As the dating series returns for its 12th season, bachelor Matt Grant, a 27-year-old British financier, moves into his digs in Malibu, Cal., and meets his 25 would-be soul mates, 10 of whom won't make it to Week 2. The first priority for the bachelorettes is to gain Matt's attention in hopes of winning the "first impression" rose, and strategies to do it range from singing and clarinet playing to name- dropping and biting a tin can in half. Matt also gets a souvenir: a contestant's underpants.

Matt takes eight of the 15 survivors of the season opener to a fashion show, where they turn out to be the models (one gets the first kiss, and a rose). He takes the other seven to Las Vegas for an evening of partying and gambling at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel, where another rose is at stake. All of the women meet up for a very competitive cocktail party, and at the end of the hour, three of the 15 go home.

Matt has 12 bachelorettes from which to choose, and he selects two of them for one-on-one dates: a movie premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood with Holly; and a trip to an Ojai, Cal., winery in his Maserati with Shayne, who tells him that her father is actor Lorenzo Lamas. But the stakes are high for the women: It's get a rose or go home. Matt also plays rugby (his favorite sport) with the other 10 bachelorettes, and all gather for a cocktail party, after which three are eliminated.

Nine bachelorettes remain, and Matt takes Amanda R. on a 1950s-themed date at Santa Monica Pier. He cooks dinner for Holly and Marshana (one gets a rose for dessert; the other a ticket home), and it's an afternoon of tennis and tea for the other six. By the end of the hour, three are eliminated.

The six remaining bachelorettes arrive in Sun Valley, Idaho, and promptly get into a snowball fight with Matt, who takes Chelsea on a sleigh ride and then to a candlelit dinner. Later, there's a group ski date (and skiing lessons from Matt) with Amanda, Marshana, Robin and Shayne, then a skating date with Noelle, followed by an intimate fireside chat, all while tensions heat up among the other five bachelorettes. At the rose ceremony, Matt has four to dispense, leaving two out in the cold.

It's meet-the-folks time as Matt accompanies Amanda, Chelsea, Noelle and Shayne to their hometowns. In L.A., he meets Shayne's dad, Lorenzo Lamas. In Durango, Col., Matt is instantly at ease with Chelsea's parents, and wonders why Chelsea herself isn't as forthcoming. In Loveland, Col., Noelle finally opens up to him. And in Niceville, Fla., Amanda plays a practical joke on him. Back in L.A., one of the four is sent home again, this time without a rose. For the others, it's a trip to Barbados.

Matt accompanies Amanda, Chelsea and Shayne to Barbados for outdoor adventures and (he hopes) overnight romance in his "fantasy suite." The outdoor part (jet skiing, zip-lining and swimming with turtles) is exhilarating. Indoors, things are intimate, but while Amanda and Shayne lay it on the line, Matt worries about Chelsea's guarded nature. Then comes the rose ceremony, also in Barbados. One woman goes home while the other two prepare for a trip to London and a meeting with Matt's folks.

Fifteen of this season's spurned bachelorettes---including Amanda, Ashlee, Carri, Marshana, Robin and Stacey---confront Matt (and each other), dish dirt and handicap the chances of finalists Chelsea and Shayne for his ultimate rose. Matt and some of the ladies also field questions from host Chris Harrison. Also: outtakes from the season so far and a preview of the season finale.

In the season finale, Matt proposes marriage to the recipient of his final rose. But before making that thorny decision, he takes finalists Chelsea and Shayne home to London to meet his family. The three also return to Barbados, where both give Matt gifts meant to convey their deep feelings for him, and he says that he has fallen in love with both. But he must choose just one.