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 response? A mix of sheer panic and dark humor: ‘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, ever the cool customer, greets him with a casual ‘Sup, player?’—a moment that perfectly captures the show’s blend of drama and wit.
Facing certain elimination, Eric reluctantly joins forces with Rob, though he’s rightfully wary of Rob’s snake-like charm. But the real shocker? The moment they’re cloaked as Traitors, they must climb the turret and eliminate one of the remaining players. Rob, ever the strategist, points out they only have three roundtables left—and just two chances to use his dagger advantage. The target? Either Natalie Anderson, a formidable threat; Stephen Colletti, a well-liked decoy; or Dorinda Medley, Rob’s biggest fan. In a move to shift suspicion, they choose Dorinda, who exits with her signature flair: ‘The queen’s gotta get back to Bluestone Manor!’ We’ll miss her eccentric charm.
The fallout from Dorinda’s elimination ripples through the castle, leaving everyone—especially Stephen, who was convinced he’d be next—in disbelief. Natalie grows suspicious of Stephen’s overly prepared demeanor, vowing to dig deeper. Meanwhile, Eric tries to calm his post-murder jitters by stress-eating croissants, a relatable yet cringe-worthy moment.
And this is the part most people miss: Johnny Weir’s growing concerns about Stephen, especially after catching him in a secret meeting with Candiace Dillard Bassett last week. But when Tara Lipinski warns Johnny that his name is being tossed around, she springs into action. ‘I will do anything for Johnny,’ she declares, revealing their secret alliance. However, her attempt to frame Stephen backfires spectacularly when Kristen Kish starts suspecting Tara herself of being a Traitor. Oops.
This week’s mission adds another layer of complexity. Players are locked in life-sized boxes, answering questions about the Traitors’ opinions of them. The twist? The Traitors haven’t answered these questions yet and must do so on the spot, without the others hearing. Rob and Eric simplify their strategy 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 explains. But the Faithfuls catch on, and by the final question, they unanimously answer ‘Tara’—except for Johnny and Tara, of course, fueling more suspicion.
Unsurprisingly, the Traitors shortlist Tara and Johnny for elimination, alongside Kristen and Natalie. But before we learn their fate, there’s another banishment round. Natalie redirects the group’s focus from Johnny to Stephen, while Kristen remains steadfast in her suspicion of Tara. Tara and Johnny, finally admitting their real-life friendship, unite to defend themselves, successfully voting Stephen out. His bitter exit—‘You blew it’—only adds to the drama.
Rob dismisses Tara and Johnny’s reveal as a strategic blunder, but Kristen’s growing distrust of Eric could spell trouble for the Traitors. ‘If I’m murdered tomorrow, just look at Eric,’ she warns Rob and Mark Ballas. Meanwhile, the Traitors are sweating their next move, with four potential victims on the chopping block. A jack-in-the-box will reveal their fate—but we’ll have to wait until next Thursday.
Here’s the controversial question: Are Tara and Johnny playing too recklessly, or are they the underdogs we’re secretly rooting for? Their lack of strategy has been evident all season, but imagine the poetic justice if they outlast Rob’s masterminding. It would be hilariously satisfying TV.
Stray observations:
- Alan Cumming’s fur-lined navy cape is everything.
- A Traitors reunion at Bluestone Manor? Yes, please.
- Mark’s door-slamming spin deserves its own GIF.
- And yes, I’m still holding out hope for Tara and Johnny to take the crown, sheer chaos and all.
What do you think? Are Tara and Johnny doomed, or could they pull off the ultimate upset? Let’s debate in the comments!
