'The Traitors' Season 4 Review
- Connor Petrey
- Jan 8
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 31
Season Four. [Episodes 1 - 3]
Aired On: Peacock.
Release Date: 01/08/26.
Genre: Game Show. Reality-TV.
The Verdict: A Must-See
Three episodes in and The Traitors remains one of the greatest reality competitions to ever exist. If you checked out last season, you should be very aware of the crazy shenanigans that went down and this season is already firing on all cylinders. Loaded with recognizable faces from the pop culture sphere that we live in from Survivor and Big Brother players to Real Housewives to Love Islanders to Donna Kelce (mother of Travis and Jason Kelce) - the range is insane this season.
There’s going to be some discourse automatically related to one individual in particular that has been making headlines lately in the wrong way. In context of the game this can be excused (only in context of the game as they are clearly seen as a villain anyways). Some players clearly have never seen the show before and some have seen it a little too much, knowing the ins and outs of the gameplay styles. It’s easy to go in expecting to root for one person and with the power of The Traitors immediately have to redirect due to an almost immediate elimination.
For those unfamiliar with the format of the show - Alan Cumming in all his fashionably over-the-top glory selects a particular number of traitors each season. For this season, he has chosen three plus a secret traitor that is to be hidden from everyone including the three publicly selected traitors and even the audience. This extra element adds a little extra anxiety to the mix as you can never be sure who is working behind the scenes or their reasoning. As the three main traitors convene each night to “murder” a fellow houseguest, the secret traitor shortens the list, limiting the options.
To avoid being murdered and to gain cash for the final prize fund that the faithful (non-traitor individuals) will split if they are able to vote out all the traitors before the game concludes, the contestants must work together or in teams to earn towards the pot and shields for individual immunity. These games are really inconsequential beyond highlighting a few that will survive the night and those that show their true colors to the ones they should really be hiding from. Reason is there are two ways to be voted out - one is the aforementioned murder, but the other actually takes place before that and that’s when everyone involved with the game pleads their case and suspicions as to who a traitor is. Once they finish the roundtable discussion they all place votes and eliminate someone. That’s when it is disclosed if they have or have not eliminated a traitor. Every episode removes two total players from the castle - speeding up the process as well as building the suspense and anxiety of who will go next (it’s rarely who you think).
The game can be campy a vast majority of the time, but it is ruled by the personalities of the castle they reside in and the ridiculous circumstances they find themselves in. These elements add to the charm of the show so much that even when your favorite contestant may be taken from the game you can often find someone else to latch onto. If not that, you can always enjoy the masterclass hosting showcase of Alan Cumming until you pick a new favorite.
While it’s up in the air if this season will be able to overtake the iconic moments of the previous outing, there’s a strong indication that this has the makings to be the greatest season of The Traitors yet! Remember to read the room, play the game, and to avoid suspicion form a conga line (IYKYK).
Where to Watch:
