Third Season of 'The Traitors' Impresses Critics

     On January 9, 2025, Peacock premiered the third season of 'The Traitors', which has earned predominantly positive reviews from critics. In the series, reality show stars and celebrities "play the ultimate murder mystery game. Hosted by award-winning actor Alan Cumming at an ancient castle in Scotland, they will work together on exhilarating missions to build a prize fund worth up to $250,000. But hidden amongst the Faithful contestants are the Traitors, whose goal is to eliminate the Faithful and claim the prize for themselves. Under the cover of darkness, the Traitors will murder the Faithful one by one in a treacherous spree while the players try to uncover the Traitors and banish them from the game. If the Faithful contestants banish all the Traitors, they will share the prize fund, but if a Traitor makes it to the end, they will steal all the money." Read the full review round-up below.

   Johnny Loftus of Decider writes, "Look at its Survivor player polycule, or its Housewives contingent – The Traitors season 3 is leaning heavily and wonderfully into all of its players’ small screen histories. “I don’t think I’d do well as a traitor,” infamous Vanderpump villain Tom Sandoval tells host Alan Cumming as he lobbies for position, to which a smirking Cumming retorts, “But what if I made you one?” (It’s almost illegal how much fun Cumming is having as host.) And when she is left to wallow on a pontoon in a dark Scottish loch, Dorinda “Meddler” declares she’s pissed enough to begin feeling “a little Housewife right now.” Yes! Please do! In its standard format, Traitors is already able to generate a ton of deceit and scrumptious backstabbing. But add into its existing mix the collective and potentially chaotic energy of this many past reality competitions and appearances, and Season 3 of the series is operating at an absurdly potent level. At the same time, that contingent of reality format vets on Traitors should also check their confidence at the Castle Ardross portcullis. While they have been conditioned to build in fake-outs and feints, series producers could easily use that competitive experience against them, especially with so much potential for new talent to rise up. Are you gonna bet against Nikki Garcia of the Bella Twins causing some trouble? She’s a WWE Hall of Famer!" Adding, "Stream It! Season 3 of The Traitors is its biggest yet. With a top-notch host in Alan Cumming, tricky, high-level game play, and a tantalizing cross-section of reality show talent as its players – competitive Survivor styles up against Real Housewives wiles, or reality randos confronting established format schemers – Traitors is taking reality competition to stylishly outrageous new levels."

    Personally, this season is already shaping up to be my favorite as these players are ready and willing to go for it. Bob the Drag Queen and Dylan Efron are naturals, but somehow "Boston Rob" Rob Mariano is even more adept at playing this game than at 'Survivor'! Tom Sandoval actually is tolerable on this show, which is even more strange though. Not saying that I am rooting for him, but seeing him in pure confusion mode is a gift. Gabby Windey is proving to be a natural at the game as well, which is amazing to see. 

Photo by LexScope on Unsplash