The Traitors Season 4 Recap of Episode 1: Let the Cards Fall as They Will

I’m settling in for this wild three-episode drop of The Traitors Season 4, and let me tell you—sleep is cancelled. I’m binge-watching, taking notes, making predictions, and spiraling in real time.

Episode 1, titled “Let the Cards Fall As They Will,” kicks things off with chaos, costumes, suspicious stares, and one very dramatic poem. Let’s get right into it.

Alan’s Opening Vibe: Dramatic, Moody, and Slightly Threatening

Alan glides onscreen in full theatrical glory and delivers a poem straight out of a gothic novella:

“Let the cards fall as they will to see whose fate is greater.

Can the faithful’s light outshine the dark lies of the traitors?”

And oop—he said the thing!

It’s nighttime. The moon is full. The jeeps are stuffed with a mix of fan favorites and “why are you back?” energy. Michael Rapaport is trying to get the Bravo stars to recognize him. They do not. Donna Kelsey is here to do her own thing, fully separate from her famous sons.

Season 3’s first boot, Dinda, is back dressed like a golden sneaker, promising vengeance over breakfast.

Hooded Figures, Awkward Introductions, and Instant Alliances

The players arrive to a group of mysterious hooded figures, and the lighting is doing no one any favors. Everyone is hugging, whispering, and fake-smiling through introductions.

Lisa Rinna gives every Housewife a warm welcome. Rob C already wants to align with Tiffany (because, let’s be honest, Big Brother players know how to game). Johnny and Tara are doing the most to pretend they aren’t besties, and Mora clocks Rob immediately, telling him he should stick with her. Sure, Jan.

The Big Twist: A Secret Traitor—Even We Don’t Know Who It Is

Alan appears wearing his most iconic “Scottish knight attending fashion week” outfit—kilt, bolero, shoulder armor, and a single curl lacquered to his forehead. Perfection.

He reveals the twist:

A secret traitor will be chosen.

Not even the audience gets to know who it is.

Each player opens a chest in front of the group while everyone tries to read micro-expressions like they’re in the FBI.

Candace declares she’d be great at deception because she has two degrees and worked in the White House. Ron Funches announces he’s excited in a way that makes him “want to poop a little,” which is a choice of words.

Bachelor Colton decides football makes him “cold-blooded,” which…okay?

Rob C goes last, and the secret traitor is selected. We just don’t know who got the card yet.

Meet the Official Traitors: Candace, Lisa Rinna, and Reptile Rob

Later, each contestant sits with Alan individually to pitch why they should be a traitor. People say some alarming things. Donna wants to be “murderous.” Kristen says her knives “will always stay sharp.” Candace wants to kill people “with a smile.” Are we sure these folks passed a psych check?

Alan blindfolds everyone, taps his chosen traitors… and selects Candace, Lisa Rinna, and Reptile Rob.

And wow—this trio is chaotic energy bottled and sold wholesale.

Lisa is practically skipping around the castle, thrilled to act her way through the game. Candace immediately starts trying to throw Lisa’s name out there. Rob stays stone-faced like a lizard basking on a warm rock.

The Secret Traitor Twist: A New Level of Chaos

In the turret, the three traitors meet for the first time—minus the secret one. Alan explains the secret traitor will send a shortlist of murder targets, and the known traitors must pick from that list.

No one knows who the fourth traitor is. The fourth traitor doesn’t even know who the other three are. This is layered, confusing, and delicious.

The shortlist will keep coming until the secret traitor is eventually revealed.

The First Challenge: Boats, Coffins, and Pure Mess

Morning hits and the players head to a lake filled with floating coffins. Alan is dressed like an ornamental casket, because of course he is.

The challenge:

• Row out
• Grab a coffin containing gold
• Return it
• Place it in someone’s grave plot

Whoever ends the challenge with a coffin in their plot is eligible for murder.

The teams immediately descend into chaos:

• Reptile Rob’s team gets first coffin and dumps it in Ron’s grave for convenience.
• The “green gay boat” names Donna Kelsey an honorary member for being Taylor Swift–adjacent.
• Johnny dives face-first into the water and Alan nearly bursts into giggles.
• Colton snatches a coffin like he’s stealing a purse on Black Friday.
• Michael has a meltdown when he sees a coffin in his grave and starts ranting across the lake.
• Candace pushes her team to put their coffin in Donna’s grave—she is itching to murder Donna.

By the end, the eligible players for murder are:

Ron, Reptile Rob, Donna, Eric, Michael, Ian, Dinda, Rob C, and Mark.

The group banks $22,500, which honestly feels generous considering the mess they made.

Back at the Castle: Confrontations and Confusion

The safe players return to the castle while the at-risk group has to bury their own graves with dirt. Michael calls it “undignified.” Sir, you are on a show about psychological warfare. Please adjust expectations.

Back inside, Porsche tries to figure out why someone targeted her grave plot. Candace tells her Michael has been coming for Housewife energy. Porsche instantly flips:

“You know what? You’re right. Screw Michael. He’s a traitor.”

And the HOUSE. MEETING. BEGINS.

Ron tries to defend Michael. Porsche tells the group Candace accused him. Candace denies she said what she said—then kind of says she said something different. Mora was also in the car but remembers absolutely nothing.

Porsche decides to ignore Candace’s inconsistencies because Housewife solidarity comes first.

The Secret Traitor’s Shortlist Is Revealed

That night, the secret traitor sends their first murder shortlist:

Reptile Rob, Ian, Mark, and Eric.

The known traitors groan accordingly.

And that’s where Episode 1 ends.

Episode 1 Thoughts, Theories & Predictions

I predicted Rob C, Lisa Rinna, and Eric as traitors—so I’ll take the one correct point for Lisa. She’s a star, she knows it, and she’s playing a steady game while delivering TV greatness. The animal-print suit? Iconic.

Reptile Rob is such an enigma. He’s grumpy, dry, and unreadable—which is perfect traitor energy.

Candace, though… oof. She’s already messy. Throwing names around, directing the challenge, and getting caught in shifting stories. Of the trio, she’s the most vulnerable to being banished early.

As for the secret traitor, I’m strongly suspecting Rob Cesterino.

Why?

Because the nominations are way too strategic and efficient. They target quiet, low-threat players—classic superfan logic.

Donna is my only other suspect, but she’s not giving enough sneaky energy for that reveal to land dramatically.

If I were the traitors, I’d murder Eric next. He’s sweet, harmless, and his exit would stir maximum chaos.

What I’m Watching for in Episode 2

• Can Candace dig herself out of the hole she created?
• Will Porsche’s house meeting backfire?
• Will Michael survive his meltdown phase?
• When will the secret traitor get revealed?

Someone from this messy confrontation group will get banished next. And honestly, I will be shocked—SHOCKED—if Michael survives the next episode drop.

That’s it for Episode 1!

Tell me your theories in the comments, but no spoilers for the next episodes.