On Friday, The Traitors ended on an epic cliffhanger with Rachel and Stephen wielding a dagger that holds the power to change the whole game.
The BBC reality series has introduced several never-seen-before twists and turns this season including a secret Traitor (rip Fiona); not one but two secret relationships; and a church confessional that shook us all to our core.
In seasons gone by we’ve also had the fatal Seer power which saw the demise of both Traitor Charlotte and Faithful Frankie and the shock return of presumed dead players.
After all, three civillian seasons and one celebrity version into the show, they need to keep audiences on our toes about what could come next.
Now we are waiting with bated breath to see what the outcome of this latest power bestowed upon the Traitors will be as we enter the final phase.
As Claudia Winkleman explained to our final eight at their celebratory dinner party, whoever’s portrait the Traitors plunged the ceremonial dagger into later that night would be granted the power of a double vote at the round table the next day.
With so few players remaining, as our treacherous duo pointed out, an extra vote could be the difference between being banished or surviving another day.
Here’s where the dilemma comes in – who should the Traitors give it to?
Get even more Traitors gossip
Want to get all the latest news and predictions for the best and most dramatic show this new year?
Sign up to our TV Daily newsletter to get a personalised selection of the hottest takes, latest theories and big behind-the-scenes news every morning. Don't to forget to select 'The Traitors' when you enter your email.
Or join our The Traitors WhatsApp channel for live episode coverage, juicy gossip and a place to recover from all the cliffhangers.
Simply click on this link, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in! Don't forget to turn on notifications!
Any choice they make comes with a boatload of repercussions that could throw suspicion their way or successfully throw our Faithfuls off the scent.
One route the Traitors might go down is giving the power to the Faithfuls with the least suspicion currently on them in the hopes of maximising their chance of making it through the roundtable.
As gloomyexample-1707 wrote on Reddit: ‘I think they might pick someone who’s not connected to them in any way like Jack.. or maybe Faz?
‘It would seem random, and it does not seem likely that Jack is onto either Stephen or Rachel. He’s had very little suspicion, so it would throw everyone off a bit.’
Both also have the fewest links back to our actual Traitors meaning it would be difficult to trace back any strategy behind offering them the power.
The could explore giving Roxy the power, who vocally cleared Stephen of any suspicion at the last roundtable and has continued to back Rachel – making her a strong ally.
She also has her sights set on James so could lead the charge that diretion. As moon-witch26 put it: ‘Roxy is too set on James so she’s a safe bet from that angle’.
In a similar vein, James is pent on ousting Matthew but it has a dual benefit.
Marzbar03 argued: ‘I think giving it to James is the wisest decision. He will use it against Matt or jade most likely but it would also be easy to convince the other players that James would have given himself the dagger.’
This strategy could also work for Jade who has plenty of heat on her that would only be fuelled by being bestowed the double-edged dagger.
What does Metro think about the ceremonial dagger twist?
Metro’s Senior TV Reporter Asyia Iftikhar weighs in…
At first sight I thought the dagger twist seemed pretty insignificant, but the longer I have thought about it, the more shocking it seems.
Unlike twists in times gone by that have focused on specific sets of people, this one truly could implicate anyone at all, depending on how the Traitors play it.
There’s every chance the vote backfires on them, and casts doubt their way. On the flip side, they truly could use this double vote to all but secure their victory by stirring yet more Faithful infighting that carries them to the very end.
If I was the Traitors, there are two options I would land on.
They could risk it with Rachel, who seems to have the whole castle wrapped around her little finger, and easily lay the blame at another Faithful’s feet – meaning they survive at least one more roundtable.
Or, they give it to Jade, who is currently the most suspected Faithful. This choice should wreak enough havoc to either have Jade banished for good measure or pin the blame back on Matthew, who firmly believes she is the Traitor.
Either way, this twist is savage, no matter which way you spin it.
Her double vote may not even make much difference if the table unanimously turns on her to finally banish her after days of speculation.
‘Jade might be the best choice because it could make her seem like she has given it to herself particularly if Matthew is banished,’ WillR2000 agreed.
Last, but not certainly not least, from our Faithful cohort is wannabe Traitor Matthew. Some have posed that he could be given the power as a way to keeping luring him into their hooded brigade.
Also, he has consistently gone for Jade, and seems likely to stay on that bandwagon.
‘As much as it pains me, because I know where the votes would go and she’d be out, I expect them to give it to Matthew because it’s very clear what he’s going to do and there’s little chance of a surprise change of strategy,’ Chrisdewgong argued.
Then we have the Traitors themselves. Very few have speculated Stephen himself will take the power as he already faced some flack and placed himself in precarious positions (such as the cages and the heavily scrutinised library conversation).
Don’t miss a TV review! Add us as a Preferred Source
As a loyal Metro TV reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for stories. Our TV experts are here to bring you all the latest reviews, streaming updates, videos, and exclusive interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.
Click here and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.
Rachel, on the other hand, could decide to keep the dagger in safe hands to secure the Traitors’ power at the table and further spin the narrative that she is a firm Faithful.
‘If I were Rachel and wanted one more high risk play: I’d keep the dagger, ‘think deep’ and decide that the Traitors assumed she would vote Jade – so Rachel decides to look at other people at the table.
‘Temporarily clear Jade for [one more] roundtable under the guise of what she perceives as a play for her to double vote Jade,’ Hazybutler posed.
The Traitors returns tonight at 8pm on BBC One.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
