Just when it looked like The Traitors: New Blood‘s Faithfuls had finally gained the upper hand, Katie made a move that could turn the entire game upside down. With Tomica and Joe both exposed as Traitors, Katie was left fighting for survival ahead of next week’s finale. Her solution? Recruit one of the most trusted Faithfuls in the castle. Unfortunately, Shane might be having a little trouble adjusting to his new role.
After Joe’s banishment, Katie was left as the lone Traitor, putting her in a tough spot. She immediately went to work, cozying up to Victor in hopes of staying on his good side. However, Katie wouldn’t be alone for long. She was given the chance to recruit a new Traitor.
Joe Gets Banished and Katie Recruits Shane
While it seemed that Victor or Abby L. may have been good choices, she ultimately chose Shane. She believed that Shane was the ultimate Faithful and so trustworthy that no one would suspect him. Shane was given an ultimatum. Either become a Traitor or be murdered, and he chose to switch sides.
Unfortunately for Katie, her newest recruit might not be quite as convincing as she hoped. Shane’s first mission as a Traitor was anything but smooth, and viewers quickly picked up on his nervous behavior. If he can’t get comfortable with his new role, Katie’s decision could come back to haunt her.
Shane’s First Mission as a Traitor Has Fans Worried
Social media was a bit critical of Katie’s decision to choose Shane. Several people spoke out about Shane’s awkward behavior after being recruited just before the finale.
“I love Shane but omg he might be one of the worst Traitors I’ve ever seen,” one viewer wrote via X. “It’s too much for him. He can’t even pretend to be a traitor without breaking into a cold sweat. That first breakfast was AWKWARD,” another agreed.
“Logically speaking he made the most sense as absolutely nobody would suspect him. The issue is that he is too loyal and too honest. He literally looked like a lost kid when Katie revealed herself,” a third person stated. “He’s nervous is all. Let him settle in,” a fourth comment read.
If Shane Can Keep It Together He Could Win All The Money
While Shane and Katie are in this together, they don’t both have to survive banishment to win the game. If just one of them is left, they’ll keep the money. Because Katie has been a Traitor for most of the season, she’s had some heat on her from time to time. Clyde suspects both Katie and Shane at this point.
However, others have also suspected Katie. If the group decides to banish Katie at the final roundtable, but Shane remains he’ll have put himself into a perfect position to win the money as a Traitor, despite only having been recruited hours before.
Shane has previously revealed that he wants to win the money to help his family and to pay for his upcoming wedding. So, seeing him take it home would be a great story. Also, seeing everyone find out that one of the most faithful of the Faithfuls turned out to be a Traitor would be priceless.
Should Katie Have Recruited Victor?
Katie’s decision to recruit Shane might have been more strategic than it initially appeared. With the finale just around the corner, she didn’t necessarily need someone who knew how to play as a Traitor. She needed someone who already had the trust of the remaining contestants. Shane had spent most of the competition building relationships as a Faithful, and that reputation could be far more valuable than experience in the turret. The problem is that his nervous behavior could undo all the work he’s put into earning that trust.
It’s understandable why Katie would want to choose Shane as her new partner in the turret. However, choosing Victor would have also been a solid move. Although Victor has received a ton of votes and was nearly banished before then-Faithful Shane saved him with his power of pardon, Victor has really redeemed himself in the eyes of the Faithful.
Victor might have been the castle’s most valuable detective this season, but his latest discovery could be his undoing. After helping expose Tomica and Joe, he’s now unknowingly sharing secrets with the two people who could ultimately betray him. His trust in Shane and Katie could be exactly what keeps him from recognizing the danger right in front of him.
Victor is very close to Shane, who is his strongest ally in the game. He even told Shane in confidence that he has a secret shield, which Shane told Katie after he was recruited. Victor is also very close to Katie, who has been using her flirting skills to keep Victor’s suspicions at bay.
Not knowing that two people he’s very close to in the castle are working against him as Traitors will likely be a huge blow to Victor. However, he’s played a great game, and many fans even want to see him on other shows such as Big Brother.
It remains to be seen if Katie and Shane can pull off one final week and survive until the end to claim the prize money. However, they’re sitting in a fairly good spot as of now.
The Traitors: New Blood season finale airs Thursday night at 8pm on NBC.
