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The second season of The Traitors Ireland begins with an episode that struggles to make an impact, relying heavily on the charm of contestant Denis and his distinctive headwear to carry the premiere. Host McSweeney attempts to inject drama as she selects her three traitors, including actor Fionula, academic Páraic, and educator Carla. The opening challenge proves chaotic as contestant Donal proposes a selfless move that leaves the entire group vulnerable. The table-setting episode ends without revealing the traitors choice, frustrating viewers and casting doubt on whether the season can produce a breakout star to match the popularity of beloved contestant Paudie from the first series.
It’s hard to judge the second season by its opening episode, but will there be a breakout to rival Paudie? Judging a season of The Traitors by its opening episode is a mug’s game because the contestants are still strangers – to each other and to the viewer.
And so we should perhaps not read too much into the fact that series two of The Traitors Ireland (But ho-hum it assuredly is. It says it all that the biggest star thus far is the chapeau writer and psychotherapist Denis plonks on his noggin en route to the castle. Hats off to him.
However, it’s a shame that the rest of the instalment is so underwhelming and raises the question of whether there is a potential breakout to rival hug-resistant retireeand do their best to raise the ante out of the gate by having the three traitors selected by presenterTraitors Ireland returns, and the other best new shows to watch this weekTheir choice will not be revealed until part two – a frustrating sign-off from a table-setting episode that never really gets going.
That’s not for any lack of effort on the part of McSweeney, who, perhaps feeling threatened by Denis’s heroic headgear, dons a variety of interesting hats of her own and does a good line in pantomime villainy while selecting her trio of hooded deceivers with a fateful tap on the shoulder. They are actor Fionula from Cork, academic Páraic from Kildare and early-years educator Carla from Dublin. They’re all personable.
But it’s as yet unclear what level of melodrama they will contribute or how adept they will be at stirring the psychological pot. The night’s obligatory challenge is a typically confusing mix of obstacle course and giant Lego building contest in which participants have to cobble together a dolmen.
The talking point here is bright spark Donal’s suggestion that the players all step outside the circle as they complete it – meaning none of the team is immune from murder on night one. He’s a Faithful, and his actions are genuinely altruistic. But the other players don’t know that.
So there is a danger that he has put a target on his head and that, even if he hasn’t, he’ll be voted out on account of being a goody two-shoes. The only other moment of interest is Carlow call centre trainer Seán’s reveal to McSweeney that he has Tourette’s, which, he says, can make him “seem shifty” and which he hopes to “act up on a little bit” when it is to his advantage.
Otherwise, it’s just more cloak-and-dagger social deduction in a big house. Hopefully things goes completely unhinged in the near future. For now, this returning Traitors is still finding its feet. Traitors Ireland returns, and the other best new shows to watch this weekActor Olwen Fouéré: ‘I firmly believe we are in the last days of the Anthropocene’LATEST STORIESThe Irish Times view on Iceland’s referendum: a clear `no’ to Brussels
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