Big Brother 2: Alliances Rising, Alliances Falling
by Jeffrey Clinard
-- 07/10/2002
Chill Town is falling apart, but still mostly clueless. The Independents still don't seem to know about the Untouchables. But do the Untouchables still even exist with the Krista problem popping up? Handicapping this horserace is not easy task.
Before reading this article, you might want to check out my previous article on the three alliances. In this article, I talk about Chill Town, the Untouchables, and the Independents, all of whom were discussed in more detail in that previous article.
In the most recent episode of Big Brother 2, we see that Chill Town is as clueless as ever. Mike and Will think Kent owes Mike? Jeez, give me a break. I've respected Kent from day one, when he refused to get out of the car and ended up winning it. 1 hour, 39 minutes. Those Survivor 2 people froze for 10 hours, and the UK Survivors lasted over 23 hours on their perches for something much less tangible. Kent is really enjoying Head of Household (HoH) status far more than any of the others, and Mike's comments that Kent winning was an abomination just add to the evidence that Chill Town is completely clueless. Kent earned the position by winning the challenge, something Mike and Will can't seem to accept.
In David Bloomberg’s Episode 11 analysis, he noted that Kent is foolish to believe Will is sincere in their deal. On the other hand, if Kent had made up his mind to nominate Mike and Krista before he made the offer to Will, then the deal makes sense. If that is the case, Will was in no danger, and Kent could chance it that Will would live up to his word. Not a bad deal really, since there is only a 1 in 6 chance of Will getting HoH, and with the rest of them there is a 5 in 6 chance of him NOT winning and being put up. Much like Hardy's offer to Mike; Mike refused, but he wasn't put up. Hardy had everything to gain and nothing to lose by offering Mike the deal. At this point, however, we don’t know what was going through Kent’s mind – did he really believe Will or not? Maybe the Ouija board can tell us.
I really do believe that Kent will be evicted eventually, but I think most of us can respect him, even in eviction. I don't find any fault with him for being determined to win the SUV; in fact, I respect him for that. He's shown he can rise above his stereotype. His friendship with Bunky probably amazed both the house and the audience, but it's genuine. Like Richard and Rudy from Survivor 1, and even Nichole from BB2, Kent has realized it was he who must change, not the group.
Finally, we got to see for the first time Chill Town realizing they are doomed. Before, they talked about payback for Hardy and positions of power, but now they are finally beginning to realize that their political power is at an end (not that there was much to it to begin with – except in their own minds). Mike's childish war on Kent will backfire on him. Kent's response to Mike's remarks about being nominated were classy and sincere. Kent didn't make it personal; he expressed it as the perception of the house. If Mike does go to war with Kent, I hope Kent simply brushes it off and tells him to chill out. Kent can gain a lot of respect in the house (and the public) by not playing Mike's game. Mike will be seen as the sore loser, and Kent as the mature person in the house brushing off a child.
As far as the Krista nomination is concerned; it's probably a good strategic move. If Mike is tossed 4-1, then Kent will get knowledge about Krista’s position in the house (as will Bunky and Nicole). Kent has always been honest and upfront with people, and his reasons for nominating Krista seem sincere. Mike is almost certainly out, and with his nomination of Krista, he has gotten payback. It really might be a smart move; he's nominated a Chill Town person (who the house and public want out) and Krista, who had previously put him up. The next HoH (if not Will) will almost certainly put up Will and another person (if the Untouchables get HoH it will be Kent, Bunky, or Nicole; no telling who Bunky or Nicole will put up, except I'm almost certain Bunky will not put up Kent). Kent has given the most honest reasons for putting his nominations up. Mike tried to control the house with his selections, and it backfired. Krista was more honest, but never gave a good reason for nominating Kent. Hardy gave reasons, but not bluntly. Kent gave honest reasons, and he's also given the next HoH an out. The next can put up Will and another with no fear, unless they fall for his line about how he isn’t a threat and so they should go after somebody else.
Allow me to go on a bit of a tangent and take us back to Survivor 2 for a moment. After Jerri was tossed from the show, I expected the Kuchas to recruit Amber. Instead, they voted against her. It was a bad move, and it cost them. They could have won, but they failed to understand politics, and did exactly the opposite of what they should have done with Amber. Instead of bringing her in, they voted her out. One of them could have won, but, of course, they didn't. Tina won because she understood the game. Colby lost because he didn’t. On the whole, Tina deserved to win the game.
In BB2, an Untouchable member deserves to win, because they have figured out the game and made a quiet, secret alliance. Chill Town was a noisy, arrogant, and obnoxious team. No wonder the viewers, as well as the other houseguests, hated them. Chill Town had decided they werre "cooler" than the rest of the house. No dice; their attitude has annoyed the rest of the house, and the audience. No tears from us as they are whittled away. With Mike and Will out it could easily come down to the Untouchables verses the Independents. Since the Independents don’t even seem to know about the Untouchable alliance, they are at a distinct disadvantage. But a great deal hinges on what ends up happening with Krista. She could be the key to whether or not a member of the Untouchables does, indeed, win.
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