Rubina and Tucker are the “it” showmance of Big Brother 26. They are deeply into each other in the house. While it’s been endearing to watch them fall for each other, it has complicated their games. Rubina in particular has been in a constant cycle of worry about whether she can trust Tucker. Most importantly, she’s worried that he’s lying to her about game loyalty and his genuine feelings for her.
Kimo, T’Kor, and Tucker have tried to reassure her that Tucker is not faking his feelings. To most outside observers, it’s obvious he is genuinely sprung. However, a game like Big Brother is complex enough that it’s reasonable to worry someone isn’t being genuine. Additionally, Tucker, by nature, is a showman and they’re on a TV show. Romance is also a popular genre, not just on Big Brother, but in the entertainment landscape. Americans love romantic love and showmances are way more popular than most fans care to admit.
Rubina also clearly has some insecurities that are creeping up in this environment. Therefore, that magnified by just general stress and anxiety has led to her repeatedly obsessing over whether Tucker is playing her. Now, as a feed watcher, it’s quite annoying to listen to daily, especially because Rubina doesn’t seem to be making much real effort to just discuss this with him.
They will never be able to resolve this with a lack of communication. This may lead to major trouble tomorrow if Rubina (with the influence of others) thinks Tucker is playing her. Anything can happen in Big Brother, so it’s not unimaginable that she could vote him out if he loses the AI Arena.
However, I don’t believe she will but I would also not be shocked. Though Rubina has been driving many feed watchers (myself included), and probably Kimo and T’Kor deep down, a little mad, she may not be completely wrong to feel some distrust with Tucker, at least in the game.
We know that Joseph and Tucker have a final two. Rubina has sensed it before, but claims to not believe it anymore. However, I think she still senses this truth. Tucker denied this final two deal. Additionally, he has actively told Joseph that Rubina is worried about it.
Plus, Tucker purposely omitted some details and deals he made. However, he’s been preaching honesty. Let us also not forget the infamous Deepfake where he exposed their showmance and said she should have left so he would fall apart.
None of this helped her, and it really hasn’t hurt her yet either. However, Angela basically betrayed Tucker because of his relationship with Rubina. Their showmance is obvious, and Rubina has talked about it publicly as well, but it still had some mystery. People could still wonder: how deep are they in this showmance? Has it been just hand holding or is it now an unbreakable bond? Tucker has been actively removing that doubt, though not completely intentionally. Tucker is still playing a game as much as he flips back and forth from checking in and out of it, as he should, but this just means Rubina’s game hesitation is warranted.
Now multiple people know how serious it is, and people have already tried to take her out solely (to her knowledge) because of her relationship with Tucker. There is nothing to stop them from doing that again, especially if they can’t take him out. Rubina has a right to worry about this, but she also fails to see that her relationship with Kimo and T’Kor is also putting a target on her back. She’s in a showmance and part of a platonic throuple.
She has lots of connections that could make people want to evict her, to weaken those ties. Tucker is also becoming increasingly emotionally involved with her, so taking her out, could actually make him lose a little fire for this game. Therefore, taking her out just to hurt Kimo, T’Kor, or Tucker’s games is not a bad move, so her target would still exist whether they’re kissing in public or not. But, it could also make people turn against them quicker if the bond seems unbreakable.
Rubina is not communicating any of her doubts to Tucker and that’s the real issue. She could easily push back on him being too overly affectionate and explain how it makes her a target even more. That’s what I think is making more fans annoyed with this cycle.
In conclusion, Rubina isn’t completely wrong to distrust Tucker in the game and worry that he’s just with her for the storyline. However, she is making things worse by not having a conversation where they directly discuss everything. If they don’t, it could lead to game repercussions like her evicting him sooner than what’s best for her game.
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