‘Big Brother 17’ Recap: “First nominations and Battle of the Block competition of the summer”

We begin the episode moments after the 2nd HOH competition. Da’Vonne and Vanessa are wondering what is going to happen to them since they were the two that sat out of the HOH competitions. We see friendships and even “bromances” begin forming in the house. Jace and Austin discuss an entire “bro code” which seems to be only interesting to them.

James and Jason bring the rest of the house up to their HOH rooms. The new HOH rooms look great compared to past seasons. Once the rooms clear, Jason and James immediately begin discussing strategy. James is clueless on a target while James might have a few ideas in the works. He discusses not being close with Steven or John. They also mention maybe putting up a physical threat. It is so early in the game that neither seem to be exactly sure who to target this week.

Jeff and Jackie discuss their game and Jeff feels they need to distance themselves since they already have a target on their backs due to their past relationship and their time on The Amazing Race.

The HG are all around the house when the BBTakeover music plays and they all rush to the living room. Phil from The Amazing Race is back and is here to insert his twist into the game. It involves Da’Vonne and Vanessa, who both sat out of the HOH competitions. The twist is called BBFastFoward and it means that Da’Vonne and Vanessa’s game advance a week and they are both safe from eviction. He also tells them they each get to choose one other HG to take with them. They have 30 minutes to make this decision.

Vanessa and Da’Vonne each separately meet with the other HG while deciding who take to take with them to next week. Vanessa is using her skills as a poker player to read people while Da’Vonne doesn’t want to bring Audrey or Shelli in order to keep her alliance a secret. Vanessa decides to save Austin while Da’Vonne decides to save Liz. Shelli is upset and confused why Da’Vonne didn’t choose to either save her or Audrey.

Alliances are beginning to form in the house. Jace and Austin form a bro alliance known as ‘ShellTown.’ Clay and Shelli are talking in the hammock and seem to be growing closer. The two of them could could form a secret, close alliance that would benefit both of their games. Da’Vonne is making alliances all over the place. She tells Steven she would work with him down the road. She is skeptical of Shelli’s relationship with Clay and tells Audrey that they might need to keep Shelli on the outside loop of the alliance. She wants to plant the seed to the HOH’s that Jace needs to go.

James talks with Audrey in the HOH room and is joined by Jason and Da’Vonne. Da’Vonne is about her and Audrey using James and Jason this week since they are in power. They continue to discuss the idea of backdooring Jace this week. Audrey and Da’Vonne seem to be the masterminds behind this place and it seems that Jason and James 100% support this.

James and Jason go around the house talking with HG about the idea of them being nominated as pawns. Some of the HG are ok with the plan while others are nervous because in many cases as they say with Big Brother, “the pawns always go home.”

The first Nomination Ceremony of the season goes as planned. Jason nominates John and Becky. He tells them he is giving them a chance to save themselves in BOTB and Veto. James nominates Steve and Jackie. He basically gives the same speech as Jason, proving that the plan to backdoor Jace is currently happening.

Audrey and Da’Vonne celebrate getting the plan to backdoor Jace in motion. Becky was very shocked that she was nominated but Jason continues to assure her that she is not the target and she is completely safe this week.

It is time for the first Battle of the Block competition of the summer. The competition is which team can build the tower correctly and have both team members back on the same platform. They are transferring blocks across a moving balance beam and constructing a tower with their fellow nominee. Steve and Jackie’s strategy is to go across the beam together and construct the tower together. John and Becky try the same strategy. If you fall off the beam, you must start from the beginning. Both teams struggle to find their balance early on in the competition. Steve is struggling to find his balance. The competition is very close and in a close race, Becky and John win the BOTB and are now off the nomination block. Jason is dethroned as HOH, leaving James as the sole HOH for the week.

Who will win the Power of Veto this week? Will they save Jackie or Steve from eviction?

Tune in to Big Brother this Wednesday at 8pm!