It’s A Wicked Game | Traitors 2026 | Thread 9 | Spoiler Free!

[CaveMum]

Link to previous thread: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/telly_addicts/5476221-everybody-wants-to-rule-the-world-traitors-2026-thread-8-spoiler-free?page=1

Welcome to Thread 9 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 <spoiler warning if you haven’t seen the start of episode 9>

Traitors
Hugo
Rachel
Stephen
Fiona (Secret Traitor)

Murdered
Netty
Ben
Maz
Reece
Adam
Jessie

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

The floor is yours…

I think the ST, family tree task, and 2 relationships- though they did nothing with it- were enough of a rejig. Also faithfuls have won in many series, so they can if they get their act together.

I'm just taking it for what it is
A bit of fun nonsense telly brightening the dullest month of the year.
I honestly think there's no pleasing some people.
it'll be over next week and no doubt people will find something else to whinge about

Irish Traitors available next week! Hoping for some lovely scenery!

Great post!

What would you suggest could change or be added to make it more interesting?

I think Rachel is playing a brilliant game. She has everyone fooled. Stephen has shown loyalty too and that has made him a great traitor. They have each others backs. I’d be glad if they both win.
Personally, I don’t care what they use the money on. I’d rather someone win who I like than someone who claims they need the money.
I also think a lot of them lie about how they will spend the money, Leanne did, I sure she splashed it on a luxury honeymoon.

I agree it’s losing its way now as there is no one capable of logical thought processes they are all being easily led and randomly accusing people. They don’t seem to have close groups of friends putting together logical deduction during the day as in other series. They leave it for the round table and are easily swayed by others opinions and group think, not noticing that’s it’s not helping catch a traitor night after night. The faithful capable of independent thought and that rationalising have now gone. There’s no follow through from one day to the next. Who systematically accused Rachel - Linda and Harriet - what happened to them? Who was in the Library 5, was in a cage and still survives and was accused by Jessie? What happened to her?

My main disappointment (and I can say this as a post menopausal woman) is that the two post menopausal women who showed so much promise, Linda and Harriet were so unused to being visible and listened to that they went completely bonkers and shot themselves in both feet. Nuts. Remaining rational and incisive would have been far more effective.

The Faithful that remain have no common sense. Most seem to have been wrong most of the time. There is no rationale for Jade (only the ex coppers baseless feeling) and Roxy’s random and loud accusations have no foundations at all. Maybe that guy was desperate for a shield because he’s a faithful - not deceptive. And why the heck doesn’t he ever say that?

And my final moan - no Matt you didn’t have a deal with the traitors. You told them what to do and they didn’t do it. They didn’t agree to anything but you somehow think, and this has muddied your thinking, that you are waiting for your application to be a traitor to come through!

I would like Stephen to stay so I can see the rest of his outfits, that jumpsuit was perfection (nightmare when using the toilet though) and last night’s kilt 🤌🏻🥰

I think the traitors would be taking a risk too far if they kept the dagger.

I think it needs to go to someone who is easily swayed. Then if Rachel and Stephen vote for that person too they'll be out.

I first thought to give it to Jade but if she was a traitor I don't think she'd keep it, so they might think it was a set up.

Give it to someone Jade thinks is a traitor then turn it back on her.

sorry I know this wasn’t for me!

But…

There’s no incentive for faithfuls to keep in other faithfuls. Or traitors to keep traitors. They all want more money.

It makes the first half of the game pointless as nobody really cares who they banish as long as it’s not them. Means there’s no strategy. It becomes too stupid (like the lady who didn’t toast because she didn’t have a hand and was then banished).

New rule: Banish someone from your side and the prize money goes down.

Or no splitting prize money three ways, everyone gets the same subtotal, and BBC have to pay out extra if 3 people make it to the end.

I think the secret traitor didn't work because 1. Hugo got voted out so quickly, and 2. It was Fiona.

If the contestants had been their usual dim selves the ST would have gone on for at least twice as long, which would have been enough of a shake up.

I really enjoyed the Irish one but the challenges are even more dire than usual as they basically have no budget. Some great characters though and hilarious amounts of swearing - and the amazing Siobhan MC Sweeney as host.

Great post but I think you mean Fiona not Linda.

Alexander said to Sam on Uncloaked that the Faithfuls are not working together as a team, they are all just lone wolves which is a mistake.

With 8 left could they at least earn the right to win knowing how many Traitors there are left? Maybe all having to vote on number and if majority right they get it confirmed?

I was struck by this too. As well as Jade thinking she gets most heat at the RT, we had other faithful assuming they were still in because of their importance to the traitors. So self-obsessed!

I don't dislike any of them though. (Well, Fiona was very annoying). But it must be tough being there for weeks. The traitors have it really hard, always on their guard in case they give the game away, and I'll be delighted if Rachel and Stephen win.

No. Never been done.

Not sure if anyone has said this already but on Uncloaked Jessie only opened half of the paper to reveal the Ellie and Ross thing. So looks like there is one more pairing.

Ed then asked her if she was related to Jack in any way and she said no but he didn’t ask her about James. I know some are fed up of it but I’m absolutely convinced she’s linked to James as they showed his reaction to her going several times to possibly hint at it. I’ll return and admit I’m wrong later if I’m barking up the wrong tree/clucking up the wrong pigeons 😀

I said upthread that Roxy is incredibly in awe of Rachel, thinks she’s the best at everything - would be the best traitor and is the best faithful.
Also, I did notice how during the day she suspected Stephen, told him this and then at the RT said she had dismissed the idea and thought he was definitely a faithful.
Wouldn’t it be hilarious if Roxy does have them sussed and is just playing a blinder by keeping them sweet?
My flip flopping theories about Roxy, from dim to brilliant, must be the viewer equivalent (or a fraction of) of the faithfuls not having a clue!

Agree with both posts - it’s quite cringe when they start suggesting it’s because they are special in some way to the traitors and that’s why they’re still in.

😂🤷‍♀️ I was just stating fact really, or my observations anyway. Not whining, it’s entertaining but could be better. The best bit is seeing what CW is wearing, I love most of her selected wardrobe.

I was wondering if there could be some sort of logical thinking exercises after each day or every couple of days.

Where they all sit round with a white board - go through what’s happened, anything they’ve noticed, what people have said or done that might be significant. Try and make some links. Help people use critical thinking (as much as feasible in this game).

The traitors would be involved too. They’d obv have to try and redirect. Etc.

This is what should be happening anyway but it very rarely does.

The number of traitors should be clear too.

I think the other half of the parchment reveals Roxy's relationship to Judy.
When Roxy gets banished, she will allow the other murdered contestant to open the letter.

I think if Jessie and James knew each other in RL before the show, then at least one of them would have mentioned it in the diary room when Jessie was murdered.

Some of them have done it because they want a career on tv - I’ve seen some of them do well after the Traitors, like Minah has been on some BBC shows as presenter / reporter. Will be interesting to see who does well afterwards.

I reckon it's the Roxy-Judy connection. It's a secret to the players, but we know about it already so why waste valuable screentime?
If Roxy goes I expect we'll see the full "secret relationships" scroll opening.

I still think Mathew and Rachel are brother and sister. I just got vibes when I saw her reaction when Stephen talked about recruiting him to throw him under the bus.

Secret relationships thing - tedious.. It does show how desperate they are for new ideas tho