The Traitors

Launched in the winter of 2022 to rather disappointing ratings, I was alerted to 'The Traitors' by how many viewers were describing it with words like 'addictive' and 'absorbing'. After viewing the first episode, it was obvious that the show would be a sure fire massive hit. The series has continued to be startlingly fascinating, entertaining viewing and unquestionably my favourite newly launched show of the year.

On the face of it, the premise sounds relatively straightforward. Twenty two strangers perform tasks together to earn a prize fund of up to £120,000. However, covertly hidden amongst the twenty two are the Traitors, who strategically 'murder' the other contestants (Faithfuls). The Faithfuls' job is to root out the Traitors and remove them from the game. Eventually any remaining players take home the prize kitty.

Despite its apparent simplicity, the show has produced some of the most compelling TV exchanges and moments one could wish to see. Psychologists could surely hold conferences studying the group dynamics. It shows how clever manipulation can produce a full on herd, 'Lord of the Flies' mentality as innocent Faithfuls are suddenly turned on and evicted without a shred of evidence against them. The innocent victims become understandably distraught leading to high octane and intense scenes at the 'round table', where each player explains who they wish to get rid of, and why. We are also privy to the machinations of the Traitors.

The devious producers also regularly introduce ingenious twists to keep the viewing guessing, and to ratchet up the tension even more. Compliments also go to the researchers, who cast the 2022 contestants. Refreshingly, the competitors encompass a broad spectrum of ages, temperament and social backgrounds. Many of the contestants view themselves as mind control experts or being able to spot liars. The fact that they have been so inept at either, has given the viewer great schadenfreude.

Claudia Winkleman has played the role of the string pulling games controller with obvious relish. One of British TV's safest pair of hands, she has performed her part with consummate skill.

Add in high production values, the picturesque and atmospheric Scottish castle location and clever use of incidental music, and you have an outstanding piece of television. The show loses one mark, because the actual tasks to raise the prize fund, are far less compelling. However, they do allow the viewer some respite from the sheer intensity of the rest of the each episode.

It's so rare that a new formula bursts on to the TV scene with such an impact. Congratulations to all involved and roll on the next series, when I suspect things may become even more thrilling!

This is reality television with a twist! Most reality shows choose extreme personalities, pit them against each other in mild challenges, surfacing drama from the close proximity of big egos. The Traitors picks relatively normal people and pits them against each other in brutal fashion. The ensuing drama is a result of natural paranoia!

I love this show because it feels like a social experiment. It's a real game of cat and mouse, with the traitors lying and scheming in an effort to stay undetected, and the faithfuls clutching as straws as they try to weed out the traitors. It's even more compelling that we, as the audience, know who the traitors are from the beginning.

When the show first starts, most contestants are quite polite, if a little cautious. No one is willing to throw any serious shade on the credibility of their fellows. But as the show goes on, the tension builds, and all sorts of crazy starts to happen. Great tv!

One of my FAVORITE game shows - EVER!!!

SO addictive, in fact, that I had to look for more, and BINGE-watched (at the expense of being late for work the following morning), not ONLY the U. S version, but the UK and Australian versions.

It is SO good, that if I understood or spoke Danish, or if it had subtitles (and I knew where to stream it), I would immediately watch the original as well.

I was about to add that if you enjoy game shows, this is a DO NOT MISS show, BUT that falls short. This is not only a series where players compete for money. It's a whodunnit, a thriller, a mystery, a drama, a comedy ... it is excellent and addictive.

Ordinary people compete for the change to win £120,000.

Full of twists and turns, this has been the most compulsive gameshow on the box for a very long time.

I love the originality of it, it's absolutely compulsive viewing, I didn't like the look of it initially, but I ended up binge watching it, it's one of those shows that you can't help but get drawn into.

So some of the challenges are a little irritating, and some of the acting is a little bit dodgy at times, but those are minor irritations, it's been the first show myself and family have all sat down to watch together for quite some time.

Claudia is definitely one of the best presenters out there, and she's marvellous and understated at the same time.

Love it, 9/10.

Just an amazing emotional experiment into human behaviour. Loved every single second of this. By the end of the series I felt like I personally knew all of the remaining contestants. I hated the 4 day gap over the weekend waiting for the next set of episodes. I thought the challenges were really high quality. It can't be easy to set physical challenges that are appropriate for such a diverse set of contestants, but somehow the BBC have done it. Just a phenomenal pre-Christmas viewing experience. I really hope this gets renewed for a second serious. Claudia Winkelman was great. Clearly moved by the final results.