The unpredictability of the Big Brother Naija Level Up season sustained a high level of suspense last night. There were many twists and turns in the game’s dynamics. Even though most of the thrills were largely unsatisfactory, viewers had more reasons to stay glued to their devices to follow events. Everyone was hungry for Biggie’s next line of action and eviction drama had the highest stimulation for both housemates and viewers.
Last night, it was a three-man eviction episode and the evicted housemates had it coming. Though viewers could hardly pick a possible winner unlike in the other seasons, the housemates that fell into the cold hands of evictions were already known by their fans. In what was described as one of Big Brother’s tricks, Doyin, Eloswag and Chomzy were all hit by the eviction hammer. But this time, the evictees wouldn’t exit the house completely; they would instead catch another ride in the newly-formed level 3 house, while still thinking they were legitimate housemates. But the truth is that their journey towards clinching the grand prize ended last night. I could’ve sworn that Big Brother ran out of ideas before yesterday’s evictions.
Eviction video. Credit: Africa Magic BBNaija
However, the new level 3 house ignited double-edged emotions. There were contrasting remarks on Big Brother’s genius idea. The fans of the newly-evicted housemates were glad to still have their favourites on screen. But for people like myself who are getting impatient with the tricks, it might not really be genius as such. Now, the new level 3 house would still be under Big Brother’s watch and control, and they would perform tasks and many other conventional activities. However, they were not knowledgeable of the fact that they would be properly evicted come September 18.
Viewers thought this was one of the politics of the BBNaija. From time, the show was under fire for involvement in shady schemes. Either trying to protect a ‘powerful’ individual on the show due to bribes or not picking housemates based on merit but ‘connection’. This might not be the exact interpretation of Biggie’s latest surprise but it does leave you scratching your head.
Furthermore, one thing that remained of great concern to the BBNaija fans was the relationship between Bella and Sheggz. It became increasingly uncomfortable seeing them together considering that the toxicity in their entanglement was not a beauty to behold. Ebuka reached out to Bella last night asking if her love language was ever called “stupid”, “sick”, or “foolish”. Ebuka mentioned that any time he tuned into the show he witnessed one name calling or the other with her at the receiving end. Yet, she’s always apologising and refused to let go.
I currently couldn’t decipher between love and being dumb in Bella’s case. Because, after going through verbal and emotional abuse for seven weeks, she thought she and Sheggz were still getting to know each other and he was “changing”. In fact, she said she really liked him and is correcting him. Most of us came to the conclusion that Bella was not raised with love to be willing to sustain the worst form of relationship ever.
Though the housemates didn’t really see it, for viewers, this issue was pertinent. And in cases of abuse, the abused are conditioned to think they are in a losing position if they leave. This was where Big Brother should have intervened. The show could have got a better rating if they employed the Level 3 design to help separate the couple, perhaps, in the form of a fake eviction. In this aspect, the show failed both housemates and viewers. It is a serious case.
Anyhow, the show is getting hotter and you never want to miss out on the drama.
Clara Gaiya, an entrepreneur, writes from Lagos.
Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.
