The three nominees head of household Kamu put up at the end of Sunday’s episode -- LaTrice, Mallory, and Lyric -- are not happy with the head of household (HOH), and they make that clear to him at the start of this power of veto (POV) episode. Kamu makes it clear to Lyric that she is a pawn and not his target, and his plan is to backdoor Jason. This doesn’t mean Lyric has to accept the plan though, as her and Mallory have a scene in this episode where they are crying together in the bedroom. They are sick of their side of the house being targeted and are fearful if it doesn’t change soon, their side of the house will mentally crumble.

Jason has already figured out Kamu’s plan to backdoor him, the same way Devens did to Rome last week. Jason starts playing sloppy, telling all the nominees if he won the veto, he would use it on them while telling Kamu he would do what he wanted. He tells Survivor legend Dee that he will be a number for the reality players alliance in taking out the Red Corner while offering the same pitch to Chuk.

When it comes to the POV competition, Haley and Jason himself join the three nominees and the HOH in a competition set in 2051, where pickleball has become the most popular sport. Lyric, whose showmance in the house coached the sport and whose mom plays the sport, outlasts her bestie Mallory in a competition where they had to use a pickleball board to knock balls into different numbered slots after being spun by a pickle.  

With Lyric obviously taking herself off, Jason will be backdoored, even though Drew tries to pitch to his fellow handyman that Jason has a power and shouldn’t go up.

With a tea party scheduled for Sunday night, Kamu decides to take the opportunity with everybody at the tea party to call out Jason’s game. The decision to essentially try to one-up Rick Devens does not go over well, as Jason claps back, and the rest of the houseguests just sit in silence. Kamu did go over the plan with the Toolshed beforehand, who are happy he just became the biggest threat on the major alliance. 

Before going up as a replacement nominee, Jason takes the tee party bit too seriously, banging around a tee pot the next day for hours. Jason has angered almost everyone in the house, but will he survive the blockbuster tonight and take himself off the block?

Non-spoiler thoughts

  • Kamu’s plan to call out Jason in front of the whole house at the tea party was good in theory, but you don’t try to one-up Rick Devens because there’s only one Rick Devens.
  • There’s a moment where Barrett pretends like he doesn’t know Spanish to LaTrice. It was weird.
  • This episode felt like it was stalling for time a bit. I’m not sure 90-minute veto episodes are needed.
  • Is this the week Barrett and Drew flip on the Toolshed? It’s unlikely, unless LaTrice somehow wins the blockbuster.
  • It’s going to warm my heart when Devens using the POV on Angela, and I’m shocked the house hasn’t figured out Devens has a power.