Episode 18, we are so close to the finale of The Circle Series 3! Some of the confessions at the beginning of the episode were that Andy would have blocked Manrika before, but after his recent conversation with Manrika, that mentality has changed. Manrika explained that she needed an alliance with Andy, and Dorothy revealed that if Andy's an easy target, why not agree with the other players and get him out. Andy invited Felix and Tom to a boys speak initially speaking about football. Andy said he supported Villa and Tom explained that he supported Arsenal, but Felix said that he knew nothing about football, adding 'it's like they're speaking another language'. Felix went on to try and change the conversation by speaking about a circle wedding might need to happen, saying that when you find a girl like Manrika, you want to tie her down...but added that she probably wanted to tie him down. Felix added 'I don't ever want to do that again!'.
Manrika also started a private chat with Dorothy to explain that she was feeling a bit upset and added that 'she might uplift me a little bit'. Dorothy was thinking whether Manrika was just trying to make her feel sorry for her, but then they both began speaking about how they both missed their families, with Manrika getting emotional and explaining that she's only ever been away from her mum for a maximum of 3 days. Syed also started a chat with Tom who admitted 'I'm just loving the energy from Tom right now', and he explained that he jumped over the neighbours fence and stole a tortoise. Tom a.k.a Pippa and Joey realised that he was probably teasing Tom because he is a priest, and he suggested that Syed was to return the tortoise. Syed said 'I hope he's still here in another few days...we know what happened to the other 2 newbies...'
The players were then involved with a game called 'Ask Me Anything' where some of the players were able to ask anonymous questions to the other players. Andy's question was for Felix, asking 'which 2 players do you have the strongest connection with in The Circle?' which Manrika thought was a good question, as it was a way to work out Felix's closest allies, and Felix explained that Dorothy and Manrika were his 2 girls of The Circle. Dorothy's question for Manrika was 'who do you trust the most in here?' and Manrika wasn't unsure whether to choose Felix, or go tactically and choose Andy instead. She also thought that Andy had asked the anonymous question to try and test her trust and answered 'Andy'. Tom called her a liar and some of the players weren't too sure if she was telling the truth, with Felix explaining whether that would mean Manrika would choose Andy over him, and Dorothy said that something didn't sound right. Syed's question for Dorothy asked what year the Falklands war started' with Alice adding 'I'm not the only person that doesn't believe she's real' with Andy adding that 'obviously there are some question marks against Dorothy. After looking through her notes, she managed to find the answer was around 1982 and Syed cheered and said 'omg Dot you're real!' Dorothy explained that people were definitely onto her, but thank God she had her notes. Alice's question for Felix asked whether he's using his romance with Manrika to boost his ratings and popularity, with Syed explaining 'oh wow what a question though' with Alice adding 'I like drama...'. Felix explained that all of the players are playing a game and making fake relationships, but explained that he's in such a big hole at the moment, that he didn't know how to get out of it. After the game, The Circle said 'The Circle hopes it has been insightful' with Andy admitting that he definitely felt sorry for both Dorothy and Felix.
Syed started a private chat with Felix, admitting that he needed to 'set the tone straightaway, and explain that this is a serious conversation' with Felix adding 'this sounds like a grilling'. He explained to Felix that Manrika has been through so much in her life and he didn't want anyone hurting her. Felix explained that some of the earlier questions have been affecting him, and said that when he first started speaking to Syed, he was the funny and protective Uncle, but he's now currently feeling very uncomfortable. Felix explained that he hoped Manrika was playing him and that she wasn't actually falling in love with him.
The next part of the episode saw the players rating eachother but both new players Tom and Alice could only rate, and weren't able to be rated! Andy rated Syed 1st and Syed put Manrika 1st. Manrika rated Felix as her number 1 and Felix did the same with Dorothy. New players Alice and Tom voted Andy and Syed respectively. Here were some of the other ratings:
Andy: Manrika 2nd
Syed: Andy 2nd
Felix: Andy 3rd
Syed: Felix 4th
Manrika: Andy 4th
Dorothy: Andy 4th
Alice: Felix 5th
Tom: Felix 5th
Tom also decided it would be a good idea to start a private chat with the other new player; Alice and 'check in with her everyday, to keep that alliance really tight'. Alice explained that neither of the new players seemed to get much of a chance in the earlier snap game, and Alice added that 'you're not giving me much Father T' as she wanted to get some more information out of him. She added that Felix hasn't really acknowledged her, and that might be why both of the new players had rated Felix 5th. The ratings were as follows:
5th: Felix
4th: Dorothy
3rd: Andy
1st: Manrika/Syed...which meant that both Manrika and Syed were the next set of influencers, and they would have to block either Andy, Dorothy or Felix from the game. Felix said 'oh Syed, why did we have to have that horrible chat' with Andy adding 'the 2 that I made my top 2, are the top 2. Syed said 'how do I get her to block the love of her life???' as he was having suspicions about her circle boyfriend Felix!
In the influencer chat, Manrika and Syed decided to speak about each of the 3 players that they could block from the game, and Syed said that his intention was to get Manrika to realise that Felix might not be the guy that he's making out to be, with Manrika stating that 'this is going to be the hardest blocking by far'. When they both discussed Dorothy, Manrika explained that she got really close to her but other players seemed to have question marks about her, and Syed added that from their first conversation, he knew that she was real...especially as she knows things such as currency, music, culture and even politics! Manrika added that she would be devastated to see her go!
They then discussed Felix, who explained that 'everytime I speak to him, I grow closer and closer, and we're learning more about eachother' adding that she has so much respect for him and that their feelings are starting to develop for eachother, with Syed stating 'she's really into this boy...'. Syed reminded Manrika that when it comes between choosing her and the prize, Felix will most certainly choose the money, with Manrika replying 'he's utterly right, but I can't get rid of Felix!'. The final player that they had to discuss was Andy, to which Syed instantly thought that Manrika would try and manipulate him into getting rid of Andy, which wasn't going to happen in his eyes. Manrika explained that Andy had a tough few days, but some of the players had come to her with problems and concerns about him, and she also explained how so many people's opinions changed in such a short period of time. Syed explained that Andy has his loyalty, but Dorothy was 'stealing his heart'.
Felix stated that they should 'just get rid of Andy...you know it's the right decision to make'. Andy added that 'it really is quite a tough call this' and Felix said that he didn't wanna know. Syed explained to Manrika that he would reveal who the next player was to be blocked from the game, and in The Circle group chat, he explained that it's been 'the most difficult night for both me and Manrika'. He went on to say that he had 'so much love for all 3 of you' but the player that they had decided to block was...not going to be revealed until Episode 19!
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