[joeysteele]

I think really it was between James and Austin near all through.
people thought Scoop but he clearly was not in the running at all.

Also I do agree in part with the OP, the theme this series was the USA vs UK, and all the American housemates were evicted except for Austin.

I think is very fair to say that without James, Austin would not have probably done so well and certainly vice versa, wit out Austin, James would likely have not been in the running to win.

These 2, putting aside all the arguments and chaos that went on in the house with and around them, became the focal point of the series and in effect were each others power supply as to gaining the votes and support to be in the running to win.
For me the best final 2 for ages and maybe even ever on a BB series.

I can take on board what the OP said, this was presented as USA vs UK so it was likely going to be harder for an American to win this really.
That wasn't in any way the theme when Gary won.