Get ready for an epic showdown as Team Olympians takes on Team Love Island in the highly anticipated season finale of The Traitors!
This season has been a wild ride, with a diverse group of contestants battling it out. From ice-skating Olympians to K-pop idols, the competition has been fierce. And let's not forget the sharp strategies employed by these players, especially Rob Rausch, who has dominated the game from the very beginning.
But here's where it gets interesting! The late-game surge of support for Olympic buddies Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir has added a twist to the seemingly inevitable victory of Rob. Their serpentine plans to target Rob and his suspected partner, Eric Nam, took a turn with the unexpected elimination of Mark Ballas.
"See ya in hell!" Ballas exclaimed as he exited the game, leaving Rob's alliance a little weaker. Now, Tara and Johnny must convince Maura Higgins, Rob's Love Island connection, that he's been playing them all along. But they decide to take the easier route by fueling Maura's suspicions about Eric.
The final mission is a doozy, fitting for such an intense season. Alan Cumming, dressed in a gothic ensemble that's a unique blend of Beetlejuice and Moira Rose, announces the challenge. The Final Five must choose two players to fly in a helicopter while the others race down the river to a loch. There, they'll find pontoons with questions about former Traitors cast members, and the answers are on key cards in the chopper.
Maura and Rob quickly volunteer for the helicopter ride, ensuring Maura won't be influenced by the Olympians. However, Maura reveals Tara and Johnny's doubts about Eric, which concerns Rob. He knows he needs Maura's vote to stay in the game.
Cut to Rob's daring move! He jumps out of the helicopter, adding an extra $20,000 to the prize pool. With the cash prize now at $200,800, Rob's confidence soars. "Unless something crazy happens, we're gonna win," he tells Maura.
Back at the castle, Tara tries to convince Maura to vote with her and Johnny against Eric. But Maura stays loyal to Rob, voting out Johnny instead. "I feel really bad because you just said that you really trust me," Maura apologizes. "It's really just a gut feeling."
At the Fire Of Truth ceremony, Tara is the first to go, as Eric's plan to end the game with his friends doesn't come to fruition. Maura and Rob surprise everyone by voting against Eric, leaving him devastated. "I really trusted you guys," he says, questioning Maura's loyalty.
Higgins, shocked by Rob's true colors, realizes she's been played. "Oh my god, I'm so stupid," she cries. But she quickly recovers, revealing there are no hard feelings. "I'm just in shock...I thought I was winning!"
And just as the reality TV gods prophesied, Rob Rausch wins The Traitors season four. Alan hails him as "one of the greatest Traitors yet." Rob, the first solo winner since season one's Cirie Fields, used every trick in the book, from his charming boyishness to his strong jaw, to outwit his opponents. "People see me as a dumb hottie, but I've been a Traitor from day one. And I won. I beat everyone," he declares.
So, what do you think? Are you happy to see Rob's traitorous journey pay off, or were you hoping for an underdog victory? Join the discussion and share your thoughts!
Stray observations:
- Alan Cumming's unique fashion sense could inspire a whole new sleep story on Calm.
- The final Fire Of Virtue segment had some wild fashion choices, with Alan giving off Ms. Frizzle vibes, Rob in his usual dungarees, and Maura going full dominatrix.
For more reactions and insights, tune into The Traitors reunion on Peacock, following the season finale.
Christina Izzo, a contributor to The A.V. Club, brings you this recap.
