I love The Traitors, have devoured the past two series and worshipped at the altar of series 2 legend, Diane Carson. But some viewers have had some issues with series 3 which started on New Year's Day.
I’m still watching, along with millions of others. I’m a Faithful like that and it's gripping TV. But somehow the magic of last year, aka The Best Series Ever, hasn’t yet kicked in this new series. Yet!
It's early days, we're only two weeks in and Claudia has promised a moment is coming this series that took her breath away.
"Chairs are tipped over," she said. "When everybody's gone, the crew and I stand there and shake because we've just witnessed real emotion, real tension, a real release."
Ok, so it could still beat series two. But while we wait for that episode, here are some of the issues viewers have had with series three so far.
The train twist
Making three contestants volunteer to get off the Scotland-bound train to add money to the prize pot was a great twist – but some of the strongest players got off. Sharp as a tack Fozia would have set the cat among the clay pigeons with her astute observations and ability to cut through the nonsense to identify potential Traitors. Instead, she was benched along with former diplomat, Alexander, who is skilled at reading people and is also an asset. As for young landscaper Jack, he would’ve certainly added some levity to the group. We’ve had brutal first-day dismissals before, but maybe next time round they should let people bed in – and make an impact – before getting rid.
Game for a laugh
The challenges have never beaten the round table for drama, but some feel this year’s games have felt a little slow. Watching the contestants row a boat and walk through different patterned doors just can't compete with the banishments, right? We'd love to see more dynamic challenges next series, ones that test their loyalties and cause friction but also see them let their hair down a bit – without foul-smelling gunk being dumped on said hair…
Up close and too personal
Contestants have always taken the competition seriously – hello, there is £120K up for grabs – but this year they’re letting their competitiveness cloud their judgement, meaning things are getting way too personal. Round tables have become gladiatorial events, with more shouting and personal digs than ever before. Maybe next year there could be a pre-production session about not getting too personal.
To reveal or not to reveal?
That really is the question – and one that, so far, has largely been answered incorrectly. Some can’t help thinking that sisters Armani and Maia missed a trick by not hiding their relationship à la Diane and Ross last year. It would’ve resulted in higher stakes (better for us, viewers), plus made it less damning when Maia voted for Armani.
