Since this season of Big Brother began, there was always an underlying sense of discomfort. For those who loved high school, hated it, fit in, didn’t belong, whatever the case was, I’m sure, for the most part, people don’t miss it. Or maybe that’s just me and some actually long for those good old days.
In the first week, as a viewer, it was apparent that, despite his geeky exterior, Ronnie was there to win. He played the houseguests like violins and I wasn’t sure if I should be cheering on the brain, who was so obviously a nerd in high school, or wishing him ill will.
I chose somewhere in the middle, quietly commending the unassuming gamer for his strategy, but knew that he was sealing his fate and would likely, barring a miracle, be evicted the next possible week.
In past seasons, whenever someone has been accused of something by another houseguest, it would just escalate into this convoluted nightmare where no one really knew the truth. So I absolutely loved when the players put the pieces together of who was playing them (ahem, Ronnie, of course) and decided to call him out on his lies as a group. There was no way he could get out of the hole he dug himself, escape their questions, their accusations, their demands. It was pretty awesome. As he pleaded the Fifth (he didn’t ‘fess up or lie, merely avoided), that only fired up the rest of the house. Especially Russell.
But that’s when I was reminded of the whole high school theme, and brought me back to my own teen days. As Russell bullied Ronnie, I thought back all those years ago (that’s right, ALL THOSE YEARS) when I would witness bullies harassing nerds. I actually wasn’t either in high school, but whenever I saw any kind of injustice, it would get me riled up. And, unlike some who would sit on the sidelines and watch those horrible acts happen, I would stick my nose in (in most cases, where they didn’t belong) and help the underdogs. I guess if I had to belong to a clique, I’d be hanging out with offbeats Lydia, Kevin and Casey. In any case, the smile was wiped off my face mighty quick as I watched Russell relentlessly intimidate Ronnie. And all I could think of was, “Why, Ronnie, why would you leave that brute in the house?” Dumbest. Move. Ever.
Because now Russ has all but ensured his safety for yet another week when he should’ve been gone. I should be talking to Russell today, not Laura. Instead, the populars have one remaining, the offbeats are still in full, the brains will be one down by this time, next week, and the athletes are going to continue thriving, and will take this game by storm.
With Jessie the Head of Household once again, a different Jessie than last season, who knows what will happen? It seems obvious that Ronnie would be put up, but desperate times call for desperate measures. If you need numbers, wouldn’t you toy with the idea of keeping Ronnie in since he no longer has any allies? If Russell doesn’t get involved, that may be a move Jessie would be all over. Or perhaps Russ will just browbeat the poor guy so the athletes get their way.
Thoughts? denette@tvguide.ca
Big Brother 11 airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT and Thursdays at 8 p.m ET/PT, Global/CBS.
VIDEO: Ronnie works the household
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