It’s a Game, So Why Are Big Brother Malta Housemates Criticised For Playing It?
After watching Big Brother Malta last night, I felt the need to write this.
Accusations of “playing the game” were being thrown around left, right, and centre, as if the housemates were doing something wrong by strategising in a game they knowingly signed up for.
There seems to be an unspoken taboo around admitting that you want to win, and anyone who actively tries to gain an advantage by eliminating their greatest threats is suddenly seen as a ġakbin or disingenuous.
The reality? Everyone wants to win—and why wouldn’t they? €50,000 is no small prize. The difference is that some are simply playing the game better than others.
Each housemate has their own strategy. Some choose to be friendly and open with everyone, others take on the role of leader or peacemaker, while others prefer to form strong alliances and systematically eliminate outsiders.
They are surely also closely observing the public’s voting habits, knowing that popularity outside the house can be just as crucial as strategy inside.
I’m sure that real friendships are being built, and the housemates likely ‘switch off’ from the game at times. But when nominations come around, they all flip the switch back on and make choices that serve their end goal—winning the game.
The closer they get to the final, the more they will believe they can win it. That means they will have to make tough decisions about who they want to sit next to at the end.
And that is exactly what Big Brother is about. It’s a social experiment that pushes real people into an uncomfortable situation where they must work together while simultaneously working against each other.
Instead of criticising them for playing the game, we should embrace the fact that this is a game meant to be played—and enjoy watching them play it.
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