The premiere of โThe Traitors: New Bloodโ introduced 22 reality television newbies ready to take over Alan Cummingโs cutthroat game.
The all-civilian version of the Emmy-winning series arrived on NBC Thursday, Sept. 17, with a supersized two-hour episode. In the premiere, viewers briefly met the 22 contestants as they boarded a train and made their way to the castle, located in the Scottish Highlands.
There, they only had a few moments to get acquainted and tell a couple lies before some of them were secretly selected to be murderous Traitors.
โA new dawn is rising. But make no mistake, you are not in Kansas anymore,โ Alan warned them.
He then revealed new twists that will shake up the game. By the end of the episode, two contestants had already been eliminated and a covert mission was underway. Read on for a recap of the first two episodes of โThe Traitors: New Blood.โ
The Traitors Are Selected
After the contestants arrived at the castle, Alan shared the first of many new elements added to the game for the all-civilian season. He announced that as an โextra incentiveโ $15,000 will be added to the prize pot this season every time the Faithfuls successfully banish a Traitor.
But who are the Traitors? Well, fans didnโt have to wait long for Alan to choose the players who will have to murder their fellow contestants every night. As soon as the players moved into the castle, they joined him at the Round Table. They donned blindfolds while Alan quietly tapped the shoulders of the Traitors: funeral director Joe and pilot Tomica.
While he didnโt share with the group how many Traitors he chose, he did confirm the selection wasnโt complete. Alan said an additional player would be chosen soon.
First Mission
The playersโ strength and endurance skills were put to the test in the first mission of the season. The players had to locate three crates in the loch that were filled with treasure chests, each worth $10,000. Then, they would use the numbers on the crates to find a code for a captainโs safe, giving them an additional $20,000.
While completing the mission, the players also had an opportunity to grab one of three available shields.
They finished the mission before time ran out, adding $50,000 to the prize pot. Victor, Abby L and Madeline secured shields.
The Traitors Meet in the Turret
Before learning the otherโs identity, each traitor separately met with Alan and he handed them their cloak. They were asked to recite the Traitorโs Oath before entering the turret.
Joe and Tomica removed their cloaks and met for the first time as Traitors. They quickly celebrated before Alan interrupted to share another twist: they must select two Faithfuls to become their โaccomplices.โ
โFor the next 24 hours, they will be put through a series of tests to see if they have what it takes to impress you as a Traitor. And at the end of that period, you will select one of them to join your treacherous ranks. As for the other, they will face the cruelest of cuts as you will murder them!โ Alan explained.
The episode ended with two masked accomplices meeting in the woods.
Who Are the Accomplices?
The second episode opened with the accomplices learning about their head-to-head battle. They removed their masks, revealing that Katie and Xavier were chosen by the Traitors.
We then returned to the turret, where Tomica and Joe were discussing their shortlist for murder. They named Michael, Kim and Arisa as their three options.
Back in the woods, Xavier and Katie murdered one of the three by sailing them down a river in a coffin.
Who Was Murdered First?
At the first breakfast of the season, the contestants arrived in groups. It was confirmed that Kim, a lawyer who was masquerading as a college basketball coach to deceive the cast, was murdered.
โIโm pissed. I wish I couldโve lasted beyond today. But Traitors, maybe you made a smart decision. Because I was going to find out who you were,โ Kim said before departing.
The First Round Table Banishment
The surprises kept coming as Alan strolled into the breakfast room and shared that the first Round Table would commence shortly.
The players only had minutes to check in with each other, and some didnโt use their time wisely. While speaking with Victor and Kriste, Madeline said โIโd feel like s— picking Kimโ to be murdered. But Kriste misheard her, thinking Madeline admitted she murdered Kim. Kriste retold the conversation to multiple players before the Round Table.
Meanwhile, Xavier and Katie were both trying to prove their worth to the Traitors. Xavier decided his best strategy was to make Katie appear suspicious.
At the Round Table, Victor instantly became a target. Many players called him out for focusing on the shield as soon as the mission started, indicating he wasnโt a โteam player.โ
Kriste then mentioned her conversation with Madeline, who denied making the comment about Kim. The two shared a heated exchange. โI know that youโre bald-face lying,โ Kriste told Madeline.
Kriste convinced most of the cast to vote for Madeline and she was banished.
While standing on the Circle of Truth, Madeline said before leaving, โKriste is a liar. I never said that. I am a Faithful.โ
The Accomplicesโ Test
After the Round Table, Xavier and Katie separately received notes about a task they needed to complete. The letter explained that there were two blank death warrants hidden in the castle, one in the library and another in the atrium. Xavier and Katie had until the clock chimed to retrieve the warrants and deliver them to the Traitors.
โRemember, the Traitors are watching,โ the note said.
The episode ended on a cliffhanger, with both Xavier and Katie attempting to grab the warrants and avoid suspicion.
What Will Happen Next Week?
โThe Traitors: New Bloodโ returns Thursday, Sept. 24, for another extended episode. Next week, fans will find out if Xavier and Katie completed their test and which one the Traitors recruited.
Episodes 3 and 4 will air at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.