The pressure is mounting on Rob Rausch as the semifinals of The Traitors unfolded on Peacock, leaving him increasingly vulnerable as the remaining Faithful start to coalesce around his potential deception. After a strategic banishment and a deadly decision in the turret, Rob and his fellow Traitor, Eric Nam, are navigating a treacherous landscape where trust is a dwindling commodity.
Episode 10, titled “Do You Understand the Enemy?”, saw the eight remaining players – Rob, Eric, Johnny Weir, Kristen Kish, Mark Ballas, Maura Higgins, Natalie Anderson, and Tara Lipinski – grappling with suspicion and attempting to unmask the Traitors before it’s too late. The episode highlighted Rob’s growing discomfort with the deception, particularly his close bond with Maura Higgins, who remains steadfastly trusting of him.
The episode began with the fallout from the previous banishment of Stephen Colletti, and a new shortlist of potential Traitors: Johnny Weir, Kristen Kish, Natalie Anderson, and Tara Lipinski. Each of these players faced a chilling test of fate in the castle dungeons, confronting a sinister jack-in-the-box that revealed their safety – or lack thereof – for the night. Kristen Kish became the latest victim of the Traitors’ scheme.
Following Kristen’s elimination, Tara Lipinski immediately shifted the focus onto Rob, initiating a private conversation with Natalie Anderson to discuss their suspicions. They questioned whether Candiace Dillard Bassett’s earlier, seemingly random, accusation of Rob held merit, and pondered if they had been misplacing their trust all along. Natalie, in turn, began to consider that her continued presence in the game might be due to Rob actively protecting her from elimination.
Meanwhile, Rob attempted to deflect attention from Eric Nam by subtly steering Mark Ballas towards Natalie. He pointed to Natalie’s lone dissenting vote in the unanimous banishment of Candiace as evidence, framing her as a strategic player who couldn’t be trusted. Mark, however, qualified that Natalie was simply the “only real game player” left, a comment that inadvertently bolstered her position.
The players then participated in a mission involving a spinning carnival ride and a search for hidden gold within plushie dolls. Eric Nam ultimately claimed the final shield, offering protection from the next murder. The group collectively banked $24,500 during the challenge.
Ahead of the Round Table, Natalie remained convinced of Rob’s betrayal and sought to rally support for his banishment. She needed to overcome Rob’s advantage – the two-vote dagger – and secure the votes of both Mark and Eric. Mark, while initially hesitant, acknowledged a change in Rob’s behavior, describing it as “more performative, a little bit more nervous.” Johnny Weir approached Eric, referencing Candiace’s previous vote, but this proved to be a dead end.
Rob, sensing the shifting tide, attempted to solidify his alliance with Maura, laying out a plan to banish Natalie and then target Tara and Johnny in subsequent rounds. However, Maura’s reaction to his plan suggested she was beginning to question his motives.
At the Round Table, the tension reached a fever pitch as Rob and Natalie directly confronted each other. Both accused the other of a change in demeanor signaling recruitment as a Traitor. The debate was further complicated by Tara’s scaling back of her arguments against Rob, which prompted Natalie to question her loyalty. Despite a late surge to vote for Tara, the majority voted to banish Natalie.
Tara Lipinski became visibly emotional after Natalie’s reveal as a Faithful, openly requesting to be murdered next out of guilt. While Rob and Maura saw Tara’s reaction as further evidence of her potential deception, Mark was moved by her sincerity and reaffirmed his belief in her innocence. Johnny, however, correctly identified both Eric and Rob as the remaining Traitors in a confessional, but acknowledged he lacked the necessary voting power to act on his knowledge.
The episode concluded with Alan Cumming presenting Rob and Eric with a new challenge: the next murder would be carried out in front of everyone, requiring them to feign shock and maintain their composure. This sets the stage for a dramatic and potentially revealing finale.
As The Traitors heads into its final episode, the stakes are higher than ever. Rob Rausch, despite his strategic maneuvering, finds himself increasingly exposed, with the Faithful closing in. The upcoming murder, performed in plain sight, will undoubtedly test the Traitors’ ability to deceive and could ultimately determine the outcome of the game. The finale promises a thrilling showdown as the remaining players attempt to unmask the last vestiges of betrayal.
What are your thoughts on the latest episode? Share your predictions for the finale in the comments below!
