This article contains spoilers from the Big Brother Season 17 live feeds, including who was nominated, who won Battle of the Block and who won the Veto. We also have plenty of game-related drama to talk about!
Nominated
Becky (nominated by Vanessa)
Clay (nominated by Vanessa)
James (nominated by Jackie)
Liz (nominated by Jackie)
Battle of the Block winners
James and Liz
Still nominated
Clay
Becky
Reigning Head of Household
Vanessa
Won the Veto
Clay
The Big Brother live feeds have been buzzing all weekend as plans have gone awry. The plan, from the start of the week, was for Vanessa's nominees (Clay and Becky) to win Battle of the Block, dethroning her and leaving Jackie as this week's Head of Household. Austin and Steve were the discussed backdoor targets, though it seems like Austin was the more popular pick on both sides.
The Austin plan stems largely from Austin telling Jason details about the twin twist last week (including Julia's name) and alluding to the fact that he was only interested in Liz staying around, and having the twins in the game. After that, he wasn't concerned if they took Julia out of the game. He just wants to spend time with Liz in the house and in jury. Jason took this information and spread it around most of the house, including to Vanessa and Shelli, who were not happy to know Austin's giving up information to people outside their alliance without discussing it first.
Julia went out of the game and Liz came in. Either Liz didn't know she was supposed to throw the competition, or she chose not to. That likely depends on whether Julia told her not to throw it, or didn't tell her anything when they did the switch. Vanessa and Julia did agree previously that Julia wouldn't tell Liz what Austin told Jason because they didn't want Liz coming into the house upset or acting differently with Austin.
Despite Becky and Clay's best efforts to win (and James' alleged efforts to throw the competition), Liz and James won Battle of the Block, leaving Vanessa as Head of Household. Plans were still in the works to backdoor Austin, but he was not informed of this until after Clay won the Veto. Clay's win, at least ensures he's safe. Liz and Julia are also safe and guaranteed to enter the house now. But it leaves Vanessa in a predicament. Does she honor the house (or the majority anyway) wishes and put Austin up? Or does she go back on that and target someone outside her own alliance?
This situation has been full-on driving the feeds since Saturday. Vanessa questioned Austin about the Audrey vote, after Julia told Vanessa that she was almost certain Austin cast that vote (he'd joked about doing it at least once prior to Thursday). Austin flat-out lied to Vanessa about casting the vote, essentially proving he's not trustworthy in her eyes. Later, Liz told Vanessa and Shelli that Austin DID cast the vote, essentially proving Austin's lying. Of course, in that same conversation, Liz lied in saying she has no idea who cast the votes against James the week Jeff was evicted (she was one of those votes). So Liz isn't entirely being up front with Shelli and Vanessa either. She also told them that she has no attraction toward Austin, which may be true or partially true. It's really hard to tell what's going on there, other than that Austin is the one making all the advances.
Last night, Vanessa told Austin he was the backdoor target for the week, and that the whole (or most of) house was behind it. Austin's been on edge about things, as he can tell people are acting weird, but I don't think he had any idea it was because he was the target, likely because he never imagined he wasn't safe with Vanessa. She called him out for the things he lied about. He claimed he lied about the Audrey vote because Shelli was in the room at the time, and begged her to keep him safe, essentially saying he's falling in love and his head's not in the game. It also seems like he's just trying to get into jury, where he'll be able to spend more time with Liz (assuming she doesn't go all the way to the end).
A lot of conversations were had after that. There's no sense getting into all of them. What seems evident is that Vanessa's in a bad situation. Either she nominates Austin when Clay uses the Veto on himself, or she nominates someone else and pisses off everyone outside her alliance. But Shelli made a good point last night, in stating that the people "downstairs" (not in the HoH room the past few weeks) have been scrambling each week to be a part of whatever the current plan is. There've been pawns and backdoor plans and everyone just trying not to be the target. The six-person alliance (Clay, Shelli, Vanessa, Austin, Liz and Julia) have stayed true to one another through all of this, and if they send Austin out, they're really just playing the rest of the house's game. Whereas, if they keep him in, they're six strong, with Julia in the house.
So it looks like Vanessa's leaning toward not nominating Austin. It's likely just a matter of who's a replacement nominee, and who, from the other side of the house, she can smooth things over with enough not to be the primary target next week. Jackie was a name discussed by Shelli, Clay, Vanessa and Liz. The logic there is that Jackie's already going to be upset that they're going back on the Austin plan. And because there's a good (or better than average) chance Jackie would go if she's up against Becky.
As for smoothing things over with the rest of the house, they seem most concerned with having Meg and Jason's support, but it's unclear whether or not they're going to bring those two in on anything before the Veto ceremony. Vanessa also has a good relationship with Steve, who's sort of her side-alliance, so he'll likely be on board with whatever she does.
That's where things were at as of late last night. I get the sense that for Vanessa, her concern is less over whether or not Austin stays or goes, and more about what her standing in the house will be after all is said and done. This could be a make-or-break week for her. So we'll see if anything changes between now and Monday's Veto ceremony.
