The Traitors Official Podcast: "Before the Endgame"
Hosts: Bob the Drag Queen & Boston Rob
Date: February 20, 2026
Episode Theme:
In this penultimate episode, Bob the Drag Queen and Boston Rob dissect the latest maneuvers, betrayals, and fashion moments as The Traitors US approaches its finale. The hosts analyze the rising tensions, shifting strategies, emotional fallout of the roundtable, and break down the key gameplay turning points before bringing out a special guest: Natalie Anderson, freshly banished from the castle. The episode is rich with humor, critical insights, and signature fashion critiques.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Breakfast Tensions and Shifting Trust
- Early Scene: Mara and Rob enter first, making for an emotional and tense breakfast atmosphere.
- Bob: "She looks at him, and she's just like, I trust you fully. It’s not looking good for her—locked in." (01:18)
- Rob appears weighed down by his lies, causing rifts in trust but cementing his position as a master manipulator.
- Rob (host): "It looks like the lying is starting to weigh on his conscience a little bit. He’s like a wounded puppy dog." (01:34)
- Bob: "Dude, he's got so much blood. I can't even see his tattoos anymore." (02:10)
2. Kristen’s Murder and Eric Under Fire
- Kristen is murdered, raising suspicion on Eric, especially from Mark, due to Kristen's previous comments.
- Kristen (clip): "If I’m not here tomorrow, look at Eric." (03:25)
- Bob: "If Rob wanted, he could really, really use that." (03:37)
- The hosts highlight Rob’s subtle skills in directing others while appearing hands-off.
- Bob: "He’s telling Eric exactly what to do, but trying to make it feel like it’s Eric’s decision." (04:17)
3. Faithfuls Closing In—but Stalling
- Tara deduces Rob is a traitor and convinces Natalie; together with Johnny and Mark’s suspicions about Eric, they’ve theoretically unmasked all the traitors.
- Bob: "They have. Actually, guys, you did it. You found all the traitors." (05:48)
- Yet, Rob’s social prowess keeps him protected, quickly deflecting Mark’s suspicions back onto Natalie.
- Bob: "Mark came up to this guy and was like, I figured it out. And then within less than three minutes, he was like, no, it's Natalie." (06:53)
- Mara’s fierce loyalty stands out:
- Bob: "If he is a traitor, I'm walking out of the castle." (07:14)
4. Mission Breakdown: Carousel Challenge
- The cast faces a physically dizzying challenge, revealing more about their group dynamics:
- Bob: "Rob does not get back in time, and he has the biggest pot of money. And he is pissed." (08:33)
- Tensions flare between Rob and Mark over performance, showcasing cracks even within alliances.
5. Roundtable Dynamics and Natalie’s Doom
- Natalie finds herself isolated as Tara and Johnny withdraw all support, leading to her banishment.
- Natalie (guest): "Working with Tara and Johnny were like working with two kids who only cared about playing with each other and didn’t care about doing the collective good..." (20:33)
- Multiple failed opportunities for Faithfuls to act on their hunches about Rob and Eric.
- Bob: "I don’t know how they did not clock this." (13:31)
6. Emotional Fallout and Second Guessing
- Tara is wracked with guilt over banishing Natalie, while Rob continues to manipulate perceptions.
- Tara (clip): "I feel bad for Natalie because I truthfully didn’t believe she talked to me about her." (14:44)
- Bob: "If Johnny and Tara figure out a way to get to the end and eliminate the other faithfuls... brilliant." (16:09)
7. Turret Strategy and Upcoming Murder
- Rob and Eric discuss next murder, with the hosts agreeing that splitting up Johnny and Tara is strategically optimal.
- Bob: "At this point, the best person to put in the casket is one of the twins. You got to put either Johnny or... Tara." (18:36)
- Alan Cumming delivers a mission twist: the next murder will be conducted in front of everyone to maximize drama. (17:47)
Special Interview: Natalie Anderson
Segment Starts: 19:18
Natalie Reflects on Her Banishing
- Prefers banishment over being murdered, as it allowed her to face everyone directly.
- Natalie: "I got to look at everybody in their face and kind of just say what I needed to say." (19:44)
- Shares her intense frustration with Tara and Johnny’s gameplay, feeling betrayed and unsupported.
- Natalie: "Everybody's looking at me like, it’s you, and there’s nothing you can do about it." (21:49)
- Discusses the difficulty of being a known 'gamer' and how it makes her (and Boston Rob) targets.
- Natalie: "There is this level of us knowing that each of us have this ability to flip." (23:44)
- Compares the social complexity of The Traitors to Survivor, saying Traitors is harder due to the hidden allegiances.
- Natalie: "There are elements that are way harder because... there's no secret power dynamics on Survivor." (24:27)
- Admits fatigue played a role in her last roundtable performance:
- Natalie: "I wish I had the energy that day to just be like, fuck it, I’m going all in. If I look like a psycho, I don’t care." (27:48)
- Gives advice to remaining Faithfuls:
- Natalie: "Just grow some damn balls and stand up for what you know... The worst thing to be as a faithful is a selfish Faithful." (29:55)
- Hosts praise Natalie’s grit and bid her a warm farewell.
Fashion in the Castle
Segment Starts: 30:40
- Natalie: Praised for her maroon ensemble—her “signature color.” (31:19)
- Rob: "She looks like a tube of lipstick." (31:19)
- Mark: Called out (playfully) for repeating the same outfit; “branding.” (31:41)
- Maura: Wins “Fashion Traitorous” for her two-piece, Taylor Swift-inspired look—a beret and a fluffy bob hairstyle. (35:18)
- Bob: "Mora looks the best episode. She looks so good." (34:55)
- Rob Rouse: Critiqued for his “farmer in the Dale” look—plaid shirt, bib overalls, cowboy boots.
- Johnny Weir: Wears a tuxedo with a “pussy bow,” compared to a purse.
- Alan Cumming: Sports a mint green top with taffeta or silk, a rare “calm” look for him. “Trend alert: pussy bows are in.” (34:05)
Final Thoughts & Predictions
Segment Starts: 35:24
- Bob: Predicts Tara will be the next murder victim and Rob will make a dramatic win.
- Bob: "I think that Tara’s getting murdered... and then Rob’s gonna gag everyone." (35:34)
- Rob: Focuses on the need to split up Johnny and Tara, believing it’s “Rob’s game to lose.”
- Both agree that if Rob and Eric pull off a win, it would be "the craziest thing" due to the Faithfuls’ repeated failures to act decisively.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
- Bob: "I trust you fully. It’s not looking good for her—locked in." (01:18)
- Rob: "It looks like the lying is starting to weigh on his conscience... He’s like a wounded puppy dog." (01:34)
- Kristen: "If I’m not here tomorrow, look at Eric." (03:25)
- Bob: "Mark came up... and then within less than three minutes, he was like, no, it's Natalie." (06:53)
- Maura Loyalty: "If he is a traitor, I'm walking out of the castle." (07:14)
- Natalie (to Johnny): "Don’t say sorry. When you put up your card, don’t fucking say sorry." (20:16)
- Natalie (advice to Faithfuls): "Just grow some damn balls and stand up for what you know." (29:55)
- Fashion: "Mora looks the best episode. She looks so good." (34:55)
Important Timestamps for Reference
- Breakfast & Early Moves: 01:08 – 04:46
- Faithfuls’ Suspicion & Roundtable: 05:14 – 17:07
- Natalie Anderson Guest Segment: 19:18 – 30:34
- Fashion Discussion: 30:40 – 35:24
- Final Thoughts & Predictions: 35:24 – 37:28
Overall Tone & Style
Blending sharp, humorous banter ("Don't you call me a big, thick bob!") with genuine strategic analysis, the hosts serve up both irreverent fashion reviews and deeply felt empathy for players' emotional journeys. The episode maintains a playful, insightful, and occasionally biting tone throughout.
Summary
“Before the Endgame” sets the stage for The Traitors US finale with an overdue reckoning for master traitor Rob, exposes the Faithfuls’ strategic paralysis, and spotlights Natalie Anderson’s competitive fire following her dramatic banishment. The fashion remains fierce, the alliances shaky, and with predictions on how the last moves may play out, listeners are primed for an explosive conclusion.