{"id":285797,"date":"2026-01-15T13:21:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T13:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/285797\/"},"modified":"2026-01-15T13:21:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T13:21:10","slug":"why-the-traitors-rachel-and-stephens-murder-decision-will-cost-them-the-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/285797\/","title":{"rendered":"Why The Traitors’ Rachel and Stephen’s murder decision will cost them the game"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last night’s episode of The Traitors<\/a> was quite something. After Harriet’s<\/a> tense breakfast speech and shocking revelation about her real career, she put it all on the line to confront Rachel at the Round Table<\/a>. But, just like those who came before her (see: Fiona<\/a>), she ended up losing the battle and was banished from the Scottish castle. <\/p>\n

Safe from banishment once again, Rachel<\/a> headed to the Traitors’ Turret with Stephen<\/a>, where they were given the choice to either seduce a new recruit or murder a Faithful<\/a>. Viewers at home (us included) were sure the pair would choose to seduce. After all, seven (yes, seven!) shields were secured in the mission earlier that same day, so choosing to murder would be a risky decision. But that’s exactly what the pair opted to do, putting Jessie<\/a>, James, and Adam up for murder.<\/p>\n

“It was a stupid choice by the Traitors to murder instead of seducing. They have a high chance of missing their target with so many shields in play,” a viewer said<\/a> on X in response to Rachel and Stephen’s move. “Is the Traitors going for murder instead of seduce a fatal error?” someone else asked<\/a>. Let’s work it out…<\/p>\n

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PHOTOGRAPHER:Euan Cherry\/\/BBC<\/p>\n

How will Rachel and Stephen’s murder move play out? If they murder Jessie<\/p>\n

In last night’s mission, which saw the players race around the castle grounds<\/a> in search of the fountain’s missing cherubs, Jessie secured herself a shield, meaning she is protected from murder. And, it’s just as well. Rachel and Stephen previously identified her as their next murder victim because she’s too trusted within the group to ever be banished. <\/p>\n

Little do Rachel and Stephen know, however, that Jessie has a shield. Her team opted not to share the details of who won a shield with the wider group, which they hoped would protect them all because it would be a risk for the Traitors to try and murder any of them. That said, if Rachel and Stephen do decide to murder Jessie, she will be shielded and will return to the game the following morning, which we’re sure will cause some fireworks at the breakfast table.<\/p>\n

Verdict:<\/strong> Choosing Jessie means Rachel and Stephen miss out on the chance to get a Faithful out of the game. It’ll also potentially put more heat on them as the Faithfuls will know the Traitors couldn’t be someone in Jessie’s team as they would have known who had the shield. <\/p>\n

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PHOTOGRAPHER:Euan Cherry\/\/BBC<\/p>\n

If they murder James<\/p>\n

Like Jessie, James also secured a shield in the mission on yesterday’s episode. Although, not without ruffling a few feathers.<\/p>\n

James was on the same team as Jessie, along with Sam and Adam. They agreed to only collect one shield and ‘share’ it between them. But at the last moment, James went against that plan and nabbed himself a cheeky shield. Later on, he came clean to the rest of the team, and the reaction from Sam and Adam put them at risk because it indicated to the other players who really got a shield. <\/p>\n

Because he has a shield, James will also be safe from murder tonight if the Traitors choose him. <\/p>\n

Verdict:<\/strong> Choosing James means Rachel and Stephen miss out on the chance to get a Faithful out of the game and again put themselves in more jeopardy by putting more attention onto themselves, and thus risking their positions as Traitors. <\/p>\n

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PHOTOGRAPHER:Euan Cherry\/\/BBC<\/p>\n

If they murder Adam<\/p>\n

Adam is the only person on the Traitors’ murder list that doesn’t have a shield. Although he was on the same team as Jessie and James, his somewhat heated reaction to learning of James’ deceit kind of gave their plan away. However, Rachel and Stephen don’t know for certain who actually has a shield, so they have a one-in-three chance of getting it right tonight.<\/p>\n

Murdering Adam is the only guaranteed way for Rachel and Stephen to get a Faithful out of the game in the upcoming episode, as he does not have a shield and is therefore unprotected.<\/p>\n

Verdict:<\/strong> Choosing Adam means Rachel and Stephen will get a Faithful out of the game, and is likely the only safe option the pair have right now.<\/p>\n

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PHOTOGRAPHER:Euan Cherry\/\/BBC<\/p>\n

If they change their minds<\/p>\n

Of course, The Traitors wouldn’t be The Traitors if it weren’t filled with twists and turns. With that in mind, Rachel and Stephen could well change their minds on their decision to murder. If they choose to recruit a Faithful instead, we reckon Matthew will be top of their list, based on the deal they made with him previously. <\/p>\n

Unless Matthew has an incredible game plan<\/a> up his sleeve, then being recruited by the Traitors probably won’t end well for him. Rachel and Stephen, who formed a close alliance earlier on in the game, have already confirmed their intention to throw Matthew under the bus once he’s a Traitor.
<\/p>\n

Verdict:<\/strong> Choosing Matthew means Rachel and Stephen get a Faithful out of the game and onto their team… what they do from there on? Who knows! <\/p>\n

\"why\"pinterest\"<\/a><\/p>\n

PHOTOGRAPHER:Euan Cherry\/\/BBC<\/p>\n

So, who will it be? And, more importantly, how will Rachel and Stephen’s decision impact the game? Thankfully, we only have to wait a few hours to find out…<\/p>\n

The Traitors continues on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 8pm.<\/p>\n

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