Only watching the CBS broadcasts it's hard to get a good read on who understands the game of Big Brother and who doesn't. I'm only given the sound bites that the producers want to broadcast and that leaves out many moments that shed light on where the players stand. Right now, the only players who appear to understand how to win Big Brother are, of course, the two who have won, Mike Boogie and Dan. Britney seems to know how to win but after her handling of last weeks Janelle booting, I'm not sure she has the ice water veins to do what is necessary. And the one player who I have no idea about, as I've mentioned in previous posts, is Jenn who the producers are giving us none of, but I have a feeling is playing the game better then any other new housemate.
Sunday's episode had two moments that showcase how much Boogie and Dan understand the game and the best ways to find yourself in the final two. The first moment is a strategy that seems obvious to anyone who's watched a full season of Big Brother, never get put on the block as a pawn. Dan bristled at the suggestion that he get put up as a pawn and begged Frank to not entertain the thought at all. It's a tough situation to be put in because ultimately you have no control over it; if the HOH wants to put you on the block as a pawn that's what you'll be. But Dan's fear of the mention is a stark contrast to Frank who went into cruise control when he was on the block and told that he wasn't going home. The block is never a good place to be, no matter how many votes you think you've counted, and Dan understands that. There have been players who have made it far spending copious weeks on the block, there are exceptions to every rule, and it looks like Frank might be an example from this season, but the safest way to get to the end is stay clear of the block at all costs.
The second moment is a philosophy that seems to be less understood through out the history of Big Brother. HOH brings tons of power with the title and with that power seems to come a sense of invincibility. Most HOHs tend to use their nominations to exact revenge for some slight or try to make a big move by knocking out a big player. What most players fail to realize is that those nominations have a greater chance of upsetting others then accomplishing the goals they were made for. Dan has never been shy about his strategy and Boogie seems to believe in it as well, that you win Big Brother by never being HOH; the best way to go far is to make other people do the dirty work and leaving the blood off your hands. But if you end up as HOH you have to be smart about your nominations because ultimately you're not the one sending whomever home. Frank's idea to get rid of Dan was a solid one but Boogie knows the game better and ended up being the voice of reason. Don't make a move on a player like Dan unless you know for sure he's going home. Putting him on the block to begin the week gives him the chance to win POV and when he wins that the only thing you've accomplished is pissing off a good player and ruining an alliance you've built. If you're going to get rid of Dan, you need to backdoor him. The backdoor is one of the most under used strategies in the game. The competitor in me feels it's a cheat, if I was playing I'd be pissed if I wasn't given the chance to fight for my life, but what's fair isn't what wins Big Brother.
In the end Frank did the right thing, he put up two safe people, one who is playing alone and will be very little threat if he stays, and another who has enemies and needs to go home. At the same time, getting rid of Dan is on the table. If I was Frank I would use POV to make deals with Joe, Jenn and Wil, secure their votes and try to backdoor Dan. This would get rid of a huge threat and hopefully protect Frank next week. Big Brother is a game of dodging the target, of getting rid of people without getting blood on your hands, and this is the best way for Frank to accomplish both goals.
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