The Traitors Official Podcast — “Turret Cold War” (Feb 6, 2026)

Hosts: Bob the Drag Queen & Boston Rob
Special Guest: Candace Dillard Bassett
Main Theme:
The episode dives into the turbulent mid-season episode of The Traitors US, focusing on the fracturing alliance and head-to-head battle between traitors Rob Rousch and Candace Dillard Bassett. With alliances crumbling, the roundtable heats up, cutthroat gameplay emerges, and fashion commentary abounds.

Episode Overview

Bob and Boston Rob guide listeners through the explosive events of the latest Traitors US episode, spotlighting the high-stakes decisions in the turret, shifting loyalties, and the fateful banishment of Candace. This episode features in-depth breakdowns of the game’s psychological warfare, sly betrayals, mission twists, and signature style moments, culminating in a revealing interview with Candace herself.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Turret Tensions: The Beginning of the End (00:30–03:18)

• Turret Spotlight:
  Rob and Candace are forced together in the turret after previous betrayals, creating palpable tension.
• Gameplay Options:
  Alan Cumming presents the classic “recruit or murder” option.
  • Rob and Candace debate but ultimately opt for murder, targeting Colton to break up an alliance and shift suspicion onto Candace.
  • Boston Rob: “At this point, bringing someone else into the turret is going to bond them. If anything, it’s going to make the other person suspicious…” (02:39)
• Backwoods Hat Fashion:
  A lighter moment—Rob’s hat gets fashion commentary, with Bob calling it “iconic” for Boston Rob, but “reductive” for Rob Rousch (03:34).

2. Breakfast Fallout: The Faithful Scramble (03:52–06:27)

• Colton's Absence Announced:
  The group waffles in suspicion and paranoia as Colton’s murder is revealed.
• Faithfuls Defending Traitors:
  Johnny stands up for Candace, sparking debate on the folly of vouching for anyone.
  • Bob: “Do not vouch for anyone... then you’re gonna have egg on your face.” (04:46)
• Strategic Moves:
  Eric begins to float Candace’s name, signaling shifting suspicions.
  • Bob: “Now she has an enemy in the turret, which is the worst kind of enemy to have.” (06:29)

3. The Power of the Last Words — Framing and Misdirection (06:48–08:23)

• Rob’s Bluff:
  Rob capitalizes on Colton’s murder, falsely asserting, “the last thing that Colton said was Candace’s name,” exploiting the inability to confirm the claim.
  • Bob: “He pulls... one of the most effective tricks out of the traitor handbook: give a quote from a person who cannot come back and corroborate it.” (07:00)
• Struggles for Influence:
  Rob has a larger audience, while Candace’s influence wanes—an imbalance of persuasive power at the breakfast table.

4. Mission Mayhem: Teamwork and Shields (08:34–09:49)

• Dual-location Challenge:
  Teams are split between the castle and Alan’s “private art gallery,” with a photo recreation mission.
• Mission Highlights:
  Dorinda’s team excels, perfectly matching all pictures; Kristen earns the shield and immediately declares it.
  • Bob: “They were just eating like they were nailing it. Nailing it, nailing it… give us the money.” (09:20)
• Prize Pool Update:
  After this mission, the pot reaches $150,800.

5. Pre-Roundtable Jockeying: Alliances and Leaks (09:49–12:20)

• Alliances Exposed:
  Natalie and Mara plot against Candace, but Johnny leaks the plot to Candace—a “gift” for any traitor.
  • Bob: “When a traitor knows their names being floated and someone comes and says to you, they’re floating your name, that is an absolute gift.” (10:21)
• Private Conversations and Paranoia:
  Dorinda’s suspicion of secret talks illustrates the claustrophobic politicking in the castle.

6. The Explosive Roundtable: Candace vs. Rob (12:26–16:56)

• Candace’s Defense and Attack:
  Candace tries to turn suspicion onto Rob, pointing to his nervous breakfast behavior:
  • Candace: “I thought it was interesting that Rob was sort of fumbling and seemed a bit nervous, dropped his fork, and he, like, hit something on the table…” (13:11)
  • Rob pushes back calmly, calling out Candace’s inconsistent voting as suspicious.
    • “I mean, I think I’ve dropped a lot of forks in my life, to be fair.” (14:04)
• Unanimous Banishment:
  Despite her efforts, Candace is voted out in a landslide, with everyone targeting her after Rob’s campaigns.

Special Guest: Candace Dillard Bassett Interview (19:19–34:03)

1. Emotional Fallout & The Traitor’s Pact (20:53–22:25)

• The Breakup:
  Candace addresses the original traitor pact: “I’m a loyal bitch... when I put my hand in that turret and said, we’re not gonna turn on each other, I meant that.” (21:26)
• Her Downfall:
  Admits her vote against Rob was a message, not just retaliation: “It was my warning shot.” (23:13)

2. Regrets and Alternative Strategies (23:38–24:56)

• Recruit Regrets:
  Candace wishes she fought harder to recruit Kristen rather than go for murder that fateful night.

3. Assessing Rob’s Game (26:01–29:19)

• Candace’s Read:
  Candace labels Rob a “vile, treacherous, dirty snake that's slithering in the ground,” but also recognizes his mastery at charming the house.
• Unique Resistance:
  She claims only she was immune to Rob’s social manipulation: “His energy always read just vile…”

4. Game Behavior and Loyalty (33:33–34:03)

• Her Perspective:
  Candace acknowledges she holds onto loyalty—even at the cost of her game. She says, “I think what makes me me and makes me be able to go to sleep at night is knowing that across the board, this is how I have to be. Cause I don't have any regrets.” (33:54)

5. Pageant Training for Traitors (34:03–35:55)

• Parallels to Pageants:
  Candace draws connections between surviving The Traitors and pageant skills—turning on charm and switching personas quickly.

  • Candace: “Whenever I was, like, in the castle…it was like, I would go, 1, 2, 3. Okay, turn it on.”

• Pageant Challenge:
  Delivers a “forgiveness” speech in true pageant style, referencing her upbringing. Bob humorously interrupts: “You ain’t Jesus!” (35:39)

• Her Hopefuls:
  Candace roots for Mark and Kristen to win, but says she would support Johnny or Tara as well (36:01).

Fashion Segment — Looks from the Castle (37:08–39:52)

• Boston Rob's Look:
  Big pink polka-dot rhinestone zoot suit—“I feel like this is my color.” (37:08)
• Candace:
  “Mrs. Claus vibes”—Christmasy short skirt with contrasting trim.
• Mara:
  Ultimate fashionista—beret, twisted top, matching pants, pumps. Awarded best look.
• Rob Rousch:
  Broken hearts sweater—deemed “predictable” but fitting; Bob: “Try a backless baseball cap next time.” (38:40)
• Alan Cumming:
  Lavish brocade suit, massive bow tie—“Looks like a fashion teacher at Parsons.” (39:05)

Strategic Predictions & Next Episode Teases (39:52–42:08)

• Rob’s Recruitment Dilemma:
  Rob must recruit a new traitor—chooses Eric.
  • Bob: “Eric is gagged. Eric is literally blown away.” (18:57)
• Is Eric up for the task?
  Doubts abound whether Eric can successfully play as a traitor.
  • “He don’t got that dog in him... If Eric makes it to the fire pit, I will genuinely be shocked.” (40:11)
• Possible Outcomes:
  If Eric betrays Rob, the hosts agree he’d deserve the win—but see it as highly unlikely.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bob the Drag Queen: “You are in a microcosm of a microcosm and you’re not looking at the big picture.” (11:49)
• Candace Dillard Bassett: “I did a throwaway vote. It was a very conscious decision to say, oh, you wanna play reindeer games? I'm fucking Rudolph, bitch.” (21:45)
• Bob: “If you're at a fucking no holds barred fight. We can do dick kicks today.” (22:38)
• Candace: “I'm a loyal bitch. Okay. So when I put my hand in that turret and said, we're not gonna turn on each other, I meant that.” (21:26)
• Boston Rob: “I think the one thing that I noticed...is that Candace for sure could have saved herself by not going after Rob. Going after Rob was not the play.” (14:57)
• Bob describing Alan: “Fashion teacher at Parsons.” (39:05)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Turret Drama & Rob/Candace Strategy: 00:30–03:18
• Colton's Murder Revealed & Faithful Scramble: 03:52–06:27
• Rob’s Bluff & Misdirection: 06:48–08:23
• Mission Recap & Shield Win: 08:34–09:49
• Pre-Roundtable Politics: 09:49–12:20
• The Roundtable & Candace's Downfall: 12:26–16:56
• Candace Guest Interview: 19:19–36:13
• Fashion Segment: 37:08–39:52
• Predictions & Strategy for Next Episode: 39:52–42:08

Summary

This episode of The Traitors Official Podcast spotlights the implosion of the traitor alliance, Rob’s cunning manipulation to turn the house against Candace, and Candace’s fiercely loyal, emotional gameplay. The hosts offer sharp gameplay analysis, signature humor, and fashion commentary, capped by a heartfelt and feisty interview with Candace Dillard Bassett. As the castle descends further into chaos, all eyes turn to whether Eric—the newest traitor recruit—can handle the heat, and whether Rob’s reign can continue in the wake of his decisive victory at the roundtable.