be a great point of connection there.
Maybe she and I could practice self-defense together, you know?
-Yes, yes. -[Cian] Doesn't she have a dog?
[exhales sharply]
[sighs]
Yeah, I know, I know. It…
Nobody's perfect. Nobody's perfect.
Oh God.
Erika and Jackie were the two who captured my attention the most.
-Here's my scorecard. -Thank you.
Can you read it, I hope?
-Yes, I can. -Oh good.
-I'll let you know later. -Excellent. Thanks.
-I hope you have a very nice night. -Thank you, James.
[music fades]
[refined music playing]
Oh… Oh, do you remember the movie The Fly?
So basically, Jeff Goldblum,
he turns into a disgusting fly creature
after a housefly flies into his teleportation pod with him.
Both man and fly fuse at a molecular level.
So he vomits up these digestive enzymes…
That's crazy.
…and sucks them up through this straw, like a mouth thing, and it's disgusting.
I bet it is.
So, um… oh, wow, look at the time.
We… maybe…
Would you, um, like to take a walk around the Japanese garden
before we… before we go?
-I would love that. -All right.
-Here, I'll help you out of your seat. -Thank you.
-I'll get this for you. -Ooh.
-Shall we? -Yes.
Of course.
-[Cian] How's the date going, Kate? -I feel like it's going really well.
I think we're having a good time. I enjoy… I really enjoy talking to him.
He's a really sweet guy.
[Connor] Oh.
-Check this place out. -[Kate] Very pretty, yeah.
[Cian] Do you think there's potential there for romance?
Yes, I would like to see him again.
-Wow, beautiful birds enjoying the rocks. -Yep.
-[imitates birds calling] -I think those are cranes.
They look like cranes.
[Connor] If they were herons, they'd have a crest.
[Kate] Yes.
[Connor] And check it out. That's a lot of bamboo.
-[Kate] What pandas eat. -Pandas love bamboo.
Oh, sorry! [giggling]
-I had a good time meeting you, Connor. -Yeah, it was nice meeting you as well.
-It was a great pleasure. -Yes, I… I think the date went great.
I agree. I think the date went great.
-I had fun. -Me too.
I think you're a real nice person and, I mean, I…
I mean…
I…
Well…
-[tense music playing] -[hesitates]
[Connor exhales nervously] Um…
Y… it… [sighs]
[theme music playing]
[music fades] laying]