Big Brother Season 17 Episode 3: A Week Of Pawns

By Mark Drum
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The game is on! We know who are two HOH are for the week, there is one more twist from Phil Keoghan from The Amazing Race for this week's "BB Take Over," the twin twist is still a mystery and it's still only the first week of Big Brother. There was a lot that happened on this episode, so without further ado here's a recap from last night's episode!

BB Take Over Goes Fast Forward

Once the dust settled from the second HOH competition, Phil Keoghan host of the Amazing Race teased that Da'Vonne and Vanessa took a risk and may be rewarded, but quickly said he'll reveal that at another day. Both Da'Vonne and Vanessa immediately get excited that they'll be receiving a positive reward, however I was surprised they didn't even think of the possibility of a punishment. It is however early in the game to start giving punishments, so their assumption of a positive reward would seem to be likely.

Finally after time passing in the Big Brother house, Phil came back and told the houseguests the last part of the Amazing Race BB Take Over. On the Amazing Race there is a power called, "Fast Forward," where a team can skip the "Detour," and/or "Roadblock," and immediately head to the next pit stop. Phil introduced the BB Fast Forward where Da'Vonne and Vanessa both were safe from nominations and eviction this week. The additional catch was both ladies must select a fellow houseguest to "fast forward," with them as well. Vanessa chose Austin because she expects him to win HOH possibly next week and hope by saving him, will give her safety. While Da'Vonne selected Liz and she promised Da'Vonne safety if she became HOH next week.

Alliances Crumbling & Forming

With Da'Vonne selecting Liz to be safe for the week, it made Shelli and Audrey question Da'Vonne's loyalty to their female alliance. Da'Vonne's reasoning was she didn't want to make a target on the alliance. Which makes zero sense due to the fact these houseguests have only been in the house for a few days. By not saving one of her alliance members has already questioned the foundation of the alliance and if Da'Vonne is really looking out for them or just for herself. We'll have to continue watching to see how this alliance turns out to be.

For the guys, it's apparent that "Shelltown," is in the house. The two-person alliance consisting of Jace and Austin is a pretty standard guy alliance. Think back to past seasons, Derek & Cody (Season 16), Will & Boogie (Season 2), Dan & Memphis (Season 10), these alliances go pretty far. However already forming such a noticeable bond in the house early on can make them an easy target. It was funny hearing about all the different #BroCodes Jace & Austin were coming up with. They are not the "Hitmen," or "Chilltown," but they are an alliance, so we'll have to see how far they go this season.

Asking for Pawns

With nominations coming up, the two reigning HOHs, James & Jason, discussed possible targets for the week. Both agreeing to go after a strong physical threat, however not giving that physical threat the opportunity to save themselves multiple times. The person they were targeting was Jace and to ensure this backdoor plan to work was both James and Jason needed to put up a bunch of pawns. With "pawns," however they can go home as oppose to the actual target, so it was pretty clear when James was trying to fish for volunteers nobody was taking his bait.

Jeff & Jackie, both felt they had huge targets on their backs, since they were part of the Amazing Race twist and have already competed in a reality tv competition. It was also interesting to see their dynamic with one another, as Jeff mentioned in his diary room confession, Jackie wanted more from their relationship they had bonded then Jeff wanted. But both were in agreement to do whatever they can to distance themselves and play the game. Which is smart for both of them because they're new to this game as the rest of the house so they really don't have too much of an advantage over the other houseguests.

In the end James ended up nominating Steve & Jackie, while Jason nominated Becky & John for eviction. Jason and James both assuring their nominations that none of them were the targets and a "bigger" target was being considered. None of the nominees really felt safe or comfortable hearing this and knew they each had to do their best in the Battle of the Block (BOB) to ensure their safety in the house for the week.

Becky & John dethrone Jason

For the BOB competition, houseguests had to create a tower with 26 blocks they transferred from one platform to another, while a beam is rotating and a wrecking ball slowing the houseguests. Jackie being a dance felt confident she has the perfect balance for this competition, however immediately after saying that we're shown Jackie quickly falling off. Steve, her partner and fellow nominee was having a difficult time getting across the beam. But being the engineering student used his brains to find a solution to his problem.

The competition was equally matched, going neck and neck. None of the nominated houseguests wanted to be nominated, let alone be told they were pawns. Though Steve made some great efforts to counter is lack of balance, winning the competition was Becky & John. Which meant Jason was dethroned and James remains in power. Leaving Steve and Jackie up for eviction.

My Prediction for POV

For James and Jason's plan to backdoor plan to work, either James, Jackie or Steve need to win the POV and Jace isn't selected to play in the competition. I predict that Steve will win the POV and show the houseguests he's here to play the game. This would be the best case for James because it won't look like he's just nominating Jace as a replacement but could be seen as a pawn to ensure Jackie be evicted. But Jace is a strong competitor and wouldn't be surprised if he's selected to play and win his safety for the week. Also have you figured out which houseguest is a part of the "Twin Twist?"

Tune in Wednesday 8pm on CBS Detroit 62 to see if my prediction is correct, if you can spot which houseguest has a twin and who wins the POV!

Mark Drum is a Farmington Hills, MI native and Big Brother fan since 2000. Mark is a graduate from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Theatre Arts.