Who Won HOH & Who Was Evicted from BIG BROTHER?

Thanks God for Season 10 of BIG BROTHER.  After the gratuitous and poorly cast 9th season of the long standing reality show, I thought I was forever done with BIG BROTHER.  I was not quick to believe CBS when they said they were going back to the BIG BROTHER of yesteryear.  They promised no hidden relationships, no big secrets that would alter the game and I’m happy to report they delivered…for the most part.

In BIG BROTHER, the first half of the game is all about marking your territory.  There’s too many people to make any serious moves so you make some hasty decisions about aligning with perfect strangers and then make a big show of it when you feel you’ve been betrayed.  But as the number of houseguests dwindle, the game becomes all about strategy.  Floaters can’t float, and the weak are exposed.  The best of the best realize that no one can be trusted and it’s every man for himself.  The minute you let your guard down someone’s going to step in and take control of the game.  And sometimes, you realize that someone has been in control for longer than you are willing to admit.

In tonight’s semi-live episode, the houseguests went from 4 to 3 as another resident was booted out of Casa de Big Brother. It was a tough eviction for all sides.  Tough on the houseguest who was forced to leave with nothing after coming so far in the game.  And tough on Memphis, the houseguest with the only vote and sole power to evict tonight.  For better or worse, it was Memphis’ decision who left.

So who did we say goodbye to tonight, and who won Part I of this week’s 3-part HOH competition?  Find out after the break.

Fantasy Island?
Before we get to tonight’s vote can we chat for  just a moment about Dan’s luxury comp prize?  A helicopter ride to a private island that reeked of Survivor and lunch with Michelle?  Really?  I guess it was smart for Dan to take Michelle with him as he’ll need her vote if he makes it in the end.  Michelle is a strong player and I think she could influence Ollie and April.  But Michelle isn’t stupid, and I don’t doubt for one minute that she saw through Dan’s charade. He would have been better off if he never once asked about how the jury was leaning. I’m not sure if taking Michelle along helped him, but it did do a little to mend fences.

How the Vote Went Down…
This week’s HOH, Dan, nominated Jerry and co-Renegade member, Memphis, for eviction.  Memphis made a good showing of pretending to be pissed at Dan which gave both Jerry and Keesha a false sense of hope.  What they didn’t know was that they two guys were in cahoots and have been for quite some time now. No matter who won POV it was a win-win for the guys.

So when it came down to this week’s POV, it was a must win for both Keesha and Jerry.  But in the end The Renegades prevailed once again when Dan threw the competition in favor of Memphis.  Dan wanted Memphis to win so he could avoid the blood on his hands.

Dan the Man…
And here is where I now need to talk about Dan for a minute.  Like him or not, this kid can play the game.  I’d say strategically he’s up there with the best players ever to step into the BIG BROTHER house.  Granted some of his wins have been luck, but the kid knows when to hold and knows when to fold ’em.  He’s played to other’s emotions by playing the victim.  He knew when to appear weak and when it was necessary to step up his game. And throughout the game, despite being called out a few times for his strategic moves, he’s managed to manipulate the houseguests into liking him by subtly placing the the blame for his dirty deeds elsewhere. His play hasn’t been perfect, but if he is still left standing in the bottom two then he’s got a good shot at winning.

…and Memphis too
Kudos must also be given to Memphis for playing the game so well.  It was back in the first week in the house that Brian warned everyone to watch out for Memphis.  No one listened and now he’s in the Final Three.  Memphis certainly wasn’t as strategic as Dan, but he managed to find ways for others to do his dirty work for him keeping the attention of his game play for most of the time he’s been in the house.  I think Dan is a better player, but you gotta give Memphis credit for making it this far without any major missteps.

As for Jerry…yeah he sucks and  I will be so disappointed if he makes it into the final two. Jerry has had zero strategy in this game and only remains because the other house guests find him weak.  I just find him egotistical and annoying.  If either Dan or Memphis win HOH next week and opt to bring Jerry with them to the end I ma not be able to watch the finale out of sheer disgust.

Eviction Time…
Ok so as for tonight’s eviction.  Memphis and his one vote opted to evict Keesha from the BIG BROTHER house.  The news did not sit well with Keesha who figured out on Monday night that she would be evicted.  She chose to confront Dan and Memphis and when Memphis didn’t deny her accusations she went ape shit.  She felt betrayed – but come on…that’s the game.  Keesha’s outing was a huge win for Dan as she’s heading into the jury house harboring some ill will towards Memphis. If Dan makes it to the final two he can probably expect at least Keesha and Renny’s vote.

Whisper…Huh?
On Keesha’s way out, Dan whispered that he took Michelle with him as his guest to the private island as part of his luxury competition win.  I’m not sure what the point of that was, but I guess it may have been a plea to Keesha to work on getting Michelle’s important vote in the finals to swing Dan’s way.  He also gave her a rubber duck which he said had a secret message for her.  Later in her sit down with Julie, the duck was turned over and all it said was “Hot”.  Huh?  Any theories as to what that was all about?  I’m so confused. Oh and did anyone else notice that when the camera panned back inside Dan was yelling at Memphis and telling him he can’t believe he did that, and that there was no way he was taking him to the final two after that act?  Yeah, another bravo to Dan.  Keesha could hear all that and once again saw Dan coming to her defense.  But Memphis knew Dan was going to berate him in front of Jerry to keep the old man off the Renegade scent.  Once again a strategic move that pays off in Dan’s favor.

HOH: Part I…
Ok with Keesha gone, the guys prepare for the final HOH competition of BIG BROTHER 10.  When the live broadcast ended, the guys were perched up on tops of miniature airplanes with ropes held tightly in hand.  The ropes could be used to balance yourself on the plan as it moved all around.

GMMR reader Becca contacted me to let me know that after some time it was Jerry that was first to fall off the plane leaving Memphis & Dan to duke it out for the first HOH spot.  And just a short time after Jerry’s fall, it was Memphis that was next to go leaving Dan to win the first HOH competition. Memphis & Jerry will go head-to-head in Part II and the winner will face off against Dan in the final HOH comp.  This week’s HOH winner will automatically advance to the BIG BROTHER finals and he gets to choose who he is up against in the final two.

Clearly I spent way too much time thinking about (and writing) about BIG BROTHER tonight, but with only one more week until the winner is revealed, I thought now is as good a time as any.

God I really hoped some of you watched and have something to offer up in conversation.  If not, I’m going to feel Hella foolish!