Well, there you have it, Big Brother 19 fans: the double eviction went according to plan. Paul, Christmas and Josh got their way…for the most part. It wasn’t exactly in the order they had wanted, but it stuck to their ideal elimination targets. Basically everything was planned out. That’s not to say this was a boring week. In fact, this was one of the best double evictions we’ve had in a while. Betrayals, blindsides, and genuine heartbreaking emotion filled the week – we’ve needed this excitement for a while now.
Paul’s control during the Big Brother 19 summer has been outstanding. It begs the question as to whether he’s that big of a master manipulator or if the other houseguests are simply too stupid to realize he’s controlling them. His manipulation over Jason and Alex in the first half of week #10 was the perfect example of this. Both Alex and Jason offered up to be pawns in the hopes of getting Kevin out, but there were SO MANY slip ups from Paul and the other houseguests that any mediocre player would’ve noticed they were properly warned. I mean, JOSH BROKE DOWN AND CRIED IN FRONT OF JASON! He essentially gave it away that someone was being betrayed on eviction night; Jason should’ve put two-and-two together.
I was impressed by Kevin for warning Jason. He didn’t need to tell Jason that the others were gunning for him and Alex; he could’ve been the target if he rubbed Paul the wrong way. Though, it reaffirms the thought above. I couldn’t believe that Jason and Alex dismissed his warning and they brought it up to Paul and the others. This was such a stupid move! Note to all future Big Brother houseguests: if anyone warns you that you might be the target, take their advice as a possibility. While chances are the opposition is lying or planting seeds, you should never feel safe to dismiss it. The game changes constantly and people are eliminated by sneaky plots.
Speaking of warnings, why does Christmas consistently dismiss Josh? Paul’s shady plan to backstab Jason with a tie vote only benefits him in the end, not Christmas and Josh. Sure, “Joshmas” can add it to their resume; however, the target is planted square on their backs. Josh’s intuition was sending out warning signs that smart players notice. There’s been a terrible trend all season where the strategic player in a pair is constantly shut down by their partner (i.e. Josh/Christmas, Jason/Alex, Jessica/Cody) – and it’s hurt them time and time again. Even though Josh and Christmas have a final two “ride or die” deal, I don’t think she truly respects him. She feels she’s in control and only wanting to go to the final three with her boys. Why not strive to win the game?! Half a million is so much better than second or third place.
The Tree of Temptation ended with a whimper and a good riddance. No one was ever willing to take an apple again, so the producers had to get rid of it. This idea will join other twists that failed to make an effective splash, like the BB Takeover and the Saboteur. We need more thought placed in these season twists. Sure, they make great TV, but the producers need to ask themselves if they are shaking up the game and what’s the outcome? We’ve already seen how a bad twist can ruin an entire season. (I’m looking at you, Paul and the Pendent of Protection.)
Jason getting blindsided was the cherry on the sundae this was the double eviction night. As evil as this sounds, I loved this moment! He and Alex did not expect it at all – he was flabbergasted that the house betrayed him. Though, I still don’t get why he didn’t say goodbye to Alex. If they were truly “ride or die” friends, he shouldn’t have doubted her, especially with Christmas being the one to send him out. Kudos to the Big Brother editors for choosing the goodbye video edits for him. They essentially blew up Paul’s game and now Jason has realized his “friend” Paul betrayed him. How is it they made the biggest move of the season in a long while?
Bobby Moynihan coming in to host the Power of Veto was a fun touch, but everyone choosing to throw the first Head of House competition took the cake. I can’t believe we witnessed this feat. Do these houseguests even want to win the season?! Someone should’ve noticed that Paul successfully orchestrated everyone to throw the challenge. This was a glaring, in-your-face move that showed his power. It was good TV, but Paul made very sloppy moves this week.
Raven getting the boot at the end of the double eviction is a head scratcher. Sure, she’s nice enough in the house and her story could be used in her plea for the jury; however, she had no real chance to win. She hasn’t won any of the challenges and the others were onto her lies. The person who will be faulted the most by her exit is Paul. She trusted him 100% and would’ve gladly helped him win the prize, so I found it odd that he voted and plotted her eviction. He’s keeping people around that could turn on him and who the jury might actually vote for in the end.
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The tenth week of Big Brother 19 offered us drama and excitement when the houseguests brought strategic manipulation back to the table. Sure, it was convoluted and it could’ve been spoiled multiple times with the slip-ups. However, the cast was oblivious to the moves being made around them, so nothing was prevented. Jason got blindsided, Raven was heartbroken, and people are starting to catch on to Paul’s game. If only someone would put two-and-two together, we might get the shocking confrontation we’ve waited a long time to see: Paul’s game being challenged.
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