John Byrne recaps Tuesday’s sixth episode of The Traitors Ireland, with Nick taking centre stage on a day of bling, blame and a nailbiting banishment. ***Spoilers galore***
With traitor Eamon banished last night, Katelyn and Paudie decided to offer Nick the opportunity – if you could call it that – of joining them in the conclave.
Would he accept the recruitment offer? After all, Nick has been one of the more vocal of the faithful, ever willing to point out the suspected traitors in the group. Is he the type to go over to the dark side?
More to the point: would he be any use as a traitor?
First up though, breakfast. No one catches a traitor on an empty stomach.
In the Nick of time
Ben and Wilkin were the earliest arrivals. “Usually I’m one of the last,” Ben says. He also thinks the traitors will have recruited to replace Eamon.
He counts the remaining contestants on the wall. It’s 15. Then he counts the chairs laid out for breakfast. 15.
“They haven’t murdered,” says Ben. “So someone got recruited,” adds Wilkin.
As the rest of the group gradually gather, speculation grows. Faye is still buzzing after getting a traitor banished. Oyin agreed: “We’re definitely on a high…”
Nick and Amy are last to arrive.
Watch: Nick reveals the Traitors tried to recruit him – but did he really decline their offer?
Vanessa notes: “Nick walks in last and he looks like he hasn’t had a wink of sleep.”
He looked at the rest of the group and says: “They tried to recruit.” He turned them down!
There were a lot of cheers. But there were also doubts. Mark for starters. Faye for seconds. “I mean,” she says, “It’s his word. We’ve nothing else to go on.”
Is Nick trying to pull a double bluff? Is paranoia taking over amongst the faithful?
Let’s roll back to last night and see…
To be or not to be – that is Nick’s question
“I have had so much fun as a faithful,” Nick insists. “I like being honest, like building relationships – so I’m going to continue to go as is, keep everyone’s trust and see where it takes me.”
That could take him through the banishment door tonight if he’s not careful.
“Your invitation was declined,” Siobhán tells traitors Katelyn and Paudie.
Paudie is getting more and more frustrated on The Traitors Ireland
While the latter was surprised, Katelyn confessed: “I think there’s very few of them that would accept, because of the chaos we have wreaked on them.”
Paudie’s not impressed.
“He has to play the game,” he insists. “And the game is called Traitors.”
It’s The Traitors Ireland, Paudie. But we’ll let you off this time. You’ve had a tough couple of days with the now departed Eamon.
Queen of Hearts
Siobhán arrives at the breakfast table with a headband topped by a large queen of hearts playing card. What’s this about then?
“Oh,” she says as she counts the number of contestants. “You’re all here. How interesting!”
But really she’s here to say: “Are you ready for your next mission? Why don’t you put on some lippy? Get dolled-up a bit.”
To shrieks from – presumably – the girls, she adds: “You deserve to have a good time.”
But before the mission, a few names get thrown around in conversation. “Everyone’s looking for somebody else,” says Wilkin. “Names are flying about.”
Some of the deductions are patently daft. It’s hilarious.
Mission: Enjoyable
For once, the group look smart as they head out. There’ll be no wading through rivers today.
“I can’t wait to see everybody all glammed-up,” says Joanna, while Amy reckoned: “Everyone looked unbelievable.”
Patrick even had a red dickie bow.
On the way, chins start wagging.
Watch: ‘Some people are just psychopaths’ – things are heating up on The Traitors
Christine discovers that Katelyn is a wedding celebrant. But she isn’t. “Nobody seems to have questioned me on it so far,” she says, grinning broadly.
What’s the name of this show again?
Christine acknowledges to the camera that people may be lying. “Some people are just psychopaths,” she says, “and they just want that buzz.”
Meanwhile, Andrew is overthinking about Patrick. Nick reckons: “It’s going to turn ugly.”
Casino Royale
When the gang arrive at their destination, they get cocktails and Siobhán says: “Welcome to The Traitors Casino! Who’s ready to win some money?”
Three players will represent the group but compete against each other to raise money for the fund – and earn a shield.
The contestants doll themselves up for a trip to The Traitors casino
‘Self-confessed ‘Casino guy’ Patrick gets called up, along with Oyin and Faye.
Nick realises he can’t win the shield and confesses: “I’m in big trouble.”
Firstly, the trio have to build a house of cards. Not as easy as it looks. No one wins the €500 on offer.
The second game’s a jigsaw task. Faye wins! €500.
Finally, they’ve to throw cards in the air and find one that has a Traitors symbol. Oyin swoops like an eagle to win €500.
Next task, a Q&A session with €100 for each correct answer.
Patrick, Faye and Oyin are called upon to take part in the mission
After that, they’d banked €1500 – and, as she won the most games, Oyin gets the shield.
She can sleep easy tonight.
On the way back, Andrew’s name crops up. An attack gets planned.
Turbulence at the Table
On the way in to Slane Castle, Nick tells Katelyn about the plan to nail Andrew. “Then,” she admits to camera, “the panic sets in.”
Strap yourselves in folks. It’s going to be a bumpy Round Table.
Nick’s paranoia is palpable. “If we don’t get a traitor tonight… I’m going to be murdered 100%.”
Before the row begins, Siobhán tells the assembled group that the total cash fund now stands at €21,900.
Nick puts himself front and centre – but will it be to his detriment further down the line?
First up for some finger-pointing: Mark. “I’m coming to you Andrew,” he says. His reasoning is daft. Not that it matters.
Nick joins in on Andrew, who talks about his “unusual behaviour”. Ben makes it an anti-Andrew threesome.
Andrew goes on the defensive. He’s no other choice.
Paudie tries to deflect from his secret son Andrew by pointing a finger – again – at Katelyn. Following a bit of bants, Katelyn says: “We haven’t had any rationale other than ‘I forget’ or ‘I’m confused’, which was the first lucid comment so far.
Paudie keeps at Katelyn. Oyin joins in. Then Amy. Christine joined in, mentioning John, Katelyn and the shield.
Then Kelley joins in: “I don’t think it’s Andrew. Maybe I’m a fool.”
Andrew then goes on a long, rational monologue that’s pretty spot on. Has he saved himself, or is it too late to change minds?
Siobhán calls a halt. It’s time to write down names.
It’s also time for a commercial break.
It had to be who?
Ben gets the banishment ball rolling. He picks Andrew. Katelyn joins in. Mark thought he spoke well, but voted for Andrew anyway.
Oyin – one of the few faithfuls who has a clue – voted for Katelyn. “You and Eamon were working together,” she says.
It must drive her crazy that so many of the rest of them are stumbling in the dark. It’s certainly doing my head in.
Joanna resumes normal service with a vote for innocent Andrew. That’s four now.
Patrick goes for Katelyn. Kellie agrees. We have a contest!
“I’m sure it’s no surprise,” says Paudie, as he twists the dagger in Katelyn’s back. 4-4.
Amy then puts Katelyn in the lead. Saying “I’m sorry” and adding three kisses to her sentence will surely brighten Katelyn’s outlook as she stares banishment in the face.
Nick – it had to be Nick, who wouldn’t be out of place in Salem – swings the focus back on Andrew. All square again.
Christine offers a far from comforting “sorry” as she votes for Katelyn. “I have to follow my gut again – I really hope you are a traitor… you’re playing a great game.”
Katelyn smiles. But not for long.
Watch: Another Traitor is banished – but it causes huge tension amongst the contestants
Andrew then votes for Katelyn. 7-5. Three votes left.
Wilkin votes Katelyn. As does Christine. She’s done. Faye adds another nail in Katelyn’s coffin. Finally, Vanessa. Coffin lid closed.
Katelyn joins Siobhán before exiting the game. There are tears.
“I told you that I cried a lot,” she said. “I’ve had the best time ever. I never, ever, imagine that I’d get this far.
“I think you’re all bloody brilliant, I care about all of you so much and wish you all the best.
“I have to let you in on a little secret, because I’m not a wedding celebrant… I specialise in team psychology.
“I told you all along that if you voted for me, that I’d be standing up here and telling you that I’m a faithful.
“I hope you’re all really satisfied with yourselves,” she pauses. “Because I’m a traitor.”
Cue pretty wild celebrations. Had Ireland scored against Armenia?
Pretty soon the mood changed. Nick and co are disappointed Andrew remains and said they had Katelyn “under control”.
There’s a serious split in the camp. Between the smarter people and the people who think they’re smart.
And what happens now there’s only one traitor remaining?
Paudie plays solitare
Before Paudie meets up with himself at a conclave for one, Siobhán points out that – now that there’s only one traitor left – the rules have changed.
Paudie must nominate someone to join him as a traitor. But should they refuse, they’ll be murdered and out of the game.
“Some might call that blackmail,” she says. “And they’d be right.”
Paudie admits: “I didn’t think that I’d be able to survive for this long” – but here he is. “I’m after taking out two traitors – it’s as if they don’t suspect me anymore.”
Will Andrew accept his dad’s invitation to become a Traitor?
After Siobhán explains the situation – he must summon someone who has to either become a traitor or die – he makes the biggest mistake imaginable.
He chooses Andrew. His own son.
A man who already has a massive, Nick-inspired target on his back.
“It’s exactly what I would’ve wanted to happen,” Paudie says. “I need him.”
What’s that Chinese proverb? Oh yeah.
Be careful what you wish for.
The Traitors Ireland continues every Sunday at 9:30pm, Monday and Tuesday at 9:35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, followed directly by The Traitors Ireland: Uncloaked, which is now on RTÉ2