‘Big Brother 17’: What Happens If Liz And Julia Nolan Are Discovered? [Spoilers]

The twin twist seems likely to unravel soon on Big Brother 17. If Liz and Julia Nolan can’t keep up the ruse that they are one person and hide the fact they are twins, their Big Brother life is over. Or, is it?

[Warning: spoilers from Big Brother 17 live feeds to follow.]

Live feeders watched as Liz Nolan’s cover was blown, first by Da’Vonne, then by the other players as suspicion spread through the house. By Tuesday morning, most of the house had heard the theory that Liz might be a twin. Da’Vonne, in an attempt to earn Liz’s vote, told her that twin rumors were circulating. Liz did not admit to being a twin but assured Da’Vonne she would vote for her because Da’Vonne used her “Fast Forward” pass to keep her safe the first week.

Shelli Poole even alluded to her twin suspicions on her official HOH blog. She included a complimentary note to each house guest, and of Liz she said, “Such a cool chick—or chicks?? Hmmmmm.”

So, what are the terms of the Big Brother “Twin Twist?”

In Big Brother 5, Adria and Natalie made it through the fifth eviction undetected. As Julie Chen revealed the twist to the house guests, she said the twins’ goal was to “avoid being discovered or evicted for five weeks.” Adria and Natalie did play as individuals but were both evicted long before the finale.

In Big Brother 17, Julie Chen told viewers this about the twist:

“If they can survive the first five evictions, they both earn the right to enter the game and play as individual house guests.”

Of course, Big Brother can change the rules all it wants. Liz and Julia should also know the nitty-gritty details of what they have to accomplish. But it’s significant that, unlike in Big Brother 5, in Big Brother 17, Julie did not say the twins had to go undetected.

So, if Liz and Julia are found out, but not evicted, how will the game play out?

Before the twin twist, Liz was considered such a non-threatening player that Shelli planned to put her up as a pawn against Da’Vonne, before Austin and Vanessa talked her out of it.

After Da’Vonne or Meg is evicted Thursday, there are only a handful of big targets left in the house. Audrey does remain isolated after quickly losing trust at the beginning of the game.

If Liz and Julia do remain in the game, and the house guests know they are twins, it’s unclear whether they will push Liz/Julia to outright admit that fact. If the knowledge is widespread, and if the twins do fess up, it remains to be seen whether they will continue to swap out in the diary room as they have been.

If the twins do not enter the house as individuals, Big Brother will be short a player. The show will presumably have to bring back an old player to fill the spot, cancel an eviction, or otherwise alter the schedule. Bringing back an evicted house guest would not be new on Big Brother. Last season, jury members competed to determine which player would re-enter the house.

Big Brother 17 airs Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday on CBS.

[Left image: CBS; Right image: John Sciulli / Getty Images Entertainment]