The final Battle of the Block arrives today on Big Brother 16 as four Houseguests will face off one last time for a week of complete safety. Get ready to say farewell to the BB16 twist.
During Thursday night’s live eviction show, host Julie Chen revealed that just one Battle remained as the season’s twist would come to an end with the crowning of Derrick and Frankie as the latest Heads of Household. Their pairs of nominees will battle it out on Friday afternoon and then we’ll say goodbye to this game changer. It’s almost as if production couldn’t let go until they finally saw an HoH go from the top power to a nominee and, in this case, an evictee.
I know a lot of fans have not liked the BotB twist, but I’ve actually enjoyed having it around and am glad it gave us so much to talk about. In past seasons we’ve spent Friday’s going through the boring routine of “the King (or Queen) will see you now” as HGs drone on with flimsy deals and offers before we finally get the nominations late in to the evening.
Instead this year the HGs were immediately in to plotting and planning mode, especially after an early season overnight Nomination Ceremony left HoHs on edge of being caught off-guard. HoHs collaborated which meant we got a solid idea of what was going to happen. Then with nominations made official early on Friday we could spend the day discussing that outcome and pouring over potential scenarios for the BotB later that afternoon.
We had another opportunity for fans nail-biting their way through the wait to discover if their favorites were safe. Houseguests stumbled and faltered in situations designed to give them the edge. (Zach.) Others couldn’t even lose at losing and unexpectedly sent “safe” HGs in to the danger zone. (Oh, Zach again.) For all the complaints of “predictable,” these moments were not.
In a preseason interview, executive producers Grodner and Meehan said they work each year to change things up enough to keep HGs from coming in with a set plan and knowing how to approach the game. The Battle of the Block definitely did that and it kept us entertained in the process.
Sure, it seems like this went on a little long and I’m actually surprised they didn’t send it off in to the sunset in grand fashion either on the Double Eviction night or as part of the upcoming returning Juror, but that’s okay. Once it got to the point of four of the six remaining HGs going up on the block it does seem to have worn out its welcome, but that won’t be repeated next week.
We know who is set to go up on the block this week and once again we’re expecting a HG to try and sabotage the process. Anyone willing to bet things don’t go to plan yet again? We’ll know soon!
What did you think of the Battle of the Block twist? Was it a good addition to the season or would you have never seen it involved this summer? Share your thoughts!