I certainly agree with most of this SG. You're dead right about Tully's manipulative ways in the house towards the other HMs. I think everyone that makes it to the house has to be manipulative to a degree. We even saw it with Ben with the photos. Someone unthread mentioned Tully's role in the mutiny against Tim and I too remember her running around whispering to people what to do trying to get him out. While I think it was obvious that Tim's plan was to control the viewers' perception, Tully also seemed intent on controlling the other HMs views on one another. That's where Tully (and everyone else in that mutiny) screwed up because they didn't realise that in order to get someone out (like they wanted Tim gone) the audience has to told hold that opinion, not the other HMs.
I do agree that everyone gets defensive when called out, but I just think Tim takes it way over the top...especially considering he does toe the line so naturally if he does or says something hurtful people will react.
Even after everything I'm still extremely happy Tim won. I think it will set a trend and cause future HMs to play in the same entertaining way. Gone are the days of your Matt's or Ed's doing nothing and winning. I certainly don't think he's an arsehole. I think he does some arsehole-ish things but we all do. Away from the cameras Ben, Jade, Drew and Tahan still seem to want to be friends with him after everything so that tells me that he must be a good friend away from the cameras/media (where it counts). I just think it'd help him to develop some awareness to see that if he does or says things for attention there's going to be people that don't like it and either getting angry throwing it back in their face (especially someone he's actually hurt) or lying about doing it to begin with probably isn't the best way to respond if he wants to stay in the public eye.
Man, I've written more today than I have in ages haha.