The Traitors series 3 isn’t working. Here’s how it could be fixed.
I love The Traitors, have devoured the past two series and worshipped at the altar of series 2 legend, Diane Carson. But somehow, despite being excited about the start of series 3, I’ve struggled to get into it this year.
I’m still watching – I’m a Faithful like that – but somehow the magic of last year, aka The Best Series Ever, hasn’t translated to this new series. With the lighter, addictive quality MIA, here’s why I think that is and what can be done.
The train twist
Making three contestants volunteer to get off the Scotland-bound train to add money to the prize pot was a great twist – but some of the strongest players got off. Sharp as a tack Fozia would have set the cat among the clay pigeons with her astute observations and ability to cut through the nonsense to identify potential Traitors. Instead, she was benched along with former diplomat, Alexander, who is skilled at reading people and is also an asset. As for young landscaper Jack, he would’ve certainly added some levity to the group. We’ve had brutal first-day dismissals before, but maybe next time round they should let people bed in – and make an impact – before getting rid.
Game for a laugh
The challenges have never been my favourite part of the show, but this year’s games have felt particularly dry. Watching the contestants row a boat and walk through different patterned doors was as interesting as seeing them decorate a room in the castle and watching the paint dry. I’d love to see more dynamic challenges next series, ones that test their loyalties and cause friction but also see them let their hair down a bit – without foul-smelling gunk being dumped on said hair… I’m a Celeb this is not.
Up close and too personal
Contestants have always taken the competition seriously – hello, there is £120K up for grabs – but this year they’re letting their competitiveness/paranoia cloud their judgement, meaning things are getting way too personal. Round tables have become gladiatorial events, with more shouting and personal digs than ever before. Jake reasoning that medic Kas – isolated and already a target of suspicion – was a doctor during the day, so could be a murderer at night defied logic and made for uncomfortable viewing. Maybe next year there could be a pre-production session about not getting too personal.
To reveal or not to reveal?
That really is the question – and one that, so far, has largely been answered incorrectly. I can’t help thinking that sisters Armani and Maia missed a trick by not hiding their relationship à la Diane and Ross last year. It would’ve resulted in higher stakes (better for us, viewers), plus made it less damning when Maia voted for Armani. Converseley, Charlotte’s mystifying decision to lie about having a Welsh accent (why, Charlotte, why?!) and Lisa not revealing she’s a priest have backfired spectacularly. There’s no real solution to this other than, er, perhaps some better strategising beforehand.
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