Big Brother 19 episode 4: Survivor fan’s newbie recap

A Power of Veto swing and a last-second swerve meant Big Brother 19’s first Head of Household is also the Head of Survivor-esque blindsides.

Something I’m quickly learning about this show after watching four televised episodes of Big Brother 19 is that you should almost expect your plans to be thrown out the window because “production reasons.” Cody, being the first Head of Household, has seen two players go home before he’s even seen a live eviction vote, with five players he’s had to put up for eviction after tonight.

Even if Cody wasn’t the Matthew von Ertfelda of this season (dude looks like a machete murderer), because of the sheer emotional feedback that comes from putting just under a third of the house on the block, it’s a curse to become the Head of Household early. It is so unlike Survivor, where it’s imperative to win Immunity early on to secure the numbers.

With the social gameplay dynamics shifting by the day, Big Brother 19 is setting up an explosive first live eviction tonight. But first, here is the Survivor perspective of Big Brother 19 episode 4!

Cody Nickson Big Brother 19 photo — CBS/Sonja Flemming

Cody malfunctions; feels emotions

It’s clear that Cody has a strong idea of how to play this game. You can see it from the way he tries to work with his alliance to secure votes, plays up to the team dynamics and tries to keep the alliance happy. The vote to put Alex up for eviction was a strategic one, but even Jessica can see through Cody to know that he was choked up in his decision.

The casting for Big Brother is inherently different from Survivor, especially due to the “throw hot 20-year-olds together” aspect. Still, you can see shades of Spencer Bledsoe in Cody, trying to have an emotional aspect shine through only for his robotic (in this case, serial killer) demeanor overshadow what feelings he has.

Spitting poison

We saw Paul get tempted with the

Medallion of Power

Pendant of Protection last week, accepting the consequences of his actions. What did that consequence end up being? All of the houseguests had to set themselves up to re-enter the Den of Temptation to face a gigantic snake. Green eyes meant a contestant was safe, while blue eyes meant they succumbed to a “poisonous” bite.

Paul pushed the second contestant poison, and Ramses was the second player to enter the Den of Temptation. The consequence for Paul being safe for three weeks? Ramses has to put himself up on the block for eviction before one of the next three Head of Household nominations as a third player, thus revealing his curse.

Usually, if a Survivor twist involved a player picking several options or as part of a dynamic season such as Game Changers, there are counterbalances to winning things. Nope; Paul was hand-delivered three weeks of protection at the detriment to one of his houseguests. Way to out-Redemption Island yourself with Big Brother 19 so far!

Jillian Parker Big Brother 19 photo — CBS/Sonja Flemming

Power of Production America’s Vote Veto

I knew that the Head of Household and the eviction nominees competed in the Power of Veto competitions, but I was not aware that random draw selected three other possible participants! Cody drew Matt’s name, Alex drew Raven’s name and Jillian drew Jason’s name, while Cody also selected early Fan Favorite Kevin to be the host.

The last thing I expected was Kevin in a merman suit, hosting a “Big Brother Resort” competition where people stacked seashells one at a time on a balancing board. Drawbacks include rapidly draining water tanks that contestants have to continually bail water into to keep in the competition, as well as a golden seashell protecting a player from Have-Not selection for the rest of the season.

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Raven, despite being on Cody’s team, was tempted into Have-Not protection. Meanwhile, Matt and Jason were playing the “locking it in” game to solidify a solid number of starfish, finishing with 10 and 14 stacked starfish, respectively. Cody, in true Zapatera fashion, threw the competition in an obvious way once it was clear Alex was going to win, putting the idea of distrust into his alliance.

Paul Abrahamian Big Brother 19 — CBS/Sonja Flemming

BIG MOVEZ

If I was the head of casting, I’d be putting Cody in front of Jeff Probst in hopes of getting him approved for a season. The way he wants to make BIG MOVEZ for the sake of putting himself out there in a power position is not unlike a Zeke Smith or a Tony Vlachos, and it becomes clear by the end of the episode which kind of character he’s edging towards this year.

From trying to get Jason to protect seven people in order to secure eviction protection, to naming Alex’s name when in bed with Jessica to trying to put up Paul for eviction without letting anyone know; his mind is scattershot while he’s on his toes. Still, it set up the show-stopping moment; Paul took out the ~~Medallion of Power~~ Pendant of Protection and wore it around his neck like he played a Hidden Immunity Idol.

Thrown completely for a loop, Cody makes a split-second decision (albeit having her name in the back of his mind before the Veto Meeting) and puts Christmas up on the block for eviction. Just like that, he’s completely split up his alliance and scattered the remains all over the Big Brother 19 house. He wanted a big move? He just made one, cementing his likely status as a July evictee.

Jason Dent Big Brother 19 photo — CBS/Sonja Flemming

Final thoughts

Seriously, Cody, it was simple; put Jason up on the block. Instead, you made a move that split up your tribe in the hopes of cementing power while having the power of protection in your back pocket. You just pulled off the Big Brother 19 version of Garrett Adelstein, although your trip home is likely delayed.