The Circle

Hannibal_Smith · 12-10-2019 11:13pm

BarryD2 wrote: »

Dunno, seems he’s justifying his manipulative strategy because his own mother was a single mother. But that seems a bit weak and self serving. What’s next, someone pretending to be a war veteran?

It doesn't matter, that's the point of the game. As long as you rate highly, go for it!

yerwanthere123 · 13-10-2019 1:00am

Have been playing catch up with this all week, overall I think this series has been excellent and almost as good as the first. The show is a brilliant concept and I hope it continues to grow.

Was surprised and a bit disappointed in Tim for blocking Brooke the last night, I doubt if he'll be influencer any more. Very surprising that Ella has managed to become such a big player in the game, although I do hope she has a bit of a fall from grace. Rooting for Georgina or Woody to win, both genuinely lovely people, although I can't say I'd begrudge Sammie/James doing it either, he's playing a brilliant game! Really looking forward to the reception James will get from the others when the truth gets out, I don't think they'll be happy.

yerwanthere123 · 13-10-2019 1:02am

Also, that was a great video from Alex of last year, the whole experience sounds a lot more intense and difficult than I thought it would be.

BarryD2 · 13-10-2019 12:38pm

Hannibal_Smith wrote: »

It doesn't matter, that's the point of the game. As long as you rate highly, go for it!

Yes but how far can you take it? Could some able bodied person credibly play someone like Paddy with a handicap? Or pretend say to be a survivor of abuse, just to garner votes?

BarryD2 · 13-10-2019 12:42pm

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Also, that was a great video from Alex of last year, the whole experience sounds a lot more intense and difficult than I thought it would be.

Notice though that there were some questions he said he couldn’t answer due to contract. Maybe like how long it was filmed over or what happens Saturdays?

Hannibal_Smith · 13-10-2019 7:36pm

BarryD2 wrote: »

Yes but how far can you take it? Could some able bodied person credibly play someone like Paddy with a handicap? Or pretend say to be a survivor of abuse, just to garner votes?

Catfishing is Catfishing at the end of the day. You don't know who you're talking to online or how truthful they're being with you. This is what the game kind of highlights.

Maybe there are rules so that, for TV purposes, you can only go so far with it

I don't mind Catfishing in the game, as long as they're honest to the camera. For example James is obviously playing someone else to get sympathy votes. But between messaging he clearly makes it known he's paying a game and he's there to win and take out the competition.

I think Tim is playing a similar game in there, but is playing it like he's riddled with guilt, which personally I don't buy.

It's just light hearted TV at the end of the day with the Catfishing adding a nice bit of cat and mouse.

BarryD2 · 14-10-2019 9:26am

Hannibal_Smith wrote: »

Catfishing is Catfishing at the end of the day. You don't know who you're talking to online or how truthful they're being with you. This is what the game kind of highlights.

Maybe there are rules so that, for TV purposes, you can only go so far with it

I don't mind Catfishing in the game, as long as they're honest to the camera. For example James is obviously playing someone else to get sympathy votes. But between messaging he clearly makes it known he's paying a game and he's there to win and take out the competition.

I think Tim is playing a similar game in there, but is playing it like he's riddled with guilt, which personally I don't buy.

It's just light hearted TV at the end of the day with the Catfishing adding a nice bit of cat and mouse.

Ah yes I agree, it's basically trash tv, maybe a little cut above some of the other trashy reality TV shows. Still there is a difference between Sammie's persona this year and that of Kate's last year. Last year yer man Alex was simply playing as his girlfriend, deceived Dan etc. This Sammie is also playing on the persona that she's a young single mum and separated from her little Charlie, which is a degree more manipulative. How the others haven't rumbled Sammie is a fault in how they've selected the other players as none so far bar late entrant Jan would have much of a clue about having a baby. Tim can catch people on their knowledge of building or history but wouldn't know a nappy from a baby bottle. So James has been getting away with vague soft answers about missing little Charlie. If Jan was there longer, she'd be asking him about what nappy rash creams Sammie uses or did she bottle or breast feed etc. The sort of questions the other catfish get.

I'd say Paddy's run out of steam - he's played all his cards, being Oirish, handicapped and gay and now reduced to saying 'f*ck this' and 'F**k that'.

Not surprised that Woody won a public vote and the fact that he did win probably means it was a genuine vote. That's basically the public saying who they want to win. Who will Woody choose to kick out? Don't think he would have the guts to kick out people he seems to have got on well with. So probably will try and live up to his 'catfish catcher' persona and go for Joyce or Josh. If he's seen through Sammie, maybe him as he might regard Sammie as a threat too and kill two birds with one stone.

Hannibal_Smith · 14-10-2019 10:01am

I don't think I'd ask another person whether they breast or bottle fed and I'm a parent. James' ability to carry on is down to a bit of luck, but more than that I think. Emelle was on to him and had suspicions. It just happened that James was influencer that week and he got rid of her. James then went on a mission of building connections between people. He's completely won Tim over, knowing that Tim is a great ally to have. It didn't just happen that they all believe him. James has played a cracking game.

Woody has suspicions about Sammie, but he's half afraid to voice them and even when he did Tim completely shot down the suggestion.

He has his bible of lies which got him to where he is.

Take Josh, she's an appalling catfish. Unlike Joyce, who have had no time to prepare, she knew going in that she was going to play someone else. She's going on a wing and a prayer that the photos will carry her through. The flirting with Jan last night made me want to puke. Not as an age thing, but it's like she thinks Jan is a desperate older woman who will fall for anything. She didn't even try to get to know her, just bam... Straight in with the cheese puke fest

BarryD2 · 14-10-2019 11:00am

Hannibal_Smith wrote: »

I don't think I'd ask another person whether they breast or bottle fed and I'm a parent. James' ability to carry on is down to a bit of luck, but more than that I think. Emelle was on to him and had suspicions. It just happened that James was influencer that week and he got rid of her. James then went on a mission of building connections between people. He's completely won Tim over, knowing that Tim is a great ally to have. It didn't just happen that they all believe him. James has played a cracking game.

Woody has suspicions about Sammie, but he's half afraid to voice them and even when he did Tim completely shot down the suggestion.

He has his bible of lies which got him to where he is.

Take Josh, she's an appalling catfish. Unlike Joyce, who have had no time to prepare, she knew going in that she was going to play someone else. She's going on a wing and a prayer that the photos will carry her through. The flirting with Jan last night made me want to puke. Not as an age thing, but it's like she thinks Jan is a desperate older woman who will fall for anything. She didn't even try to get to know her, just bam... Straight in with the cheese puke fest

Well yes, maybe not directly about feeding choices but you know the sort of questions I mean that are related to minding a baby. My point is that none of the other contestants bar Jan now have been equipped to ask him about this. Agree re Josh, that hasn't worked for the producers. I see Josh, Joyce, Jan and Paddy all going , then Ella or Sammie. Leaving Georgina, Woody, Tim and Ella or Sammie to the final, with Georgina or Woody to win!

Martina1991 · 14-10-2019 11:21am

Josh is a terrible catfish. Has no plan or backstory whatsoever. Ha she not seen the show.

I think Woody has blocked Joyce. He's too nice to be ruthless.
it's Josh, Paddy and Jan after that I'd say.

Since the public have had a hand in the game this year, I wonder will the public have a say in who wins?

Toto Wolfcastle · 14-10-2019 11:27am

Martina1991 wrote: »

Since the public have had a hand in the game this year, I wonder will the public have a say in who wins?

They might split it again. Last year Alex won both the Circle vote and the public vote.

I think Woody will definitely get rid of Joyce. They've grown on me but I think the meet up will be brilliant so fingers crossed. I've gone right off Tim. His reaction to his preferred egg not winning was way over the top.

Sunny Dayz · 14-10-2019 11:50am

So disappointed in "Josh" aka Busayo. She came across as very clued in and intelligent when she came into the Circle first. But she doesn't seem to have been that well prepared, she should have had Josh's whole bio planned out. She appears to be making a lot of it up as she goes along and doesn't really come across as in character. Compared with "Jay" who was quite well prepared and researched and she was playing a real person, just not herself. I was really hoping "Josh" would make a good point about how differently she is treated as a white middle class male but it's falling a bit flat for me.

Sunny Dayz · 14-10-2019 11:54am

BarryD2 wrote: »

I'd say Paddy's run out of steam - he's played all his cards, being Oirish, handicapped and gay and now reduced to saying 'f*ck this' and 'F**k that'.

I thought this last night also. Maybe it was just down to the editing but now that he's gotten the gay disabled bit out in the open he doesn't seem to be really making much more of an impact. He strikes me as someone who thrives on other people's company and I honestly think he's a bit lonely in the flat on his own when their communication is so limited.

Sunny Dayz · 14-10-2019 11:57am

I had Georgina pipped to win but now I'm not so sure. She was so bubbly and nice and friendly but after Brooke visited her she changed her tune and is now quite moody and passive aggressive.

Sunny Dayz · 14-10-2019 11:58am

We know from watching the show who the Catfishes are. But does anyone else think that some of the "genuine" people are also playing the game a bit?

Hannibal_Smith · 14-10-2019 12:01pm

I hear you BarryD2, maybe the other contestants have helped Sammie, but he's done a hell of a lot of ground work too.

The paranoia is hilarious now. They're even suspecting poor Jan because her story about the Berlin Wall was too vague wtf.

I think Woody has gone to Joyce too. In the clip last night Beth jumped. Either it's really great editing to throw us off, or it's her door they knocked on. If Brooke had been there, I would have been in no doubt he would have knocked on her door. :pac:

The clips with Joyce are so funny... Patting themselves on the back with their great answers all the while the other person is screaming catfish at their screen

Hannibal_Smith · 14-10-2019 12:02pm

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

We know from watching the show who the Catfishes are. But does anyone else think that some of the "genuine" people are also playing the game a bit?

Tim for sure.

BarryD2 · 14-10-2019 1:23pm

Hannibal_Smith wrote: »

The paranoia is hilarious now. They're even suspecting poor Jan because her story about the Berlin Wall was too vague wtf.

I think there's more cynicism this year as they all know how it panned out in the first run. There's no real sense of alliances, even with a week to go they're all looking over their shoulders. Whereas last year, there was a stronger sense that those in first would support each other.

BarryD2 · 14-10-2019 11:05pm

Woody is a wimp! Grown to dislike all of them now, bar Jan. At least she’s who she is

2nd Row Donkey · 14-10-2019 11:36pm

Paddy pretty ballsy tonight. Interesting choice of tactic.
This year's show finally livibg up to the hype in the last few nights.

Hannibal_Smith · 15-10-2019 7:20am

I loved the ending last night. Game is on!

BarryD2 · 15-10-2019 9:21am

Hannibal_Smith wrote: »

I loved the ending last night. Game is on!

But what can they do, they're losers. Woody lost ground last night too, portrays himself as an innocent young lad with not a bad to say about anybody, but then is plotting and spreading suspicions behind the others backs.

2nd Row Donkey wrote: »

Paddy pretty ballsy tonight. Interesting choice of tactic.

Again he was just attacking another person who is likely to get booted soon, so just a question of whether it's Paddy or Josh to go first?

Hannibal_Smith · 15-10-2019 10:05am

BarryD2 wrote: »

But what can they do, they're losers. Woody lost ground last night too, portrays himself as an innocent young lad with not a bad to say about anybody, but then is plotting and spreading suspicions behind the others backs.

Agreed re Woody.

I'm hoping they can plot to assign ratings in a meaningful way. Not sure if they are allowed do that. But Sammie knows that Tim isn't going to rate her low. Be highly unlikely Ella would too. If he gets Paddy and Georgina on side that's 4 people he can rate low that won't do likewise to him.

I don't know how the game is going to play now, whether there will be influencers. If there are I think, no matter who the influencers are now, Sammie isnt going to be voted out.

Sunny Dayz · 15-10-2019 10:26am

Maybe I'm missing something but I don't get why "Sammie" is so annoyed with Woody over what he would do with the winnings. Did Sammie think that Woody's comments were aimed at him/her?

I think Paddy needs to be careful - he was properly getting engrossed with Sammie's rant - he could end up losing the connections he has with Ella and Georgina.

I did think many of the "rivals" were quite lick ar$ey!

Josh is a goner - they were all private chatting about him / her on last night's episode - at one point I was thinking gosh Busayo will get a bit suss if she realises that no one else is actually chatting to her!!

BarryD2 · 15-10-2019 10:42am

Hannibal_Smith wrote: »

I'm hoping they can plot to assign ratings in a meaningful way. Not sure if they are allowed do that. But Sammie knows that Tim isn't going to rate her low. Be highly unlikely Ella would too. If he gets Paddy and Georgina on side that's 4 people he can rate low that won't do likewise to him.

Yep, Sammie has been ruthless from the start, getting rid of the one person that seemed to doubt him. Quite capable of doing as you say, build up friends but vote them down behind their backs. If he wins, fair dues to him but I think it'll be a pretty unpopular win among the other players and the public

LizT · 15-10-2019 11:23am

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

Maybe I'm missing something but I don't get why "Sammie" is so annoyed with Woody over what he would do with the winnings. Did Sammie think that Woody's comments were aimed at him/her?

I think Paddy needs to be careful - he was properly getting engrossed with Sammie's rant - he could end up losing the connections he has with Ella and Georgina.

I did think many of the "rivals" were quite lick ar$ey!

Josh is a goner - they were all private chatting about him / her on last night's episode - at one point I was thinking gosh Busayo will get a bit suss if she realises that no one else is actually chatting to her!!

If they’re being tactical they might keep Josh in as the know he has no hope of winning.

Ella is annoying me lately, she was giving out at the start that everyone was too nice and fake yet her messages are so lick arsey now. Her goddess/momma bear/bestie stick is wearing thin.

Hannibal_Smith · 15-10-2019 11:38am

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

Maybe I'm missing something but I don't get why "Sammie" is so annoyed with Woody over what he would do with the winnings. Did Sammie think that Woody's comments were aimed at him/her?

Yeah I think it was one of those situations where James was actually being legit and felt something from his own heart about what he'd do with the money. Then woody said... Its not for me to say what I'll do with the money, but why I think Im better than... Ella I think he picked?

I think James was waiting for the aw factor but felt Woody completely trounced on it.

Hannibal_Smith · 15-10-2019 11:54am

BarryD2 wrote: »

Yep, Sammie has been ruthless from the start, getting rid of the one person that seemed to doubt him. Quite capable of doing as you say, build up friends but vote them down behind their backs. If he wins, fair dues to him but I think it'll be a pretty unpopular win among the other players and the public

I kind of hope Tim is out before Sammie, so he has time to get his emotions in check :eek:

Scott Tenorman · 15-10-2019 11:26pm

Getting really good now. I’m with team COT

Sunny Dayz · 15-10-2019 11:34pm

Oh wow! Anyone else think Sammie is going crazy being cooped up in that flat for so long?! He seems very much consumed with his Circle of Trust.

blue454545 · 15-10-2019 11:40pm

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

Oh wow! Anyone else think Sammie is going crazy being cooped up in that flat for so long?! He seems very much consumed with his Circle of Trust.

Sammie is nasty and Paddy is easily led. I know its only a show and theres money to be won but I cant help but despair. If it goes to public vote, this COT will backfire.

Tim is so pure and refreshing. If he doesnt win, Id love to see him get a TV gig or something.

Martina1991 · 15-10-2019 11:52pm

Surely Jan will go with both influencers fighting their corner. Its the blocking after this that'll be interesting.

Hannibal_Smith · 16-10-2019 7:56am

I'm glad some ones shaking it up. There should be a game where everyone takes a drink when someone says 'I've got your back'. How can they make that decision in so little time! Anytime some one says it I think instant game player.

I liked Ella up until that conversation with Jan. It was a blatant attempt to get an ally rather than a friend. Momma bear. James is right. She has gone from best friends with Sammie to Woody to Georgina. Its complete brown nosing

Again I used to like Tim, but he's way too condescending. He'll regret not listening to Woody about Sammie

. I think he believes he's playing the game, but he'll get rid of anyone #ScholarSquadGate. His wanting to meet up with Sammie at Christmas is either a really good cover at catfish hunting, or it's just downright odd.

The clever thing is, now that Sammie has Tim onside, no one will ever accuse her of tactical voting.

Sunny Dayz · 16-10-2019 9:15am

blue454545 wrote: »

Sammie is nasty and Paddy is easily led.

I agree. I can see Sammie dropping Paddy like a hot potato once he gets what he needs from him, ie it to make it to the final. I think Paddy will feel quite hurt when he realises what has happened.

BarryD2 · 16-10-2019 9:23am

But surely it will now dawn quickly on Tim that Sammie is not quite the 'innocent single mum missing her cute baby' persona and that she has suddenly changed in character. Presumably Tim will want to keep Woody & Ella. And it'll be immediately obvious to him that Sammie wants to keep Paddy & Georgina, in which case if he doesn't figure out what's happened, he's thicker than he seems. Getting rid of Jan will not achieve anything much for Sammie, so his cover will be blown when he starts criticising Ella or Woody.

Georgina already suspects Sammie a bit as he set up this voting pact and benefited the most. Paddy as edited is just shown as being gullible cannon fodder - the thick Irish lad. Woody has gone to being pathetic, worried about his popularity.

Jan is the only person left you'd have much respect for. I'd hope she skips through and wins some sort of combined internal and public vote but it's very unlikely.

As for the Circle of Trust, it's clearly a Pack of Lies

Scott Tenorman · 16-10-2019 10:01am

Martina1991 wrote: »

Surely Jan will go with both influencers fighting their corner. Its the blocking after this that'll be interesting.

I agree with this, Jan is a goner.
I can see Sammie planting the seeds about Ella now but really push for it next time.

Scott Tenorman · 16-10-2019 10:06am

BarryD2 wrote: »

But surely it will now dawn quickly on Tim that Sammie is not quite the 'innocent single mum missing her cute baby' persona and that she has suddenly changed in character. Presumably Tim will want to keep Woody & Ella. And it'll be immediately obvious to him that Sammie wants to keep Paddy & Georgina, in which case if he doesn't figure out what's happened, he's thicker than he seems. Getting rid of Jan will not achieve anything much for Sammie, so his cover will be blown when he starts criticising Ella or Woody.

Georgina already suspects Sammie a bit as he set up this voting pact and benefited the most. Paddy as edited is just shown as being gullible cannon fodder - the thick Irish lad. Woody has gone to being pathetic, worried about his popularity.

Jan is the only person left you'd have much respect for. I'd hope she skips through and wins some sort of combined internal and public vote but it's very unlikely.

As for the Circle of Trust, it's clearly a Pack of Lies

Of course it is, it's a game and this is only way they have a chance they have of winning.

Ultimately i don't think it will work & Tim will take the prize, but they had to try something

Hannibal_Smith · 16-10-2019 10:10am

Of course it's not a circle of trust. It's a circle of conniving dishonesty

Jan is blah and she'd have been voted out long ago if she was an OG. I haven't seen anything from her that would add any more to the game than Sy and Brooke.

BarryD2 · 16-10-2019 11:07am

Well all it needs is for Tim to figure out what's happening with Sammie and then whatever happens, go behind his back, get Georgina and/ or Paddy on his side and then shaft Sammie!

Hannibal_Smith · 16-10-2019 11:35am

It all depends on how the Influencer chat goes. Sammie has Tim eating out of the palm of her hand atm. He wouldn't let Woody say a bad thing about her.

That said, Tim is very good at reading between the lines during chats. So Sammie has to be v careful.

There's also probably a big of hang over from Sy. Tim let Sammie have her way with Sy. He has referenced it a couple of times since. Sammie has to remember this and tread gently re Ella.

Interestingly on the app Woody still had his blue tick. Is he still secret influencer?

Sunny Dayz · 16-10-2019 12:38pm

Hannibal_Smith wrote: »

It all depends on how the Influencer chat goes. Sammie has Tim eating out of the palm of her hand atm.

I think the influencer chat is going to be very interesting to see if/how Sammie will convince Tim that Woody should be blocked. I'm really hoping Tim twigs something but I think Sammie has Tim well wrapped around his finger with the Charlie talk.

BarryD2 · 16-10-2019 12:39pm

Paddy's thinking is hard to figure out - he must surely realise that he personally hasn't a chance of winning, even if he somehow manages to get through to a final vote. Nothing in it for him to support the Sammie lad. Maybe he's caught up in the 'game' and deluded.

Martina1991 · 16-10-2019 1:22pm

BarryD2 wrote:

Paddy's thinking is hard to figure out - he must surely realise that he personally hasn't a chance of winning, even if he somehow manages to get through to a final vote. Nothing in it for him to support the Sammie lad. Maybe he's caught up in the 'game' and deluded.

Every day is a bonus for Paddy. His job is social media. He's mad for fame to increase his following. He probably knows he won't win but he has a lifeline now to the final.

Hannibal_Smith · 16-10-2019 1:43pm

Just saw the Daily Drop. Tim maybe on to Sammie :eek: :pac:

Mam of 4 · 16-10-2019 1:46pm

Hannibal_Smith wrote: »

Just saw the Daily Drop. Tim maybe on to Sammie :eek: :pac:

I hope he is , the drama should be good then !

BarryD2 · 16-10-2019 2:42pm

Maybe 'Sammie' doesn't really want to win as realises there's a real world out there that will view him with derision if he wins. So a handy way to resolve at this stage is to whip up suspicion and have himself kicked out & revealed, where he can control the narrative better? You can have a great time speculating on the psychology of this show. If it's as it is, you'd probably go a bit mad in there!

Mam of 4 · 16-10-2019 10:15pm

Ooh this is good , Sammie not happy his plan did not go the way he wanted haha !

BarryD2 · 16-10-2019 11:49pm

Hmm, Ella’s votes will decide the next influencers I think. Fairly clear that Sammie & sidekicks will line up to vote 2 of them up and Ella & Woody to the bottom. If Ella doesn’t cop onto or rejects any plans Tim & Woody have, then she could tip the balance. Disgusted to see Tim kicking out Jan. Should have been Paddy or Woody!

Posy · 17-10-2019 12:02am

Well, Tim really likes Woody and Sammie really 'likes' Paddy, so it was inevitable that poor Jan would be booted.
I'm not too sorry, as she was a bit dull, tbh.

Really hope Sammie doesn't win this now, although I do have to grudgingly admit that James is playing a great game.

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 17-10-2019 12:39am

I'm probably in the minority judging by the general outrage on Twitter, but I'm rooting for Sammie or Georgina to win it all now.

Have gone right off Tim after tonight - his holier than thou attitude is completely over the top.

The Circle

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