Big Brother 4: Why Justin Lost

It would have been interesting to see how Big Brother 4 would have played out this season if Justin had been with the “original” group and Alison had been one of the “exes.” Justin was a strong player who had the unfortunate placement to be on the side that was immediately targeted by the majority. Oh, sure, that “majority” quickly faded, but the sides never changed – Erika and Jack on one side, Justin and the Stooges on the other. How different it all might have been if Justin had begun on the same side as Jack.

But we aren’t here to lament what might have been. Instead, let’s look at why Justin is now in the Jury House instead of the Big Brother house.

Justin was a part of every nomination and eviction other than the very first. He had teamed up with Jee early on and directed Jee in who to nominate when Jee was the second HOH. (Mind you, it was a bad decision and the Stooges were shocked, but the point is that Justin was behind it all.) He was the power behind the throne when Dana became HOH. He wasn’t exactly thrilled when Dana was targeted by Alison, but he managed to make sure Alison didn’t get rid of him or another Stooge. And then, of course, he won HOH himself.

The Original 8/7/6/2/whatever had targeted Justin early as a good player – too good to keep around. Dana, of course, defected and didn’t nominate him. Alison floated and didn’t nominate him. But it was only a matter of time. Justin and the Stooges had to keep winning HOH competitions or he was going to leave. It was just that simple. Eventually, a competition came around where Erika knew she had to win – and she did. Immediately, everybody knew that Justin’s time was up.

Justin made many friends while in the house. Last night, we heard over and over again about how he, Robert, and Jee will be friends forever. Jack was so impressed by him that he wants Justin to consider joining the FBI! Nathan had previously expressed friendship with Justin and admiration for his gameplay. But as Julie Chen asked, did he come to make friends or to win?

Justin was a tough competitor and knew how to be the power behind the throne – how to get people to do what he wanted. But there are other smart players in the house, too, and they know that the only way to win is to get rid of their best opposition. As Erika said in nominating Justin and Robert, she was there to break up alliances. And she was absolutely right to do it. Jun hit the nail on the head when she said that obvious alliances make you a target, secret ones get you somewhere. Justin had an incredibly obvious alliance. If they didn’t get rid of him when they did, he might have made it all the way.

What really sealed the deal is that Justin refused to sneak around and stab people in the back. He began with the exes and he ended with the exes. He wouldn’t make deals to turn on his Stooge cohorts. I don’t think he would have ever considered accepting the deal offered by Erika in the cage had his position been swapped with Jee’s. Sometimes, honesty is rewarded. But there is a point where sometimes you just have to get dirty. Justin wouldn’t do it. It speaks well of his character, but not so well of his ability to win.

In a way, then, it seems ironic. Justin was such a good player that he was targeted for eviction. Yet, in other ways, he wasn’t a good enough player to overcome that and backstab his way out of it.

So Justin gained himself some friends and the respect of many watching on TV. At the same time, he lost half a million dollars. He had to make the decision as to which was more important, and he went with staying loyal rather than doing all that was necessary to win. Whether you agree with his choice or not, that is why Justin lost.

Want to keep up with important events in the house? Check out our Big Brother 4 Spoiler Page for news on who wins contests and other ongoing info.

David Bloomberg is the Editor of RealityNewsOnline and can be reached at RNO@pobox.com.

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