Everybody Wants to Rule the World | Traitors 2026 | Thread 8 | Spoiler Free!

[CaveMum]

Link to previous thread: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/telly_addicts/5475802-tell-me-lies-tell-me-sweet-little-lies-traitors-2026-thread-7-spoiler-free?page=1

Welcome to Thread 8 of Traitors 2026.

This thread runs at TV pace so do not read any further if you are not up to date with the live broadcast. Whilst most discussion will be on the current series, inevitably people will refer to previous series/players/winners so reader beware if you’ve not seen the 3 previous editions, or the celebrity version.

While we welcome posters discussing their theories and speculating on relationships/connections between players, please don’t post spoilers from elsewhere that may ruin things for those of us who like to see things unfold over the course of the series.

The story so far (as at end of Ep 6):

Traitors
Hugo
Rachel
Stephen
Fiona (Secret Traitor)

Murdered
Netty
Ben
Maz
Reece

Banished
Judy (Faithful)
Hugo (Traitor)
Ross (Faithful)
Amanda (Faithful)
Fiona (Traitor)
Harriet (Faithful)

Jessie, James and Adam are the potential murder candidates, but both Jessie and James have shields.

The floor is yours…

Maybe. I wonder how much social capital he has. We haven't seen much of him but maybe that's because he is going to pull a reverse Molly in the final?

Starting a family, particularly with IVF, seems to be one of the commonest uses contestants cite as their plan for the money. Roxy has the same plan this time and several in the last series including Leanne had fertility treatment listed.

It wouldn't surprise me if it turns out that Ellie clocked Rachel and Stephen long ago and is keeping her head down. There's no advantage to her in getting rid of them.

Because generally they stay bland by not contributing very much in any of the three components of the game - tasks, RT and side chats. I much prefer it when those who have actively contributed (and therefore entertained) get through to the final.

I’ve never been a particular fan of Alan Carr but I was absolutely rooting for him in the final stages because all the way through he had been an active participant and not slip streamed along using the effort of others.

Werethey in series 1 as Uncloaked only started from series 2.

They don't seem to invite many of the contestants from S1. It'd usually Wilf and Maddie, Amanada and Tom.

I’m not a drag fan (met a few too many IRL in my younger days) but I’d hoped LV would be appearing as Christopher.

In his interviews at the time of Strictly he said he was hoping it would enable him to expand his career as Christopher, instead the producers used him for endless scripted LV cameos scattered through each show.

I think as Christopher it would have been fascinating to hear him talk about the difficulties of being in character for such lengthy periods, the pressures which come with it and compare with some of the gamers’ experiences. (and the comedy timing/wit is still there as Christopher). They missed a trick.

I'm exactly the same. I would be completely, utterly out of my depth.

She said she didn't suspect Rachel though even after what Harriet said. She thought Roxy and Matt were more likely.

They were in series 2! It was exciting knowing someone on the show. I mean he was in it when he got banished/murdered but didn’t come back.

I really want Matt to be murdered, or not seduced. he is so cocky.
him and Roxy are my least favourite now,
Faraaz is very cute, Jessie annoying, guy who nicked the shield is cute.
I am starting to like Steven.
Rachel stll gives school bully/mean girl vibes.

edited to add, I liked the builder/ghost hunter guy.

And he was entertaining! Never watched any Traitors but was hooked by him from the first episode of the celebrity one.

I'd not heard of La Voix before and when I saw a drag queen, I was dreading the worst (crude double entendres, exaggerated gestures etc). However, I thought they were quite good on Uncloaked - seemed to take over a bit at first and looked uncomfortable having to share a sofa, but listened well and made sensible points. I was pleasantly surprised, so was this Christopher (but in drag) or La Voix?

I thought it was possibly because there was no-one with a shield. If you do recruit, it can be quite useful to have the faithful think you didn't murder because you tried to go after someone with a shield.

She could argue that but some may wonder if a Traitor would have gone so hard against popular Rachel to have her banished, risking drawing attention to themself, when they could have quietly murdered Rachel instead.

Also, since Rachel seems Miss Popular in the castle will no one work out that if she is unlikely to be banished why hasn’t she been murdered?

It was LV - his drag character. As I say, not a drag fan but he is very funny, comes across well when in Chris mode and I’ve been told is good value when doing standup type shows (some Strictly posters had seen him on cruises etc). I felt it was a missed opportunity.

Judging from the front view as he was walking out he wasn’t wearing any underwear at all.
🐓and ⚽️🏐⚽️

It wouldn't surprise me if it turns out that Ellie clocked Rachel and Stephen long ago and is keeping her head down. There's no advantage to her in getting rid of them

More likely she just isn’t a shrewd person.
A close friend of mine is a psychologist and you could not meet a more naive person. I’m always stunned at how poor she is at reading people. I think my friend’s (and maybe Ellie is the same) is she takes people at face value and believes everything they say.

I would put money on it that Ellie is clueless.

I agree.

I really like both Rachel and Stephen and want them to win. I do think they (currently anyway!) genuinely have each other's backs and, if they can, want to share the winnings. I don't think they're out to keep it all to themselves. They've both been vocal in defending the other.

I also think there is merit is trying to keep each other in for the final; they've automatically got strength in numbers.

The only faithful I like is James. The others are annoying and/or bland!

I really don't see Rachel as a bully or mean girl. Especially given the way that she seems to be genuinely liked and respected. We see her in the turret where I think she's shown herself to be using her head not her heart. That's not how women are expected to behave. At other times she's demonstrated an empathetic and warm side. I don't think a man playing exactly the same game would be accused of being a bully out of the game.
She manages her emotions incredibly well and that's allowed her to be constant and consistent. Stephen doesn't manage his emotions well but as a result he's also been constant and consistent! Like Alan Carr.

The situation I didn't think Rachel handled well was the whole Amanda thing. The big reveal etc was ridiculous in my mind but it sparked a gloriously jealous response from Fiona 😆

Ive warmed to Stephen and he's become more logical and strategic in his play. I think they've been a really good pair of Traitors.

It beggars belief that more people aren't onto Rachel, although a few of the banished and murdered have mentioned her. She's definitely got her acolytes, but the way she just went straight up to Faraaz and accused him of being a traitor was reminiscent of the clumsy question to Ross about Hugo's behaviour in the turret. She's visibly got things very wrong, been accused by both Faithfuls and Traitors - and a very astute and trustworthy faithful at that, until she lost it!
She's influential and seems to have people like Roxy lapping up every word she says, yet no-one is asking why she hasn't been murdered yet.
I think the problem is that she holds a lot of power so who is going to feel able to bring her down? She's going to gave to slip up in an obvious way but I think she's too cool for that, unless that edge of arrogance makes her go too far.

I don’t think anyone is saying for sure Rachel is a mean girl. I’ve read people say she reminds them of a certain type of person, which is valid, and the same could be levelled at a bloke. She doesn’t come across as very likeable on camera, nor do most of the group. But at least she’s better than the sheep faithfuls.

Given that Rachel has now revealed that she’s ‘FBI trained’ (🙊), why has no one (bar Sam who was ignored) asked her why she hasn’t identified any traitors yet. Or even asked her more about the skills she thinks she’s gained from it, and how she’s using them (or not).

It's interesting how we all watch the same footage and feel differently about the people in it. I have found pretty much everyone on this series likeable (before Harriet and Fiona flipped their lids that is). Other series there had always been one or two that I found a little grating.

Yes that was an unfortunate angle 🤣

I haven’t read all the posts but I’m sad Sam went as I really wanted him to win. He comes across very well on tv. I don’t remember what his job is but could see him doing well as a presenter.

I don’t think Ellie has any kind of plan and I think what we see is how she actually is and she has no idea who the traitors are. Would be good to be proved wrong as if someone in there does actually have a clever plan and goes on to win, at least they’d deserve the win rather than the quiet ones being carried along to the end and not contributing much.