Hard to argue with or ignore, it’s clear that many people can’t get enough of The Traitors. From Alexander’s dramatic “sperber, wuh, wuh, wuh” performance to Linda’s subtle “get over it,” and the thrilling new development of the Seer power, viewers have been captivated and left on the edge of their seats during this recent series.
Nevertheless, although season 3 was a massive ratings success, boasting an overnight viewership of 5.4 million for its premiere (which is the second highest-rated episode in the series), this year’s installment has been somewhat marred by instances of unconscious bias, overly emotional outbursts, and unfair personal attacks (poor Kas, may she be remembered fondly).
One problem with the format is that contestants have learned from past events and strategies, a practice known as metagaming. Instead of playing the game as it unfolds, both Faithfuls and Traitors often try to anticipate what producers will do next based on earlier seasons, which can affect their decisions and choices in the current edition.
In episodes 6 and 7, the Faithfuls believe that a Traitor necessarily participated in the Death Match, a game entirely dependent on luck. This assumption arises from their knowledge that Paul was secretly placed in the Dungeon as part of the Traitors’ strategy way back in season 2. Consequently, survivors Anna, Leon, and especially Alexander have been subjected to suspicions and intense scrutiny ever since this event.
As a devoted viewer, I too noticed Anna’s accusation towards Minah at the roundtable in episode 7, labeling her a traitor. This was based on Minah’s request for her to “watch over her drink.” Reminds me of the chilling moment in season 2, episode 4, when Diane was murdered, with Miles giving her a seemingly innocent chalice laced with poison. The parallels between these incidents are undeniably eerie.
In season 3, there were some changes like the unveiling of the Seer ability and no longer revealing contestants’ allegiances at the end. However, BBC and Studio Lambert must revamp the structure and address issues to avoid predictability in season 4.
As a movie enthusiast, I’d say, “To maintain the thrill for both spectators and participants, I suggest introducing some fresh twists and tweaks in the game mechanics. This could address certain challenges, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable experience.
Initially, since the BBC reality TV series is somewhat modeled after social guessing games like Werewolf and Mafia, it might be intriguing to incorporate character roles from these games. For instance, the surprising unveiling of the Seer’s power in episode 11 could serve as a blueprint. Among the roles that could significantly alter the show’s structure are three standouts: the Witch, the Doctor, and the Vigilante (which we’ll discuss later).
Much like the Seer, both the Witch and the Doctor have the potential to significantly alter the course of events within the game. Their inclusion at different points creates an additional layer of suspense and mystery. The Witch, belonging to the Faithfuls, possesses two unique items: a healing elixir and a lethal toxin. With these powers, she can either restore a fellow competitor from the brink of death or eliminate any player under suspicion during the game. Interestingly, the Witch can also employ her healing elixir on herself, if needed. Alternatively, she may opt to remain hidden and exercise discretion by choosing not to act.
Similarly, the Doctor has the power to ‘mend’ other Faithful competitors or heal themselves, offering numerous chances for various tactics during the gameplay.
Moreover, introducing an unexpected twist to the Vigilante role in Mafia games might pave the way for a brand new character – a hidden Traitor.
Similar to the Traitors, the Vigilante has the power to eliminate another player in secret during the night, with their true identity hidden from spectators until a later stage in the game. This adds an exciting and unpredictable element to the proceedings!
Introducing new character roles and potentially introducing a powerful game element like the Dagger, which has been effective in seven variations of The Traitors across various nations, could intensify the suspense during the roundtable votes. This unique item, which has significantly impacted a few international finals, allows its user to double their vote’s weight.
For instance, the dagger could serve to intensify the competition within tasks – without a doubt, one of the less engaging aspects of the program (except for the amusing singing challenge with the doll, naturally), making it more thrilling as well as the inclusion of shields, which were transferred from the armory room to the challenges starting in season 2.
Additionally, a significant adjustment in the New Zealand version of The Traitors introduced individual tasks for the finalists, requiring four out of the five to successfully finish their tasks to progress.
Instead of the extremely intense challenges like those seen on “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here,” which included one contestant eating an eyeball, heart, and tongue, and another bathing with maggots and cockroaches for three minutes, a more moderate version could be introduced in the UK edition to truly assess how far the participants would go to secure the prize money.
A potential method to maintain balance within The Traitors camp, as well as prevent any potential voting biases during season 4, might involve implementing a rule that requires both male and female participants to be part of the same group throughout the entire game.
In Season 2, Paul and Harry dominated The Traitor’s Tower in a predominantly male setup, leading to Claudia Winkleman’s famous remark, “Another man, good, it’s like the olden days.” However, Season 3 aimed to rectify this by having Claudia select Armani, Linda, and Minah to form an all-female group of Traitors, affectionately known as the sisterhood.
In season 2, the dominant narrative of traitors being primarily male has significantly impacted several contestants’ beliefs about a powerful female group. Early ideas like Elen’s suggestion, as well as Jake’s later theory that there must be a male traitor due to all the female ones, were both shaped and stemmed from this earlier strategy.
Additionally, this specific season has brought attention to the way group interactions reveal neurotypical competitors’ biases towards their neurodivergent peers, mirroring uneasy social interactions found in real life.
In some gatherings, Dan (who has autism) faced criticism due to his tendency not to conform with the majority and his preference for tackling tasks individually. This independent approach occasionally left some fellow contestants questioning why he wasn’t a stronger team player. Regrettably, this situation highlights how certain traits and behaviors can be quickly labeled as ‘odd’ or suspicious within group interactions.
Additionally, there are instances where the game appears to favor neurodiverse competitors. For example, during the semi-finals, participants were asked to confront their fellow competitors directly by looking into each other’s eyes and announcing that one of them was not a Traitor. Oh dear!
Additionally, it’s not just contestants with neurodivergent traits who have faced criticism based on their unique qualities; regrettably, age, gender, physical abilities, and ethnicity have all played a role in fostering mistrust in past competitions. A notable example is the perplexing choice to eliminate Nicky during season 1, due to unfounded suspicions about her failing to clink glasses on her affected side because of her disability.
Consequently, it would be effortless for the production team to incorporate unconscious bias and neurodiversity awareness training for upcoming contestants.
Enhancing the game with additional character positions, unique abilities, unexpected turns, and a balanced competition environment will undoubtedly contribute to The Traitors’ triumph, along with the brilliant hosting of Claudia Winkleman.
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2025-01-25 02:05