TLC’s new series Virgins is built on a foundation of orchestrated awkwardness, and its second episode, “First Base,” leans into the concept with four distinct flavors of romantic unease. The show, which follows adults in their 30s and 40s as they attempt to form their first sexual relationships, continues to put its cast in situations that feel engineered for maximum discomfort.
Airing Monday at 9:00 PM ET, the episode splits its time between four parallel storylines. Deanne’s date goes sideways when she finds herself more drawn to the waiter—a classic sitcom trope given a reality TV spin. Meanwhile, Alex’s attempt at tantra speed dating puts him face-to-face with a participant who is a bit too hands-on, pushing the boundaries of personal space. The therapeutic angle gets a workout with Sonali, who is given a suggestive homework assignment by her therapist, blurring the line between self-discovery and a producer’s prompt. Finally, Rhasha gets help from her mom and sister to manage her dating apps, a scene that feels both relatable and a little too close for comfort.
While the series is framed as a look at love and self-discovery, it’s really an examination of how people handle deeply personal situations when cameras are rolling. The question isn’t just whether they will find a connection, but how they will react to the curated chaos of it all.
Virgins airs Monday, June 16 at 9:00 PM ET on TLC.
