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Big Brother Season 17 Episode 21 Recap: Don't Say The V Word

By Mark Drum
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Looks like those in the middle are starting to make some moves. But first we left the houseguests in the middle of an endurance competition to determine this week's HOH. Poor Shelli still lamenting over the eviction of her "ride or die," Clay leaving and now knowing she'll have to wait until the finale to see him again. That's because moving forward any houseguests evicted is a part of the jury to crown the winner. Who won the HOH this week? Let me recap for yesterday's episode.

Why Clay Got Evicted

For those who didn't have the live feeds may have been surprised that Clay was evicted from house when James made it adamant that he wanted Shelli to be leaving. There was a massive fight mere hours before the live show that seemed to have changed the minds of many of the houseguests. It was a war of words between John, Vanessa, James and Clay. John, who's been playing a very independent game, confided to James about his thoughts of Vanessa. Meanwhile Clay overheard the conversation and John then went to Clay to clear the air. Then Clay goes to Vanessa to tell her to talk to John to clear the air. It then resulted in Vanessa attacking John and James, which then lead to Clay attacking James. While this argument was going on many of the other houseguests were around in other rooms able to hear the argument happen.

So what exactly was the sparring of words? John said that Vanessa has been in Shelli's ear and has had her hand in getting Jeff, DaVonne and Jason all evicted. John mentions how Vanessa does her emotional act and how that is affecting her game. Which Clay and James believe, but Vanessa didn't because she could not believe that John could have thought that she was in Shelli's ear all by himself. Vanessa then goes on a witch-hunt for answers and this is how the war of words started. Could this have been why Clay was voted out? Absolutely because he couldn't keep his mouth shut and wanted to make sure Shelli would stay in the house over him. We'll see how he feels now that he's outside of the house. Here's hoping Shelli doesn't become like Gina Marie from season 15, where she creates a shrine and can't stop mentioning his name.

Becky Is In The Fast Lane

Back to the HOH competition, there were five clear front-runners for HOH. It was Becky, Jackie, Julia, Shelli and John. "Grandma Meg," and Austin were doing a great job at the end of the pack of trying not to fall during the competition. Steve was afraid of Becky winning the competition because he hasn't really formed a relationship with her in the game and he felt like he would be threatening her game. This was a first time in a while seeing a Steve DR and hearing his game strategy. It can only mean that he's becoming a part of the story line for this week and maybe he'll start playing the game more instead of being in the middle of the pack floating. He did get an odd segment with his random dancing and talking to himself because he "spaces out."

In the end, Becky not only won HOH but before she claimed victory also claimed the "never not," and $5000 prize. Keeping track of what she's won she's already got $10,000, plus can never be a "have not," the rest of the season and is this week's HOH. With Becky in power, we'll finally see where her true allegiance lies. Is it with the Sixth Sense alliance, the trio of James, Jackie and Meg or does she have her own agenda like John and Steve? The Sixth Sense alliance have their concern of Becky's loyalty and so this week will be telling of where her head is in the game. Becky wants to make it clear that she's not afraid of doing big moves.

Vanessa is the Real Target

In the HOH room, Becky spoke with Jackie, James and Meg about her plan for the week. She'll stick with what the house wants and go after Shelli to officially get rid of the power couple. Put Steve as the second nominee but her real target would be a backdoor situation. The real target being Vanessa because of what has transpired through the previous weeks and what had happened earlier to the live eviction episode this past week with Clay, James and John. Becky told them not to say the "V" word and assume that Shelli is the target. If there were to be a replacement nominee then it would be John. I'm impressed that Becky is finally playing this game instead of riding the middle of the pack, but the house can always change so we'll see if this plan follows through.

Speaking of she then tells Shelli of her plan, so she can build trust with her and I was shocked to see her do this because it would seem as though Shelli would immediately tell Vanessa. To my surprise Shelli didn't and it's starting to show some cracks in the sixth sense alliance. However Julia and Liz caught on that Vanessa might be a target because she did put Becky up for eviction. Vanessa even tried to make a deal with Becky but Becky immediately shot it down. Which caused Vanessa to question where Becky's game is. Vanessa's DR about Becky's game play only proves that if you're not in power you are clueless to what may be going on. Vanessa's game play is starting to show to many of the houseguests and her bluffs aren't getting bought.

Sticking with her plan Becky put up Shelli and Steve up for eviction. Her speeches for why each was nominated were well thought out. I could not take Steve seriously when he said Becky would be his target now that he exposed his game. Many of the houseguests know of his game play but are using it to their advantage to get ahead as well as string Steve along. Vanessa had a brief sigh of relief not being nominated but still unsure of her safety in the house.

Prediction For POV

For Becky's plan to backdoor Vanessa to work, she'll need to make sure she wins the POV and that Vanessa does not compete in the competition. If Vanessa does play and win she'll take off Shelli and ensure she cannot be nominated either. Really Shelli or Steve could win the POV too but I don't see either of them winning. I predict Becky will win the POV but will have to work hard to win it as I also predict Vanessa will get chosen to play. Tune in on Wednesday at 8pm on CBS Detroit 62 to see if my predictions are correct and if the POV will be used to save either Shelli or Steve.

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.

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