'The Traitors' Recap: The Traitors Get the Last Laugh
By Tom Smyth, a freelance writer covering pop culture.
Season 4 Episode 4
Editor’s Rating: 3 stars
The game is afoot, and in this episode, the Faithfuls seem to be their own worst enemies. With four celebrities blindfolded and bound in the Scottish woods, the Traitors faced a crucial decision. Who would they eliminate: Ron, Eric, Caroline, or Kristen? The answers, as always, were revealed over breakfast.
Monét, in a clever move, questioned each potential victim about their experiences, hoping to expose inconsistencies that would reveal a Traitor. However, what Monét didn't know was that Lisa Rinna was the primary target of this interrogation.
Ron was first to speak, providing a detailed account and suggesting there were three Traitors, including one with light footsteps. He confidently, but wrongly, pinned the blame on Maura. Lisa followed, and despite her visible nerves, she handled the situation well, avoiding Monét's trap. She did get a little carried away, though, getting overly specific about the tree and the ax.
Eric, on the other hand, thought there were maybe two Traitors and was 99% sure he heard a laugh, but he didn't reveal who he thought it was. Kristen survived, meaning Caroline was eliminated. Lisa's cold response, “Too bad, Caroline. Back to Dubai you go,” highlighted the cutthroat nature of the game. Caroline's belief in the Housewives' alliance ultimately led to her downfall, as the Traitors capitalized on the expectation that they would protect each other, thus removing suspicion from Lisa and Candiace.
Meanwhile, Michael, seemingly taking everyone's advice, kept quiet. However, Tiffany still suspected him, along with Yam Yam and Ron. Colton, though, was busy throwing Tiffany's name around, accusing her of trying to control the game. But here's where it gets controversial...
In a challenge led by Alan, dressed as a scarecrow, the contestants had to burn effigies. For each one, they could burn someone's shield. Michael, in a moment of confusion, grabbed a corn doll instead of the spears. Tiffany, furious about her shield being burned, retaliated by calling out Monét's name. Monét, in turn, confided in Candiace about her suspicions of Lisa, which she then shared with her fellow Traitor. Yam Yam's shield was the last to go, leading to tears. And this is the part most people miss...
Before the banishment, the names on everyone's lips were Tiffany's and Ron's. Colton, in an attempt to catch Tiffany off guard, accused her of being a Traitor. He struggled to make his case, mainly pointing out her strategic gameplay. Tiffany's response was classic: "T-i-f-f-a-n-y, like the company."
Tiffany, as Colton alleged, does think several steps ahead, not because she's a good Traitor, but because she's a good game player. The problem with thinking several steps ahead, though, is that she brings not one name but three to the Round Table, alleging that Ron, Yam Yam, and Michael are all Traitors. As a result, her energy is unfocused and her argument is split among the three of them rather than concentrated on one person to take out.
During the discussion, Maura questioned Ron about why he was mentioning her name, and she easily shut him down. Eric then revealed he was 99% sure Tiffany was the one who laughed. Tiffany's banishment followed, a significant loss for the show, with Colton and Eric shocked. Tiffany's exit was a great fake-out.
In the end, the Traitors had eight people to choose from. They wanted to keep Ron, Yam Yam, and Michael, leaving them to choose from Johnny, Tara, Maura, Stephen, and Monét. The episode ends with the audience wondering who will be next. Since it's a two-episode week, we don't have to wait long for our answer.
What do you think about the strategies employed by the players? Do you agree with the outcome of the banishments? Share your thoughts in the comments!
