This week’s episode of The Traitors was an absolute masterclass in strategy, deception, and pure chaos, and it reminded me once again why this show is such a gem. From the moment the episode started, it was clear that Sam Asghari was coming to play. His clever trap at breakfast, where he tried to uncover a Traitor by comparing descriptions of Alan Cumming’s outfit in the chapel, was low-key genius. It was one of those moments where you собой think, “This is either going to be brilliant or backfire spectacularly.” And while it almost worked, it was Tom Sandoval who unknowingly ruined the plan by blurting out the details of Alan’s outfit. shelton, Tom, why? Just when you thought he might be worth respecting (lace shirt and all), he had to go and mess things up. Still, you’ve got to love the man for his commitment to being Tom Sandoval.
Rewinding a bit, the episode picked up where last week’s left off, with six contestants—Dolores Catania, Chrishell Stause, Tom Sandoval, Dylan Efron, and Gabby Windey (all Faithfuls), plus Traitor Carolyn Wiger—vulnerable to murder. This week’s kill would happen in person, with the two Traitors (Carolyn and Danielle Reyes) appearing before their chosen victim to sentencing them to death, while the rest of the group would be visited by Alan Cumming and declared safe. Of course, Carolyn wasn’t visited by Alan—she’s a stone-cold killer, and she wasn’t about to blow her own cover. But what really stood out was how the episode balanced tension with humor, especially during that breakfast scene where Danielle was nervously tapping her leg under the table, fearing Sam’s plan might expose Carolyn. It’s moments like these that remind you just how unpredictable this game is.
The real shock of the episode, though, came when Dylan Efron walked into the breakfast room. After last week’s events, he had the biggest target on his back, and it felt like he was a shoo-in to be murdered. But in a twist no one saw coming, it was Chrishell Stause who met her end. Carolyn’s parting words to Chrishell—“Girl, you were too faithful. You never would have been banished”—were chilling, but also oddly respectful. Chrishell’s final words were even more damning: “I wasn’t surprised to see Danielle, but I was shocked to see Carolyn. We’re all idiots. She’s playing the best game.” And honestly, she’s not wrong. Carolyn’s performance this season has been nothing short of iconic.
Speaking of iconic performances, let’s talk about Ciara Miller. Last week, Boston Rob’s admission of being a Traitor blindsided her more than anyone else, and this week, that trust she placed in him came back to haunt her. With few leads to go on, the group startedỆ Businesses her as their number one suspect, thanks to the “Coffin Theory.” According to this theory, the Traitors put one of their own in a coffin in Episode 3, and since Ciara is the only contestant left who went in a coffin, she became the prime suspect. It’s wild how a theory that sounds like something out of a bad horror movie can have such a massive impact on the game. But hey, at least it made for some great drama.
This week’s challenge was one of the most absurd and hilarious things I’ve ever seen on this show. Split into two teams—Team Doll (Tom, Ivar, Danielle, Britney, and Ciara) and Team Castle (Carolyn, Dolores, Sam, Dylan, and Gabby)—the teams were tasked with a challenge that felt like it was devised by an evil genius. Team Doll was sent to a creepy house filled with haunted dolls that could sing nursery rhymes backward. Their job was to relay these backward messages over the phone to Team Castle, who then had to record them on a gramophone and play them forward to reveal the actual rhyme. It was a convoluted mess, and I lived for every second of it. Britney summed it up perfectly: “Everyone’s pretending to look for a doll, but really, they’re all in it for themselves looking for a shield.” Which, honestly, is the most relatable thing I’ve heard all week.
The real star of the challenge, though, was Tom Sandoval, who seemed to have a hidden talent for deciphering backward nursery rhymes. His rendition of “Bebboo yup yup yup” (which turned out to be “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”) was the kind of moment that makes you both impressed and confused. As Ciara put it, “Tom Sandoval is pretty much debuting his lullaby album.” But while Tom was busy being a musical genius, Ciara was focused on finding a shield, which she did inside a stuffed bear. Fast forward to the round table, all the heat was on Ciara, thanks to the Coffin Theory and Tom’s ill-timed comment that “girls are better cheaters.” The women in the group pounced on that slip-up, and while Tom quickly clarified that he meant “TRAITORS, not cheaters,” the damage was done. In the end, Ciara was banished with a unanimous vote (except for her own vote for Britney). Her exit was quiet but impactful, leaving everyone stunned when she revealed she was a Faithful. “We messed that one up,” Sam said, and I couldn’t agree more.
The episode ended with a cliffhanger, as the Traitors were given the option to either murder a Faithful or recruit one. Carolyn, ever the pragmatist, was against recruiting anyone new, while Danielle pushed hard to bring Britney into the fold. Her reasoning? “Three female gamers? We could make history!” Carolyn wasn’t having it, and the two Traitors found themselves at odds once again. It’s clear that Danielle’s impulsive decisions might be her downfall, and I’m here for it. And honestly, if Kate Chastain and Parvati Shallow return next week to knock some sense into these two, I’ll be forever grateful.
All in all, this episode of The Traitors was a rollercoaster of emotions, full of twists, turns, and enough humor to keep you laughing even when the stakes were high. It’s a reminder of why this show is so addictive—it’s not just about the game; it’s about the people, their personalities, and how they navigate the chaos. And if Carolyn doesn’t win this thing, I might just have to start a petition.
Liz Kocan is a pop culture writer living in Massachusetts, and her biggest claim to fame is winning on the game show Chain Reaction. Clearly, she knows a thing or two about great TV.
