Ardross Castle has welcomed Claudia Winkleman back for another season ofThe Traitors, but this time, a chilling secret arrived with her – a fourth, hidden Traitor’s cloak, dyed a menacing red. The stakes have been irrevocably raised.
The premiere captivated a staggering six million viewers, revealing a game-changing twist. While Stephen, Rachel, and Hugo were unmasked as Traitors, a fourth, clandestine player lurks within the castle walls. This secret Traitor operates in the shadows, unknown to both the Faithful and their revealed adversaries, and even to those watching from home.
This isn’t simply another player; they wield unprecedented power, hand-selecting targets for nightly elimination. They can sow discord and manipulate perceptions with impunity, their true allegiance concealed from all. The dynamic has fundamentally shifted, promising a season of unparalleled deception.
Fans immediately flooded online forums with speculation. Does this new element render the known Traitors obsolete? Or is it the most brilliant, captivating twist in television history? Paul Gorton, a notorious Traitor from season two, known for his ruthless ambition, offered his unique perspective.
“The secret Traitor is the best addition to a television show I’ve ever seen,” Gorton declared. “Studio Lambert has created a scenario where six million ‘Faithfuls’ are now tasked with uncovering a hidden enemy. Before, identifying Traitors felt straightforward – you saw the hood descend. Now, the possibilities are endless, the theories are rampant.”
He observed a crucial shift in perception. “Everyone now looks as suspicious as the Traitors themselves. People are realizing how nearly impossible it is to definitively label someone a Traitor based on observation alone. I doubt anyone will correctly identify the secret Traitor until the very end.”
Gorton pointed to potential early suspects like Amanda and Sam, noting their overt attempts to position themselves for the role. However, he expressed a hope for a more unexpected reveal. “I’m hoping it’s someone completely random, a player no one has even focused on yet, someone whose name barely registers.”
Having experienced the game from the inside, Gorton believes the Traitors themselves are unlikely to uncover the secret player. “Throughout all the seasons, only two players behaved noticeably differently – Linda and Alan Carr. Even then, it was subtle. You won’t be able to sense it. It’s almost impossible.”
He imagined how the secret Traitor would have altered his own strategy. “I would have loved to be in this position. It’s the best role in the entire castle. I would have been more under the radar, less brash. I wouldn’t have been distracted by it.”
Gorton also critiqued the initial reaction of the revealed Traitors, Hugo, Stephen, and Rachel. “They immediately see the secret Traitor as a threat to their power, instead of recognizing they still have a strong alliance of three. Hugo is leading that insecurity, and it’s spreading.”
He praised Rachel’s approach, noting her willingness to backstab her fellow Traitors. “She has the best strategy so far. It’s even more important now to be ruthless. She should target Hugo, and Stephen and she should dominate the game as a pair.”
Gorton emphasized the importance of building relationships, even as a Traitor. “The first half of the game is about forging connections. Non-threatening friendships will carry you far. Those who immediately launch into accusations will quickly find themselves banished or eliminated.”
While the Celebrity Traitors offered a lighter, charity-focused dynamic, Gorton believes the producers made the right decision to shake up the civilian series. “They’ve really nailed it. The recipe worked. The first episode is the most-watched in the show’s history.”
Ultimately, the secret Traitor has transformedThe Traitorsinto an even more immersive experience. “It’s the most immersive game show ever created,” Gorton concluded. “We, the viewers, are now players, fully invested in uncovering the hidden enemy. The Faithful are almost secondary now.”
