The First Dates restaurant presents a setup where a date can falter from the very start. Mariví, a 48 year old pensioner from Castellón, walked in with a conviction about being single for reasons she believed stemmed from her own brilliance. She spoke with a candor that mixed humor and longing, hoping for a connection with a friend, a lover, and something passionate and loving all at once.
Moments after the initial dating misfire began to reveal itself, the scene shifted as Frantxu, a 47 year old forklift driver from Alicante, entered wearing a bold outfit and a mask. He lifted a wrestling belt and cried out for attention. The tension of the moment barely hid the underlying awkwardness that had already started to form. Mariví glanced toward him with a mixture of disbelief and concern, unsure where this unexpected spectacle would lead inside the familiar setting of the restaurant.
She later confessed a fear that was hard to keep at bay. The idea that something could go wrong, that she might be judged, that the night could end in embarrassment, weighed on her. Her own nerves were pulled taut by the very presence of this larger than life character and the way the belt gleamed in the light. The emotional strain of watching a stranger interact with such intensity left her feeling exposed and vulnerable in front of the cameras that were recording the episode.
Frantxu explained that the belt was a symbol of a team championship he cherished and that his single status fueled his desire to find a partner who would stand by him through life’s battles. He entered the scene with a confident swagger, hoping the dramatic entrance would help him connect. Yet as the date progressed, the initial thrill he intended did not translate into a compatible exchange. He also admitted a lack of physical harmony when the mask finally came off, leaving both participants to reassess the chemistry that was developing before them.
When they finally sat at the table reserved for the show, the mood did not lift. The conversation meandered, revealing common ground but also sharp differences that made a true connection elusive. Frantxu shared his love for Marvel, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings, a revelation that painted him as a passionate fan with a specific set of interests. Mariví listened, and a quiet sense of resolve settled in her. She decided to let him speak, recognizing that interruptions or forced politeness might derail what little possibility remained for genuine connection.
As the night drew toward its end, their personalities clashed in subtle but meaningful ways. Frantxu proposed continuing the encounter with a second date, hoping to build on the momentum of their talk. Mariví, however, felt that the evening had revealed too much incompatibility to pursue more time together. In the final moments, the choice became clear. The decision did not hinge on grand gestures or dramatic declarations; it came down to a simple, human judgment about whether two people could truly journey forward together after a single, awkward evening. The night closed with Frantxu leaving the restaurant on his own, his imagination still alive with possibilities, while Mariví walked away with the bitter knowledge that chemistry, even when people share interest, does not always translate into a future together. The introduction had left a strong impression, but it did not unlock a second chapter for this pair on the show.