SPOILERS: 'The Bachelor' Premieres 17th Season With Sean Lowe

ABC’s hit reality series The Bachelor returned for its 17th season with a new man searching of love: Sean Lowe. Lowe, 28, was a contestant on last season’s The Bachelorette and finished in the top 3 before he went home heartbroken. But now he’s back, and has an entire season and 25 women to choose from.

Before Lowe met the women, Arie Luyendyck, who finished second in last season’s The Bachelorette, offered him some advice. Once that was out of the way, it was time to meet the women, and, frankly, some were better than others. Perhaps the most memorable entrance came from Robyn Howard, who fell down in her attempt to enter the room doing backflips, but still secured a rose in the end.

Going against The Bachelor's tradition, Sean gave his first rose to Tierra LiCausi right off the bat, which created a stir for the rest of the evening, especially when many of the women got tipsy and started vying for Sean’s attention. Desiree Hartsock was the other lucky lady to be awarded an early rose.

In another surprise, Kacie Boguskie from last season’s The Bachelor showed up and even earned herself a rose at the rose ceremony. Alas, seven women had to be sent home, which meant it was a quick exit for Ashley H., Ashley Palenkas, Kelly Dutton, Kerianne Miranda, Lacey Latka, Lauren Marchetti and Paige Vigil.

The Bachelor fans should expect a serious and heartfelt effort from Lowe this season, who appears to be taking the show quite seriously.

"I'm an open-minded optimist, and I believe the process can work,” Low told People back in September. “If I found my wife, it would be worth it."

The Bachelor airs Mondays on ABC at 8 p.m. EST.