'Big Brother' Season 26 Episode 3 recap: From early alliances to HOH putting houseguests for possible eviction
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: When 'Big Brother' Season 26 aired its third episode, all 16 contestants had moved in, and Ainsley the AI bot had already made her mark on the proceedings. Cedric Hodges and Chelsie Baham's games were demoted, and they will not be permitted to participate in the HOH or Veto events.
They will instead be "BB Mascots" and will only be allowed to cast nominations; they will not be able to vote during the live eviction. Quinn Martin and Makensy Manbeck will also have their games updated, but we're still not sure how.
Knives come out as rivalry boils between chefs in 'Big Brother' Season 26
The visitors gather in the living area and get to know one another, as they still can't believe Cedric and Chelsie were demoted. We still don't know exactly what advantages Makensy and Quinn enjoy, but no one is aware of them.
There appears to be competition between chefs Lisa Weintraub and Tucker Des Lauriers during the introductions. Although Lisa looks like she is having a great time, other houseguests don't seem to get along with her demeanor.
Cam Sullivan-Brown pledges to stay single as 'Big Brother' Season 26 co-star Chelsie Baham develops an early crush
Chelsie declares Cam Sullivan-Brown to be "really good to look at," which leads to her early crush on him. Policeman Kenney Kelley tells everyone he works in concessions, but in reality, he works in falsehoods.
Cedric further embellishes his work as a data analyst in an attempt to make others believe he is a simpleton. However, no one is more excited than Angela Murray, who is overjoyed to have this chance.
Cam promises to remain single in order to prevent a showmance from derailing his career after witnessing all the attractive females introduce themselves.
Who were the first Have-Nots in 'Big Brother' Season 26?
Ainsley calls for four volunteers to become the first Have-Nots after the introductions. Volunteers Tucker, Kimo Apaka, Quinn, and Cam go up to the Have-Not room.
'Big Brother' Season 26 stars bond over military service
Later, Matt Hardeman's military duty causes him and Kenney to connect. Although Matt wasn't in the military, the majority of the males in his family were.
Despite the age gap, a rapid bromance is growing between them.
Why do women’s alliances never last on 'Big Brother'?
Makensy, Brooklyn Rivera, and Rubina Bernabe create an all-girl coalition in the Unicorn Room. They wonder why, on 'Big Brother', women's partnerships never endure.
Brooklyn talks about bringing Angela into the fold and hopes to become the first married mother to win 'Big Brother'.
Angela Murray puts a target on her back in 'Big Brother' Season 26
Cam and T'Kor Clottey take separate showers in the bathroom, drawing the entire household together. When Angela urges Cam not to help Matt with his ailing back "before the HOH competition," Rubina and Matt can see she has a competitive advantage.
When Angela promises Matt he's going to have a showmance and that he'll have the girls in the palm of his hand, she's digging herself a bigger hole. Being called out annoys Matt, and Angela can become a major target as a result.
Afterward, Matt talks to Kenney about formal alliances. Angela, of all people, interrupts them, and Matt remarks, "She makes me nervous," as she exits the room.
Matt believes Angela is playing "way too hard" and should return home immediately.
Athletes of 'Big Brother' Season 26 target Lisa Weintraub
Another bromance develops in the backyard involving Cam, Matt, and Tucker, the self-described "athletes of the group." They have Lisa in their sights as a target because they believe she "is smart."
Who won 'America's veto' in 'Big Brother' Season 26?
The visitors are asked to congregate in the living room by Ainsley. She declares that the winners of the Upgrade competition will soon discover their secret abilities.
They will be summoned to her virtual room in secret, with their identities remaining unknown to others. Makensy finds out about her upgrade first. America's Veto goes to her.
She can utilize America's Veto at the conclusion of the Veto meeting to spare someone off the block. On eviction night, the player America selects to replace the candidate will be revealed live. Makensy will have four weeks to use this authority.
Deepfake HOH remains safe in 'Big Brother' Season 26
Quinn, who received an upgrade with a Deepfake HOH, is the next to gain power. He can subtly manage the nominations of the HOH and take away all of their authority.
Though Quinn will be in charge of Deepfake's speech, it will have the same appearance and sound as the genuine HOH. This is a one-time use power that he has four weeks to activate.
He can Deepfake whatever HOH he wants, and it will still be secure.
HOH competition ends on a cliffhanger as 'Big Brother' Season 26 viewers await the eviction result
While Leah Peters is slicing things up in the pantry, Makensy finds out about her fondness for "dad bods." The variety of male models in this residence has left the plump chaser quite dissatisfied.
Ainsley later invites everyone to congregate in the living room as they are all sitting in the backyard. She says the HOH will nominate THREE people for the inaugural HOH competition, which is about to take place.
After that, the three nominees will compete against each other in Ainsley's AI arena, with just one winner able to rescue themselves. It won't be revealed to the houseguests until eviction night who the final two nominees are!
This gives the game an entirely new twist!
The time for the HOH tournament has arrived! Every round in "New Rule" will feature a totally new rule compared to the previous one.
As the inaugural HOH of the summer, the final player standing will select three candidates for elimination. Wearing their mascot costumes, Cedric and Chelsie parade outside to encourage everyone.
Every round, Ainsley offers the participants a set of instructions; losers are eliminated. In Round 1, Tucker and Makensy are eliminated; in Round 2, Brooklyn, Kimo, and Rubina are eliminated; and in Round 3, Matt, Quinn, Cam, Lisa, T'Kor, and Joseph are eliminated.
Kenney vs Leah vs Angela is the last round.
'Big Brother' Season 26 airs on Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 9 pm ET/PT on CBS