The Bachelorette recap: The group heads to Richmond, VA, Chris’ behavior concerns Becca

On The Bachelorette, Becca and the remaining men head to Richmond, VA, or as I like to call it, “the last chance to ditch the dead weight before heading somewhere expensive and exotic.”

Virginia is for lovers, so it’s the perfect place for Becca to continue her journey to find love on The Bachelorette. Some may think this destination is a bit of a letdown after Park City and Vegas (producers actually have to use a graphic to clarify where VA is), but as someone who has actually been to Richmond, VA, I can say, it is a nice city.

The men continue to be overly excited by the sight of their hotel rooms. At least this week, viewers are spared the endless exclamations of “Vegas, Baby!”

It’s not as easy to come up with bad puns and metaphors in a place like Richmond, but that doesn’t stop Leo from trying, “Just like Virginia birthed the nation, I hope that it births a relationship that really lasts with Becca.”

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Chris knows he is hanging by a very thin thread, and this week is all about redemption for him. He’s really hoping for either a one-on-one or two-on-one date with Becca. The guys urge Chris to slow his roll and just try to make the most of whatever time he gets with Becca.

Lincoln warns Chris not to get his hopes up about receiving another one-on-one date at this point. This leads to some bickering, and Chris declares he hopes he gets a two-on-one with Lincoln because it would be an “easy road.” If Becca knew Lincoln liked to grope and assault women and take dumps on the floor, that would definitely be the case, but she doesn’t, and Lincoln is currently in better standing with Becs than Chris.

Their argument devolves into serious male posturing, each declaring they could easily kick the crap out of the other. Is it wrong that I wish one of these two would take a swing?

It’s Jason who gets the first one-on-one date on The Bachelorette. Since night one, Becca felt like Jason was a great guy, and she’s always really liked her time with him.

The twosome take a trolley tour, hitting such hot spots as a cemetery where Patrick Henry delivered his “Give me liberty, or give me death” line. It’s also where Edgar Allen Poe’s mother is buried. Now, that is hot.

They wind up making some sweet treats and end up attending “Unhappy Hour.” This event is geared toward those “who tend more towards the gothic realm of things.” They enjoy life through death. Again, hot.

As Becca and Jason find joy in the macabre, Colton and Leo discuss Chris’ unraveling. Colton thinks Chris has lost focus. He’s less interested in Becca than bringing other guys down. Colton fears Chris will ruin another cocktail party, and Leo’s convinced Chris won’t make it past this week.

Becca is blown away by the chemistry she feels with Jason, and she thinks he’s a great kisser (sorry, Arie, there’s a new kissing bandit in town).

Becca has a big surprise for Jason. A few of his friends are in town. Jason is blown away by how thoughtful Becca is for setting up this reunion (we all know this is the work of a producer and not Becca).

They split the group up, so Jason can sit at one table with a couple of his pals, and Becca knocks back a beer with two others. When asked by a friend if Becca is “the one,” Jason responds that Becca has everything he wants in a life partner. Everything is there for him to fall in love with her.

Becca grills Jason’s friends about what kind of partner he is, and they assure her that if she’s looking to get married, have a family and grow old with someone, Jason is her guy.

Day turns to night, and it’s time for Jason to open up. Jason talks about his grandmother’s battle with Alzheimer’s and recalls going to see her with his father. Jason’s father was so eager to see her, but his mother didn’t recognize him. Jason caught is father crying, and it taught him that you can’t take anything for granted. To Jason, family and friends are everything. Becca discusses her father’s illness and death, so she feels the same way Jason does about appreciating the relationships you have.

After all of this, Jason tells the camera that he’s falling in love with Becca. All it takes is a few hours and some heartfelt confessions to seal the deal on The Bachelorette. Becca gives Jason a rose. After their date, Becca can see herself saying “yes to a forever” with Jason.

Colton, Garrett, Wills, Connor, Blake, Lincoln and Chris get the group date card on The Bachelorette. It’s time for the guys to make some history. Becca and the boys are greeted by actors dressed as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Chris swears that he’s not going to worry about any of the other men and focus on making Becca the priority.

The men learn they will be debating each other to find out who is best suited to become Becca’s running mate (uh, oh, Garrett). This challenge is “Beccalection 2018.” The newly elected governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam, is on hand to ask the “candidates” some questions.

I’m not sure whoever came up with this date understands what a debate actually entails because the Governor asks Colton what his idea of the perfect date would be with Becca in the Commonwealth of Virginia. What’s worse is Colton’s answer. A trip to a dog park where they could grow their relationship. Hey,  you can’t be pretty and smart.

Poor Blake doesn’t get lobbed a softball. He has to discuss lessons he’s learned from past relationships. Again, this is not a debate. This is a Q&A. It’s more like The Dating Game without all of the sexual innuendos.

Things go off the rails when Lincoln takes a jab at Chris, pointing out that he’s never considered packing his bags and going home. Lincoln draws first blood.

When Chris Harrison asks Chris if he feels all of the men have been transparent and totally honest throughout the process, Chris insists he’s been real up to this point. However, he can’t say the same of all of his opponents (that’s an understatement). Becca can see where this is going, and she isn’t pleased.

Chris goes on to say Becca’s heart has been played with before, and there’s no reason it should happen again. The other men get a chance to respond (this is more like it), and Lincoln chimes in. Lincoln claims to not know who Chris is referring to (ya obviously do, or  you would keep your mouth shut) but makes it clear he’s not been dishonest.

Chris goes off, stating Lincoln is malicious and aggressive. The people in the crowd begin looking around trying to figure out if they’re being punked. Is this train wreck unfolding before them part of the script?

Chris goes on to rehash he and Lincoln’s earlier disagreement, during which Lincoln called Chris a “fat f@@k.” Chris used to weigh 300 pounds (a fact I either forgot or never knew), and he feels Lincoln degraded him. Chris swears to Becca everything he’s saying is true.

The debate ends, and Becca is over the stupid drama. She’s embarrassed the guys would air their dirty laundry in public. Becca’s determined to try to salvage the date and urges the men to put the day’s events behind them.

Lincoln pulls Becca aside first. Lincoln tells her how Chris is lashing out at not only him, but everyone. He doesn’t want to stay around Chris anymore because he’s scared and doesn’t know what Chris will do next.

Chris interrupts their time and wants to know how Becca is feeling. She tells him that Lincoln feels threatened, and that several of the other men don’t feel safe around him. They’re worried he could get physical. She brings up an incident where Connor allegedly asked to switch rooms because of Chris’ unpredictable emotional state.

Chris thinks she’s joking, and when she assures him she’s dead serious, he says he feels uncomfortable. So does Becca. She doesn’t live with the guys, so she only gets bits and pieces of information. So, when she hears things that raise a red flag, she’s going to ask about it.

Chris is hurt, and he swears whatever Becca is hearing is completely fabricated. They fail to come to any resolution because Garrett shows up wanting his time with Becca.

Once again, Becca is frustrated. She needs to take a time out. So, Garrett heads back to rejoin the group.

Chris confronts Connor about the room situation, and Connor has no idea where this accusation is coming from. Lincoln admits he’s the one who told this to Becca. Apparently, it never happened, and Connor’s upset his name is getting dragged into Chris and Lincoln’s drama.

Garrett doesn’t know what Chris said to Becca, but he makes it clear that whatever it was, it’s upset Becca. Garrett was all locked and loaded to open up, but she’s in a bad head state. Garrett wants Chris to get over his issues, since his behavior is affecting everyone else. Colton suggests both Chris and Lincoln get on a plane and head home.

Becca pulls herself together, determined to enjoy her time with the other guys as much as she can. Things go well with Garrett, Colton and Wills. Wills even admits he’s falling in love with her. Becca gives the rose to Colton.

Going into her one-on-one date with Leo, Becca doesn’t feel like her best self because she’s exhausted from the previous night. They hop on a plane to explore Virginia from the sky. Becca knows this should be a romantic moment, and she should be connecting with Leo, but she can’t get out of her own head.

Becca explains to Leo that she’s over all the BS, and she just wants to be able to enjoy her time with the guys. Leo reassures her there’s no pressure on this date.

The date goes on, and they shuck some oysters. After venting, Becca feels better, and she recognizes Leo is everything she would want in a partner right now. Leo is ready to give Becca his heart.

Becca is feeling a spark with Leo that wasn’t there the first night. They’ve gotten off to a slower start, so she’s ready to — say it with me — dig deeper. Leo’s got daddy issues. He’s always felt like he hasn’t managed to measure up. As a result, Leo never feels good enough. Becca gives Leo a rose.

Chris decides to go see Becca. He figures at this point, he’s got nowhere to go but up. He’s ready to fight for Becca. She’s surprised to see him, but she gives him a warm greeting.

Chris knows there have been a lot of distractions that have prevented them from moving their relationship forward, so he wants Becca to know that he can 100 percent see himself marrying at the end of all of this.

Becca’s curious about the drastic shift in Chris’ attitude. In Vegas, he was ready to go home, and now, he’s all set to get down on one knee. These two have already gone over this territory. He was upset and felt like she didn’t care. This relationship is so DOA. It’s time for Becca to call it.

Chris is combative, and Becca does a pretty good job of letting him know she’s done, but this guy can’t seem to take “Go to Hell” as an answer. Finally, after some more back and forth, Chris takes the hint. Becca offers to walk him out, and Chris wants no part of it, but Becca sees him as far as the door to her hotel (she locks it behind him).

Going into the rose ceremony, there are eight guys left and three have roses. Becca skips the cocktail party and gets down to business. Becca eliminates Lincoln and Connor.

Next on The Bachelorette, Becca and her guys head to the Bahamas.

Next: The Bachelorette recap: David and Jordan's big showdown

Who do you think is the frontrunner to win Becca’s heart? Does Chris have anger management issues? Who will make it to the hometown visits? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

The Bachelorette airs Mondays at 8/7c on ABC. Tune in to see who Becca eliminates next.