The Traitors Season 2 Episode 5 Recap: A Killer Move

The Traitors Season 2 Episode 5 recap
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The Traitors Season 2 Episode 5 has arrived, and with it comes a lot of emotions. The first four episodes had us on the edge of our seats, shouting at the screen. Just last episode, Phaedra took Parvati and Dan to task for their roundtable behavior. Were they able to put their differences aside and come together for the greater good of the Traitors? Or were the Faithful finally about to start exposing some cracks in the armor? Here’s everything that went down in The Traitors Season 2, Episode 5: “A Killer Move.”

Who was murdered in The Traitors Season 2, Episode 5?

The Traitors Season 2 Episode 5
Photo by: Randy Shrophsire/Peacock

Tamra Judge was the fourth celebrity to be murdered in The Traitors Season 2.

After Parvati convinced Phaedra she was “not trying to sabotage” her in “any way,” and delivered an apology, things got back to normal in the Traitors turret. Phaedra did promise, however, that if it happened again, she wouldn’t forget it. Dan noted in confessional about how he could use their fractured relationship in the future, to throw them under the bus if the time came to deflect attention away from himself.

As a “peace offering,” Parv wanted Phaedra to lead the kill. Who would cause the most confusion? Turns out, a fellow star of The Real Housewives. Tamra cried actual tears upon learning of her fate. I suppose there’s a first time for everything.

Janelle threw some Bravo shade at the breakfast table, quipping that Housewives “don’t have the skill or the strategy” to be Traitors. But she was suspicious of her fellow Big Brother legend, Dan. She’s not the only one. Dan keeping his cards so close to his chest is beginning to rub the other players the wrong way. CT asked him to give just one theory, but he wasn’t willing to do it.

Peter said in confessional that Dan was “playing a really, really good game,” in “laying super low [and] flying under the radar.” And Janelle pulled Trishelle and Bergie aside to say Dan being a Traitor was “obvious.” She can see the moves he did in Big Brother all over again, adding that he was the most “devious” person she’d ever played with. The spotlight’s getting hot!

A mission success for the Faithful

Alan Cumming in The Traitors
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In this week’s mission, the contestants had to split into two groups. Only one of them would be eligible to win shields, which led to some fighting. Janelle, of course, wanted a shield for herself. She strong-armed her way onto the correct side, but it was actually a different pair who snatched the protection.

Trishelle and Bergie would be safe from murder after tonight’s banishment ceremony. But the outside teams had a plan. They weren’t going to tell those on the inside who was safe, because if the Traitors were inside, they might try and kill somebody who was protected. It was a great idea, but would it work out?

“No one likes a selfish Faithful,” said Dan. “That could get Janelle in trouble.”

The actual mission was a fun watch. The pairs outside had to imitate bird calls for the group inside. Those inside then had to find a matching bird statue, and bring it to host Alan Cumming. Each correct answer would add money to the pot. After all was said and done, along with the shields claimed, $10,000 out of a possible $15,000 was added to the prize. This left the total standing at $75,500.

Who is banished in The Traitors Season 2, Episode 5?

The Traitors Season 2 Episode 5 Recap
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Janelle Pierzina is the fourth celebrity to be banished from The Traitors Season 2, in Episode 5.

Before meeting for the nightly roundtable, Peter put a plan of misdirection in action. He told those he was suspicious of – Dan, Parvati, and CT – that he trusted them enough to tell them he and Janelle had the shields. It was a lie, to try and trick the Traitors into shooting elsewhere.

MJ was also planting some seeds. She was slowly becoming sus of Janelle, and told as much to Dan, Shereé, and Sandra. She told them Janelle was “gunning hard” for Dan. But, he hit back that she did the same to Larsa, who was a Faithful.

At the roundtable, Below Deck’s Kate Chastain made her grand return to the game! It was fabulous to see the most glamorous contestant The Traitors has ever had make a comeback. She’ll be playing as a Faithful, but the rest of the group are told she could be a Traitor.

“Tell me everything! Who do we hate?” she asks. What a way to kickstart a discussion. Kevin immediately throws Janelle under the bus, saying she rallies “people up in the evening” to deflect from morning conversations, that may land her in hot water. When Kate whispers to MJ, asking what Kevin’s name is, he snaps at her and tells her to “listen.” You do not want to come for Kate, Mr. Kreider. Step very carefully.

After Janelle defends herself, saying she’s not “a mastermind,” Kevin points to his biggest “red flag.” That’s Dan. He has “contributed the least,” and Janelle adds that he gives nothing. Trishelle jumps in, and says even if Dan is a Faithful, he’s not a good one, because he’s not helping the group.

The time’s come for Dan to finally name somebody he thinks is a Traitor. “I’m saying Janelle. I think I’ve been blinded by my friendship with Janelle.”

Then came the vote! After Sandra voted for Janelle, they got into a back-and-forth of “fuck off,” and, “you’re the biggest fucking Traitor here.” It was hilarious.

In the end, Janelle was banished. Taking to the circle of truth, she said: “Much like in Big Brother, I played a very competitive game. But just like in Big Brother I was loyal, and I was honest. I’m a Faithful you idiots.”

Bergie finds his voice: “Good job guys, you guys are trusting the Traitors.” Kate just thinks it’s pure “comedy” to watch everybody play so badly.

Dan promises to “fix” the rumors surrounding him

The Traitors Season 2 Episode 5 Recap
Photo by: PEACOCK

When the Traitors came to meet, Phaedra was quick to tell Dan he needed to up his game. While he says he can fix it, in confessional, it looks like he might do that by trying to throw Phaedra to the wolves.

Dan and Parvati relay Peter’s message to Phaedra about who he said has the shield. “He’s lying,” Parvati astutely points out. But Dan doesn’t believe it. He doesn’t think Peter is “savvy enough” to make such a move. And so, he wants to take a shot at Bergie. Parv thinks John is a safer option. But Dan is relentless in his pushing for Bergie to go. If they do go with Bergie, it’s going to backfire and everybody will be back for the next breakfast. I can’t wait to see how this all turns out…

New episodes of The Traitors stream on Peacock on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.

TELL US – WERE YOU SAD TO SEE JANELLE BANISHED? WHO DO YOU THINK THE TRAITORS CHOSE TO MURDER?

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