Was Big Brother Canada 5 ultimately unfair to Neda Kalantar?
As a result of that, we saw what was quite possibly the end to one of the most unfair portrayals that we’ve seen on the show through any season. Neda was loved and celebrated the first time, and then rooted against hard the second time. This is meant to be a fun, silly show. We understand what happened during season 15 of the US show to generate boos — yet, Neda wasn’t treated all that differently, and she didn’t do anything near as wrong. Her low point was seemingly taunting Cassandra on her way out the door. However, other than that and some snide remarks here and there, what has she really done? She didn’t say anything racist, she didn’t make fun of someone’s appearance; the worst thing that she ever did was get into power.
There is something interesting in the relationship between us as viewers and underdogs — we love them because we’re inclined to. We ignore any potential flaws and focus more on the story. When said underdog isn’t an underdog anymore, we suddenly look at all of the flaws and they are blown completely out of proportion. Neda let the power get to her head at times, but the crucifying of her as some terrible and different person this time is wrong. She was just in a different position, and this game favors the people who start as the underdogs. If you look back at three out of the first four winners, they weren’t in dominant alliances in the early part of the game. If Topaz voted the right way and Gary won the first season, you could say the same thing about every season of the show.
One of the biggest nails in the coffin for Neda this season was her learning that Canada didn’t like her. This, in turn, may have psychologically empowered Sindy and others to get her out. Canada’s outside influence impacted the game, and that influenced was based in part on a TV show edit that was incomplete and at times unnecessary. There is poetry in how Sindy evicted her given the way that the show portrayed their relationship previously; what the show didn’t give you was how remorseful and apologetic Neda was to Sindy after people in the house made fun of her.
Don’t get us wrong — Neda could’ve done many things better this season. Yet, she’s still a great player and, based on our previous interactions with her, a very good person. Her exit may not have been unfair by the rules of the game, but it certainly was when it comes to treatment. (Also, just because Neda could’ve handled Cassandra’s exit better doesn’t give Ika license to be awful to her tonight on the way out.)
What do you think about both Neda’s exit, and also the way in which she was treated this season on Big Brother Canada? Share in the comments below!
Meanwhile, head over here for some further news when it comes to the show. (Photo: Global.)
Reetika
April 17, 2017 @ 7:48 am
I feel like only the people who watch live feeds constantly would know what kind of people the HG’s really are. I’ve only seen the aired episodes, so judging from those, Neda did say and act in a very mean way towards other HG’s. I think Ika isn’t getting this much hate cause she owns everything she does, versus Neda who probably thinks she hasn’t said and done anything wrong. All n all it was also very disappointing to see one of your favorite BBCAN house guests become a bit of an mean girl, her personality took a 180 since season 2, which is probably another reason why she got added hate towards her. I’m watching this season with my sister who has not watched season 2, I told her that Neda is the best player and shes awesome, my sister just could not understand why I ever liked her, I just kept having to remind myself and her about season 2. Its unfortunate but its just a game, this wont plague her for the rest of her life.
Cassie Pratt
April 18, 2017 @ 1:26 pm
Neda wasn’t like this in season 2 because she was too busy falling in love with Jon – we saw a happy Neda, who was kept in check by Jon. Without Jon she was the stone cold, arrogant, mean girl she has always been ….. BUT not unlike so many other people in BB history. Remember the mean girls to Heather in the same season?
Also I’ve never agreed that Jon only won because of Neda. He has social graces she doesn’t possess and a likability factor she lacks, without those skills shielding her this time around her true nature was exposed. Without him reigning in her overplaying, and overthinking, her ego got the best of her. Saying that Dillion and Emily were a bargain store version of her and Jon (don’t remember the exact quote but this was the gist of it) was just beyond arrogant and rude. (Just an additional example of her rude behaviour.)
BUT she did not behave any different than so many others before her. Ika is no better than Neda. She’s mean, and can be just as rude and cruel. She is just sneakier, and more two-faced than Neda. Look at how she has treated Jackie – tearing up her cheat sheet, taunting her, getting the other girls on her band wagon of hate.
Neda came into the game thinking she would prove to Canada that SHE is the reason Jon won, she allowed an already too large ego to inflate when she received immunity believing Canada loved her and she forgot to still play the game as though her @ss was on the line and most importantly to remain humble, and grateful for the advantage bestowed upon her.
She didn’t do anything worse than many before her and she certainly didn’t deserve to be booed. I’m not sure what made the audience think they behaved any better by bullying the bully! Kicking someone when they are down, bully or not, just lumps you in the same pile.
And why is it always girls being mean to girls!! Come on women, isn’t it about time we stopped that!
tina
April 15, 2017 @ 10:44 pm
did you watch a different bb? only taunted cass did you miss what she did to Sindy or how she talked to em give me a break she was mean girl very full of herself and she is not a bb legend she needs to grow up take a good look at herself she is no victim
Matt Carter
April 16, 2017 @ 4:16 am
I mentioned that Neda had flaws this season, but it also seemed like the show went out of its way to focus only on those without showing some of the same flaws of other players. Just my personal sentiment.
Jojo David
April 14, 2017 @ 8:26 am
Looks good on her!
Dan Roxas
April 14, 2017 @ 2:51 am
This is coming from a fan of Neda- her attitude sucked. She was condescending and rude. Don’t know if the boos were justified or too much but frankly considering what’s going on its not hard to see why.
Though frankly the boos were unexpected