Watching Reality TV

First off, we have our recaps.  You know it!

• Big Brother Craze
• Buddy TV
• Television without Pity
• CBS.com’s recap and full episode video

Remember where we left off, with the three remaining houseguests clinging to their keys in an endurance competition?  That’s where we pick up again.  It looks brutal.  Daniele starts freezing as soon as the water is turned on, but to her credit she gave it a good go.  Every now and then, the water would turn out, they’d get mud spat at them and then a clodu of dust would engulf them.  FUN!  Then back to more water.  Daniele starts shivering so hard I think she’s going to vibrate clean off her carrot there.  Is it possible that I almost feel bad for her?  But then she tells Dick to distract Zach and he starts to berate Zach.  Zach handily ignores him.  Is that Dick’s only weapon? Pissing people off? Dick starts getting pissed that Zach is STILL ignoring him.  Drives him nuts.  LOL.  Back to shivering Daniele.  Dick does look concerned for her, to his credit.  Then… she falls off.  Wrapped in a towel, she continues to sob.  Girl sounds like she’s having a nervous breakdown.

Zach stops ignoring Zach so much and starts laughing at him.  Actually, no, he’s IMITATING him.  Ha!  Dick looks annoyed so point goes to Zach on that.  Daniele emerges wrapped in a blanket to watch the carnage.  They’re five hours in, and I’m amazed they’re both making it this far.  Dick looks more worse for the wear than Zach does, but they have both got to be feeling it.  Seven hours in, Dick is failing.  Daniele obviously feels bad for him.  She tries to pep talk him into not quitting.  Zach is starting to shake too, but I doubt he’s feeling as bad as Dick.  Okay, I hate to admit, but he’s getting my respect here.  Cuz this whole challenge looks like it sucks hard.  She tells him it’s okay.  She’s reassuring him.  So at 7 hours and 32 minutes he quits.  Poor guy looks whipped.  And Zach wins round one.

We get right back into round two, which stars Dick and Daniele.  Whoever wins this round will face off in round 3 with Zach.  Daniele comes out in a bikini so this involves yet more water.  It’s underwater puzzle solving!  Wee!  I think Daniele has got to have an advantage at this one, but time will tell.  She’s first and apparently she isn’t very good at puzzles like this.  Doh!  Now it’s Dick’s turn.  He checks to make sure the water is warm this time.  Heh.  As sore as he must be, he gets right to work.  He does surprisingly well.  And from the editing, it looks like he does it quick too.  Quick enough to beat his daughter?  He sure does!  He did it in almost half the time that Daniele did.  So he’ll be facing off against Zach in round 3.

Zach remarks how amazing it would be to beat Dick in a mental challenge.  Uh, yeah.  It would be amazing because I don’t think Zach stands too much chance here.  And we cut to the live portion of the show.  Julie asks them some pathetic questions… blah blah blah.  Yes, let’s get on with it.  But first?  Another peek at the jury house!  Wee! (after the break, that is)

Eric and Jessica are still flirting pretty hardcore.  Dustin and Amber remark on how goofy they are together, they’re so in love.  Then, we get to see Jameka enter the jury house.   Everyone is upset to see Jameka because they know this means Dick and Daniele are both back there still.  Eric was not surprised at all.  Dustin, speaking of Eric, mentions that Jessica and Eric are making up for lost time (and enjoying a video free environment) and the walls are thin.  Hmm!  We get to see Jameka’s DVD and Zach’s big power move.  Everyone’s pretty impressed.

So who will be in the final two?  Round three will decide that.   They’re quizzed about things the houseguests have said after eviction.  So each contestant has to basically guess, based on what they know about them.  (The question about Jen cracked me up, of course it was “herself”!)  Dick got a leg up early in the competition and held onto that lead and won the shebang.  He’s the new HoH.  The Donatos did it.  Daaaang.  It’s all well and good, but how is this going to make a two hour finale on Sunday at all interesting?  Either way, no matter who actually wins it, they’ll both have the money.  Boo.

Zach actually asks the Donatos to invest in his inventions?  What?  Did that make sense to anyone else?  So predictably, Dick boots Zach from the house, leaving a Donato Ruled Household.  They’re ecstatic, Zach is pragmatic.  He’s visibly relieved to be out of there, as I would be too.  Zach admits to riding coattails.  And that’s why he’s out right now.  Better that he is, I’m sure, because riding coattails is to be frowned upon.  So, all that’s left now is to tell Eric who he should vote for to win Big Brother (and campaign for in the jury house).  Tough choice.

Who do I think will or should win?  I guess Dick.  I mean, it’s a tough call.  But I just don’t see rewarding Daniele’s bratty behavior, you know?  At any rate, I hope to get up my thoughts on the finale Monday morning, but I’m going to be out of town and actually at a wedding during the finale so we’ll see how it goes.  Regardless, it’s been an interesting season, hasn’t it?