Who Went Home on ‘The Traitors’ Tonight? Week 3 Murders and Banishments

Season 4 of “The Traitors” is heating up as the trust between the Traitors becomes fractured and a devious twist is introduced that will send another innocent Faithful home.

Episode 6 of the season, arriving on Peacock Jan. 22, opened with the cliffhanger from the previous episode being resolved. Fans learned if one of the players chose to take a shield in the most recent mission, which would allow the Traitors to commit another murder. But that was just a taste of all the drama that unfolded during the hour.

By the end of the episode, the Faithfuls had planned a coup, and one Traitor decided to turn on another, leading to tension between the trio. Read on for a recap of Episode 6, including the introduction of the next murder in plain sight, below.

Episode 6 ‘Planning A Coup’

A Reveal at Breakfast

The episode picks up where the cliffhanger left off, with the players learning if a murder happened during the night. One by one, each player safely arrives at breakfast, confirming that no one took a shield during the previous mission. Viewers then see a flashback of the moment last night when host Alan Cumming informs the Traitors that they will not be able to commit a murder. In the turret, the Traitors — Lisa Rinna of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” Candiace Dillard Bassett of “The Real Housewives of Potomac” and Rob Rausch of “Love Island USA” Season 6 — decide that they will banish comedian Ron Funches the next night and murder “The Bachelor” star Colton Underwood since he suspected Rinna was a Traitor.

After breakfast, Underwood continues to share his theory about Rinna being a Traitor, hoping to draw more suspicion toward her. But the rest of the players still believe that Funches is a Traitor. Meanwhile, Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir has another idea. He proposes that eight Faithfuls get together and form a group, ensuring they will have a majority at the next Round Table.

An Eerie Mission

In the car on the way to the mission, Underwood throws out Rinna’s name again. He previously explained in his confessional that he wanted to say Rinna’s name to as many players as possible to see who defends her. But Rausch, who was in the car with Underwood, realizes that a trap is being set and tells the group it is possible Rinna is a Traitor.

When the group arrives at the mission, Cumming explains that there is $18,000 available to add to the prize pot. The mission is being held at the creepy cabin in the woods seen in previous seasons. The players have to enter the cabin and listen to a set of clues. Then, in pairs, they must run to a nearby gravesite and stand in front of the tombstone with the name of the person who matches the clues. One burial site has two shields, but if a duo takes them then they won’t add gold to the prize pot.

All the duos except Dillard Bassett and Olympic figure skater Tara Lipinski are correct with their guesses, banking $15,000 for the prize pot. At the end of the mission, Cumming informs the remaining three players that no one collected a shield.

A Scramble Before the Round Table

Back at the castle, Weir pitches his plan again to get eight players together and vote out Underwood. In the kitchen, Rausch tells a group that he doesn’t believe Funches is a Traitor, confusing Dillard Bassett and Rinna because of the plan they discussed earlier in the episode.

When Weir approaches Rausch and tries to include him in his group of eight, the Traitor senses that a coup is forming. (Hence, the title of the episode). Rausch panics because Underwood is a close ally but he also doesn’t want to vote out Funches.

In another room, Underwood pulls Rinna aside and attempts to execute a plan that he even acknowledges in his confessional “might be really, really dumb.” “Instead of trying to banish a Traitor, I’m going to try to hold one hostage,” he tells the cameras. He then informs Rinna that he will vote for Funches on one condition: “I will protect you at the Round Table if you protect me in the turret.”

Rinna repeats that she is a Faithful and shuts down his plan for an alliance.

A Traitor Turns at the Round Table

“Dancing With the Stars” pro Mark Ballas speaks up first at the Round Table and points out that Funches has been on the chopping block four days in a row. Funches pushes back, mentioning that other players have been wrong about their suspicions but he is the only person still being blamed for “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Porsha Williams being banished in Episode 2.

“Top Chef” host Kristen Kish calls out Underwood next for wrongfully targeting “Big Brother” star Tiffany Mitchell. Weir agrees with her and adds that Underwood makes him “feel like a puppet.”

But, the conversation circles back to Funches. He says that if the other players think they will find clarity from voting him out, then so be it. He goes around the table and compliments everyone, which makes some of them doubt he is a Traitor.

Underwood uses this opportunity to publicly call out Rinna. He lists his evidence, highlighting Rinna voting for Williams despite her being a fellow housewife. Rinna defends herself but some of the players seem convinced. In a confessional interview, Rausch says that this is a pivotal moment in the game and “everything is on the line.”

When it is Rausch’s turn to vote, Funches leads with five votes and Rinna and Underwood are tied with four. Rausch says he trusts Underwood and believes Funches is a Faithful. So, he votes for Rinna, marking the first time this season a Traitor has betrayed one of their own. “As a Faithful, it is my job to get Traitors out of the game,” he says.

However, his plan backfires. Ballas casts the deciding vote for Funches which sends him home.

“This was very hard for me,” Funches says while standing on the Circle of Truth. “I don’t trust many people and I felt not trusted. And I understand that this road is completely fake so that probably makes it hard to see someone that’s real. I always spoke my truth no matter what and that’s why, again, inside and outside of this game, I am truly Faithful.”

Cumming says he feels “disappointment and dejection” in the room after Funches’ banishment. “So, I have something to rouse you from your melancholy,” he announces. “As we have reached the halfway point of my wicked game tonight, I will be holding a great banquet in my castle hall. And I want you to drink, feast and celebrate life, the greatest gift of all. See you there.”

In their confessionals, Rinna says Rausch betrayed her and Dillard Bassett says he needs to explain his vote.

Another Murder in Plain Sight Is on the Way

Cumming speaks directly to the audience and admits he “hasn’t been entirely honest with” the players. The episode then flashes back, again, to the last meeting in the turret. Cumming informs the Traitors that they must commit their next murder “in front of everyone.” He presents them with a “cursed amulet” and says one of them must wear it to the banquet. The first Faithful who touches the jewel will be “cursed to death.” Cumming says, “This will be the toughest, most high stakes murder this castle has ever seen.” Rinna decides she will be the one to wear the amulet and complete the task.

Back to the fallout between the trio after the Round Table, the Traitors quietly meet in the kitchen. Rinna tells Rausch she doesn’t trust him anymore. He explains that it would have looked suspicious to the other players if he voted for Underwood or Funches when it is publicly known how close he is to them.

The episode ends with Rinna, Rausch and Dillard Bassett contemplating who will be their next victim. Episode 7, which will feature the extravagant banquet and the next murder, will be released Thursday, Jan. 27.