SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS…
Fans of The Traitors were shocked when the first episode of Series 2 ended on a cliffhanger, but they may be in for something even scarier – spoilers.
It’s back for another season, and the first episode tonight was a knockout – but it’s hitting a little too close to home for our comfort.
The first season of the BBC programme, which aired in November 2022, became a global phenomenon when participants entered a large ancient castle expecting to walk away with riches.
Three ‘traitors’ are chosen from the participant roster, and their task is to ‘kill off’ (metaphorically, of course) one person every night.
All of the remaining competitors, known as ‘faithfuls,’ must figure out who the three traitors are in order to eliminate them from the game.
If a traitor is left standing at the conclusion of the game, they will receive the entire £120,000 reward money. If only the faithful remain, they have won, and the money will be divided among them.
Claudia Winkleman returns to the nail-biting reality programme as the ideal, bringer-of-bad-news presenter.
Warning: episode one spoilers ahead. We repeat: spoilers ahead.
Last night, the three traitors – Paul, Harry, and Ash – were picked from among the 22 contestants, but there was a surprise.
Claudia explained that the three traitors will be welcoming a fourth member into their dark fold, and they would be able to choose who it would be.
Will they bring in a leader, but who will expose them? Will they choose a weak connection in order to make them a target? Will they follow the lead of the one who is already pointing fingers?
It’s a strange psychological maze, and we’re completely prepared for it.
But, following that massive cliffhanger, the BBC released a big shock for those who were following along with their theories at home.
The next two episodes of the show, which usually airs every night, are already available to view on BBC iPlayer.
As with the fourth episode, the series will continue to show each night in a linear format.
However, while the BBC did this with the first few episodes of the first season as well, fans were unaware – and things were fairly hot online as a consequence.
‘Looking for more? Episodes 2 and 3 are on iPlayer for you to watch NOW! Or you can watch on BBC One at 9pm over the next couple of nights. Keep Twitter spoiler free as possible, don’t be a Traitor,’ a fan page, @BBCTheTraitors warned on X, formerly Twitter.
Fans were ecstatic about the batch episode release because they enjoy the participatory aspect of the programme that comes with live surprises.
‘I don’t like that they’ve put the next episode on iplayer. #TheTraitors is one of only social television programmes I can remember in a while, where everyone’s watching along together and talking about it at work the next day. Would be good to keep it that way,’ wrote @husseybyname on X, formerly Twitter.
User @ASonNamedBort took a strong stance on the turn of events: ‘Everyone tweeting spoilers for the Traitors episodes which are only on iPlayer is going to hell btw.’
Looking for more? Episodes 2 and 3 are on iPlayer for you to watch NOW! Or you can watch on BBC One at 9pm over the next couple of nights.
Keep Twitter spoiler free as possible, don’t be a Traitor 🔪 #TheTraitors— BBC The Traitors 🔪 (@BBCTheTraitors) January 3, 2024
But others – with serious ‘traitor’ vibes – were delighted at the availability of the next episodes.
‘And now over to iPlayer for the first three episodes of The Traitors; what a night to be alive,’ wrote @fplchancer.
The audience, like the participants, are now split, and it’s all becoming a touch too, well, Black Mirror for our comfort.
Diane, the new Traitors symbol, was one component of the show on which everyone agreed.
‘Obsessed with Diane,’ wrote @sophielmg, ‘she is the main character already.’
‘She’s single handedly doing the PR for Karens everywhere with her “can I speak to the manager” look. Might have to stan,’ added @putasinghonit.
One fan theory that really would play up to the show involving the audience in the game came from @nikerlina, as they wrote: ‘It would be really good if there was a traitor we, the audience, didn’t know about and it’s revealed at the end what they’ve been doing behind the scenes to mess with everyone.;
Now we’re talking.
PS, if you have not watched episode 2 look away right now…
Miles, a 36-year-old veterinary nurse from Birmingham, is the fourth traitor.
Ash, a 45-year-old events coordinator from London, Harry, a 22-year-old British army engineer, and Paul, a 36-year-old company manager, are the others.
The Traitors airs on BBC One at 9pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The first three episodes are available now on BBC iPlayer.