Big Brother Season 17 Episode 15 Recap: A Fork In The Road

By Mark Drum
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The Sixth Sense alliance looks to be crumbling and a "Dark Moon," alliance has formed. But first, Jackie and Vanessa were crowned this week's HOH. Only one would remain in power by the end of last night's episode and the goal was for one to have all the blood on their hands. Meanwhile will we see John get nominated for another week, or would he get a reprieve? Here's my recap of yesterday's episode.

It Has A Name

Hours before the live eviction, Austin thought it would be a great idea to pull Jason in on the "twin twist," and hopefully work to deflect the target from Liz and Julia. In doing so Austin created more drama and gossip in the Big Brother house. I was surprised to hear the Austin say he'd already choose one twin over the other because he was developing feelings for one. Liz on the other hand was only flirting with Austin to ensure safety as well as build an alliance with. Sadly for Austin, he'll soon realize that mistake will cost him because the news traveled fast through the house.

Jason is known to be a blabbermouth and will spread the news like wildfire. First telling Meg, then telling Shelli, who then tells Clay and then Vanessa finds out about. Shelli is upset that Austin would go telling others about their "secret," when really the secret was supposed to be to the whole house. But neither Julia nor Liz could hide about it when being exposed in week two from DaVonne. By relying on Vanessa, Shelli, Clay and Austin, they had hoped to survive until the fifth eviction and then both twins could play as individuals. However it was not looking good, now that Jackie is in power.

Give All The Blood To Jackie

With Austin's admission to Jason, Vanessa put upon herself to get the truth from Austin. He on the other hand didn't want to look like an idiot in Vanessa's eyes and only told partial truth. In only telling part of the story he was lying to Vanessa. She doesn't like liars and this isn't the first time Austin has lied or told part of the story to Vanessa. During her first HOH, Austin threw the POV competition to John and Vanessa was not happy about that. Then telling Jackie she would be a pawn last week. It looks like this final admittance was the last straw for Vanessa.

The Dark Moon alliance was formed in the hopes of getting rid of Austin for this week. This alliance consists of Jackie, Vanessa, Jason, Meg, and James. Vanessa's goal for the BOTB was to make sure her nominations would win, while Jackie's nominations would lose and remain up on the block. Jackie's goal for the week was to get rid of either Austin or Liz. Vanessa told Jackie it would be wise to make Austin the backdoor plan, making sure he would have very few chances to save himself for the week. By having Jackie put up Austin, Vanessa would put the "blood," on Jackie's hands and not her own.

John's Week Off The Block

Luckily for John he was not on the block this week. His DR was hilarious to watch, as he was dumbfounded in not being nominated. With the plan in place, Vanessa nominated Clay and Becky, two strong competitors and Julia would say "Team America." While Jackie nominated Liz and James because both put her up for nominations and she was only "returning the favor." I was shocked that Clay would volunteer himself up for eviction and Becky also going along with it. Though Vanessa's plan of backdooring Austin but through Jackie was what convinced Clay to do so. Jackie convinced Becky by reassuring her she wasn't the target, she'd be playing the BOTB with Clay and the plan was to backdoor Austin.

Breaking News: Juju Will Enter The House

Julia found out about Austin's choice of preference of twin from Vanessa, upset her but knew she couldn't tell Liz all the info. Julia was smart in keeping this information from Liz because she wanted to make sure Liz was in the right mindset and would try and win BOTB. But what neither twin did know about was James was going to throw the competition to make sure Austin would be the backdoor plan and to keep Jackie in power.

During the BOTB competition, it was all about last season's houseguests. Specifically three of them and the object of the competition was to figure out who those three were by splashing paint on the BOTB set as well as their outfits to find the letters they would need to find out. James kept telling Liz to find numbers, when there wasn't any number to look for or to spell in a name. While Becky and Clay were working as a team to try and figure out which three houseguests from last season were all spotted eating out at an "Outback: Steakhouse," which this competition was also a reward challenge too. It was a tight race in the end as Liz was quickly putting the letters together, while Becky and Clay attempted different combination of last season's houseguest. Liz and James however came out victorious, saving themselves and dethroning Jackie for the week, so much for Vanessa's plan to have no blood on her hands. I was laughing during Clay's DR when he was questioning why he volunteered to go up on the block in the first place. The irony and sheer stupidity of volunteering oneself to be on the block was his mistake. His showmance Shelli was panicking and not looking forward to the possibility of his pending eviction on Thursday. One thing is certain, this Thursday, Julia will officially be a houseguests instead of being "Liz #2," and will have a shot at winning the half a million dollar prize.

My Prediction For POV

Even though Clay hasn't won a competition this season, this upcoming POV will be his "shining," moment as I predict he'll save himself from eviction. Though I wouldn't count Becky out from competing as she has won a few competitions herself. Vanessa as well as the two nominees hope they don't select Austin for the POV, as he's still the intended target. Or will Vanessa have a change of heart? Vanessa made it clear that you don't lie to her to I doubt she'll be changing her mind. I predict if the POV is used to save either nominee Austin will be the replacement nominee.

This is however Big Brother, so expect the unexpected. Tune in on Wednesday at 8pm on CBS Detroit 62 to see the aftermath of Jackie being dethroned, whether or not Austin is still the target, will Liz or Julia tell Austin he's the target or that neither of them are into him and who will win the POV. We're getting closer to finding out which houseguests are going to make it to jury. So this week's eviction will show whether or not Vanessa cuts ties with her ally Austin or if there is another target we don't know about. Stay tuned!

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.