August 27, 2008
Last night's episode of Big Brother was unique in that the editors didn't attempt to wring drama from what Dan might do with the replacement nomination. The focus was on how he would do it. Dan, from the very beginning of the episode, made it clear that he would not keep with his deal, and that he would be nominating Michelle if and when the Power of Veto was used. As the events progressed, Dan's major decision was already made, but an even more important one hung in the balance – how would he break the news to Ollie? Dan could have easily told Ollie beforehand in order to soften the blow, but he opted to make a bombastic, slightly arrogant speech. What Dan did was probably the best move he could have made.
August 26, 2008
Dan has become the star of Big Brother 10. After tonight's episode, there is absolutely no doubt about it. Whether it works or not, Dan is playing the game of Big Brother on an entirely different plane than the rest of the house. At times tonight, it felt like Dan wasn't even concerned with helping himself out in the game – he was just there to amuse himself and shuffle the other houseguests around like pawns in a lopsided chess game. He has become like Will Kirby, almost as devious as the good doctor, only less open about it. It would be a monumental tragedy if Dan were to somehow get evicted in the second of the two evictions Thursday. Even if you aren't rooting for him, he's sure fun to have around.
August 26, 2008
Is this the most important Power of Veto episode of the year? Probably. There is so much potential for Big Brother house combustion tonight that I can barely stand it. Dan and Ollie's deal will pop back into the fold in some way, shape or form, and the Memphis nomination will surely test the strength of the Dan-Keesha-Memphis-Renny alliance. Will Dan have second thoughts about his deal? I'm literally shaking with anticipation right now (although, I did just pound enough coffee to give a small child a seizure). The ultimate outcome of Big Brother 10 will be greatly affected by the events of tonight's episode. For all you west coasters who will be pre-empted by the Democratic National Convention tonight, just follow along with the live thoughts - it's pretty much exactly like watching the show, except I occasionally use big words.
August 26, 2008
Big Brother 10 provides us fans with an endless stream of discussion topics. Everyone has their favorite houseguests, the ones they absolutely despise, a prediction on how the season will play out, and their own very personal reason for disliking Julie Chen. Every single fan of Big Brother has opinions. In this way, Big Brother is different from most shows, even the popular reality ones. American Idol fans can take in episodes without holding strong opinions, and enjoy it merely for the singing and the spectacle. Survivor fandom is predicated on how CBS decides to edit each episode, and thus makes it much easier (and common) for fans to change opinions throughout the season. Dancing with the Stars is just plain goofy. With Big Brother, rabid fandom comes with the requirement to take hard-line stances, to root for houseguests with much gusto and to root against houseguests with strong vehemence.
August 25, 2008
I went on record earlier today saying that Dan will be vindicated for the deal he made with Ollie. Now, we have a much better idea if that will actually be the case. The Power of Veto competition and ceremony are over. Dan went out on a limb with the deal he made, and a lot of Big Brother fans were quick to call him stupid. Whether or not this is the case is up for debate, but at least it's fun to watch. Dan is playing a different game than any other Big Brother player ever. His tactics are peculiar. I'd argue their ingenious. The next month will give us a verdict. No matter what ultimately happens, I'm enjoying the Dan era on Big Brother.
VERY IMPORTANT AND SPOILERY POV SPOILERS BELOW!!!
August 25, 2008
Dan did not make a mistake last night. His deal with Ollie might just win him $500,000. Everyone out there saying that the deal was the worst in Big Brother history are looking at it with blinders. If looking at it in a one-week vacuum, then of course it was an awful deal for Dan. But that was the point. The biggest mistake Big Brother houseguests make is playing the game on a pure week-to-week basis, which often hurts their long-term game play. Dan is thinking long-term, and I suspect he'll be rewarded for it. Dan is showing a Will Kirby-esque talent for manipulating the rest of the Big Brother house. He is consciously sculpting the way others view him, and he's done so by feigning weakness. Last night's deal with Ollie gave Dan the Head of Household in a way that will cause the least resistance possible. It was quite a feat if viewed in the correct light.
August 24, 2008
Big Brother 10 just had its best episode of the season. Tonight's was my favorite episode of the season. There was a ton of gameplay, battles of wits, temptation, uncertainty and it ended with the most intriguing nominations we've seen thus far on this season of Big Brother. Not everyone will agree with me, and probably not everyone enjoyed the episode. It depends on how you feel about Dan. He's turned himself into a poor man's Will Kirby. Whether his intentions are exactly as he claims they are in the Diary Room is up for debate, but you have to give him one thing: he's playing the game. He's taking chances. We'll see over the next couple weeks if they work out or not.
August 24, 2008
We're getting to the stretch run here on Big Brother 10. The season has flown by mighty fast, and the final end game is beginning to crystallize. There is nothing set in stone, of course, bu the players have separated themselves from the floaters. At this point, I see no way Jerry or Michelle win this game. Weirdly, I think that Ollie has a fighting chance, even though his showmance April has been sent to the purgatory of sequester. Tonight brings us the finale of Thursday's endurance Head of Household competition. CBS loves the endurance HoH's, because it gives them up to fifteen minutes of filler at the beginning of the nominations episode. Expect the filler in full force tonight, as well as the new HoH's nominations. I'll be here for the entire episode, knee-capping the masses with my inane thoughts. Do enjoy.