The Traitors #12 why are we still here?!

[witchycat2]

The third series may be over but we still have a lot to say.

Yes, normally the Seer is unknown to everyone in werewolf. They find out the identity of people.

Anyone can claim to be the Seer, you're supposed to be "hidden".... the skill is in not getting the Traitor to identify you.

Ah, that's interesting. It's odd the Traitors production team went with something so blatantly game altering. It really did ruin the final I think. Made the result very predictable. But, hopefully they'll learn for next year.

WRT Frankie, she also said her boys didn't have a clue she was on the show. Given they are away filming for several weeks at a time, and she said her oldest was 18 (which would presumably make the youngest at the very most early teens, if not younger) the most obvious explanation for how they wouldn't notice their mum is around is they are all at boarding school, which for 4 kids simultaneously must be £££££.

Even if they're not and she's said she's on an extended business trip or something (although I think they have their phones taken off them?), having someone willing to look after 4 boys for several weeks is VERY supportive. That's a lot to ask even close family.

That doesn't mean she didn't struggle at all of course - even if financially stable, it doesn't mean that it's both emotionally exhausting being in sole care of 4 small children and physically draining, but it does perhaps explain why some of the contestants were more 'hungry' for the win - to me, the difference between dividing it between 2 rather than between 4 is "only", what, about 22 grand - while a lot of money it's a few months salary, so would be life improving rather than life changing.

Whereas, yes I can see if, for example it was the difference between being able to afford to try for a child or not it is, literally, life changing.

I'm torn on the 'as a mummy' bit - on one hand, I didn't love it, but on the other hand, some contestants have said they trusted each other on the basis of other shared commonalities - Joe said he trusted Minah as a fellow Scouser etc, Minah kept referring to the 'Sisterhood,' on other shows I've seen people say they've bonded with someone because of their shared ethnicity/job/cultural background etc. I also think she would have said exactly the same thing if it was, for example, Jake that she had discovered was the traitor rather than anything to do with Charlotte's infertility.

I'm not a fan of 'as a mother...' as a phrase generally. Even if not intended, it can cause very real hurt to childless-not-by-choice women, whatever the cause. But, Frankie seemed lovely, so I'm sure she didn't mean any harm. It was thoughtless, but not deliberately unkind I'm sure.

From pictures of Frankie's house, she does indeed seem pretty well off and privileged. So, probably didn't desperately need the money by any means. I know it's not a charity contest, but nonetheless, it's nice to think of it going to those more in need. I remember Ash last year in her 40s living in a house share and needing a home, and it definitely made me root for her more, but unfortunately she wasn't a good traitor, bless her! So didn't stand a chance. Lovely bubbly person, and I hope she's doing well now...

I didn't see Charlotte in pictures of the after party: I do have my doubts on whether they really are all great mates. I don't think Freddie would have forgiven her, for one. Yes it's a game but we are human!

Charlotte was very smart and talented at deception and misdirection!
Frankie, I couldn't stand. She didn't seem to get that it was a game, and not a friendship group

Friday's episode was the most watched traitors episode ever (on the bbc in the uk)

metro.co.uk/2025/01/26/traitors-season-3-final-makes-history-breaking-huge-record-22436460/amp/

I totally agree that it's not a charity competition and I'd like to see the winners being the people who've played the game well, given a good account of themselves and been entertaining. Admittedly the editors have a lot of that in their gift, but I didn't get that feeling from Leanne or Jake.

Despite the prize being a lot of money, Leanne's ambitions for a big wedding 'possibly hiring the castle' freezing eggs and more IVF will probably be a stretch for her share. Rightly or wrongly I didn't feel the same pull on the heart strings as I did for Charlotte's potential future IVF journey, but then Charlotte put a safari holiday first in her mentions and Joe wanted to turn left on a 'plane, so, who's to choose.

I thought Alexander was a great team player and was entertaining, although he wasn't always as clear explaining himself as you'd have expected from former diplomatic staff and a hostage negotiator. If he had been, he may have faired better in the game and it would've been so nice for his parents to see how supportive he wanted to be of other parents who are going through the same with their children as they'd done themselves with his brother.

Minah was my other pick. She carried the game for a long time, but with a pleasant and good spirit. I often didn't like the way Charlotte played, yes, a traitor needs to be devious and to lie, but she was at it from the get-go even when she wasn't a Traitor and something just didn't sit well with me. There sometimes seemed like a very mean streak lurking.

At the end of the series, I was sorry that Alexander and Fozia weren't in the castle from the start and I wish Jack had been in it too. I think he'd have been a great player from a viewer's point of view.

I don't care about what they needed the money for. I don't like sob stories and the reason for wanting to win is irrelevant.

But I think Charlotte felt she had to say about her fertility troubles as everyone else was giving their tales of woe. She seemed awkward when saying it so I don't think she planned to reveal this.

I've been thinking about the traitors a lot and although I love watching it I really don't think I could ever go on anything like that. I appreciate it's entertaining but shows where you actively have to do someone over to win are just a bit grim. The same for any split/steal type game show. Goldenballs could be savage! I just don't think I could truly enjoy my winnings knowing I'd had to take it away from someone else through sheer deception and lies.

And yes I appreciate when they sign up they know the name of the game and it's their choice. It wouldn't be for me. Some of them do seem to make genuine connections with each other - Harry and Molly for example, or the lady traitor from the American series who took a young, impressionable woman under her wing only to fuck her over at the end. It's just not very nice is it?

Real money is at stake. They've taken that from someone so not sure how they all manage to sit nicely and friendly on Uncloaked. I'd be very bitter I think.

@latetothefisting Why are you assuming Frankie's boys were all at boarding school? They could just as easily be at home as normal, and another family member was staying for a while. In any case, the eldest dc is an adult. Besides, someone with a career like hers could readily make an excuse about having to travel away for a couple of weeks on a job.

Despite the prize being a lot of money, Leanne's ambitions for a big wedding 'possibly hiring the castle' freezing eggs and more IVF will probably be a stretch for her share. Rightly or wrongly I didn't feel the same pull on the heart strings as I did for Charlotte's potential future IVF journey, but then Charlotte put a safari holiday first in her mentions and Joe wanted to turn left on a 'plane, so, who's to choose

I had a look at some figures the other day and assuming no issues a donor sperm cycle of IVF is about 7.5k with a roughly 40% chance of success. Donor IUI can be done for 2.5k for 3 cycle with a 10-15% chance of success per cycle so roughly the same odds of a baby at the end for a 3rd of the cost and much much less intrusive. I really think a number has been done on female couples to make them think IVF is the best option when really it's just the most profitable option for the clinics. If the potential mother has no issues meaning IVF is needed it shouldn't be pushed as the best option.

It's a bit of a leap to assume Frankie's kids are at boarding school. Even though she's a single mum, perhaps the dad might have had the kids for the 2-3weeks she was away?!? Perhaps he's dead and he left loads of money behind.

I don't think she once made any sort of claim about being in NEED of the money. She talked about the challenges of being a single mum and how she never did anything for herself. Totally different to the financial side.

And I also agree the 'as a mum' thing - which I really didn't like but can't begrudge her trying - was as pp have said just a last ditch attempt to try and convince Leanne she wasn't a traitor.

I think she said it to Leanne in the kitchen as something to bond them "you're doing this for your children and as a mother I wouldn't take that away from you". And then the fire pit comment was a quick attempt to remind Leanne of that previous conversation.

If Leanne had been trying to get money for life saving treatment for her dog, and Frankie also had dogs, she'd have said that "as a dog owner, I know how much your dog means to you and I wouldn't lie to your face and take that away from you"

Obviously a bit of nonsense because if either Leanne or Frankie had been a traitor, Frankie would absolutely have tried to take the money from her (although I think she probably wouldn't have invoked her children in the same way). But it was a way to connect with Leanne specifically, rather than any kind of "I'm more trustworthy because mothers are inherently better" Andrea Leadsom-esque vibe.

Is anyone watching the third series of The Traitors US? No spoilers but it seems they are all 'celebrities' this time round (I'm not sure they used to be?) and the prize fund is much higher too at $250k

I couldn't face the US one so started watching the second Oz one last night but that has also has a few celebs, unlike the first one 😑

Yes I agree. They didn't do the 'Mummy' thing in front of Charlotte. That would have been utterly cruel, even though it still was irritating. Most of them were parents, so it was hardly a bonding thing between the two of them. 'Mummies' still lie!

I think frankie appealing to leanne as a mum was a good move (which didn't work). Leanne never used logic and went on vibes and feelings so it made sense for frankie to use that to gain her trust.

Leanne was really annoying. The shreiking and screaming when she was in the helicopter- I know she was hiding her army background, but honestly. She was so OTT.
I liked Charlotte too until she made the silly error re Freddie. The crying was also irritating. Im not sure I'd be able to trust her to be honest in real life if I knew her. I know its a game, but she seemed to lie so easily and freely!

This is what i was wondering. Leanne didnt say she was infertile, just gay, so why the need for IVF?

Many couples do reciprocal IVF. One carries a foetus created with the other's egg.

TBF I think anyone who is able to take 3 weeks off to film a TV show has a level of privilege even if it isn't necessarily financial. A lot of people simply aren't in that position.

Re Leanne, I assumed it was reciprocal IVF where he partner's eggs were fertilised by a donor and then implanted in her, so they were both mothers of their sons?

Also, I think I read somewhere that she served in the logistics core. Now I'm not familiar with the army, but again, an assumption, presumed that meant a basic training and then an awful lot of years behind a desk?

My hope for the next season is that a contestant will remind the others that traitors are, in the beginning chosen at pretty much random, and thereafter are recruited to extend the existing traitors longevity. And that it's possible to be very nice, and a good friend, whilst also being a traitor.

So many times this series I've heard contestants say that it cannot be x as they are so nice.I

It should have been clear, in the card game, for example, that no traitor would have put themselves in that position. It was a game of chance.

So all those competing in that game must be faithful, until a recruitment happens, then that nullifies all of them.

While I love the series, and will keep watching, the fact that players rarely seem to acknowledge the fact that it's a game. Being nice or a friend is irrelevant.