The Traitors: New Blood Episode 8 ‘A Bad Apple Spoils the Whole Bunch’ gives us the show’s big first twist, and the decision to pardon Victor brings with it the expected consequences: Tomica is out, and Joe might be next. The Traitors finally have a game on their hands. But can the Faithful really win this game? I’m still very much not sure.
Victor was right about Tomica and somewhat right about Fruitgate, but Victor remains very unlikeable, and he also doesn’t know nearly as much as he thinks he does. He zeroed in on Tomica because of the fruit, and Tomica then made it easier for him, but she didn’t actually kill anyone. It was Joe! So, as he now turns to Joe, he might have a harder time convincing people.
He does seem to have two clear allies, Wyatt and Shane. Tomica aside, I’m not sure how easy it will be to convince everyone else. And let’s say he does. Best-case scenario, Joe is banished in the next roundtable. Then, they’re back at the beginning because at this point no one, absolutely no one, suspects Katie. And if it’s down to her, she might get to recruit someone.
Gameplay aside, the problem with this episode and with the season so far is that this hour has been the most interesting so far, and we needed a twist we’d never seen before and the most annoying person in the game to be right. There’s no clear path to the show becoming more interesting, and the banishments have left the show feeling a little thin on actual personality.
The idea of a game of Traitors without celebrities (though when a video with Morgan finally reached my feed after I watched this and I recognized her, I started thinking this might actually work better without influencers!) is fun, and I admit I was and still am very much looking forward to seeing how it ends. I also recognize that this isn’t nearly as fun as a show with bigger personalities.
I don’t like Victor much, but a game with 5 Victors would be a much better game, and it would also make it harder for me to actually dislike Victor. Right now, he’s an easy target because it’s just him. No one else is taking big swings. No one else is making it about themselves. It might be better gameplay, but it’s a much worse reality show. I need a little more drama, and non-fruit-related drama, please.
My prediction: They do get rid of Joe next, and then the Faithful get a little too cocky, which allows Katie to recruit Morgan. And hey, if Victor does convince everyone to get Joe out, the first thing Katie should do is kill him. He’s not even close to guessing it’s her, but he’s still not the kind of player you want sticking around. Plus, this man should just not win. Please, don’t let him win.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of The Traitors: New Blood Episode 8 ‘A Bad Apple Spoils the Whole Bunch’ ? Share with us in the comments below!
The Traitors: New Blood airs Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC, with episodes available the next day on Peacock.
