The Traitors

Im not one to binge watch shows especially not game shows but god damn! I watched all 10 episodes in less then 2 days.

First of all, I came for Alan Cumming's fabulous wardrobe and later stayed for the amazing tense and mystery show feel. The show is great at keeping the competitors guessing because there are several creative ways for players to be eliminated and you get to relish in the chaos. The show is about being good at manipulation and deception. No one can be trusted yet they have to work together to increase the prize pool. The castle and surrounding estate was a beautiful backdrop. I hope they will have a season 2.

Such a fantastic concept for a game show. Usually I avoid reality TV like the plague. Vapid, toxic and self-obsessed types hungry for their five minuted. However, having loved the UK version I had to give this a go. Unfortunately by episode 3 the show has given itself away as being somewhat set-up, i.e 'the note'. This didn't sit right with me and then subsequent events became somewhat predictable. Additionally including existing reality stars felt forced for the sake of drama. This is a show reflecting the complexities of trust and manipulation. It did not require egotists shouting over each other for the sake of entertainment. Moreover, two particular contests know each other which immedietly creates bias. A real shame.

...this game is better when it is played by "civilians".

When it's "real people" like in the British version, the paranoia is real and much more papable, than when it is reality professionals who, while they attempt to "act" shocked/scared/angry/paranoid/etc., can't quite pull it off, and often over-act.

Add to that I find it hugely annoying that production is shooting snippets with contestants lounging in ther pyjamas in a castle bedroom, or splashing around in a castle bath, or some other thing meant to convey they actually stay at the castle, when the reality is none of them stay at the castle overnight, they are all driven to separate secluded hotels/AirBnBs, because that is the only way to avoid the traitors getting caught, when they do traitors work after bedtime, and the castle doesn't have enough rooms for them all.

That being said, it IS much more action packed than the "civilian" version, because the reality pro's play hard from the start, especially those with a backgound in competition shows.

So it's more action packed, but it doesn't have the delicious constant tense feeling of the civilian one.

I watch it, and I will continue watching, but I wish it was slightly better.

USA: First season was great and it was interesting to see how the actual winner got all the way to the end. Challenges were good. There is no need to put "celebrities" into the cast! It makes it much less appealing and the cliques formed were according to what shows they were on. But, Alan Cummings is awesome as the host and tooo funny! Please choose regular contestants.

The UK and Australia Traitors were much better! Love the concept and it's interesting to watch the journey unfold! I think it could have been moved along better and scenes cut as they got repetitive. The praise purse for both of these countries was less than the USA yet the contestants tried harder to win. Cmon USA!

I accidentally watched the first episode and it reminded me so much of the board game The Werewolves of Miller's Hollow (it's literally the game in a TV show format) and it gave me such a nostalgic feeling and happy memories of playing with my family I just had to watch it.

It was okay, some of the things didn't make much sense but it still gets you hyped and anxious to see the plot twists and how the contestants (I would prefer just regular non-celebrities) are thinking. I do have to say I found it odd that it had such a lower score compared to the UK version and having watched just 1 episode of the The Traitors UK I understand why. If you're curious, being the same format it can still be a very different show.

It's still worth it and if you don't know might as well check out the board game too :)