I Normally Like Big Brother, But I Absolutely Love Season 26. Here’s Why

I Normally Like Big Brother, But I Absolutely Love Season 26. Here's Why

As a die-hard fan of Big Brother for over a decade now, I must say that this season 26 has been quite the rollercoaster ride! The strategic gameplay we’ve seen so far reminds me of the old days when players like Derrick Levasseur set the bar high. However, unlike some Houseguests who thought they could emulate his strategy, it seems many are still learning the ropes.

With the jury proceedings now underway, it feels right to declare that Big Brother Season 26 stands out as the most exceptional season of the past decade for me. This season has consistently delivered in numerous ways, and I can’t help but feel like long-time fan Jocasta Odom from Season 16, finally receiving my due appreciation after years of dedicated fandom.

Viewers of Big Brother might have an inkling, while others may be intrigued to discover what makes this season unique compared to some more recent ones. For both the well-informed and those who wish to revisit past episodes with a Paramount+ subscription, here’s why I’m captivated by Season 26 of Big Brother.

I Normally Like Big Brother, But I Absolutely Love Season 26. Here's Why

The A.I. Arena Kept Houseguests Strategizing Until The Eviction

Initially, I wouldn’t have expected to be so enamored with the A.I. Arena at the start of the season, given my frequent experience with twists failing. However, once I witnessed its action and the continuous campaigning and strategizing it inspired among Houseguests up until the live show each week, I became an advocate for making it a permanent part of the game.

It turns out, Joseph Rodriguez, our house guest, surprisingly found the twist to be excellent, despite having some suggestions for improvement. On a personal note, I’m thrilled that the Houseguests were kept guessing until the last moment about who they were evicting, and the excitement that unfolds in such a short time between the competition and the vote is truly fascinating.

I Normally Like Big Brother, But I Absolutely Love Season 26. Here's Why

Houseguests Are Prioritizing Their Games Over The HOH’s Wishes

This season, fans have humorously commented on Quinn Martin having two Head of Household (HOH) reigns backfire, but it’s important to note that it wasn’t entirely his fault. Unlike previous seasons, the houseguests aren’t passively following the HOH’s lead; instead, they only collaborate with the HOH if it also benefits their individual game strategies. This has resulted in a record number of veto uses this season and every player frequently proposing changes to plans that better align with their personal goals.

There’s No Fear In Voting Against The House

In the reality TV show Big Brother, nobody enjoys being on the losing end of a vote, yet this season, housemates have consistently taken that risk anyway. Even when the vote was merely a formality in some weeks, there hasn’t been a single unanimous eviction thus far. What’s striking is that very few housemates have faced consequences for voting against the house, something I’ve always found strange. While it’s understandable to create tension among contestants, I’ve always thought that targeting the vote choice would lead to increased conformity in the future, which could be disadvantageous for housemates when they find themselves up for eviction.

There’s Drama, But Not The Problematic Kind Of Drama

In its 26th season, Big Brother seems to have steered clear of many controversial instances that fans might prefer to overlook. However, this season is far from peaceful and harmonious like Season 23. Instead, there’s a palpable tension among the housemates! Angela Murray kicked things off with her heated altercation with Matt Hardeman, and it seems like at least one Houseguest has engaged in a major dispute each week. It’s refreshing to witness conflict without resorting to offensive remarks or behavior that could lead to a contestant’s disqualification from the competition.

The Competition Equity Is Giving Everyone A Chance To Have Power In the Game

Over the last ten years, it’s been common for “Big Brother” competitions to favor younger, physically strong contestants. With good endurance and a muscular physique, many players could excel without much strategic social skills and reach the final stage by being dominating in challenges, or “comp beasts.” However, this season, Tucker Des Lauriers might fit that mold for Season 26, but we also have Angela and Kenney Kelley who, combined, have already won two Head of Household positions and one veto. Despite being the oldest housemates, they’ve managed to outshine their competition. This increased diversity in winners has resulted in less predictable results and some intriguing changes in the gameplay.

Houseguests Have Abandoned Popular Strategies That Past Houseguests Have Emulated

It wasn’t until I saw Season 16 of Big Brother for the first time that I came to understand the profound influence Derrick Levasseur had on the contemporary version of the game. His tactic of maintaining a low profile while allowing others to make moves that ultimately benefited him became a blueprint for many players who sought to replicate his approach. However, in Season 26, there are contestants who believed they were playing a similar game, but few have managed to do so effectively. To put it simply, most of the Houseguests are playing the game haphazardly, which has led to an abundance of drama and excitement, albeit at the expense of their own gameplay success.

Houseguests Are Actually Being Blindsided On Eviction Night

As a gamer in Big Brother Season 26, I can tell you that usually, players from previous seasons would let someone know they were going home before the live eviction as a common courtesy. But with the A.I. Arena in play, it wasn’t always beneficial to inform someone they were leaving if there was uncertainty about their fate after the A.I. Arena. This is what happened to Brooklyn Rivera when she tried to warn Rubina Bernabe, only to find out later that the eviction didn’t happen as planned. It ended up costing Brooklyn her spot in the game the following week. Surprises like these make for some amazing television, so let’s keep the blindsides coming!

No Majority Alliance Steamrolling The House

In Season 26, Quinn might not be given enough recognition for his role in challenging the notion that a dominant alliance can control the game. By betraying The Pentagon and Collective, he demonstrated to all Houseguests that they could break an alliance if they weren’t at its helm, and find opportunities elsewhere. This season, it seems trust levels are so low that no one really relies on more than a few individuals. This has added an exciting twist to the game and prevented the typical elimination of Houseguests outside the majority alliance each week.

My Only Complaint This Season? No Ability To Rewind The Live Feeds

If I had one criticism regarding the latest season of Big Brother, it’s that the updates made by Paramount+ have negatively impacted the live feed experience. Now, unlike in past seasons, we can no longer rewind to an earlier point within the live feeds.

If you reside in the Eastern timezone, you must depend on social media videos for updates about crucial discussions that occurred while you were asleep. This can be quite frustrating because it’s challenging to grasp the entire narrative of household events this season, and there’s often bias from the person sharing or the clip not providing the full context. We should be given the chance to replay the feeds at our convenience, as it doesn’t stop people from sharing clips in the first place.

Except for one minor issue, my excitement about watching Big Brother remains unchanged, airing on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. ET, and on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. ET. The second part of this season looks promising, but I’m a bit worried that expressing my enthusiasm might somehow jinx it.

2024-09-16 01:08