The Traitors has always delivered astonishing television, but its true brilliance depends on an incredible cast. Last series, an unlikeable team of Faithful sucked the joy out of the game, with round tables turning nasty and personal. Dr Kasim Ahmed was accused of being a perfect traitor simply because of his profession, leading him to compare the accusations to being labelled Harold Shipman. While Minah Shanon played a calculated strategy and Linda Rands was an accidental icon, the whole thing lacked real conflict of interest, and I couldn't wait to see a Traitor snatch the prize.
Now, at the halfway mark of series four, there are so many players to love — Traitor and Faithful alike — that every banishment or murder cuts deep. This group of Faithful have genuine logic. Even when Traitor Hugo’s profession as a barrister came into question, it was with good reason: he wasn’t bringing anything to the round table. Faithful Jessie correctly identified that Ross was being framed after Ben’s murder, and the show’s producers have gifted us two of the best players ever: Faithful Harriet Tyce and Traitor Rachel Duffy.
Harriet is extremely cunning, keeping Rachel on side while almost certainly knowing she’s a Traitor. She wiped out the first Traitor, Hugo, with such precision that I was almost convinced she must have insider knowledge. But her instinct is just that good; she’s a former criminal barrister and crime writer, perfectly built for this game. Rachel, meanwhile, has flown under the radar without being a wallflower. She’s incredibly smart and bold, and when fellow Traitor Fiona randomly accused her of lying, she not only survived but emerged with a strengthened hand.
With the exception of Harriet, I don’t know if anyone will suspect Rachel enough to make a serious move. It seems as if only one of them can win — but anything can change. As it stands, the only guarantee is that Rachel will either win as a Traitor or be banished by the Faithful. And in Harriet’s case, there is room for one more in the turret after Fiona blew herself up. Matthew has quietly made his bid to be recruited, but if Rachel and co-conspirator Stephen have any sense, they’ll keep the game tight.
