A new reality show has landed on the BBC that has everyone talking. Different to what we’re used to, The Traitors UK is the best reality show out there.
Reality TV normally has one of two formats. Celebrities are out into a situation they cannot easily escape and the public vote for a winner, or it’s not-so-everyday people expecting to find the love of their lives in the sun. And whilst these situations are undoubtedly entertaining, they aren’t anything new.
So that’s why The Traitors UK feels so refreshing.
What Is The Traitors?
22 ‘normal’ people head to a castle in Scotland, supposedly complete strangers. They work together to complete challenges so someone wins up to £120,000 at the end of the show. One or two people leave every day, narrowing the numbers.
When you put it like that, it sounds incredibly boring. But The Traitors is actually a massive psychological and behavioural study about what happens to people with growing paranoia and lies.
Let me explain.
The 22 people are split into two groups, the faithfuls and the traitors. Faithfuls have no idea who the traitors are and it is their just to get them out in the daily banishment. The three traitors meet each nightfall and decide on which faithful to ‘murder’, before all having to work together the next day to build up the cash put.
Everyone is constantly suspicious of everyone, and the smallest things will be used as evidence to get you banished. It’s a game of tactics, deceit and paranoia and it’s gotten everybody hooked. Essentially, it’s the game Among Us but with real people and real stakes.
Why Is It The Best Reality Show?
The Traitors UK doesn’t have forced relationships, Z-list celebrities and dodgy ethics. The cast is also really diverse, which is great to see on mainstream television.
However, what makes it really stand out is the psychological aspect. As a viewer, you watch the players get tunnel vision on the smallest things and manipulate one another until the whole group is against one person, for no apparent reason. Herd mentality is a huge concept within the show. The players are so easily persuaded, or just go along with the others, and the ones who do something different are then held as suspicious.
Plus, looking at the immediate suspicions associated with disability, race and gender is incredibly intriguing to watch.
The traitors are constantly trying to pass themself off as faithfuls, meaning they’re not only lying, but finding the thin line between instigation and blending in. Watching them at the centre of the madness, being the cause of it all without letting on is really gripping telly. As faithfuls go to the extreme to try and prove their innocence, they only create more suspicion.
Everyone is trying to keep one step in front of the other, with someone always getting left behind.
Oh, and it’s also presented by Claudio Winkleman who is perfectly suited to the show. She’s savage, subtle and wasted just on Strictly Come Dancing.
Fans Beg For The Traitors UK Series 2
Whilst it hasn’t officially been renewed yet, fans of the show are begging the BBC to renew it for another series already. Only 5 episodes have aired so far, but already people are asking for the rest of the series to be uploaded at once, and for another series entirely.
If you’re looking for something off the back of I’m A Celebrity, but actually better than it, then The Traitors UK is the show for you. Plus, it doesn’t have any adverts which give it another few points. You’ll be gripped instantly, just watch.
Episodes 1-5 are available to watch on BBC iPlayer now. Episode 6 will air tonight at 9 pm on BBC 1.
