Perhaps the intention is to try to give a underlying gravitas to an entertainment show. Perhaps we are expected to think a bit more deeply.

Most of us take for granted the fairness and freedom that comes with our style of social order (there is of course a whole debate to be had around the veracity of that, but not one for the BB boards). In theory at least we choose the decision makers, they set the rules, everyone knows the rules and they are applied without favour or affection. Anything else is corruption and is quashed. Or so it should be. But what if that gets eroded?

One of the reasons I like BB, or at least the idea of it, is that it holds a light up and illuminates the things we take for granted or sometimes the faults we learn to live with. Perhaps what we should be taking away from this is the malignant nature of corruption and of power centred on the vagaries of an individual.

BB is (or could) be in some sense a sort of live satire. BB can play out alternative scenarios and structures in a way that is pretend and not harmful, but gives a chance to see oppression etc. in action. It can remind us how bad the alternatives are.

BB and TNA are my "wtf am i watching this for" shows... but i love BB and the subtle interaction clues over the overt "gimmicks for viewers" I did the house tour last year.. which made me give the housemates a level of respect i had never before... you "normalise" the tiny house very quickly...

Power Trip is secret and lies in all but name.

It's only a poisened challice because BB made it so. Power can also be a good thing but BB tend to focus on the negatives. The PH is made to look like this evil dictator due to BBs instructions. As if that wasn't enough, BB then insist on outing the PH to the remaining HMs.
We've seen Aishleigh being stiched up twice this series once with power and once without.
Producers really want her out don't they. It seems BB has gone on "The Ultimate Power Trip" and us viewers don't even get a look in.

Good Post Moo_Chops.....Couldn't have put it better myself....!!

I am disappointed, thought it was to be a house with HMs coming from all walks of life but all being a success in their own businesses.........and to see how they would use their skills in order to win.........silly me........got it all wrong, didn't I........

Effectively, but I don't recall the viewers being so out of the loop during Secrets and Lies.

I don't think the viewers should have to "see the theme", they, we, should be told the theme. The joke shouldn't be on the viewers.
The schedule asks a lot from the viewer in terms of time, and if you vote, money.
Viewers shouldn't also have to figure out what the **** is going on.

Iris, as an agent or extention of BB, shouldn't tell someone she is immune and the alliance will be the only ones nominating, then just completely flip it. It's ludicrous.

Well put, if less violently than I'd have done. BB are really shafting their loyal audience this series all to promote nasty, sex workers and 'reality TV' whores at the expense of decent, actually interesting, true plot-line HMs. I could say MORE about what I'm now utterly convinced is going on since Ch 5 took over but when even criticising Mark's awful hairdo gets one 'banned', what's the point?? Such a tragedy they've taken a really great show & format and, as beloved boy Steven would say, 'w*nked in our faces'. How thick do they think we are not to see what they're doing?? Disgusted.

There ought to be an I agree and thanks button on here, I applaud both posts above me.

There is only one theme - Helen is the power housemate

Maybe the person that 'banned' you had the same haircut.:

so it isnt happy houses
and it isnt "normal people doing normal things" because that would not make a good show.

it is people who want to be on reality tv because since big brother started we have seen "tv" move from "soap stars" to "reality tv soap operas" across the globe (as wannabie actors can do just as good a job as daytime soap actors could at 10% of the cost)...

so it is no shock that there are so many "wannabies" now filling the auditions and acting out a character.

however look beyond that. big brother is very cleverly structured and planned to breakdown the "act" and expose the genuine inter-relationships between them. *** some people can not do this, they are not "tuned" into seeing it... this "tuning" is why some people like some shows and not others and is normal...

conflict & bargaining for power / manipulating others IS NORMAL : deal with it.
if this is not "entertainment" or "comfortable" to you then either

a) pick another channel.. because big brother HAS ALWAYS been like this, it just may have been less obviously so as "gimmicks" distracted you from it ALWAYS being there.

b) go to the library or get a day time (not school run, rush hour or post pub times) bus and just watch people doing nothing... because that is all you would be left with if you got rid of the "structured tasks and "its a knockout"/kids tv gunk games or the tiffs...

big brother is no different to any other year other than the gimmicks
and i understand if you have a depressing day or a certain type of past it might not be "fun" to watch but there are other shows aimed at you on other channels.. this is not for you! - it is past the half way mark, it is week 7/8, it is not going to change, it has never changed.. all that has is your perception of what it is you are watching - may be even ask yourself why you never saw what you are seeing now before.. it's always been there underneath the childish pap games.

Very true. If people thought that it would make her powerful against Helen (&gang) that was just hopeful thinking and misguided.

BB is behind Helen too - at least until they are sure she had had enough exposure (good or bad - does not matter) for a possible side show on Channel5. They like sensationalism in any which way..