Nine Lives |
01-11-2011 01:20 AM |
I'm glad to see this discussion, because something about Aaron has been reminding me of America's Player Eric for weeks now, and I thought it was just me.
It's not just about the puppet master stuff (though, that's part of it). I watched the live feeds of Eric's season and thought his storyline was much more compelling than what actually aired on the show, up until about the last week or so he was in there, when they finally aired a little of it. Eric was struggling with America's Player from the start - he clearly never wanted to do it, but knew once it was offered, if he said no, he was off the show, and the show was his lifelong dream. And in spite of the ball and chain of AP, he rose to the occasion and managed to play a pretty smart strategic game despite not being allowed to control his own destiny with votes.
Where I think Eric and Aaron are very similar is that both are overall decent, genuine, funny guys with a slightly darker streak who love Big Brother with a passion. Both are arguably not the most masculine men in the world, but seem comfortable enough with their sexuality. Yet in trying to play the game using their brains, they get labeled as "weasels" (I jumped when I saw someone call Aaron that yesterday, it was practically Eric's nickname) and snakes. And then there's the girl thing.
Like Aaron with Faye, Eric's intentions with Jessica were questioned both inside and outside of the house. He was such a good manipulator that people found it difficult to believe Jess wasn't part of his game as well, especially since viewers knew he couldn't/wouldn't tell her about America's Player. Ultimately, though, while they didn't last in the long run, their relationship did have a good run of a few months outside of the house. It was real, it just wasn't perfect. It happens.
I really don't think Aaron and Faye stand a chance with her family in the picture, but if it wasn't for their interference, I think there was something there. Aaron's not an actor, and he's not good enough to fake it. His manipulations are more about throwing strops to get the reactions he wants out of people.
Aaron has been open about playing a game, so why should we think he's not being open when he says he's not playing the girl?
I've always said Eric was my favorite Big Brother player, but Aaron is rapidly overtaking him - only because Aaron has actually been the star of his show, while Eric was just edited for comic relief for a large part of his season.
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