Nothing will cure the January Blues quite like watching twenty-five civilians play psychological mind games at a castle in the Scottish Highlands, and we love it every time. BBC’s The Traitors is now back in full swing for its third consecutive season on our screens, and it is safe to say it did not disappoint. The first episode alone was watched by five million people across the country, and in the proceeding weeks has reached online virality, with celebrities and civilians alike taking to social media to comment on the seemingly infinite jokes made at the contestants expense, or to provide their own theories on the real game at play.
Between hidden relationships, Linda’s seemingly Brit-Award-worthy acting skills, and London- born Charlotte’s fake Welsh accent, the format of the series is nothing short of genius. The show follows the twenty-five contestants as they fight for the chance to win a cash prize while attempting to vote off the players who are given the titular roles of The Traitors. Emotions run high within each episode as tear-driven accusations and frequent childlike tantrums mean the stereotypical gameshow format goes awry, feeling more like watching reality television than Big Brother ever did. It is a game of real emotion and deceit, making it the perfect concoction for the British audience.
Over its three seasons, The Traitors has become one of the biggest gameshows on the BBC, and for good reason. The show allows for full immersion from players and viewers alike; between the drama-ridden mini-games, ferocious roundtable debates, and even minor conversations between contestants, everyone is a suspect. It’s the revival of the vintage murder mystery, and the return of reality TV, it is everything the British public have been craving, combining to make this the new five-star watch across the nation.
“Ardross Castle (geograph 4770934)” by valenta is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.