‘Big Brother 18’ recap: ‘We are down to the final three with one week left’

Julie Chen welcomes us to the second straight live episode where we will see Paul make the final nominations and the final veto competition of the season. #ButFirst we are one week from the finale and Paul is so emotional after winning HOH. He is crying tears of joy knowing that he has secured a spot in the final three. Meanwhile, Nicole is crying for the fear that her and Corey are probably going to be nominated. Everyone's emotions are running high.

We find out that Paul and James had a quiet chat about the possibility of working together to break up the last couple in the house. Genius game move! You have to take them out if you think you are going to win this game. Excellent strategy. We have another predictable Nomination Ceremony in which Paul puts Corey and Nicole on the block. (Nicole is on the block for the first time this season. Impressive). They know the most important veto of the season is lingering. The winner of the POV decides who will become the eighth member of the jury.

The Jury House has been just as exciting if not more exciting than the Big Brother house this season and it just turned up a notch. The jury house is divided with Zakiyah/Paulie isolated from Da, Bridgette and Meech. They are sad to see Natalie join them. They watch what happened leading to Nat’s eviction and the girls make comments towards Paulie/Zakiyah and that is when it goes off. Paulie goes on the defense and he and Da get right in each other’s faces. It is intense. The best argument of the season comes in the jury house. The rest of the jury members look so uncomfortable and once Paulie brings in Da’s daughter, she loses it and production has to come in and restrain her. Wow. Zak and Da then go at it for a bit. One of the most explosive fights I've seen on Big Brother and the craziest jury house ever.

The jury house seems to have calmed down a bit since the blowup. They hope that Victor isn’t the next one to join them and are sad to see him walk in. They watch what happened leading up to his eviction an they all decide the best move would be for James/Paul to work together to try and split up Corey and Nicole.

#FinalVeto is upon us. It is baseball themed (which Corey should love). This one looks like fun. Each HG must figure out what day events happened in the BB house and then actually run the bases over the correct numbers and high five their umpire. The last person standing will be the winner of the final POV. I’m rooting for Paul or James.

James continues his struggles this year as he is the first one out. He must trust in Paul now. Nicole is the next one to go out. It comes down to Paul and Corey for the final veto. Paul is winning but Corey comes back to tie the game. One more out to go. James and Nicole are both praying. Paul sneaks it out over Corey to win the final POV of the season. Paul has all of the power. This means that Corey/Nicole will be split up. Corey is crushed. Nicole is mad. James is happy and hoping he is safe. “Friendship” pulled out a miracle this week.

It is time for the live Veto Meeting and Eviction. Paul obviously doesn't use the POV and reality sets in for Nicole and Corey that after 92 days, they will be separated. James stands up since he is the sole vote to evict. He votes to evict COREY. Corey goes to talk with Julie while the final 3 hug each other. Corey tells Julie he is a bit surprised to be sitting here and is obviously rooting for Nicole to win. He could see a friendship and maybe even a relationship with Nicole outside of the house.

One week until we crown the winner of Big Brother. Two episodes left. Friday night we will start the final HOH competition and next Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. we will find out who becomes the final HOH and who the jury votes to win the game!