The Bachelorette | Virginia Is For Lovers… and Petty Drama

[EPISODE SPOILERS] Okay Bachelor Nation. I’ve lost count of what week it is. I’m going to chalk that up to being sick the last few days + I’m not really sure what’s up with that. My drink of choice tonight is Cool Blue Gatorade. No more wine until I figure out what’s up or this just goes away. Despite the fact that I’m not feeling well, I showed up tonight to recap this bad boy for you but I’m already almost 20 minutes behind because ya girl’s dinosaur MacBook Pro she got in 2011 takes a million years to do anything. But I’m here + ready to go. Let’s take a quick look at who’s still vying for Becca’s heart:

Alex
31
Atlanta, GA
Construction Manager

Becca loved the tie.

 

Blake
28
Bailey, CO
Sales Rep

Comes in riding an ox… Dark salmon jacket. Feelings as strong as an ox. (We met him at ATFR, he put her on the horse.)

Chase
27
Sanford, FL
Advertising VP

“Its all about the Chase.”

 

Chris
30
Orlando, FL
Sales Trainer

Plans to win over Uncle Gary so he brings a choir. “All God’s children got a rose.”

 

Christian
28
San Diego, CA
Banker

Suave, twirls Becca.

 

Christon
31
Los Angeles, CA
Former Harlem Globetrotter

Dying to know more about her…

 

Clay
30
Chicago, IL
Pro Football Player

Very family oriented. Caught a lot of passes but if he lands her, she’d be the biggest catch of her life. He’ll catch her inside. Fun fact, he (or someone catfishing as him) came up for me on Bumble + I accidentally swiped left! I didn’t know you could undo your left swipes + I’m devastated. He’s cute!

 

Colton
26
Denver, CO
Former Pro Footbal Player

Born on Super Bowl Sunday, used to play for the Chargers, has a cousin with CF + started a foundation for people with CF. Also has a cute dog. Confetti cannon so they can get started with a bang.

 

Connor
25
St. Petersburg, FL
Fitness Coach

Gets down on one knee, he’s ready to take this journey with her + do the damn thing. Ring box with a printout of a ring.

 

Darius
26
Sherman Oaks, CA
Pharmaceutical Sales Rep

Not nervous because he already met her on ATFR.

 

David
25
Denver, CO
Venture Capitalist

Chicken suit. Not here to ruffle feathers, wants to build an egg-celent relationship, will see her in the henhouse

 

Grant
27
Danville, CA
Electrician

Respects her for what she went through but wants to forget about all that so they can let loose + have a good time.

 

Garrett
29
Reno, NV
Medical Sales Rep

Imitates Wisconsin accent, fishes, “hope she’s as good of a catch as I am.” Minivan, hopes to be a great dad. Soccer ball, baby bag, car seat. “Oh my God, that was good.”

 

Jake
29
Minneapolis, MN
Marketing Consultant

Says he looks familiar… they’re both from Minneapolis. Acquaintance. “I don’t know. I don’t know.”–Becca

 

Jason
29
Buffalo, NY
Sr. Corporate Banker

Teaches her his handshake.

 

Jean Blanc
31
Pensecola, FL
Colognoisseur (Is this real life? According to his ABC bio he also works in finance.)

From Haiti. “She needs a man that smells good + I’m going to blow her nose away.” Teaches her “Let’s do the damn thing!” in French. “Wow he smelled so good.”

 

 

Joe
31
Chicago, IL
Grocery Store Owner

Doesn’t know women as well as tomatoes. Forgets everything he was gonna say… literally says nothing.

 

 

John
28
San Francisco, CA
Software Engineer

Hopes love can happen overnight because it happened for his grandparents. Almost gets lost going into the house.

 

Jordan
26
Crystal River, FL
Male Model

Gym, tan + laundry salt spray year round. “Fun shoes.” Very annoying about everyone’s fashion choices, which is saying something because I’m a fashion blogger.

 

 

Kamil
30
Monroe, NY
Social Media Participant (UH WHAT?! You have a successful career in real estate per your ABC bio. Why did production list you that way?!)

Meet him halfway, then asks her to do 60/40. Nuh uh buddy.

 

Leo
31
Studio City, CA
Stuntman

Messy man bun that resembles my hair on a Monday, wants to let his hair down.

 

Lincoln
26
Los Angeles, CA
Account Sales Executive

From Nigeria, such a cute accent, rooftop workout. Eat cake because it was his birthday when they met on ATFR.

 

Mike
27
Cincinnati, OH
Sports Analyst

Cardboard cutout because Arie should she her as happy as she is tonight.

 

Nick
27
Orlando, FL
Attorney

Not a racecar driver, usually good at opening statements but not tonight.

 

Rickey
27
San Diego, CA
IT Consultant

“All the adjectives.”

 

Ryan
26
Manhattan Beach, CA
Banjoist

“Where’s the banjo?” Purple + gold printed velvet jacket.

 

Trent
28
Naples, FL
Realtor

Shows up in a hearse. “When I heard you were the Bachelorette, I LITERALLY died. But then you brought me back to life.”

 

Wills
29
Los Angeles, CA
Graphic Designer

Closet nerd.

 

We’re in Richmond, VA this week which I’ve got to say would not be on my list of potential romantic getaways until this episode. But this was shot in the spring, my favorite season, + everything is bright, vibrant + in bloom so it’s not hard to look at. She’s staying at the Quirk Hotel this week + in Becca’s voiceover that sets the stage for the episode, she flat out says there are still wild card guys here. I’m sure I could tell you who I think they are but I don’t want to be rude. Let’s get to it! Chris + Becca chat in the hotel lobby + Chris puts Becca on blast for the wedding magazines she read on the plane. But the girl can’t stop smiling because she’s starting to “feel feelings of love again” + you can’t fault her for that. She thinks the guys left are so wonderful which is interesting because I don’t think most of them are.

Up on the roof, the guys are shouting “Becca!” again. I wonder how many takes they needed + how weird this is for others when they do this? Chris talks about how he needs this to be a redemption week for him so he + Becca can get back on track. Bro, I don’t think you can come back from last week. You really, really dropped the ball + the only reason you’re still around is for drama. The first date card arrives for Jason that reads “Life is full of surprises.” Jason says he’s been waiting six weeks for this (so now I know what week we’re on) + Chris says he knows this is is a big deal for Jason. Chris is hoping for a one-on-one or a two-on-one. Who seeks out a two-on-one? Dramatic guys like Chris it seems. He doesn’t care who he’d be up against. He just wants the time. My hopes aren’t high for you, bud. Lincoln + Chris pick a fight about the stats behind getting multiple one-on-ones. Garrett says it’s like “Dumb + Dumber” but you don’t know which is which. Lincoln makes a dig at Chris’ weight loss + I can’t get behind that, having lost a substantial amount of weight myself. Jason removes himself from the situation to get ready for his date. Colton thought they left the drama in Vegas, but it seems “the wheels on the bus have come all the way off.” Chris + Lincoln are still fighting + I’m over it.

Becca + Jason board a trolley to explore Richmond together. Their first stop is St. John’s Church where Patrick Henry gave his “Give me liberty or give me death” speech. Okay I’m sold. I would like to go to Richmond on a romantic weekend by myself. Let me go explore + learn things. Edgar Allen Poe’s mother is buried at the church, too. Next stop is Sugar Shack Donuts where they’re frosting a big heart shaped donut together. Becca says they’ve had a slower start but it’s been what they’ve needed. Next stop is the Edgar Allen Poe museum for Unhappy Hour, for those who enjoy life though death. It’s not Jason’s scene but he jumps on board + they’re having fun.

Colton + Leo are talking about how uncomfortable things are with Chris. They’re hoping he doesn’t ruin another cocktail party + share my feeling that he’ll probably not get a one-on-one. Thanks guys!

Per Becca, “Damn, Jason can kiss.” It’s nice to see that someone who hasn’t gotten a ton of screen time up until this point is having such a good one-on-one. As a surprise, Becca’s invited a few of Jason’s friends out for a drink + she can’t wait to see Jason’s reaction. The man all but cries + it’s so cute. He tells his friends that she has everything he’s looking for in a partner + a friend. His friends tell her he’s the best.

Snow falls as they walk into the “dinner” portion of their date. Becca says she can definitely see a future with Jason so she wants to use this time to have him hopefully open up so she can learn more about him. Becca + Jason come as package deals with their friends + Becca can definitely see that they’d all get along. He shares how he learned that he can’t take anything for granted by watching his Grandma fight Alzheimer’s + how it destroyed his dad. Becca shares ber story of losing her dad. They really seem like they could be a good fit + damn I’d hate to see his heart broken after how open he’s being + the fact that he got to see his friends.

The next date card arrives back at the hotel for Colton, Garrett, Wills, Connor, Blake, Lincoln + Chris that says “Let’s make history.” Chris is ready with tricks up his sleeve + is hoping to come out victorious. Uhm, okay.

As Becca is offering the one-on-one rose to Jason, you need to know that she’s holding it very strangely. I’m not sure if she’s trying to show off her ring or if she chipped her manicure + is trying to keep it hidden. I feel ya girl. Nothing worse than when one of your nails betrays you. She says that opening up to him is surprisingly easy with him. They climb to the roof to look out over Richmond + obviously makeout. The street’s blocked off + I wonder if that’s for this. They certainly didn’t shut down the strip!

The men show up suited up for their group date at the capital. They’re met by George Washington + his buddy Abe Lincoln who tell them that they’ll be debating for Becca’s heart. Yep. I’m hear for this. It’s the Beccalection 2018. Another terrible pun + named date. I’m having some flashbacks to Ashley’s season of The Bachelorette when a group date included a roast of Ashley + Will roasts her during a group date about her chest size + that he’d hoped he’d be dating Emily. With as petty as some of these guys are (looking at you, Chris + Lincoln), I can definitely see this going that way. The governor of Virginia is here to start us off with a question, asking Colton what his ideal date would be here in Virginia with Becca. He says he’d want to take her to a dog park with their dogs to continue to grow their relationship. Blake’s up next being asked what lessons he’s learned in past relationships. He says that he’s open + vulnerable to love. Now it’s a free-for-all. Connor’s talking about his contagious personality + nice hair. Garrett says he’s not the best with words but ladies are always right. Wills never thought he’d feel this way but he’s always on top of the world with Becca. Abe asks Lincoln how he envisions his future with Becca. He says that he’s never thought once to pack his bags + go home like Chris. You can’t see it but Becca is eye rolling herself into another dimension. Blake is asked if the other men have been hones with Becca. Blake says yes. Chris reacts so he’s given the question + he says he cannot say the same. Lincoln rebuts + says that he doesn’t know who Chris is talking about but it’s not him + Chris says it is. Chris says Lincoln has a nasty side to him that is very malicious + aggressive. Becca’s lips disappeared into her mouth. Chris brings up Lincoln’s body shaming. Blake jumps in to defuse the situation but Chris says that he’s been honest. Becca is rightly annoyed about all the stupid drama + the childish display that was put un in front of the audience that came to see her date. Is she embarrassed? Probably. I would be, too! Actually, she is. She just said so.

We’re at an old mansion for this date’s after party + Becca’s still feeling off about the bickering between Chris + Lincoln. Send them both home tonight girl! Put yourself + all of us out of our misery! She tells the guys she’s just trying to enjoy the rest of the night. Lincoln pulls Becca first. She tells him she’s interested in talking about what happened today. Lincoln tells Becca he’s scared of Chris + that he wasn’t disrespectful today. Chris steals her next. She tells him that according to Lincoln everyone else is afraid to be around him because they’re afraid he might get physical. It makes both of them uncomfortable.She asks him if Connor was ever rooming with him but asked to switch out of fear. Chris is shocked because he says he’s friends with everyone. Becca reminds him that she doesn’t live with them so there’s only so much information that she has. Garrett steals Becca politely + I’m concerned about what’s going to unfold downstairs. Becca’s having a hard time collecting herself to talk to Garrett so she asks him if he can wait downstairs + she’ll come grab him when she’s more centered.

Downstairs Chris confronts Connor about what Becca just asked him. Connor has no idea what he was talking about. Connor is upset that his name is being brought up for something he never said. So of course Lincoln’s acting like that’s not what he said + starting a fight with Chris. Garrett comes down + yells at Chris because Garrett was ready to open up + Becca was too upset to talk because of whatever Chris said. He says that there are guys in that room who have not had one-on-ones yet who really needed the time tonight + that Chris was messing it up for everyone. Is Becca going to cancel the rest of the night again? Maybe she should…

Leo’s date card arrives which says “The world is our oyster.” I’m really excited about this. I want to see more of Leo.

Becca eventually comes down for Garrett like she promised. He asked her if she had a good day all things considered. She said that before the debate + the first part of the debate were great + really fun. Garrett tells her he wrote a closing statement + wants to read it to her. It was  really sweet. Then it’s Colton’s turn. She asks him how he felt being on a one-on-one last week + on a group date today. He says it’s easier because they do have that foundation.Wills tells Becca that he’s falling in love with her. Colton gets tonight’s rose + I’m annoyed. I’m so over Colton because I know things + I’m not going to spoil them but he’s slimy. I’ll keep saying it until you see what happens.

Becca isn’t in a great headspace but she still shows up for her date with Leo. They hop in this scary little plane to see Virginia from the skies. I’m sure they made sure to not fly over Lauren’s parents’ house because that would be weird. When they land, Becca’s still in her head + they head to a little restaurant to talk. She decides to tell him about the night before. He tells her not to feel pressured but she really wants him to know where she’s at. She calms down a bit + they hop into a boat to go oyster shucking. Leo says he’s feeling “pretty gleeful” to be around Becca + they cozy up to head back to shore. She wants to know how he became the man he is because she didn’t know night one if she’d have feelings for him. She tells him he saw her at her worst today + he says “you were mildly not yourself.” I like this dude. He is so sweet to her + really helps center her. He says that helping a partner feel better is really important to him. He shares his relationship with his dad + how he’s always felt he failed his dad. He’s always hard on himself. She thinks he’s so amazing + she’s always surprised by him so she can’t imagine people not seeing that. Because he helped her turn her day around + seeing so much hope in him pushed her to give him the date rose. For the last part of their date, they stroll into a Morgan Evans concert where he is playing his song “Kiss Somebody” which I coincidentally heard today for the first time. They dance + kiss + take selfies with girls in the audience. Leo comes home from the date + Chris storms out of the room. He puts on his coat + heads to Becca’s hotel.

Just a head’s up, I don’t think we’re getting a rose ceremony tonight unless the cocktail party is canceled. There are only 23 minutes left + that’s not enough for the drama that’s about to ensue, a cocktail party + a rose ceremony.

Chris needs to be proactive to tell Becca about Lincoln. He “Shave + a Haircut” knocks on her door. She keeps laughing + is clearly shocked to see him. He wants to talk to her about things other than their distractions. He says he can definitely see himself marrying her at the end of this + let me tell ya, her face does NOT light up. She wants to know what’s changed. He says he just felt like she’s not interested + she is upset because she never did anything to lead him to believe that. He wants her to leave that in the past which is unfair because it’s something that’s alarming to her. She says it’s been super frustrating that the drama has seeped into the other dates. She has so many red flags that she doesn’t think they can get past. She’s politely telling him it’s over + he’s not getting it. She tells him it’s unfair to drag him through a rose ceremony. He doesn’t want her to walk her out + he’s very upset. This situation proves that Chris is not the man she wants in her life.

Everyone’s nervous. There are eight men left, three have roses + two will be going home. Chris Harrison comes in + tells them the cocktail party is canceled + that Becca will be coming soon for the rose ceremony. I love the way Garrett lights up when she comes in the room even though he’s so uncertain whether he’ll be sticking around. She tells the guys that if they don’t receive a rose, it doesn’t mean they’re not amazing. But it’s just their time to go. Tonight the three roses are going to Garrett, Blake + Wills. We’re saying goodbye to Connor + Lincoln. I’m bummed because Connor is so very cute. Lincoln is about as slimy as Colton. Bye! Next week they’re headed to the Bahamas. This is when it gets really serious. Are you ready? I mean I am, but Is it time for Paradise yet? I swear they edit the Bachelorette so poorly so we’re excited for Paradise. Well it’s working. Here’s hoping the petty drama is over but it’s “reality” TV so we know it’s not. Until then…

xo.