Podcast Summary: "By Order of the Faithfuls: Dolores’ Not-So-Soft Spot (S3 E9 & 10)"

Two Ts In A Pod with Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Episode Date: December 12, 2025

EPISODE OVERVIEW

This episode of "By Order of the Faithfuls" recaps episodes 9 and 10 of Season 3 of The Traitors, featuring guest Dolores Catania alongside co-host 12 Adams. The discussion gives an insider's perspective on the season’s dramatic endgame, spotlighting major moves, betrayals, shifting alliances, and intense emotional moments. Dolores shares firsthand insights as both participant and ultimate winner, dissecting player strategies and her own experiences in the game’s late stages.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. Behind the Scenes: NDAs, Leaks, and Housewives Culture

• The hosts discuss stringent NDAs and the culture of secrecy around reality competitions like The Traitors, noting not even press or "Watch What Happens Live" get screeners. (04:40)

  • "Good for them, because you'll never get a leak. We're all... scared of our lives because [of] the huge contract NDA thing." — Dolores (04:40)

• Dolores reflects on Hyphen Dorinda’s appearance and her iconic line: “Not well,” noting it’s a Housewives catchphrase and shares her admiration for Dorinda. (03:49-04:16)

2. Game Strategy & Emotional Play: Carolyn, Danielle, and Big Moves

Carolyn and Danielle in the Turret

• Early in S3E9, Carolyn and Danielle’s uneasy alliance is highlighted; Danielle pushes to recruit Brittany as a traitor, but Carolyn holds her ground. (05:05)
  • "She stood her ground." — Dolores (05:35)
  • "It’s just a matter of who’s able to get the other out first." — 12 Adams (05:36)

Danielle's Emotional Gameplay

• Dolores recalls her early suspicion of Danielle: “The way she kind of acted, kind of quirky, all over the place, emotionally crying... my spidey senses went right to the weirdo crier…” (07:16)
• The significance of emotional displays: Both see crying as manipulative or distracting, signaling Danielle’s unique game style.

Banishing and Killing: Sam and Dylan

• Sam's elimination is debated; Dolores argues he wasn’t a threat yet, Dylan was more dangerous due to his voice and insight.
  • “Had I been a traitor, he [Dylan] would have been gone.” — Dolores (10:23)
• The theme of underestimation, especially of Carolyn, is emphasized—Dolores notes it's “nice to be underestimated; it served her really well.” (05:44)

3. Iconic Challenge Moments and Returning Legends

The Giant Chess Mission (S3E9)

• Players participate in a dramatic chess-themed challenge, with franchise legends Kate and Parvati returning in elaborate costumes.
  • “It was so nice to see them and they looked amazing. Their costumes were insane... Alan’s outfit was so cute.” — Dolores (15:47)
• Carolyn’s apparent defense of Tom during the challenge is discussed as possible crush or strategy. Brittany’s dramatic crying at its end triggers Dolores:
  • “I wanted punch her in the face... Now, looking back, if I was to play again, would trigger me.” — Dolores (17:04)
• Tom’s constant volunteering is seen as “delightfully delusional”:
  • “He’s so dumb you almost start to like him.” — Dolores (18:03)
  • “He is very Delulu... it’s his own world, we’re all just living in Tom world.” — Dolores (18:14)

4. Endgame Tensions: Accusations, Trust, and Betrayal

Post-Challenge Theories & the Roundtable

• After the challenge, shifting suspicions emerge—Dylan is convinced Carolyn is the traitor, while Carolyn emotionally pleads her case. Dolores recounts believing Danielle due to a personal off-camera swear:
  • “She swore on her kids to me... and I was raised not to lie.” — Dolores (19:13)
• Tom’s antagonism towards Dolores is dissected:
  • “It was more like Tom just at me... kind of like bullying me instead of going after the traitors.” — Dolores (20:24)
  • “I think Tom likes to just pick on nice people.” — Dolores (21:08)

Dramatic Roundtables & Evictions

• At a tense roundtable, Danielle and Carolyn “couldn’t hate each other more”, with Carolyn’s emotionality both hurting and helping her.
  • “There wasn’t a day she wasn’t extremely emotional… Carolyn is what you see is what you get.” — Dolores (22:25)
• Dylan has the deciding vote, banishing Carolyn—who is revealed as a traitor, shocking everyone.
• Danielle’s wild reaction is recounted: convulsing, falling to the floor, Gabby (a nurse) checking her pulse; even host Alan breaks character in surprise. (24:04)
  • “It was the most insane thing I ever saw... Gabby’s a critical care nurse... she was full of shit.” — Dolores (24:55)

5. Alliances Shift: Danielle Recruits Brittany

• Danielle recruits Brittany as a traitor; Brittany sees the risk: “Not going to trust Danielle getting her to the end after what she did to her.” — Dolores (45:38)
• Dolores expresses admiration for Brittany’s gameplay as noted by Derek: “Do not pass her up, do not sleep on Brittany. She’s smarter than all... she’s up there.” (26:10)

6. Final Missions and The “Seer” Twist

• In a physically challenging mission with gold coins, the “seer” twist is introduced: winner can confront a player and learn their allegiance. Brittany wins after Dolores realizes she’d forgotten coins in her pocket.
  • "I would have picked Gabby because Dylan was saying, 'I think she is [a traitor]', and we couldn't afford another mistake." — Dolores (31:38)
• Discussion on the risks of being the Seer—if you out a traitor, you paint a target on your back. (31:59)

7. The Home Stretch: Final Votes and Betrayals

• Tension escalates as Brittany campaigns hard pre-roundtable, raising later suspicion. Gabby and Danielle go head-to-head, with Gabby presenting a strong case and standing up to Danielle.
  • “I don't know if I'd ever want to go against Danielle in any argument, but Gabby, like, holds her own. She's very articulate.” — 12 Adams (39:36)
• Dolores points to Ivar as a possible traitor due to his detachment and prior conflicts.
  • “When Dorinda got murdered, it was after her argument with Ivar... Ivar had mishaps and then [people] were murdered.” — Dolores (40:24)
• First ever vote-tie at roundtable between Danielle and Ivar leads to a re-vote, with Brittany ultimately flipping against Danielle.
  • Dolores clarifies Brittany tried to make it appear Dolores pushed her: “It was just something that she set up to justify the name that she wrote down.” — Dolores (42:26)

The Danielle-Brittany Betrayal

• Danielle’s heartbreak at Brittany’s betrayal: “You did it to me again... it was almost like the scorpion and the toad story: Now we both die.” — Dolores (45:20)
• Irony: Danielle’s plan to get revenge on Brittany backfires, as Brittany is the one to take her out.

8. Reflections on Endgame and Next Season

• Dolores admits she should have voted against Danielle sooner, but this mistake fueled her correct final vote: “I was so disgusted with myself... it was the deciding factor in my next vote.” (43:24)
• The anticipation builds for Season 4, especially with more Housewives at the roundtable: “The Bravo universe is going to marry into the Trader's universe...” — Dolores (46:56)

MEMORABLE QUOTES & TIMESTAMPS

• “It’s nice to be underestimated. It served her really well this season.” — Dolores (05:44)
• “I wanted to punch her in the face... these are things, now looking back, if I was to play again, would trigger me.” — Dolores on Brittany’s tears (17:04)
• “He’s so dumb you almost start to like him.” — Dolores on Tom (18:03)
• “I had more gold in my pocket. I was the seer. But then Brittany won…” — Dolores, on the 'seer' mission mishap (31:12)
• “You did it to me again... it was almost like the scorpion and the toad story: Now we both die.” — Dolores on Danielle and Brittany’s emotional roundtable moment (45:20)
• “The Bravo universe is going to marry into the Trader's universe at that roundtable.” — Dolores (46:56)

IMPORTANT TIMESTAMPS

• 04:40: Discussion of strict NDAs and franchise secrecy
• 05:05-05:44: Carolyn and Danielle’s alliance, Danielle pushing to recruit Brittany
• 07:16-08:08: Dolores' early suspicions of Danielle
• 15:47-18:14: Recap of the chess mission, celebrity drop-ins, and Tom’s unique energy
• 19:13-21:14: Dolores' trust in Danielle and tensions with Tom
• 22:25-24:04: Emotional roundtable, Carolyn’s banishment
• 24:55: Danielle's over-the-top reaction to being exposed as traitor
• 26:10: Praise for Brittany’s strategic smarts
• 31:12: Challenge mishap where Dolores misses out on 'seer' because of forgotten coins
• 39:36-41:22: Pre-roundtable politicking, Gabby vs. Danielle, suspicion shifts
• 42:26: Dolores explains Brittany’s tactic in shifting blame
• 45:20: Emotional fallout as Danielle realizes Brittany has betrayed her
• 46:56: Teasers for Season 4 and the Housewives-Traders crossover

FINAL TAKEAWAYS

This episode delivers an insider look at the shifting alliances, emotional high-wire acts, and ruthless strategy that define The Traitors endgame. Dolores Catania’s candid, sometimes brutal honesty about cast members and gameplay choices makes for a revealing and engaging listen, while the hosts tee up anticipation for an even more explosive Season 4. Listeners get a blend of humorous shade, strategic breakdown, and genuine behind-the-scenes anecdotes that fans of reality TV will love.