Hold onto your seats, because this week’s episode of The Traitors is a rollercoaster of betrayal, suspense, and jaw-dropping moments that will leave you questioning everything. Tara and Johnny are skating on thin ice, and the tension is thicker than a winter frost. But here’s where it gets controversial: could their seemingly unbreakable bond actually be their downfall? Let’s dive in.
The episode kicks off with Eric Nam’s unforgettable reaction to the revelation that Rob Rausch, the castle’s golden boy, has been playing a dangerously duplicitous game for the past six weeks. Eric’s words? ‘I need a helmet and an adult diaper because I am about to shit my pants and my head is gonna explode.’ And just like that, his journey into Traitor-dom begins. Rob’s response? A cool, collected ‘Sup, player?’ that perfectly encapsulates his laconic charm.
Facing certain elimination, Eric reluctantly joins forces with Rob, though he’s rightfully wary of becoming just another pawn in Rob’s game. But the real shocker? The moment Eric becomes a Traitor, he and Rob must climb the turret and eliminate one of the remaining players. Talk about a baptism by fire. Rob’s logic? With only three roundtables left and two chances to use his dagger advantage, they need to act fast and smart. The targets? Natalie Anderson, a formidable threat; Stephen Colletti, a well-liked decoy; or Dorinda Medley, Rob’s biggest fan. Ultimately, they choose Dorinda, seemingly to divert suspicion from Rob. Dorinda’s exit is nothing short of iconic, declaring, ‘The queen’s gotta get back to Bluestone Manor!’ in full-length gloves and a hilariously misguided Scottish brogue. We’ll miss you, Dorinda—you made it nice!
The fallout from Dorinda’s elimination is immediate. At breakfast, the castle is abuzz with confusion. ‘What the f*** did she do?!’ Kristen Kish wonders aloud, echoing everyone’s disbelief. Stephen, who was convinced he was next, is particularly shaken, his bags already packed. Natalie, however, grows suspicious of his behavior, vowing to look closer and not take things at face value. Meanwhile, Eric tries to calm his post-murder nerves by stress-eating croissants, a relatable yet cringe-worthy sight.
Johnny Weir isn’t buying Stephen’s act either, especially after catching him in a secret one-on-one with the recently banished Candiace Dillard Bassett. But here’s the twist: Tara Lipinski, Johnny’s BFF, warns him that his name is being tossed around the castle. Tara’s loyalty is unwavering. ‘I will do anything for Johnny,’ she declares, revealing their strategy to keep their tight bond under wraps. But when she tries to shift suspicion onto Stephen by pulling Kristen aside, it backfires spectacularly. Kristen begins to suspect Tara herself, a theory that gains traction during this week’s mission.
In the mission, players are locked in life-sized boxes and asked questions about the Traitors’ opinions of them. The catch? The Traitors haven’t answered these questions yet and must do so on the spot, without the other players hearing. Rob and Eric simplify things by answering ‘Tara’ for every question, sacrificing the mission’s cash to sow confusion. ‘It’s far more important to confuse them than get more money,’ Rob reasons. The Faithfuls eventually catch on and unanimously answer ‘Tara’ to add to the prize pot—except for Johnny and Tara, whose refusal only fuels suspicions about their alliance.
Unsurprisingly, the Traitors shortlist Tara and Johnny for elimination, along with Kristen and Natalie. But before we learn their fate, there’s another banishment round. Natalie redirects the group’s target from Johnny to Stephen, but Kristen remains steadfast in her suspicion of Tara. Tara and Johnny, now openly acknowledging their real-life friendship, unite to defend themselves, pointing the finger at Stephen. Their strategy works, and Stephen is banished, revealing himself as a Faithful with a bitter ‘You blew it’ on his way out.
Rob dismisses Tara and Johnny’s friendship reveal as a ‘stupid move,’ arguing it only proves their skill at keeping secrets. But Kristen’s growing distrust of Eric could spell trouble for Rob’s alliance. ‘If I’m murdered tomorrow, just look at Eric,’ she warns Rob and Mark Ballas, her suspicions mounting.
As the Traitors sweat it out in the turret, they have four potential victims: Natalie, Kristen, Tara, and Johnny. Each receives a mysterious note inviting them to the dungeon, where a jack-in-the-box will reveal their fate—but not until next Thursday. The suspense is killing us.
Stray observations: After this episode, I’m desperate for a few things: Alan Cumming’s fur-lined navy cape, a Traitors reunion at Bluestone Manor, a GIF of Mark’s fabulous door-slamming spin, and—controversially—for Johnny and Tara to win it all. Yes, they’ve been playing chaotically all season (Johnny’s own words: ‘We don’t know anything; why do we even keep trying?’), but the idea of these two lovable goofballs outlasting Rob’s hijinks would be peak TV.
Now, here’s the question for you: Do Tara and Johnny’s missteps make them undeserving of the win, or would their victory be the ultimate underdog story? Let’s debate in the comments!
