BB14: Quitters Never WIn

Dear Future BB Hopefuls:

Here's the best advice I can give you:

1-If you're not willing to do everything you can to win this game, including lie when it counts (lying about your profession is stupid), manipulate, betray and fool, don't bother auditioning, because you will be used as fodder.
2-If you have never seen this show before or don't know how past winners have won, then you are just going to be their future pawns because the producers have turned this into Second Chance BB.
3-If you don't have the physical stamina to make it for at least 3 hours in a physical competition, or can't go faster than a drunken turtle on Xanax, then don't complain that people think you're dead weight in the game.
4- If you can't do simple math, or figure out a drawing that a 5 year has done, then maybe you should sit at home and watch those who can, like the rest of us.
5- If you have the memory of a moth, then expect to be swatted.
6-If you can't find 1 or 2 people with whom you can work, consistently and under the wire, don't call it an alliance.
7-If you can't entertain yourself and others (especially those watching your every move) or if you are so laid back you might as well be one of the props of the show, do us a favor and stay off the feeds.
8-If you have trust issues, childhood issues, emotional issues, self-confidence issues, Big Brother is not the place for you to get over them. You need to be able to roll with the punches and for goodness sake, do not air them out on the feeds. You will be crucified.
9-If you take on a "show personality" make it one that people will like and root for, or like to hate and root for. People don't root for vegetables, unless you happen to be stuck wearing one.
10-If your BB life is at stake, do NOT, I repeat do NOT, give up and accept your fate. Fight tooth and nail to stay in the game; because quitters never win and winners never quit.

Thank you. That is all.
Sincerely,
Genie Sea

Today, I won't be updating during the day, because Britney has accepted her fate and violated #10 on the list above. Tonight, there is every indication that it will be Endurance, so it will be a long night, and I will be updating then. So make sure to get your naps in, have beverages on hand to stay hydrated in whatever way you choose (wink wink) and snacks if you're a nervous eater; and, above all, make sure you've tucked in, walked, fed and pacified all the members of your household if they don't watch the feeds with you.

OK I lied.

9:54 AM: Britney is campaigning to Joe for his vote. She tells him she is a competitor, that she gave the last Endurance competition to Danielle. She stresses that Danielle is emotional and looks like Danielle is getting back with Dan. She adds that Ian is to be trusted and wants Frank out. Joe says that she should talk to Shane about it, that he doesn't want to vote for her if Shane doesn't. He informs her that Shane is using her comment about not wanting to take Danielle's chance way against her. She brings up the fact that Danielle has both Shane and Jenn on her side. Joe says her only hope is to flip Shane; and Brit adds Dan. Frank interrupts their conversation.

When he leaves, Britney continues. Danielle's head is not in the game. If she stays, Joe has no hope in getting to F3. Britney is close to Ian but there's a huge target on his back. Joe tells her he will see what he can do.

10:34 AM: Britney goes to find Dan in the Have Not Room and asks him to take some time today so they can talk privately. Dan agrees.

Hustle girl! Hustle! That's right! Don't give up!

12:47 PM: Joe brings Frank to storage to tell him he has his undying loyalty and will vote Brit out. Hum.

Well, unless she can persuade Dan and Shane to vote for her, enjoy Brit on the feeds while you can! See you in chat for the show and I will be updating the Endurance/Aftermath. :)

To my blog readers:

On Tuesday Sept. 4th, I am going back to work (I'm a high school teacher). That means that the times and format of my blogs will change til the end of this season. I will be doing recaps of the day, as well as commentary on the events in the late afternoon. :)

BB14:The Season of the Floppers

BB14 is the season of "alliances". At this point in the game, everyone has made an F2 agreement, an F3, 4, 5 agreement with everyone in the house. In other words, it's a big, spanking mess. I would go as far as to say, they have given the term alliance a new entry in the dictionary: alliance: the pretense of being on one's side when in reality plotting each other's demise, as long as it saves oneself. Actually, here's a new BB term: fakelliance.

Is there a true alliance anywhere in that house? The motto this season, more than any other, has been shank before getting shanked. This might be the greatest source of frustration among fans of the show. Who the heck do you root for? I've talked previously about the dilemma we face as viewers, namely the ability to separate humanity from the game; but is it possible to root for someone who has no loyalty to anyone in the game? Does this season only have floppers, making it a Flop?

Here's a list of F2 deals currently talked about or active in the game:

• Britney: Ian/Danielle (the latter doesn't even count as an alliance given the recent developments)
• Dan: Danielle/Frank
• Danielle: Britney/Dan/Jenn/Shane
• Frank: Dan/Jenn/Joe/Shane
• Ian: Britney

In addition to those alliances, there are larger alliances in play:

1. Dan, Ian, Shane, Danielle/Britney
2. Dan, Danielle, Frank, Jenn
3. Frank, Joe, Shane
4. Ian, Shane, Danielle

Assuming that Britney will be going Thursday, the numbers game puts Frank and Danielle at the top of alliance safety and Ian at the bottom, meaning Ian is at greatest risk. However, if we look at the history of those alliances. which are the strongest? Danielle and Dan, as well as Danielle and Shane have had the longest standing alliances, but are they true alliances given the other F2 deals in play?

• Depending on who wins HoH next, the targets are as follows from most to least: Ian, Frank, Dan, Shane, Danielle, Jenn and finally Joe. 
• According to numbers, the level of danger is as follows, from most to least: Ian, Jenn, Joe, Dan, Shane, Danielle and Frank. 
• The order of top competitors this season has been, from most to least: Frank, Shane, Danielle, Ian, Jenn, Dan and Joe.  

As it stands, unless Ian or Dan win the upcoming HoH/PoV competitions, they will be chopped; and since Frank has given up the ability to compete in next week's HoH, he needs to win PoVs to save himself.  At any rate, the safest people in the house are Shane, Danielle, Jenn and Joe, in that order.

UPDATE:
They are already on lock down, been so since 4:30 am, PST. It's looking good for Endurance.

Best line of the Season:
7:56ish PM: Britney (about pistachios): "I like to suck on these." BB Voice: "That's what she said."

Stay tuned! :)

BB14: MMA Introduces Hurricane Britney Haynes

I take an afternoon off and find this waiting for me. 2:30 pm PST: Britney vs Ted...

Then she took out her frustration out on Dan, the real cause of her issues.

Teddy got one shot in, but like good sports, they made up in the end...

Then they kiss and make-up.

Oh and on a game level, looks like Joe, Frank and Shane made an F3 deal (yeah, okay) and it looks like Britney will be leaving Thursday. Ian and Shane talk around 6:23 pm, agreeing that they will work with Dan to get rid of Frank.

7:21 PM: Britney gets into it with Danielle. Britney calls her out about not being there for her and not talking to her. They are basically airing out their frustrations about being on the block together and having to campaign against each other. It's a stupid fight that is inevitable for two people who have been close in the game and now are at odds.

8:55 PM: Ian implies that Britney doesn't have the votes, even though he will be voting for her. She wants Ian to stay strong, get Frank out and win the game. She thanks him for telling her.

9:05 PM: Britney goes to Danielle that Ian told her that Danielle is staying. She wishes her good luck.

Stay tuned! :)

BB 14: Pawns Are People Too

This is my dilemma with Big Brother: it's a game of strategy and unwitting your opponents; it's often a cut-throat game, one that requires a single-minded commitment to do anything you can to win. On the other hand, it's a game where you have to use people as allies and pawns, sacrifice or support them. The part of me that enjoys watching strategy, appreciates the big moves and unexpected game play. The empathetic part of me, does not enjoy when people are emotionally devastated by any part of the game's maneuvers.

There are very few people I have encountered in whom I cannot find a single redeeming or likable quality. I can safely say that at certain points in this season, I have liked and empathized with each of the house guests, even those who have taken on the roles of villains, even those who have displayed personality traits that don't jive with me. There are certainly people in the game with whom I can relate more or understand better because of who I am and what I have experienced, but there has not been anyone this season that I have despised as a person. I have despised some of the things that have been said, cruel things, personal attacks, mean behavior that has nothing to do with the game; but on the whole, I remind myself that they are people with highs and lows, weaknesses and strengths.

My dilemma right now is being manifested by two players whose words and actions I have liked and hated in the past; two players who have made me laugh, cry, sigh, and groan in frustration; two players that I have rooted for and wanted gone this season: Dan and Britney.

Dan is the master strategist who knows how to play and win a human chess game like this. He is also a naturally caring person who has a genuine interest in people. His struggle in BB has been between doing what it takes to make it to the end, and feeling guilt for the things he's done to others in the game. I admire him greatly for his ability and resourcefulness, but also for his understanding that certain unsavory things must happen in order to advance in a situation like this.

Britney has been vocal about Dan's "betrayal" but is it really? If the QP were a strong alliance, why would Britney force Ian to put Frank and Ashley on the block while pulling Frank in the storage room to make a deal with him? If the QP were a strong alliance, why did they not work together during the Pandora Box challenge and devise a strategy to keep the two who would be on the block safe? Ian was clearly intent on getting this power for himself, making Dan not trust him and push harder to win. If the QP were a strong alliance, why wouldn't Ian and Danielle work their connection to Jenn to get her away from Frank and use the Veto? Instead, they accepted Dan's demise and planned the future in the game without him. Really, what choice did Dan have?

That being said, it gives me no pleasure in the way he demolished an already over-sensitive and fragile Danielle during his "game funeral" in order to make an impact on his intended audience (Frank). I understand his reasoning from a game perspective. By doing this, Danielle got the whole house and the fans to side with her and feel sorry for this young woman on a human level, which is quite an achievement, given that she's been the target of ridicule this whole season. He's told her on several occasions that he's done this to get her to the end; and I believe him. Dan loves this game and every aspect of it. I don't think his endgame is necessarily to win the big prize, but to get to the end with Danielle by his side. I could be proven wrong and the circumstances might not favor this outcome, but this is my strong hunch based on the things he's said to Dani.

It really all depends on whether Danielle will survive this week; and the one person standing in her way is her closest friend in the house: Britney who represents the other side of my dilemma. There are many things I really like about Britney. She could be someone I would love to hang out with. I enjoy her humor when it's not blood-thirsty and mean. I enjoy her interactions with people and her genuine caring for others like Ian, Danielle and Shane. The problem is, though she is very intelligent and perceptive, she lacks the objectivity to follow through on a well-thought out strategy.

She can read the signs and see what others might not be able to, but she lacks the finesse to apply that knowledge in a way that is beneficial to her. This is the reason she caused Willie to spiral out of control by feeding into his paranoia, telling him, prematurely, that the coaches were coming into the game and that the "whole house is against him". There was no reason to give him this information at that point in the game. He was HoH. They had the power; and knowledge that others don't have is even more power. Had she kept her mouth shut, he would not have picked a fight with Frank; Janelle would not have dug her heels in about evicting him; and Willie ultimately would not have gone down in BB flames.

This is why she is in this position today, not because of Dan's "betrayal" which is laughable really. Dan only did what he had to do, to get himself off the block, the target off his back and his closest ally, Danielle, safe. During the roller coaster ride of emotions she took yesterday, she ranted about Dan to the whole house, behind his back, then apologized to him; this was followed by more rants against him, in an attempt to discredit him with everyone, followed by another apology. She was reacting to the situation emotionally, not as a strategist.

The one thing that struck me though was during one of her conversations with Danielle, Britney expressed her own dilemma. She needs to fight to stay in the game, because she failed to do so in season 12, but at the same time she does not want to take Danielle's first and possibly only chance at winning the game. Yet, she continued to campaign to Joe and Shane to keep her. Joe jumped on that band wagon quickly, but Shane has not, voicing his dilemma: Britney helps his social game (and he really needs help there) but Danielle is a competitor who advances his chances of making it to the end.

Shane is the swing vote this week. What will he do? He is highly impressionable, indecisive and not very intuitive. His competition performance is really the only reason he is still in the game; but that too has put a huge target between his shoulder blades. He will need Danielle to ensure that he makes it farther otherwise, he will be the first or second gone next, depending on how things shake out in the house.

1:32 PM: For those of you craving the feeds. Here's what you're missing.

Nothing. Shane and Danielle are sleeping. Britney just finished a half hour "funny" rant about Dan. Joe is fired up, saying he will turn evil. (???)

Britney goes inside to get something to eat, sits at the table with Dan and comments that the awkward level has peeked, that she's sitting at the table conversing with the guy that got her put on the block.

Frank goes into the Kicks Room where Danielle is alone to reassure her that he's working on the votes and not to worry.

Carrot has the HoH camera.

Stay tuned! :)

BB14: If It Quacks Like a Duck

At 11:30 AM PST, the feeds went to trivia, signalling the beginning of the PoV Ceremony. The plan devised by Dan and Frank and agreed to by Jenn and Danielle is to have Jenn use the Veto, take Dan down, and Frank will replace him with Britney.

The question is, when can Ian use this veto and for how long is it valid? We shall see! I will be updating the results and aftermath here! For the important events leading up to the ceremony, check out the previous post!

12:35 PM: Feeds back. Britney has been nominated. Frank is putting Ian on blast. Britney says that she's obviously going home to get back at Ian. It escalates to the point where Frank tells Ian to get the eff out.

Britney joins Dan in the Arcade Room to ask him if she's the target. Dan says he doesn't know. Britney says that he's being so cold. At the same time, Frank and Jenn are working on Shane. Britney then goes to HoH. Shane leaves. Frank tells her that she's in this position because she was working against him this whole time while pretending to be with him.

Britney breaks down. She says she wants to fight to stay here; if she can stay, she will work with them. Meanwhile, Shane confirms to Danielle that he will be voting Britney out. Britney is very emotional, saying her Jury vote will be also based on how people treat each other. She's hurt that Dan didn't even look at her when she asked him earlier. At the same time, Ian is HEATED, he wants that "mofo" (Frank) out of the game in the next two weeks. He vows revenge.

Joe pulls Shane into the Kicks Room, saying he's not sure he can trust Ian. This is a tune he's been singing for weeks. Shane pretends to Joe that he doesn't know which way to vote. Joe says it's his decision but he will vote with him. Frank and Dan confer briefly exchanging conversations with Britney.

12:57 PM: Ian and Frank get into a screaming match. Ian says he doesn't get what he's doing. Frank calls him sneaky, saying it was easy to for him to get rid of Mike. Ian gives as good as he gets. They each air out a whole season of grievances on both sides. F bombs everywhere. Ian tells him that he was going to work with him but now he's out. For those of you worrying about Ian, don't. The kid can sure put the loudest talker on BLAST!

1:07 PM: While Britney is inconsolable in the living room and Frank is explaining what's happened to Joe in the Arcade Room, Dan sees sky writing outside... "We ♥ Britney/Dani." (not sure which)  And Button Boy intervenes.

1:13 PM: This has nothing to do with game, but it is heartbreaking. Britney tells her not to trust Jenn, to keep Shane and Ian close. She emphasizes that Danielle can beat Dan at anything, that she needs to study every day.

1:19 PM: Dan and Shane connect. Shane says that he's with Dan and hopes he can trust him. Dan says he meant everything he said about Shane in his speech. Shane says he's in a difficult situation but he will roll with the plan. Dan says it's too bad Britney is going to pay for what Ian did, adding that he refused to own up to what he did. Shane is worried that Dan has an agreement with Frank. Dan says thet will talk later, more privately.

Britney, ever the funny one, starts cracking jokes, saying she didn't want to pull a Janelle, but could they have at least told her to fix her hair? She says she looks "like a blow fish that was kicked in the face." She tells her husband and family to calm down, that she will be fine. Meanwhile Dan goes upstairs and he gives Jenn a hug. They catch up on what's been told to Shane (namely Dan is still the target but Ian is first.)

1:29 PM: Britney joins Ian outside. He tells her that he plan is for them to go after Frank immediately. He says she has his vote and that she should stay in the house since Frank wants her gone. Meanwhile Shane and Danielle are talking how they can't trust Dan or Frank and certainly cannot beat them in the end. Dan comes in to see if Danielle is okay and she's short with him. When he leaves she asks why he's being nice to her all of a sudden. Concurrently, Joe promises his vote to Britney, after he promised her would vote the way Shane would. Imma call Joe, Stir-fry from now on.

1:36 PM: Dan finds Danielle alone and says "Told you I would get you to the end. You have the least target in the house right now." She smiles and leaves.

1:40 PM: After Frank attempts to bait Ian who doesn't take the bait, everything  settles in the house, for now. Most of them are laying out in the sun and Ian is rocking the hammock and the Guiness...

1:50 PM: Dan and Danielle find themselves alone. Dan asks if she's upset that Britney is leaving and she replies yes but it's not me. Dan says that it's good she's acting upset with him, that the others won't know they are still working together. He tells her, he's open book with her and will remain so throughout the game. He asks her if she's 100% sure she has Shane's vote. She says yes. He gets her a a nice cold beverage with ice.

4:01 PM: Nothing much new to report except Britney has gone from sadness, to a sense of betray (because Dan wouldn't just shut up and allow himself to be booted out of the house), to now anger. Britney is going through the 5 Stages of  Blindside Eviction.

6:09 PM: Britney reaches acceptance. She realizes that Dan did not do this to go against him; that it was a game move and a smart one at that. She acknowledges that she made mistakes and tried to make too many moves that brought her here. She's crying. Dan says that he genuinely likes her and that everything he's said to her, on a personal level, are true. Britney says that she doesn't want to give up but she doesn't want to take away Danielle's one shot at it. She came into the game as a coach and wants to stay that way. Dan says that this shows what a type of person she is, one with integrity, unlike him who has done things he knows he will regret. He boosts her flagging confidence by saying that she outlasted Janelle and Mike. She apologizes to Dan for the things she said about him earlier and he says that he wished he heard it, knowing that it was probably very funny.

I will update any new or important developments, otherwise, it's break time!

Stay tuned! :)

BB14: Operation Samurai Ninja Warrior Engage

7:50 PM: Dan begins his house meeting by thanking everyone for attending his BB funeral. He says he knows that he is leaving Thursday but that he needs to say something to each of them.

"Number one rule no crying… The last 24 hours have been really tough.. If anything I’m going to have fun.. I’m welcoming you all to my big brother funeral.. I’m going to put you all at ease… Unlike a typical funeral I’m going to say nice things about you...

Chef Joe:  We started on different sides. You have taught me how to be a good husband and father. One of the best things about you is: you are a 41 year old kid; and I’m a 27 year old kid

Shane: You are walking and living proof there is an actual Captain America. You are such a good dude. You are the type of guy I want to date my sister. When you get out of here, there will be a girl for you and she’ll be the right one.

Jenn: You are the first lesbian I have ever meet. When I saw someone like you with tattoos, I had certain prejudices. You allowed me to wipe away all my prejudices.  Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. You cannot understand how much you’ve touched me. You have opened my eyes to a lot of things...

Britney: You were trusting of me and I was trusting of you. All I knew about you was the stink eye and epic diary rooms.. I know regardless of what happens that you and I will always have this bond, being newlyweds in this show.

Last three are going to be a little bit tougher...

Ian: When I first saw you in this game I thought you were evil guy. Everyone knows there is not a bad bone in your body. The more I am around you, the more I know we think the same. You are here to have fun and for the experience; so am I. The thing I want you to promise me when I’m gone, you cannot beat yourself up. You are a smart, bright kid.

Frank: We started off this game close we had so much in common, videogames, TV shows and your passion for this show. Your story about getting on Big Brother is inspirational. There are a couple things I said about you in the diary room that I am not proud; I want to clear it up with you in private. In this game, you’ll always be my arch enemy but as a past winner, I’m saying I’m proud of you.

Danielle please do me one favor in this game.. Don't insult me by talking game with me because I know you all want me out.. If you come to me to talk game I’ll scream your name out. Danielle, the last time I played this game I knew I had one person that I had to give 100% trust to; that was Memphis Garrett.. I saw you, day one, standing there; I thought I could trust you. I thought if I picked you would have similar qualities to Memphis. I was wrong. You know what you did. You are dead to me in this game."

8:06 PM: He ends the meeting, hugs each of them including the absolutely devastated Danielle; and goes upstairs with Frank. They lock the door. Dan has brought the bible up to swear that everything he is about to tell Frank is the truth: Here are the bullet points.

1-He reveals the Quack Pack and Ian's role in it.
2-He reveals that Ian is the mole and repeats Ian's conversation with Mike.
3-He reveals the double veto strategy should Britney or Shane have won the Veto.
4-He tells Frank that Shane is not 100% with Britney.

The more Dan talks, the more visibly Frank is swayed. They start using words like "we". Dan says that he wants to stay in the game and work with Frank, pull Danielle and Jenn and roll the two of them to F2. Frank is convinced.  He even suggest a name for the two of them Chillgade. Frank agrees to talk to Jenn and get her to use the vote, so he will put Britney on the block. Dan says he will talk to Danielle and explain that he did this to keep her safe.

9:10 PM: Dan goes downstairs to get Danielle who is still very upset.

After getting past that the words he used "You are dead to me in the game," did not mean she is dead to him in life. She is still emotional but he calms her down. He explains to her why he did that to her, that he needed her reaction to be genuine and he needed to give her the house's sympathy. He explains that he is still trying to keep both of them safe.

Slowly, Danielle comes around. Dan gives her the details of his discussion with Frank, explaining that it hinges on Jenn using the veto. She asks who would be put up in his place. Dan doesn't answer. She asks, "Shane? Britney?"

She is still a bit upset on a human level. She tells him that everyone is upset with him; and Dan says he's okay with that. They hug. They agree to play it like they are okay but estranged. Meanwhile, the HoH has been flooded with nervous peeps but Frank gives them a BS story.

9:56 PM: Frank tells Jenn the plan to use the veto and put Britney up and out. He gives Jenn a rundown of all of Britney's lies and deceits, uncovering that Ian has been the mole. He tells her that they will work with Danielle and Dan for the rest of the game. Jenn is reluctant but agrees to do it.

10:08 PM: Frank finds Danielle alone in the Arcade Room, and they quickly confirm that they are down with this new plan.

10:11 PM: Danielle joins Jenn upstairs. Jenn says, "Are you ready to do this?" Danielle answers, "Heck, yeah!"

Mission accomplished. If this plan goes through, in Jenn's words "Dan pulled the rabbit out of his ass." Yes, and that's how you stay in the game.

11:01 PM: Jenn and Dan have a moment alone. Jenn gets the reassurance she needs from him; and the plan is on.

11:21 PM: If I survive the next 12 hours... I'll be off the block and working with Frank.

A moment later, he sees Frank, taking the opportunity for a quick pow wow. They reaffirm their deal. Dan says they need to come up with an explanation about why he put up Brit, so their agreement isn't exposed. Frank says he will take a shower and think about it.

1:11 PM: Jenn and Dan have more of an opportunity to talk in detail about this plan. The two main focuses of this conversation: What they will say during the ceremony and Dan's promise to have Jenn's back for the rest of the game.

Frank is going to pretend he's surprised, saying that first Ian went against him, now Jenn and as a result, he will put up one of Jenn's closest allies, Britney. Jenn wants Dan to say there is a rat in his plea speech. Jenn asks Dan that he tell her if she's in trouble. Dan tells her he will try to save her over others because what she's doing for him is more than just a vote; she's saving him. This will be a hard sell. The others will have a hard time understanding why Jenn took Dan not Danielle off the block. This might backfire on Danielle and cause her to be evicted over Britney; but at this point, it's hard to predict what will happen.

1:20 AM: Dan and Frank reconnect in HoH. Dan says that the game was played at this level (he gestures low with his hand) and now it's being played at this level (he reaches his hand high). They confirm that speeches for today; then talk moves to Shane. Dan says that Shane is not as close to Britney as they think. Frank plans on talking to Shane and emphasizing that Britney has multiple alliances,,, with the closest one being with Ian. Talk moves to Joe and his suspicions. Frank will talk to him before the nominations to tell him that he needs Joe to vote the way he wants. They, finally start brainstorming about names for their alliance.

It looks like a wrap. All four have affirmed and reaffirmed with each other that it's a go. The PoV ceremony is set to happen at around 11 am PST today. Then more heads will roll. Bottom line, after that, it's all about securing the third vote.

***I will be opening a new post after the PoV Ceremony.

Stay tuned! :)

BB14: Chum Baths and Chump Moves

Here's the situation in the game right now. Jenn has won PoV (maybe they should have put her on the block earlier in the season) and, as of now, is not planning on using it. The target for eviction is still Dan who is stuck in Raver's Solitary for the rest of the day today. His so-called allies, meanwhile, have given up on him, cutting their ties (on a game level) and accepting his demise. In order for Dan to have any hope of staying this week, he has to drastically change his game, and shank his alliance. He has the ammunition: Ian's betrayal of Mike and Frank, Britney's pushing for Frank's eviction and Shane's targeting Frank in both his HoHs. The only way Dan can make it in this game is to somewhat change his game play and get out of chill-mode and into full-blown Ninja Warrior mode.

Though AGP put in place some safety nets for the vets this season and last, the vest face an uphill battle because their game play is known, has been discussed and can be used against them. In order to override that, they need to change it and go against the flow of expectation. This is why Rachel was able to not only stay in the game, against all odds and despite her lingering reputation, but to win it. Last year was not only a year of personal redemption for Rachel; it was a redemption of her as a BB player. She kept her fierceness in competitions but also learned from her past mistakes and changed her social game as well.

This is something that Britney is doing this year. Despite the fact that she is a vet, the target on her back has not been as great. She's been able to use her mad social skills to forge relationships with everyone in the house, allowing her to somewhat shake off the vet stigma. If she can throw a couple of competition wins under her belt, she has a chance at redemption too this season. She's gotten close in a couple of competitions and stands a great chance in winning an Endurance competition. If she can ride the males' tendency to go after one another and keep the other two girls in the game close, she has a chance of making it to the end.

On a human level, it's really rough to witness such a lack of loyalty and gratitude in the house. Dan completely took the heat for the Quack Pack, especially Ian, last week thus making himself a huge target this week. Frank is under the misapprehension that Dan is solely responsible not only for Mike's eviction but in forcing Ian to nominate Frank and Ashley during the D.E. last Thursday. Ian, at least, owes Dan a fighting chance by working on Jenn to use the veto. Instead he along with the rest of the Quack Pack have accepted that Dan will be the first casualty, not even trying to put up a fight. That's quite the chump move. It's what's best for their game for sure, but it makes me sour towards them, just a little bit.

Here's some chum bath, just for the hell of it.. (The list of punishments are in the previous post.) Dan is expected to be released from solitary around 6 pm PST. I'm looking forward to his conversation with Frank. The rest is moot. Everyone in the house, sadly, eagerly or thankfully, expects that Dan will be evicted Thursday. Hey, AGP? How about a FF this week? Just sayin'

4:24 PM: Dan is free! Now watching for his talk with Frank... A little later he goes to the Arcade Room and lies down with a towel on his head... He's pretending to be sick. He lifts the towel, smiles and winks at the camera.

Stay tuned! :)