by David McAlpine

Last time on Big Brother 11, the time came for what we’ve all been waiting for: the slow, but steady beginning of the end of the reign of terror in the house. Russell and Jeff were the last two houseguests remaining in the HoH competition, and the two struck a deal to nominate Ronnie and keep Jeff and Jordan safe. Russell followed through, nominating Ronnie and Lydia for eviction, going against his former alliance mates.

We pick up right where we left off, with the slightly stunned, half-pissed off faces. It’s clear that it’s about to hit the fan, but there needs to be something brewing first. Of course, Ronnie is still confident he can get out of the situation, so it’ll make his impending eviction at the end of this week that much sweeter.

So what does Ronnie do? He goes and grovels to Russell, “crying” to him. Cut to Russell in the DR: he has no sympathy for Ronnie. Finally, it seems like the house has woken up to something super important. Meanwhile, Russell’s snuggling up to Chima (which I honestly never saw coming…what an awkward showmance). Chima tries to convince him to want Lydia, but the Love Muscle isn’t having any of it: Ronnie is leaving this week and that’s final. So much for Chima’s good looks.

Of course, with Lydia up, Natalie uses this opportunity to get her biggest threat for Jessie’s attention out of the house. She complains that Lydia thinks she’s safe (as if Natalie never thinks she’s safe…), so she should go home. Jessie agrees, knowing that Ronnie is a bigger asset (read: puppet). Russell claims he’s still loyal to Jessie, Natalie and Chima, but Ronnie has to go.

Natalie gives up on Russell and moves on to Michele, who, ironically, has gone from zero to hero in a week. This girl was up against the ropes with zero friends in the house, then she won the veto for herself, and now she’s setting herself up to be a crucial swing vote (Natalie, Jessie and Chima vs. Jeff, Jordan and Kevin). And everyone knows it, so they’re all on edge around her.

It’s time for the hotly anticipated Power of Veto competition! Russell picks Michele (power play #2, anyone?), Ronnie picks Jessie and Lydia picks Kevin. Then the host, which is (surprise, surprise) Chima. All I’m really hoping at this point is that she doesn’t laugh too much.

Everyone gets dressed up in togas and heads out to the backyard, which is transformed into something straight out of Ancient Rome. Each round, a number of objects will be displayed, as well as a grouping of those objects. Each houseguest must guess how many objects there are in the group. However, after they guess, they can choose to play or fold: play and you risk getting eliminated (as having the number farthest from the actual value) or getting the point (the number closest), or fold and remain in the game regardless. The first contestant to three points wins the Power of Veto.

Russell gets the first two points, while Kevin and Lydia are out first and second. Michele picks up a point in the third round, then the fourth item is revealed: rats. Jeff makes a well-timed crack at Ronnie and Michele wins her second point, then her third, giving her the PoV for the second week in a row and establishing her as a force to be reckoned with.

Ronnie tries (pathetically) to talk Michele into using the veto on him, but when that doesn’t seem to work, Natalie starts her conspiracy theories. Russell complains about how restrictive Jessie and Natalie are and how much they check up on him, then asks Michele not to use the veto. Enter Ronnie again, who threatens Michele by saying that she won’t make the final two if she evicts him because of who he’s aligned with. Something tells me they’ll get over it really fast, Ronnie.

Now we find out that Chima is super possessive of Russell, not wanting him to talk to Michele or Lydia, which freaks him out. He lets the news slip to Natalie…who runs and tattles on him to Chima. You know, for all the rap that Ronnie gets for being a rat, I think Natalie is ten times worse. Chima then goes on a diva sympathy rampage, upset that another girl could replace her spot next to Russell. Ronnie then puts it out there that Russell might nominate Jessie, Natalie or Chima if the veto is used on Lydia (making me retract my earlier statement), which causes mass paranoia. Conclusion: Russell is more done with Chima because of her relationship with Ronnie.

Zinger number two comes from a feisty Michele at the Veto Ceremony, when she asks Ronnie to “lie, I mean speak” first. This is the Michele I wanted to see! I hope she can channel more of this new person, because I’m really enjoying it. Michele decides not to use the veto, which worries Lydia. Ronnie on the other hand, still apparently has some moves that no one has seen yet? If he means bawling in the corner of the room or trying to turn the house on one person or sparking a rumor that shifts the house, those really aren’t new, but since Ronnie is a mastermind and all…well, you know, every move is new.

Tune in to Big Brother 11 on CBS on Thursday at 8/7c to see the live eviction between Lydia and Ronnie and to see which houseguest becomes the new Head of Household. In addition, voting for the Coup d’Etat has closed and the winner will be revealed Thursday night, so stay tuned!

(Image courtesy of CBS and RealPlayer)

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