I’ve just finished the second season of NZ Traitors & I feel like both seasons have been like a completely different game to all other Traitors seasons I’ve watched (UK, Aus and US).
It seems like both the faithfuls and the traitors are smarter, have a better social game and a general level of intelligence you don’t see as much on the other seasons. Yes there’s been good players across other franchises but the whole game feels a lot more high stakes (minus the low cash prize) because it seems like the faithfuls can spot traitors/manipulation a lot easier.
I was so pleasantly surprised by these seasons as I’d heard they’re low budget/not worth watching. But if anyone has been on the fence about watching, please do, I was so entertained.
I’ve just finished NZ1 and it’s my favourite season so far. Great gameplay from both sides for the most part, really good cast, very likeable and deserving winners… it had everything I was looking for. That final mission was also probably the only mission in the history of the traitors that I’ve cared about.
We’ve just started US3 but I already feel like it won’t come close. Looking forward to NZ2.
It’s SO GOOD!! I’ve only been able to find season one, but so far it’s my favorite. They go hard, but they’re also ultimately so chill. They’re all friendly and have a pretty good view that it’s a game. And the faithful is at the end are sweet and pure hearted, but they’re not stupid. That’s how they win!
It’s got such a different feel to all of the other English speaking versions and I have no idea why - perhaps it’s because they seem to work hugely as a team (shout out Mark S2) and have really good group discussions which more often than not, do lead to them catching out traitors.
The approach of the faithfuls in other series seems to be more cliquey and they generally target other contestants for random and arbitrary reasons (employment, little comments etc).
Also, I know he’s problematic, but Paul Henry is the best host.
People’s reaction to the NZ series’ is a kind of rorsach test - people who like their TV to have more ‘jeopardy’ and excitement prefer UK/US, people who appreciate good gameplay and logical behaviour love the NZ series.
For me, it was like watching grownups, especially compared to the histrionics of the UK series’.
Part of the dynamic of the show is that many of the contestants knew each other - so they had ongoing relationships that A) meant they knew each other’s behaviour and B) were going to keep the game in perspective and not damage friendships for the future.
I just watched NZ 2 and really enjoyed it. There are not the hysterics of the US shows and the contestants seem more chill and understanding it’s a game. Maybe it says a lot about national characteristics - Brits, Americans, Aussies and Kiwis share a language but are generally quite different!
Agree overall, it’s very nice. But have to say for me personally Joe was a tough watch. And I started the season liking him, but by the end of the season, I couldn’t stand him. So obnoxious.
NZ 2 is probably my favorite season overall. The last two eps before the final were. Bit slower but it was just soo good. Great characters, great twists and some intense shat.
NZ2 is one of my faves. So refreshing that they went after traitors and got them out. I felt (possibly wrongly) in US2 and AU2 the faithful knew who the traitors were but didn’t vote for them, possibly due to the old “they’ll just recruit more” argument.
Think they changed casting decisions between. The first season had a mix of celebrities and normal people. (A few NZ taskmaster people for those who are a fan of that series). 2nd season they just had fresh people. I actually prefer the American way with known names
