Big Brother 9, February 20: It’s Better to Remain Silent

Previously on Big Brother: Til Dumb Do You Part, Alex & Amanda won HoH, and nominated Ryan & Allison and Parker & Jen in an effort to separate true couple Ryan and Jen. Both game couples tried their best to claim the Power of Veto, but Matt & Natalie won instead, keeping the nominations intact. Meanwhile, Amanda told James & Chelsia about her father’s suicide by hanging. Then, she gossiped to Parker about James, which caused a great brouhaha.

The episode starts for real, and the Julie-bot reminds us how Ryan and Jen made a bad choice in spilling their relationship secret. Like we needed to know.

Now we get back to The People vs. Amanda. Amanda gossips to Joshuah about someone saying something, and he’s not enjoying it. No one else seems to care that Natalie may have massaged Parker with her... talents, or that Alex, her own partner, has been declined more times than a credit card. Natalie is especially annoyed by Amanda’s gossiping, especially since it could put her in trouble.

Natalie tells Chelsia and the other women about Amanda’s gossip, especially the part about James & Chelsia nominating Alex & Amanda and Matt & Natalie if they win HoH. Chelsia doesn’t like that one bit, so she confronts Amanda out at the hot tub. Amanda claims that she heard James say something, so Chelsia must remind her that she & James are a team, so they have to play as one.

Joshuah believes this is the best time to turn everyone against Amanda, so he blows up at her. He claims everyone hates Amanda, even her own partner, and calls her a “horseface,” all the while having fun with it. Joshuah swears that Amanda is going up if he wins HoH. He gets so riled up that Sharon (I think) has to escort him inside.

Amanda still doesn’t get why Chelsia is upset, since she never mentioned Chelsia. Alex reminds Amanda that James & Chelsia are one, and if one half is badmouthed, so is the other. Likewise, if everyone hates Amanda, then Alex feels the effects, too. Joshuah wants someone to give Amanda a halo. Chelsia adds, “Or a noose.” Ooh. Joshuah finishes, “Just like her dad.” Ooooooooooh.

Pretty much everyone felt this was too low of a blow, even for Amanda. Amanda breaks down and heads inside, where Allison tries to solace her. Amanda worries that Allison will be harassed for doing so. In the HoH bathroom, Amanda still feels the pain caused by Joshuah (and Chelsia, though no one brings this up). Jen (I think) advises her to ignore those who incite her father. If someone does try to push her buttons like that again, she must ride it out with a smile. Jen heads out, but Parker stays behind. Amanda asks him if she looks like a horse. Parker lets her know that he cares.

Is this show over yet?

With Ryan and Jen about to be separated, they have no choice but to turn on each other in order to stay in the house. Jen plays the first card by talking to Sheila about Ryan being a racist. Gosh, does anyone in this house have a working brain cell? Jen asks Sheila not to repeat that, which only confirms her idiocy.

Jen elaborates that she dated a black man once, and Ryan didn’t like it. Later, in one of the bedrooms, Ryan walks in on Allison and Sheila complaining about other stuff Jen said. Ryan proclaims that he will never talk smack about anybody. Sheila takes this as a cue to tell Ryan that if he goes, he has no idea what’s in store for him. After much hemming and hawing, Sheila finally spills the beans about the “racist” comment. Ryan is understandably livid.

Ryan confronts Jen outside, and Jen plays dumb about the comment. Ryan is so fed up that he doesn’t care if she goes home now. Jen can’t believe he would trust Sheila over his girlfriend. Excuse me while my brain explodes. Jen asks who said something about what. She wonders if it was Sheila and some “racist” thing. Oh, way to play stupid, stupid. Jen tries to explain her comments, which really doesn’t help.

Ryan finds Allison and Parker, and Allison lets him know that Jen was talking about the race issue in front of the mirror. Parker claims he’s not a racist, as does Ryan. Ryan likes Parker, and he’s ticked off at Jen. One second after Ryan quietly leaves the room, Jen storms in. She loudly chastises Sheila for relaying something Jen never said (which she actually said). Jen accuses Sheila of trying to break up the sweethearts. A repetitive fight ensues with Allison and Ryan joining in later. In the diary room, Allison realizes just how big of a liar Jen is, and how lucky she is to have Ryan love her so much.

Jen says her relationship with Ryan is the most important thing to her. Then why did you call him “racist” to Sheila? Anyway, the possibly former lovebirds gather alone for a one-to-one. Ryan thinks Jen is a bad person now. He’s angry about his girlfriend throwing him under the bus so badly. While it is part of the game to throw another nominee under the bus, I agree that Jen went way too far. Ryan assumes that Jen wants to win the game bad enough to damage their relationship. He’s had enough, but Jen doesn’t want him to leave yet. Jen continues to lie about her comments, but finishes with an “I love you.”

Is this show over yet?

Julie addresses the group, and boy are they annoying. Julie starts with Sheila, who has always detested her partner Adam. Sheila claims that she and Adam are truly a match made in heaven now. My sarcasm detector is shaking at alarming speeds. Adam reflects Sheila’s sentiments, though his words seem more believable.

Moving on to true couple (for now) Ryan and Jen, Julie reminds us that the two could be separated for as much as three months. Oh, God, I thought this was going to be a short season. Jen tells Ryan that she has no regrets about her play in the game. She went on the block for him, and she loves him with all of her heart. Ryan only says the same thing.

Julie notes that there was a lot of surprise after the Jen/Ryan relationship got leaked. She asks the whole group if anyone believes there is no other secret couple in the house. Only three people raise their hands. “Very interesting,” says Matt.

Time for everyone’s favorite part of the show, Diary Room Votes That Don’t Say Anything Useful. Before the DRVTDSAU, Julie says that if a couple disagrees on the eviction, they could risk eviction themselves. Matt & Natalie think of Parker & Jen as friends, especially Parker. Matt does acknowledge their lying, though believes Ryan & Allison’s gameplay has been stronger since the first day. James & Chelsia want to keen Parker & Jen for their own use, but also dislike them as bunkmates.

Now Julie gets to talk to HoH couple Alex & Amanda privately, and starts by asking if all is forgiven after the great fight. Amanda says two specific individuals have apologized multiple times, and she has forgiven them. That’s nice, but it still sounds like Amanda is completely innocent in the matter. Both members of the couple lost their father tragically, and Alex says he draws strength from him every day. When questioned about regretting the mention of her father’s death, Amanda tearfully claims she has no regrets, despite coming into the game not planning to share. When asked if they can still work together as a team, they both basically say yes.