‘The Traitors’ 3×08 review: “A B**** Is Lying”

The coffin theory has been put to rest on Peacock’s The Traitors. It may have taken several episodes, but the Faithfuls can finally move on and focus on a new game plan. “A B**** Is Lying” picks up after the thrilling highs of Boston Rob’s discovery as a Traitor to close the loop on Season 3’s other looming mystery. This episode, while mellow from a gameplay standpoint, was essential for the season’s narrative. The Traitors Season 3 built up the mystery of the coffins, and with both Jeremy and Nikki out of the game, the impending banishment led us to this conclusion. (Even if it was frustrating to lose this popular Faithful.)

Final nail in the coffin

“A B**** Is Lying” highlights an interesting trap that the Faithfuls fall into every season. In this case after Boston Rob’s elimination, the Faithfuls had no other strong clues or theories to lead their next vote. So, everyone relied on the safety of a previous group theory: enter ‘The Coffin Theory.’ For some reason, the group fixated on the idea that a Traitor was in one of the coffins. Regardless of any evidence that proved otherwise or having both Nikki & Jeremy gone, they were all too convinced.

While past Traitors have planted themselves in these schemes (like on The Traitors U.K. Season 2), the same can be said for how it’s used as bait to lead the group astray. The group must consider both options as neither is truly a confirmation of a Traitor being there. It was frustrating how players like Ivar and Sam were ready to jump back into that well to end the theory; so much time had passed since then that it mostly proved the theory wrong. And after the group confirmed their ‘Cage Boy Theory,’ they had an opportunity to start new with fresh eyes. This move felt more like the Faithfuls taking it easy by picking off an easy target.

There was nothing Ciara could’ve said to turn the target onto someone else. Unless she had the biggest smoking gun against Danielle (or incorrectly at Britney), the group fixated on her. Plus, her close friendship with Boston Rob connected her to a sinking ship that “confirmed” the group’s wrong theory. Since he was a Traitor, she had to be as well since she voted the same as him, but we all knew that was untrue. It’s a shame Ciara got banished because she was the type of under-the-radar Faithful who could’ve done anything. Banishment, the finals, recruited as fodder for the Traitors … her storyline set her up. At least “A B**** Is Lying” concluded her arc with an edit that made it clear her end was coming … and that the Faithfuls were wrong to get her out.

Staring death in the face

The other big elimination from “A B**** Is Lying” came from the Traitors killing in plain sight. Having the Traitors deliver the death verdict in person was so chilling and cruel; you could feel the sadness and tension in the church from the edit. There is just something so sinister about a Faithful discovering the secret group who plotted to kill them. The Traitors should bring this back. It’s an easy set piece to incorporate (unless destroyed by meta-gaming).

Chrishell being the Traitors’ victim was the right choice. Chrishell was too much of a Faithful. Besides trusting Boston Rob too much or turning against her friend Nikki, she didn’t do anything that roused suspicion. No one was going to banish Chrishell unless they purposely targeted the women to suss out who could be a Traitor. Chrishell fell into the same camp as Dolores, Sam, or Ivar; the Faithfuls were never going to waste a future banishment on her.

Though, Chrishell’s elimination emerged with some potential in Sam’s strategic mindset. Did anyone else love his theory of asking the group to confirm Alan’s outfit at the church? It was brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. It’s frustrating how both Tom and Gabby let this theory slide; they shouldn’t have revealed what Alan wore after Carolyn came in. If everyone had pushed harder, they could’ve trapped Carolyn. Don’t get me wrong, I understand that Tom and Gabby aren’t from competition shows and haven’t played like that. However, the group should lean into common sense when a good idea was thrown on the table. It’s the type of meta-gaming that comes around only once before it gets fixed in following seasons, like the ‘Six Finger Plan’ on Big Brother 5.

Puppet on a string

The dollhouse challenge provided plenty of entertainment and chaos. Seriously, the players repeating musical gibberish over a phone is the type of absurdity we love to see. Tom Sandoval isn’t a good person, but I’ll admit it was hilarious having him try so hard to repeat the songs. He’s becoming the type of reality TV character you want on your screens for nothing else but sheer goofiness and love-to-hate villainy. Plus, Britney’s confessionals roasting his musical quips added to all of the fun. Thankfully, The Traitors Season 3 is finally utilizing the power of Britney’s jokes and confessionals.

Speaking of Britney, do you think the Traitors will recruit her? Danielle is trying hard, but it’s not in Carolyn’s best favor to have her in the turret. Danielle and Britney would turn on Carolyn – it’ll either be at a banishment or it’ll be at the Fire of Truth to ensure they get a bigger prize pot. Britney and Danielle are friends again. They won’t turn on each other, even if she gets recruited. Carolyn would be best to hold firm with either recruiting Gabby or voting out one of the men. Gabby can be easy fodder for banishment, and the men need to dwindle their numbers for the female Traitors to hide at the banishments.

“A B**** Is Lying” wrapped up one of the season’s biggest plotlines with a reluctant vote. Through all the challenge chaos and the Traitor debates, there was still a frustrating vote that dragged out the momentum. Thankfully, now the remaining Faithfuls can start fresh with a new theory that will lead us into the second half. We’ll have to see if this will be an upswing for the Faithfuls or a new betrayal between the Traitors.

The Traitors airs new episodes on Thursdays on Peacock.

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Images courtesy of Peacock