"Minah has to win" - BBC The Traitors fans crown their 'winner' within two episodes

Just two episodes into the third series of BBC's hit reality show The Traitors, viewers have already placed their bets on a potential winner. One fan on social media, echoing a growing sentiment among the show's dedicated audience, declared:

"Rewatching Episode 2 (because why not?) - Minah has to win, I'm sorry,"

The 29-year-old call center manager, selected as one of three Traitors by host Claudia Winkleman, has captured viewers' attention with her masterful gameplay and ability to keep her duplicitous role under wraps while her fellow Traitors have already begun raising suspicions among the Faithfuls. As The Traitors continues its successful run with a larger cast of 25 contestants competing for a prize pot of up to £120,000, Minah's subtle strategy appears to be winning hearts and minds in equal measure.

Fans crown their pick for the ‘winner’ within two episodes of The Traitors

Social media has been ablaze with support for Minah's gameplay, with viewers particularly impressed by her ability to maintain a low profile while her fellow Traitors, Linda (a retired opera singer) and Armani (a financial investigator), have started drawing unwanted attention.

“Minah is going to have to win this on her own I think, the other traitors are awful” a fan reacted

“Minah is a top traitor. If she’s a bad girl and plays the game well, she will throw Armani under the bus…” Another fan commented

“If Minah can get rid of the other two traitors and recruit well she's got a great chance.” a fan commented

The overwhelming support for Minah's strategic approach highlights a sophisticated audience that appreciates the nuanced psychological aspects of the game.

“Armani is getting way too confident and her downfall is going to be incredible television, Minah is playing the best game so far” a fan said

“Minah deserves to fly under the radar and win SOLO” another fan commented

What has happened in the season so far?

The latest series of The Traitors has introduced several significant changes to keep contestants on their toes. In a dramatic opening, three hopefuls were eliminated before even entering the iconic Ardross Castle in Inverness, reminiscent of the first season's twist with Amos and Kieran.

However, the most substantial change affects the game's endgame: banished contestants will no longer reveal their true identity as either Faithful or Traitor, forcing remaining players to rely purely on instinct when deciding whether to end the game.

Viewership of The Traitors has increased from five million in its first season to over eight million in its second, making it one of the BBC's biggest success stories in recent years. With fans actively participating in real-time debates about the developments of each episode, the program has emerged as a rare "watercooler hit" in the era of streaming.

The third season of The Traitors has drawn criticism for its participants' heightened self-awareness, as they arrive better prepared and knowledgeable of different gameplay tactics.

While early reviews have been largely positive, critics have varying opinions about the show's evolution. The Times' Carol Midgley suggested that the show needs to "twist the screws" more to match last year's intensity, while The Independent's Nick Hilton observed increased self-awareness among contestants, noting their apparent desire to secure more screen time through strategic gameplay.

However, the Evening Standard's El Hunt praised the show's "winning formula," highlighting how quickly distinctive personalities have emerged despite the large cast.

What to expect from the rest of the season?

The season seems to be full of interesting twists, with Minah emerging as an early favorite. In an indication of more shocks to come, Claudia Winkleman said,

"There are twists throughout, but they have to be different from series one and two."

The dilemma of whether Minah can keep her understated style while maybe having to "throw Armani under the bus," as one fan indicated could be essential for her success, is still there as spectators continue to watch her negotiate her hazardous situation.

This series of The Traitors looks ready to bring more of the strategic games and psychological warfare that have made it such an engaging watch, especially with the new rule modifications and a wider cast of characters.

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The Traitors UK Season 3 will air new episodes on BBC One at 9 PM every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.