The Suspenseful Drama of The Traitors: Episodes 4 and 5 Recap
To kick off this week’s double dose of The Traitors, we’re thrust back into the gripping tension left behind in the previous episode. The scene opens with a masked henchman wielding an axe, poised ominously over Ron Funches, Kristen Kish, Eric Nam, Caroline Stanbury, and decoy Lisa Rinna, all tied to a maple tree. The suspense is palpable as viewers are left wondering who will meet their fate. The answer comes the next morning during breakfast, revealed through flashbacks of Caroline’s shocking discovery of Lisa’s betrayal: “Only a Housewife could look you straight in the eye and then stab you directly in the back,” she declares. This moment sets the tone for the drama that unfolds, with Lisa’s infamous line, “Rinna, you bitch!” likely to become a fan favorite.
As the episode progresses, Ron believes he heard Maura Higgins’ footsteps in the woods, while Eric is convinced he caught Tiffany Mitchell’s laugh. Lisa, however, skillfully deflects suspicion with a detailed account of the previous night’s events. Colton Underwood, sensing an opportunity, decides to target Tiffany at the roundtable, convinced her claims about Ron, Michael Rapaport, and Yam Yam Arocho being the “big three Traitors” are merely a power play.
Before the roundtable accusations can take shape, host Alan Cumming introduces a new mission. Channeling his inner Celtic warrior, he splits the players into teams to search the woods for fire lances, which will ignite towering effigies. Each lance comes with a shield that protects the player, but burning the shield leaves them vulnerable. The stakes are high, and as the mission concludes, ten competitors find themselves unprotected, including a tearful Yam Yam and a self-aware Rapaport, who quips about his own role in the game.
At the roundtable, Colton and Eric’s suspicions about Tiffany gain traction, leading to a dramatic exit line from Tiffany: “You get what you deserve—and you all didn’t deserve me because I am a Faithful.” This moment dampens the show’s morale, especially following the recent triumph of eliminating the Secret Traitor, Donna Kelce. The fourth episode feels like a lull in the season’s momentum, leaving viewers eager for more action.
The fifth episode kicks off with a significant murder: Monét X Change is eliminated, a decision made by Rinna, Candiace Dillard Bassett, and Rob Rausch, who correctly identify him as a threat due to his recent callout of Lisa. Monét’s departure raises suspicions about Colton, who Kristen Kish believes felt threatened by the Drag Race star.
However, the drama must wait as Alan, now dressed like a Glaswegian gladiator, tasks the contestants with retrieving eight missing statues to restore the castle’s water fountain. The mission has a twist: if no player chooses to take a shield for themselves, they can unanimously prevent that night’s murder. The competitors successfully complete the challenge, adding $16,000 to the prize pool, but the results of the shield twist remain a mystery until next week.
During the evening’s banishment debate, Colton targets Michael, who reacts loudly to the misguided accusation. Rapaport, ever the loudmouth, calls Colton a “failed ringleader,” but the conversation quickly devolves into a critique of Colton’s character. Amidst the chaos, Rapaport makes a controversial remark about Colton’s sexuality, suggesting it reflects his duplicitous nature. This low blow doesn’t sit well with the cast or viewers, leading to a majority vote against Rapaport.
Johnny Weir’s blunt comment, “I don’t give a shit what you are; I just want you out of my castle,” encapsulates the sentiment shared by many. With Rapaport eliminated, the remaining players can refocus their efforts on identifying the true Traitors. Both Colton and Dorinda Medley express concern over Lisa Rinna’s unusual quietness during the roundtables, hinting that they may finally be onto something.
Stray Observations
- The star of the castle’s continental breakfast is undoubtedly the smoked salmon, which received rave reviews from Candiace, Stephen, and Dorinda.
- Dorinda’s playful approval of Rob’s signature overalls is noteworthy, but her stylish blazer and Alan Cumming’s eye-catching “Murrrder” sweater also deserve recognition.
As the tension continues to build in The Traitors, viewers are left eagerly anticipating the next twists and turns in this captivating game of deception and strategy.
