The Circle - who’s watching?

[Standrewsschool]

The first three are wannabes.

Hunter - trying to revive his career.

I didn't like Tally. She was very one dimensional. I prefer her to Dot though. He's quite creepy

Surprised so many posters liked Tally. I am glad she has gone, good riddance.

I don't really get the Tally hate, she wasn't very smart about playing the game and could have easily saved herself if she'd built bonds with more players, but I thought she came across as pretty sweet and genuine.

I think Andy may have fucked it, if he says it was because of her being a catfish, that'll be twice he's wrong and I dont think Tally and Billy were unpopular overly.

I think Manrika has fucked up her girls before guys stance Is obviously fake and she didn't need to put tally last. I think there could be fireworks if her and natalya meet on the show.

I cant say I wanted tally to win but dot is just so boring IMO.

Syed to win at the moment. I like Vithun but he's too passive but maybe that's the plan he wants to be middle for the end game

I’ve started watching the US version on Netflix, and 3 episodes in I already prefer these contestants.

I thought Tally was pretty genuine and quite nice. She seems to have had some issues with social media and how she was perceived on it in real life so she probably really pushed a "version" of herself.

Cannot stand Dot-Scott, Manrika or Felix-Natalya after her little sanctimonious little lecture. Andy is amiable at least but he's playing tactically and because he's had a bit of power it's starting to show more and detract.

Dot-Scott in the agony aunt task "Tally just isn't being funny..." well neither are you mate haha!

Weird I looked on wiki to see about the players coming in and out natalya and Scott came in episode 5.

In the last series including yesterday's episode when Paddy would have came in there were only 2 people added into the game after him and 4 on the episodes 1-9.

So we're only actually down 2 people but it feels like we're missing loads.

I still think Andy is going down in my book whilst Syed/ Hashu is going up and unlike other years I dont really mind him being a catfish. I know he is a " content creator" but i don't feel I'm getting suckered by him.

The words 'content creator' make my head hurt ...

Series 1 and 2 of the UK circle had 15 contestants in total and the US version had 14. This series only has 11 contestants (counting the father & daughter as one), I’m assuming that covid restrictions meant it was harder to bring people in and out. I think as well because they brought in the only 2 new players on the same day it feels like there’s only really been one occasion of having new players being added, I’m not counting Yolanda coming back as Orange Tally. It seems like because there are less players the producers are trying to keep things interesting by adding twist after twist but actually think it would have been better if they’d kept the twists a bit simpler, if they’d had Yolanda go back in as somebody new rather than as a clone I think that would have been a good enough twist in itself.

On top of there being too many twists it feels like these new twists such as the cloning and assassin have been engineered to cause drama and negativity and I guess that’s the real issue with them, they drive players apart rather than bring them together and that’s making it harder to warm to any of the players because the games set up to ensure it’s difficult for them are able to be genuine with each other.

I assumed the twists were amped up to compensate for slower contestant turnover. I am assuming that's due to Covid restrictions so they're trying to fill the void?

I have just started the American version. I know it's a franchise but it's slightly creeping me out how similar the buildings are. Interesting to see the differences in play though.

@MrsToothyBitch

I assumed the twists were amped up to compensate for slower contestant turnover. I am assuming that's due to Covid restrictions so they're trying to fill the void?

I have just started the American version. I know it's a franchise but it's slightly creeping me out how similar the buildings are. Interesting to see the differences in play though.

The American version was filmed in the same Salford flats as the UK version which is why the building looks the same - it is the same! There have also been Brazilian and French versions which I believe were also filmed in the Salford flats.

I think they should only have one person in each flat. No couples, pets, babies. Everyone should be the same. I suspect I'd like Hunter more if he wasn't having dogs lick his face all the time. I don't care if someone is a catfish or not. Their underlying personality is more important. Syed seems a likeable bloke as did the guy who won the first series. Dot just seems bitchy. Andy I still like because he's just playing tactically and didn't pretend to be Tally's best friend like Manrika. Tally seemed to have nothing to her except the geezer gal nonsense and was too keen to take against people and make enemies. Natalya has some strange outfits. She's obviously bright but her lecture at the beginning was ill judged and put me off her. I don't get a vote though so maybe she thought the contestants would trust her. I would distrust anyone going on about integrity and honesty in the Circle though in a "wtf are you doing here then" way

Natalya clearly has her eye on a future TV career ...

Poor Tally - she just wasn't clever enough to navigate the game.

The Circle have put up a video on their twitter feed of them showing Billy who is really who. Really want them to do same for Tally, love for her to see how 'I don't let men get between my friendships' Manrika is being trolled by a catfish.

@BillyIsMyBunny ahh that makes sense! I don't know Salford so no wonder I didn't recognise it . I actually spotted a couple of products that looked more like they'd be UK only or less likely to be in the US which surprised me, so that makes sense. Plus if they've licensed the format I suppose they're getting their money's worth out the building and it's cheaper than setting it up blocks elsewhere. Seems crazy that a show aimed at the US or France or Brazil, with contestants from those places and shown primarily over there is all filmed in the UK though. If it takes off internationally, would they still film subsequent seasons here as well?

Natalya forgot herself with her little integrity speech, I think and I can't stand her now. She's not just catfishing as a man, she's catfishing as a soldier (ok she is one but she's still playing a lie), a para at that and someone who looks like the bloody milk tray man to boot. I work with soldiers. Lots of them are in good shape but I WISH my lot looked like that! I know it's her friend but in a game where you know people lie, that profile would be top of my catfish list. I want her out- after Scott-Dot and Manrika. I'd love it if she had a show down with Manrika! Open to the possibility of a catfish or just game playing or not, I suspect Manrika won't like it when face to face with it! It must be v weird and she seems the type to hit the roof!

Manrika and Dot are both too mean for me. Vithun I am trying to like, he's just shy. Andy is ok but slightly more ruthless than he initially seemed, Gemma is ok- they're both playing tactically. I agree that using averaged out ratings to decide the winner would be the best. I feel like Woody got robbed last time.

I wonder what an online dating infused version could be like.

Sometimes I feel like Andy is catfishing all of us with his nice normal bloke act.

The trouble with averaged out ratings is it would be unfair on the people who join later. I think they need to not tell the players when they're making the final ratings to stop them being tactical.

@Tianatiers

The trouble with averaged out ratings is it would be unfair on the people who join later. I think they need to not tell the players when they're making the final ratings to stop them being tactical.

But then they're voting on the basis of who will most likely save them and not who they want to win so it's not really representative either.

@jay55

Sometimes I feel like Andy is catfishing all of us with his nice normal bloke act.

Ohhh? Tell us more.

I can see what you mean by Andy catfishing everyone. You appreciate that there are tactics in the game but there's something about watching him going quite so cunning that really jars.

Also he's Mr "go with your gut" and I'm sure his gut would have actually been to ditch Dot.

So far I'm enjoying watching Syed the most. Bloody hate Manrika, I think she's a nasty piece of work. Hope she goes soon.

Yeah his persona feels every bit as crafted as Syed at times. I could be totally wrong and that is who he is.
His whole I'm so confused and conflicted act whenever he's making a decision I just don't buy.

Major watching fail here. I too fond I drift off as it’s on so late 🤣 lockdown effect on my sleeping. Friday just as Andy was deciding and you came as break I
Assumed it was yet another ludicrous cliff hanger and turned off. Yesterday saw on Twitter loads saying they were upset tally had gone. I actually thought they were catfishing me ! Finally clicked and watched the last 5 mins.

Manrika - do not like her. Shame as she’s got some good aspects. Very astute but Felix swayed her.
Natalia - like her a lot and so beautiful.
Syed - grows on me every day. Loved how his syed message to tally after she was at risk was dictated in his own voice - genuine.
Dot - her drawing made me love her/him.
Vithun - shy but I’m beginning not to like him even factoring that in I think.
Andy - playing clever game getting rid of strong players to hell with consequences (which he seems to get away with).

Gemma - strong player and clever. Quite like him/her.
Wish they would all stop shouting.
Wish they would tag the visit to another player onto the end of the same episode.