He says “in this house” a lot. Like he will say, about Sophie, “She is everything to me, in this house.” Like the Chad we are seeing is a character for who he wants to be portrayed as, but it’s not who/what he is/wants on the outside. Urgh I know what I’m trying to say in my head, not sure it’s coming out right!
I think Chad is
definitely playing a strategic game "in the house".
I'm not surprised at all that he's a different person now that he's out. His big ol' dumb dumb act is pretty ingenious!
Here are my reasons why Chad is the most strategic...
1. Playing the Underdog. He could have positioned himself as an Alpha just as much as Dan. Depressingly, all it takes is to be a relatively young, fit, decent looking, preferably tall male, and you have your social game in the bag that secures you for at least the first three quarters of the game. Instead, he positioned himself as a self-described underdog, when clearly he wouldn't be anything of the sort outside the walls of BB. And as a safeguard, he also presents himself as really, really dumb, so no one thinks he's a threat.
2. Throwing Challenges. As part of the above strategy, Chad has been throwing the challenges to deflect attention, unless they really count, and then he's won them. Good strategy, especially earlier in the game when winning almost guaranteed eviction.
3. Showmance. He set himself up as half of a couple within a nanosecond of entering the house. Showmances are a good move because they guarantee instant narrative and airtime, as long as you're not seen as a "power couple" which makes you a threat, and therefore a target (explaining Chad's underdog stance).
4. Perfect Boyfriend. He has been laying it on
sooo thick, with all his "I need to protect my lady", "Sophis is my queen" malarkey. I almost lose my dinner listening to that! But it's a good move strategically because it helps secure the female vote, especially young impressionable females who see him as their dreamy TV boyfriend.
5. Perfect Son. His backstory is all about his mum and how he wants to provide for her, and how much he loves his dog. Awww. There's the middle-aged female vote in the bag (maybe).
6. Perfect Friend. To scoop up the straight male vote, he's the tradie in a model's body. Just a humble, knockabout guy...
Chad's put a lot of thought into his game. Does that mean he deserves to win? I don't think it matters. Maybe he'll be the next Bachelor.
