The Traitors Finale Kicks Off With Dramatic Banishment
The explosive finale of the hit BBC reality series The Traitors commenced on Friday evening with the banishment of another Faithful contestant, as tensions reached fever pitch. Gardener James Baker was voted off at a particularly heated roundtable, leaving the remaining finalists to continue their battle for the prize fund. His departure came after a direct confrontation with Traitor Rachel Duffy, setting the stage for a nail-biting conclusion to the series.
Viewer Outrage Over Cliffhanger Episode
This dramatic turn of events followed significant viewer frustration the previous night. Thursday's penultimate episode concluded on a dramatic cliffhanger, leaving audiences in suspense. Both James Baker and Rachel Duffy faced potential banishment after a tied vote at the roundtable. Their fate was left to the game's iconic chests of chance, but just moments before the boxes were opened to reveal who held a protective shield, the episode abruptly cut to its credits.
Furious fans immediately took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to express their dismay at the BBC's decision. One exasperated viewer wrote, 'Jesus Christ that cliffhanger #thetraitors #traitorsuk.' Another commented, 'Traitors producers leave us with yet another cliffhanger. It's had more than Eastenders.' While some praised the suspense, calling it 'Brilliant TV', others were less impressed, with one stating, 'Gotta stop with these cliffhangers. They're not exciting... they're just incredibly annoying.'
Roxy's Murder and a Secret Revealed
Elsewhere in the episode, the focus shifted to another contestant's exit. Roxy, a 32-year-old recruiter, was murdered by the Traitors at the start of Thursday's broadcast. Her journey on the show was marked by an entertaining inability to identify the Traitors, famously failing to spot the infamous hooded cloaks. Her exit speech provided one final moment of irony, as she expressed her hope that either Rachel Duffy or Stephen Libby would win, mistakenly believing them both to be fellow Faithfuls.
In a poignant twist, host Claudia Winkleman then revealed a closely guarded secret: Roxy's mother was fellow contestant Judy, aged 60. The other players gasped in shock at the revelation. Judy had adopted Roxy when she was four years old, describing it as the best decision she ever made. Ahead of the show, Roxy had shared that her challenging early life had equipped her with skills she hoped would aid her in the game, stating, 'I thought those skills... would actually take me really far on the show.'
Discussing the decision to murder Roxy in the turret, Traitor Rachel Duffy explained the strategic reasoning, saying, 'We need to murder Roxy. Murdering her will implicate James very, very nicely.' After receiving her murder letter, Roxy reflected, 'I kind of knew it today because I went so hard at the table... I'm so proud of myself for getting this far.'
Fallout and Reactions
At the breakfast table following Roxy's murder, James Baker was visibly shaken by her absence, questioning his own judgement. 'How am I so wrong. I've been shouting [Roxy and Matt] from the hilltops the whole game,' he lamented. Fellow contestant Jack replied, 'It just goes to show how wrong we can all be.'
Fans on social media were quick to react to Roxy's demise and her misplaced trust. One wrote, 'I can't believe we've been deprived of seeing Roxy in bits on the floor... when she realises she's been played by her besties.' Another added, 'Roxy is going to get a shock when she finds out who the Traitors are.' The revelation of the mother-daughter connection also captivated viewers, adding an unexpected layer of personal drama to the high-stakes game of deception.
As the finale continues, the remaining contestants must navigate the final challenges and roundtables, with the identity of the Traitors still hidden from some. The series has masterfully blended strategy, betrayal, and human emotion, culminating in a finale that has kept the nation on the edge of its seat.
