The tension level is rising, and spreading. Who is coping? Who is not? And where do they all go next? Factions are splintering and people are starting to turn on those who used to be their allies.
As shown in Tuesday's episode, the tension level in the house is on the rise, and spreading. Who's coping, who's not, and where to after this?
Personal note: I work graveyard shift and sleep days, which makes it hard to view live happenings in the house. My impression are based on the camera clips shown on Tuesday evening.
On the whole, it wouldn't be a whole lot of fun living in the Big Brother House right now. The house factions are in a cold war with occasional flare-ups, and nerves are frayed. Still, some cope better than others.
Coping the Best: Kent and Bunky
The odd couple's bond seems to make them the two least-stressed people in the house. The buddy system they have lets them spew out things to each other instead of keeping them in. A good example was Kent's pulling Bunky into the HoH room to find out "What's gotten up Hardy's ass?" Kent's tour of duty as Head of Household (HoH) certainly has helped in his coping (he's having far more fun than any of the others). Hoewever, he's always quick to say something and get it in the open instead of letting it stew and becoming a big thing later. Bunky benefits as well, having a buddy for moral support.
In the Middle: Chill Town plus Krista
With Mike and Krista up for nomination, and Will likely to lose his second close friend in as many weeks, this trio has been surprisingly calm. Part of it is probably that all three are resigned to their fates. Sure, they complain about it, but acceptance often calms people down. Mike and Will have the same kind of confiding friendship Kent and Bunky have, but Kent and Bunky aren't facing the worst case scenario these two are. Will is at least trying to lobby people on Mike's behalf, but Mike won't even make the effort. Mike, you should have learned something from Nicole. Her lobbying wasn't the only reason she stayed, but it didn't hurt. Oh, one more thing, Mike Boogie: Yes, you are one of the three primary stars of the show right now (Kent and Will being the other two). However, you are playing the villain, and, even then, you are nothing more than the Mini-Me to the resident Dr. Evil. The extras taking over from the stars? Then I guess when you are evicted, CBS is going to have to cancel the show, and America is going to have to cancel Chill Town Appreciation Day.
Coping the Worst: Nicole, Monica, and Hardy
I find it a bit strange that two Untouchables are in here. Objectively, if their alliance is intact, they are in strong positions to win the game. However, it appears that while they are friendly to each other, they don't have the kind of bond that Kent/Bunky and Will/Mike have. Perhaps there is even some sublime jealousy at these relationships.
Nicole, I thought you learned something from your first week in the house. You annoyed a lot of people, and were singled out for eviction my Mike because of that. Ever since then, you started doing things right. Your attitude changed, and you haven't been put up since. Part of this is because Chill Town managed to piss off everybody else, but on the whole you made the adjustment. You're starting to slip. Your beef with Monica seems petty and blown out of proportion. You’re starting to stress again, and you can get pretty ugly when that side of you comes out.
Monica, you've never been as annoying as Nicole was initially, but the house is wearing on you. The tiff between you and Nicole was out of proportion, and is probably the result of unvented house stress more than anything else. You won a small luxury item this week; close your eyes and use the (sigh) Michael Jackson beat to take yourself to fantasy world.
Hardy is losing his grip. Of course, he's been the target of more hatred and anger than anybody else in the house and lost some of his reserves much earlier. Shannon was a total bitch to him, and he hasn't had any down time to get over that week of Hell. Little things, such as Kent's asking big brother for "redneck food" in the private fridge, are rubbing him the wrong way. While he isn't the person I would have voted the phone call to, he probably needed it the most. I hope it gave him new resolve.
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