What This Week's Major Traitors Twist Means for the Game (DETAILS)
Rob was given a big choice this week with the "Join or Die" ultimatum offer.
SPOILER WARNING: This story reveals major plot points from Episodes 1-8 of The Traitors Season 4.
A lesson to never forget on Peacock's The Traitors: Don't let success make you cocky.
Host Alan Cumming is quick to change up his game at the drop of a dime, as Traitor Rob Rausch quickly learned at the end of Episode 8. Still flush from successfully nudging the Faithfuls to Banish his fellow Traitor Candiace Dillard Bassett at the Roundtable, he made his first solo appearance in the Traitor turret.
With nary a pause to breathe, Alan informed Rob that he would have to make a dire decision right then and there — choose which Faithful to offer a "Join or Die" ultimatum.
Below, we explore the history of this twist and reveal the Faithful presented with this tough decision.
RELATED: Everyone Who's Been Murdered or Banished on The Traitors, So Far (SPOILERS)
What is the "Join or Die" ultimatum on The Traitors?
First introduced into The Traitors game play in the final episodes of Season 2, the "Join or Die" ultimatum forces a Faithful to meet a Traitor and be faced with the offer to join the turret or be murdered instead. The Faithful presented with this sudden death decision has to accept the Traitor offer and play as one heading into the finale, or decline and self "Murder" from the game.
RELATED: What Is the New Dagger Twist on The Traitors? How It Changes the Game
If they don't want to concede their Faithful place or don't think they can play well as a Traitor, they go home immediately.
Who did Rob Rausch choose to give his Traitor ultimatum to?
In the turret with Alan, Rob talked through several Faithful options.
1) Johnny Weir. Because Johnny betrayed Candiace with his vote at the Elimination Roundtable, he walked away looking bereft, and to some, guilty. Ron said it would be the craziest choice to pick Johnny because he already has a new target on his back and could use that to see him Banished next.
2) Eric Nam. Rob considered him because he's smart and a potential problem to his sprint to the finale.
3) Mark Ballas. After Colton, Rob considers him his closest ally because he's already "in my pocket." Mark isn't a threat and perhaps a wasted easy ally to take into the finale.
RELATED: Candiace Defends Her "Throwaway" Traitors Vote for Rob on WWHL: "Are You Okay?"
In the end, Rob chooses a shocked Eric who's immediate reaction is dismay. He tells the camera that he's happy ending the game as a Faithful and isn't sure he could even pull off being a Traitor. The cliffhanger ends on Eric getting to see Rob revealed as the last Traitor standing.
How many Faithful have swapped to Traitor over The Traitor seasons?
Over the four seasons of The Traitors, there have been several Faithful to Traitor swaps, but only three (including this season) "Join or Die" ultimatums.
In Season 1, Arie Luyendyk Jr. was recruited to be a Traitor in Episode 7 of the season. In the finale, he self-elected to leave the game and reveal himself as a Traitor.
In Season 2, Parvati Shallow was recruited as a Traitor in Episode 1. In Episode 9, returnee Kate Chastain was given the very first "Join or Die" ultimatum by Traitor Phaedra Parks and happily accepted. Both were Banished before the finale.
In Season 3, Rob Mariano was immediately exiled before the game started but was brought back as Traitor with two other Faithful. In Episode 10, Britney Haynes was offered the "Join or Die" ultimatum by Traitor Danielle Reyes. Both were Banished in the next episode.
News episodes of The Traitors Season 4 air Thursdays exclusively on Peacock.
