RECAP: The Traitors (U.S.) Season 4 Episodes 1-3
Peacock’s American version of “The Traitors” is BACK, with 20-plus famous (well, “famous”) or fame-adjacent people heading to the Scottish Highlands to be harassed by an outrageously dressed Alan Cumming, and possibly murdered. Delightful.
The first three episodes have released, and I’ve seen a lot of commentary online, most of it negative. Personally, I enjoyed these episodes far more than last season, which I found a frustrating watch and borderline insufferable. So let’s get into the broad strokes of Episodes 1-3. This will be more analysis, less recap, and there were be SPOILERS AHOY. So stop now if you want to stay unawares.
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The Three Main Traitors
After Season 3’s completely dysfunctional, “gamer”-heavy turret, the producers have pivoted to non-gamer, unlikely picks for our initial Traitors. They are:
Lisa Rinna, former “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” cast member, former soap-opera actress, and former QVC mainstay and Depends spokesperson. Rinna is the most obvious of these picks, as frankly it is the role she was born to play. I say this is a fan going back to her Billie Reed days on “Days of Our Lives,” who also recognized her penchant for real-life ruthlessness on “RHOBH.” Rinna is a great soap actress; her unhinged turn as Taylor on “Melrose Place” is an underappreciated gem. Staying in character for long stretches of time is a unique skill to soap actors – and useful for a Traitor – and the scheming transitioned into her real life. Even being charitable, she was at least an active participant in the ouster of at least three “RHOBH” cast members during her tenure (Yolanda Foster, Lisa Vanderpump, Denise Richards). Rinna has guile, ambition, and a seeming compulsion to be on television. She will play this game hard, and thus far I think she’s doing largely a good job as a Traitor – though I think the cliffhanger in E3 left her open for suspicion. Whenever a player is up for murder and returns, they are ALWAYS scrutinized.
Candiace Dillard Bassett, former “Real Housewives of Potomac” cast member, and aspiring pop star. We have never had two Housewives in the turret before, so that’s a first. Candiace is a less obvious pick for a Traitor. She was often positioned as an antagonist on “RHOP,” but real ones understand that most of the time Candiace was in the right, and simply refused to take the bullshit thrown at her by a bunch of frauds and try-hards. Candiace stands her ground, is sharp as a tack, and is a force to be reckoned with. I’ll be curious to see how she plays out as a Traitor. So far she’s been willing to draw aggro to get the job done (the now-infamous Conga Line at the Murder in Plain Sight challenge), and she’s working well with the other Traitors (what a concept after last season’s ego clash). Candiace is overdoing it a bit at the breakfast table reveal, and that’s a concern. But as always, she’s great TV.
Rob Rausch, “Love Island” expat. I audibly groaned when Alan tapped one of the “Love Island” castaways to be a Traitor, thinking it was a waste of a slot. I need to stop making snap assumptions, because Rob is probably playing the best Traitor game this season thus far, and may be one of the most stealthy Traitors we’ve had on this series. Based on the edit, absolutely nobody suspects Rob. Why would they? He presents as your average Insta bohunk. But in three episodes he has revealed himself to be clever, thoughtful, and committed to the bit. He basically single-handedly achieved the Murder in Plain Sight, from securing the Tarot cards to scheming with Lisa over the world’s worst game of chess, to burning the card in the breakfast room. Super impressed by him, and truly I do not think anyone has their eyes on him right now.
One of the chief criticisms I’m seeing online thus far is that these non-gamer Traitors are not playing strategically. Uh, both murders so far have been very strategic. Based on the names available to them (more on that in a minute), they picked the Faithfuls most likely to suss them out. Last season, the disastrous gamer-heavy Traitors just kept picking random people to keep the castle in chaos. Nobody is looking at any of the S4 Traitors right now based on who has been murdered. They’re only going after people based on what they see and hear in Round Table and challenges. I’d say that’s successful strategic gameplay. Just because it’s not the strategy YOU would use, or you’re butthurt that your favorite players got sidelined quickly, does not mean they aren’t being strategic.
(Also, I’m GLAD the gamers are all getting knocked out so early. They sucked all the oxygen out of the game last season, and the show lost a lot of its charm. This is not “Survivor” OR “Big Brother.” The majority of these casts are not strategic masterminds. They are reality stars in ridiculous outfits faffing about in a castle to “win” $250,000, an amount that is frankly a joke to most of them. Some of these people were paid probably half that just to show up, regardless of the prize pot. It’s not that serious, and the gamers tried to make it serious. That is not the game we’re playing.)
The Secret Traitor
I love the twist of the Secret Traitor. This person, who operated apart from the other Traitors, and did not know who they were, put forward a Murder short list, and the other Traitors decided which of those four people to eliminate. It complicated the game brilliantly. The Traitors were given more limited options, often putting them into quandaries (one of them was even named in the first list!). They also had to try to suss out their semi-compatriate on their own, or consider whether they WANTED to work with the person at all. The Faithful had no idea it was happening, period.
I’ve seen frustration that the Secret Traitor ended up being Donna Kelce, mother to famed football players Travis and Jason Kelce, and soon to be mother-in-law of the biggest pop star in the world, Taylor Swift. Donna was a stunt casting this season, and I think it worked. Everyone was talking about her. Was Donna a good Secret Traitor? Debatable. Being in the role seemed to throw her off her game, and she – by all accounts – did not do a good job at the social aspect of this game. Part of that was her being starstruck (her words, she admitted to it), but I can see how an outsider to this reality-TV world might also be at a loss in such a critical position. The Round Table gang-ups felt uncomfortable to me, and by the time she was finally eliminated, I was relieved on her behalf – it just felt mean. (Hey, that’s a Taylor Swift song!) When she was revealed as the Secret Traitor, I was genuinely shocked. So were the other Traitors, which I think helps them in this game, another benefit of the twist.
Would it have been better had a more strategic or skilled player been in this position? Perhaps. But I also don’t think the Secret Traitor twist would have mattered much longer anyway. Even if Donna hadn’t been banished in E3, the Secret Traitor would have been united with the other Traitors at the end of that episode. Would the short list have then disappeared? Would it have even mattered? We don’t know, but my sense is this was always intended to be an early-season twist that just complicated the first act. Again, it’s not that deep. (That’s a Demi Lovato album, but close enough.)
The Murdered
I have no issue with “Big Brother” winner Ian Terry nor “Survivor” alum Rob Cesternino getting booted so early. To be blunt, I found them both to be self-important boors. Cesternino has built up this cult of personality around himself thanks to his (extremely successful) “Survivor” podcast, and good for him. But this is the second time, out of three attempts, he has been an early boot in a strategy-game show, and, well, that says something. He was playing too hard too early too out in the open.
I don’t know Ian, as I can’t stand “Big Brother,” but as a general rule I consider “BB” players to be among my least favorite contestants on these types of shows. They tend to be legends in their own minds and aggressively overconfident in their abilities (see: Danielle from last season, and Dan from Season 2, both of whom made staggering blunders that killed not only their games, but the games of their fellow Traitors). The players tend to be as irritating as their fandom. I said what I said. (That said, I’m enjoying Tiffany Mitchell from “Big Brother” thus far; she seems to be playing smart but also not attracting attention to herself.)
The Banished
Aside from Donna Kelce, we also lost “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Porsha Williams, the first player voted out, revealed as a Faithful. This was a bummer. Porsha has never been the sharpest tool in the shed (see: the Underground Railroad debacle, the entirety of her relationship with that fraudster husband), but she is great TV and magnetic. I’m sure she can comfort herself with what must have been a hefty appearance fee to even show up to film.
Notable Faithful
I won’t go over all the rest of the players, but the following have made an impression on me, one way or another:
Michael Rapaport: I can’t believe they cast this guy. He is openly reprehensible on social media and largely relevant now for being a Bravo hanger-on. That said, his antics are an interesting ingredient on this season. As several players have noted, he is a terrible Faithful, pulling focus to him when they need to put their energy into the game. I simultaneously want him gone right now, and hope he never leaves. He’s going to drive the Faithfuls nuts and create excellent cover for the Traitors.
Ron Funches: I feel for Ron. He came into the first Round Table with what he thought was solid evidence that Porsha was a Traitor, when in fact, Porsha just Pepperminted herself. He made a strong case, and it blew up in his face when she was ultimately a Faithful. He seems to be having a great time playing this game, but he is also alienated right now. That’s concerning.
Dorinda Medley: The former “Real Housewives of New York” star and last season’s Porkchop was invited back, and I literally cheered when she walked through the door at breakfast on Day 2. I was certain that part of last year’s problem was that icing Dorinda left that Housewives contingent without a leader and a clear speaker (that was a feckless bunch, to be sure). But this time, based on the edit, Dorinda isn’t doing much at all. She’s almost entirely silent at the Round Table. Heated group confrontations are where Dorinda shines as a reality TV star, and I keep waiting to see that. I’m still waiting.
Johnny Weir: Also surprisingly silent, Olympian, commentator, and Crystal Enchantress of the Ice Johnny Weir. Johnny’s clothes have been louder than he has been – and TBH I’ve been surprised at how lowkey most of his fits have been – given that Johnny knows how to command attention. We saw a glimpse of that Johnny in the E3 swamp challenge, where the diva attitude started to emerge. I need more, Johnny. You’re giving me a double. Go for the quad.
Monet X Change: The “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner seems to have learned from her drag mother/sister’s mistakes. Unlike Bob the Drag Queen last season, Monet is keeping her profile low. Very low. Possibly too low. Based on the edit, Monet is hardly making any impact thus far. She’s barely even mentioned. I know that the editors will specifically minimize the footage of late-game players so that the early outs get more attention, and I’m hoping that is what’s going on here. Monet is a gamer. She is a “Survivor” superfan. She understands strategy as well as how to make good TV. Right now, she is weirdly – but probably wisely – invisible.
Colton Underwood: The Faithful getting the most attention right now is former “Bachelor” and LGBTQ personality Colton. Colton is giving me Dylan Efron vibes, clocking Traitors and leading the charge at the Round Table. He was successful in accusing Donna, and I respected his calm but unwavering line of questioning against her. But an early success can put him in the crosshairs of the Traitors, or make him overconfident as he goes on his next crusade. Can he sustain this energy? I hope so, at least for a little while. It would be a shame to go this season without any beefcake “getting ready for bed” shots. Although that jawline is inspiring enough…
NEXT: Who will the Traitors kill at their Face-to-Face murder? Will it be pop star Eric Nam, comedian Ron Funches, “Top Chef” host and girl crush Kristen Kish, or former “Real Housewife” Caroline Stanbury? We’ll see! (It’s probably Stanbury, to throw off suspicion given that no Housewives have been offed yet. Because yes these Traitors ARE being strategic!)
What do you think of “The Traitors” Season 4 so far? Tell us in the comments. THE FLOOR IS YOURS!
