Claws out, eyes glaring, and insults flying, this week began with Kristen and Rachel embroiled in a bitter catfight.
Rachel attacked Kristen’s lack of competitiveness—singling her out as a floater, belittled her intelligence, and threatened to nominate her.
“I’m going to make it my priority to get you out, Kristen,” Rachel cautioned. Kristen held her own and concluded her verbal hair pulling in the diary room, summing up Rachel’s onslaught with, “Seriously girl, you are straight up jealous of me and you have been since day one.”
Hayden, the other half of the exposed showmance, scrambled to placate the Head of Household Rachel after the brouhaha while also assuring his secret alliance, The Brigade, that he was fully with them and Kristen was not a threat. Telling Enzo and Lane, as much as he liked her, she was essentially expendable.
Luckily for Hayden, Kristen was endangering her safety more than his by refusing to accept Rachel’s apology for the earlier outburst and even declining the “Who wants to see my HOH room?” invitation.
Kristin’s resistance to kowtow to Rachel briefly abated with a little nudging from Hayden and she finally made her way out of the Cabana room and into the HOH suite. There the women amicably hashed it out, but it was a little too late.
During the nomination ceremony, both Hayden and Kristen found themselves keyless and on the block, with Rachel challenging “You’re gunning for me and Brendon, so bring it on.”
Brendon did not agree with Rachel’s closing sentiments and tried to convince her to play nice, warning Rachel she’s only succeeding in enlarging the target on their backs, but that only lead to a lover’s quarrel best described as dysfunctional and a half-hearted apology to Kristen and Hayden.
What Rachel doesn’t seem to realize is that everybody is gunning for Brenchel. Their showmance isn’t threatened solely by Kristin and Hayden, but by the entire house. Every other diary room session consists of their fellow houseguests mocking them or even entertaining suicide as a desired alternative to living one more day with them. Rachel, oblivious to the household movement to get them out, has even befriended one of Brenchel’s sworn enemies, Britney.
Britney, who has been bubbling up with her “bestie” Rachel in the HOH bathtub despite her disdain for her, continued to further her game by winning this week’s Veto competition. The Wizard of Pinball game contained some prizes that were good and others humiliating. Kristin received the latter; a hippietard (revised version of the seasonally recycled unitard) complete with a '70s inspired wig. Unfortunately for her that never bodes well for players up for eviction. Costumed candidates always go home.
Kristen, however, had reason to be hopeful. Hayden was busy devising a plan in which Britney used the veto on him, sent Kathy packing in the final vote, and temporarily aligned the two showmances together just long enough to survive the week. Britney was on board, but had to be sure Rachel was too. Hayden, convinced Rachel was seriously considering the deal both he and Kristen pitched, promised Britney he would put up Rachel & Brendon if he won HOH.
Nevertheless, all this strategizing came to a screeching halt when Rachel hinted to Britney she might put Lane up if the veto was played. Rather than risk her good friend going home, Britney chose not to use the power of veto.
Hayden and Kristen were out of options as one of them was surely slated to go home. And home wasn’t going to be welcoming to Kristen as we found out during hometown interviews. Steve, her boyfriend of two months, was unhappy with Kristen’s relationship with Hayden. He quickly became her ex-boyfriend, breaking up with her during his interview.
Hayden’s mom wasn’t too pleased with their showmance, either, and was rooting for Kristen to leave so her son could get his head back in the game. Her wishes were on the verge of coming true.
Hayden knew he had his secret alliance, The Brigade, and one extra vote from Brendon so he encouraged Kristen to campaign for votes. And she did so diligently, but not without questioning why Hayden wasn’t. Kristen speculated that Hayden and the boys had some sort of alliance brewing and shared this information with the other houseguests in an attempt to stay over Hayden, but her keen eye and shrewd campaigning didn’t save her. She was evicted with a vote of 6-1.
Hayden confirmed he is in a secret alliance with Matt, Enzo, and Lane, during his goodbye message; validating Kristen’s hunch. Ragan wished her a sweet farewell, but also said that Rachel’s insecurities are the reason Kristen is going home and Rachel proved his point with her goodbye message. In a display of pettiness and repetitiveness, she accused Kristen of getting between “me and my man.”
Yes, this again. Rachel is convinced everyone wants Brendon and that there can only be one showmance. Well, she got her wish this week, effectively breaking up Kristen and Hayden, but before she gets too comfortable Big Brother is bringing back one of the most popular showmances of the franchise.
Jeff and Jordan from Season 11 will be returning next week for a brief visit in the house. Will Rachel find a way to feel threatened and accuse them of also getting between “me and my man,” in their short time there? Maybe she’ll just regale them with stories of how she is Vegas. Good times.
As the credits rolled the “True Colors” endurance competition was under way. The houseguests are competing for the most powerful HOH of the summer. Whoever wins will possibly unleash a second Saboteur on the house if they give in to the temptation of this season’s Pandora’s Box.
Ragan was chosen by America’s vote, but has to accept his role as Saboteur before the summer of sabotage can begin again. The last one standing on a giant rotating paint can while being swiped by a huge paintbrush and shot with paint guns, wins the competition.
So who will outlast the others? Will they do as the house dictates and break up Brenchel or nominate what’s best for them? Will the Ragan accept the challenge?
This upcoming week is full of questions and we’re all hoping for the best answers.