The Traitors Official Podcast: "Boxed In" (Feb 13, 2026)

Hosts: Bob the Drag Queen & Boston Rob
Guest: Dorinda Medley (recently banished faithful)

Episode Overview

In Episode 9, “Boxed In,” Bob the Drag Queen and Boston Rob deliver a comedic yet incisive breakdown of the latest twists in The Traitors US. Their conversation covers the induction of Eric as a new Traitor, the murder of Dorinda Medley, shifting alliances, standout moments at the roundtable, a high-stress mission, and the castle’s best looks. The episode’s emotional core is a candid interview with Dorinda Medley, offering a firsthand perspective on trust, betrayal, and her dramatic exit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Turret Twist: Eric Becomes a Traitor

• Rob’s Choice: Rob selects Eric to join him as a traitor via a chilling ultimatum.
  • “Well, listen, man, I have an ultimatum for you. You can either join me, become a traitor, or I'm gonna kill you right now.” – Rob (03:34)
  • Eric’s nerves are on full display: “I need a helmet and an adult diaper because I am about to shit my pants and my head's about to explode. This is so stressful.” – Eric (03:08)
• Analysis: Both hosts debate if Eric has the composure and intellect for traitorhood, noting his awkwardness.
  • “Eric is shitting bricks.” – Bob (05:47)
  • “Rob does not give a fuck. He will throw you to the wolves, honey.” – Bob (06:34)

2. Murder at the Castle: Dorinda Banished

• Strategic Decision: Rob and Eric deliberate, ultimately choosing to murder Dorinda despite other options (Natalie, Tara), believing her unwavering trust made her expendable.
  • “Rob chooses to murder Dorinda because she trusts him. That's what he said. Because she trusts me. This guy is cutthroat, man.” – Bob (06:34)
• Breakfast Aftermath: Dorinda’s absence stuns the group. Rob’s social dominance grows unchecked.

3. Johnny & Tara: Olympic Bonds, Suspicion, and Alliance Targets

• Spotlight at Breakfast: Candace suspects Johnny should have a shield; allegations snowball against him.
• Tara’s Loyalty: Tara campaigns zealously to protect Johnny, inadvertently turning herself into a target-by-association.
  • “It also... is not great strategy to attach yourself so closely with someone.” – Rob (07:04)
• Revelation: Tara and Johnny openly reveal their decade-long friendship in hopes of reducing suspicion. It backfires, with the roundtable grilling their certainty about each other's loyalty.

4. Mission Mayhem: The Boxed-In Challenge ([08:50]–[11:58])

• Setup: Contestants answer who the traitors value most, locked in boxes and inferred upon by others.
• Traitor Tactic: Rob and Eric purposely pick Tara for every answer, muddying clues and maximizing confusion.
  • “It's far more important to confuse them than to get more money.” – Rob (10:45)
• Result: The obviousness of the pattern is lost on Tara and Johnny, undermining faith in them.

5. Social Dynamics—Roundtable Fireworks ([13:16]–[16:08])

• Tara’s Defense: Tara forcefully vouches for Johnny’s innocence, drawing suspicion: “I promise you Johnny's a faithful. How do you know that?” – Mara (13:40)
• Stephen Targeted: Johnny and Tara pivot suspicion to Stephen, whose defensive response (“When Natalie accused Stephen, he just accused her back. And that looks weird.” – Bob 15:53) seals his fate.

6. Traitor Troubles: Eric Under Fire

• Kristen’s Intuition: Kristen corners Eric about his quietness; he fumbles his defense.
  • “If I murder tomorrow, just look at Eric.” – Kristen (18:44)
• Analysis: Both hosts agree Eric is in danger, seen as “a henchman” for Rob rather than a confident Traitor in his own right.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rob’s Chilling Ultimatum: [03:34]
  “You can either join me, become a traitor, or I'm gonna kill you right now.”—Rob

• Eric’s Panic: [03:08]
  “I need a helmet and an adult diaper because I am about to shit my pants and my head's about to explode. This is so stressful.”—Eric

• Bob on Rob’s Ruthlessness: [06:34]
  “Rob does not give a fuck. He will throw you to the wolves, honey.”

• Kristen on Confidence: [08:11] “You just seem so scared all the time. And I think I naturally in real life gravitate towards confidence.”—Kristen

• Bob on Fashion: [34:28] “He looks like fine china. Alan Cumming has the size of his hair dyed some sort of blue... he is wearing like brocade two piece suit with these white kind of like elevated shoes and this big pussycat bow... I love this look, man.”

Highlight: Dorinda Medley Interview ([21:29]–[30:50])

• Roundtable vs Housewives Reunion: “The roundtable, just from beginning to end, it's very intense. Even when you're lining up to go into the roundtable and they start that music, I never want to hear that music again...” – Dorinda (21:56)
• Trust in Rob: Dorinda expresses zero resentment at Rob for her murder, even calling him charming.
  • “He could do no wrong in my book.” – Dorinda (23:50)
  • “The fact that even though I was getting murdered... he said she really trusts me and she's my ally. I'm like, that's enough for me.” – Dorinda (23:57)
  • Bob: “You better than me? Because that would have pissed me off.” (24:07)
• On Regrets: Dorinda wishes she’d thrown Rob’s name out to stir up suspicion and regrets not considering him more seriously.
• Who Would She Want to Win? “I would really love Kristin to win. I just think she is clever and she's played the game well. ...My dream would be to have her up at Bluestone Manor and cook with her.” – Dorinda (29:30)
• Advice to Remaining Players: “I would say beware.” – Dorinda (30:13)

Fashion Segment ([30:34]–[35:12])

• Alan Cumming: Praised for his gender-fluid, fine china-inspired look with “blue, pink, and white” hair, nodding to the trans community.
• Kristen: Crowned “fashion icon of the week.”
  • “That is a don't fuck with me suit.” – Bob (35:12)
• Rob Rouse: Noted for bold style choices resembling fine argyle and Alan’s personal wardrobe.
• Tara Lepinski: Described as “modest Dallas Cowboy cheerleader” aesthetic.

Endgame Predictions & Final Thoughts ([35:17]–end)

• Whom Should the Traitors Target?
  • Both agree Kristen or Natalie are the cleverest threats. Johnny and Tara are safe because they are too obvious and useful as misdirects.
  • “Rob is low key, the leader of the faithful. They all trust him. ... He's the leader of the faithfuls and the leader of the traitors.” – Bob (36:16–37:01)
• Eric’s Performance:
  • “4 out of 10” (37:16)—Eric’s off-kilter transition to traitor shown as a liability.
  • “He got clocked on his first day on the job, he got clocked and his reactions weren’t good.” – Rob (37:40)
  • Sympathy for Eric’s psychological challenge of switching roles mid-game.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:05] Recap of Episode 9 plot
• [03:34] Rob recruits Eric as traitor
• [06:34] Dorinda’s murder and analysis
• [08:50] Box mission details
• [13:16] Roundtable confrontation (Tara & Johnny reveal)
• [16:08] Stephen banished
• [17:17] Kristen confronts Eric
• [21:29] Dorinda Medley interview
• [30:34] Fashion breakdown
• [35:17] Hosts’ predictions and closing analysis

Overall Tone & Takeaways

The episode is a lively blend of strategic insight, pop culture wit, and heartfelt interviews. Bob and Rob’s chemistry brings both playful shading and genuine critique. Dorinda’s charm shines, even in defeat, and the show’s ongoing tension between logic and emotion is a recurring theme. If you missed the episode, this conversation captures the politics, psychology, and fun—and keeps you hooked for the next twist.

“I would say beware.”
– Dorinda Medley’s closing message to her castmates (30:13)

For more fashion, gameplay analysis, and behind-the-scenes stories, catch the video version on Peacock or YouTube.