All the moments that made last night’s The Traitors one the best reality TV episodes ever

The Traitors is a cultural phenomenon that never has a bad episode in the bunch, but last night BBC aired an episode that not only transcended the usual high benchmark of Traitors episodes, but pushed reality TV to newly acclaimed heights across the board. Many had trepidations that season two of the hit franchise would hit the lofty peak that season one did, with it not having that element of surprise and fresh out the box newness to its format. Any critics were well and truly quelled with episode seven – which launched week three of the second season and gave us all an unrelenting hour of perfect TV. But what made it so special? Here are all the moments that made The Traitors best episode one for the history books.

A little context if you care to listen

To ensure you understand exactly why this episode hit as impactful as it did, the above quote from RAYE’s Escapism is needed. The last episode culminated in the Traitors having the tense task of handing out a poison chalice and murdering in plain sight. After much faffing, Miles handed the glass to fan fave and resident gay icon Diane – but the episode left us on a cliffhanger to see whether Diane actually died or not.

Did she take a sip? Did the Traitors get away with it? The week has been a spiral of chaos for all as we predicted the outcome – but none of us could have predicted the next episode of The Traitors would be its best ever.

The breakfast

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Diane has been murdered, to our dismay – but not instantly. That reveal comes to the rest of the group later. Breakfast starts as normal, with Diane right there. The Traitors don’t know this, which means they enter and have to hide their shock that she’s sat there with a croissant. Miles did not manage this assignment, and history was made with then funniest reaction face imaginable. I’m creasing.

The fact the mission wasn’t some CBBC nonsense and it actually mattered

One of the key reasons this episode was so great was that we didn’t have to endure some stupid physical task and the mission was high camp, high theatrics DRAMA that was integral to the whole episode and the one before it. There was no middle episode lull like usual, just full funeral dramatics complete with a camp choir.

Diane leading her own funeral procession without knowing

Diane leading her own funeral procession, like who else could leave the show like this. What an iconic way to go #TheTraitors pic.twitter.com/T3H5lIQSJm

— L D N _ L E W🦩S (@LDN_Lewis) January 17, 2024

Just utterly perfect. Can’t even comprehend how great this is. She doesn’t even know it’s for her!? Everyone involved with thinking this idea up needs a major pay rise.

Um, Ross having to bury his own mum

I hope the BBC is paying for the therapy that looms after this.

Paul turning on Miles so Miles coming for Paul

Diane told Paul as she got eliminated it had to be Miles, which she was right about. But as per usual, Paul was overly zealous in backstabbing Traitors which meant Miles had to turn on him and they both battled it out supremely. I was sad to see Miles go, I preferred him to Paul – but seeing them lie and debate like that was just delicious.

Paul’s downfall looming

This shot is SHAKESPEARE.

Knowing he's right about Paul, but being at his weakest for not voting for Miles – meanwhile Paul is at a possible new high??? It's like a shot from succession#TheTraitors#TheTraitorsUK pic.twitter.com/5cWQuyhjw4

— loch harrison 🇵🇸 (@the_jackalope_) January 17, 2024

I’m sorry, but this can’t go on – he must be banished. I love Paul for good TV but he’s playing a sloppy game now and Harry knows it. Harry is peak Traitor. He needs to win. I also need Jaz to stick to his Paul guns and get voting him out, unless he’s trying to fly under the radar til later in the game and then he’ll reveal his master plan.

This game literally turns on a dime. I have no clue where it’s going to go next or who’s going to become the most powerful player. But all I know for sure is that was the best episode of The Traitors and I can’t wait to gobble the next ep up tonight. Spending time watching people ‘die’ in a castle has never made me feel more alive.

The first seven episodes of The Traitors UK season two are available on BBC iPlayer now. For more like these The Traitors Diane memes and the best music, reality TV and entertainment news, like Pop Culture Shrine on Facebook. 

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• RIP Diane: Wipe your tears and enjoy these The Traitors memes from last night’s masterpiece

• There’s an online Traitors video game you can play to test how faithful you are

• A brief history of all of Paul’s desperate attempts to get famous before The Traitors