'I thought I could trust you': More betrayal and twists ahead of 'Traitors Ireland' finale

Spoilers ahead!

The penultimate episode of 'The Traitors Ireland' on Monday night provided the biggest betrayal of the season yet as the two Traitors took pole position going into the Tuesday's highly-anticipated finale. 

Monday's episode began with the murder of Wilkin who somehow managed to make it to the final seven without having any plan, strategy or knowledge of how the game worked which begs the question if some other players have been overthinking it all along.

The players were tasked with a challenge where they had to work together to count out 13 minutes with with the greatest quotes this season has produced ringing in their ears with Andrew's "Daddy" remark a glaring absence. 

The faithful girls banked €4,000 for the prize pot but Traitor's Ben and Nick's couldn't make it a clean sweep. The two traitors may have had bigger things on their mind ahead of one of the most defining round tables of the season. 

The stage was all set for Ben and Nick to work together to manipulate the remaining players and dictate the outcome of the banishment but for the first time this season, two of the most outspoken players remained completely silent. 

Vanessa and Faye battled it out in a dispute over miscommunications and speculation over previous conversations as both players fought to finish their sentences without being interrupted by the other. 

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Much of the round table's discussion was carried over from the previous episode when Joanna was banished in dramatic circumstances setting the paranoia of the remaining faithfuls into a tailspin.

Faye was assured by Ben and Nick in the lead up to the round table that she would have their backing but clearly wanting to stay under the radar themselves, they turned on Faye in a stunning betrayal. 

All five players voted for Faye as she admitted "I thought I could trust some of you" in a nod to Ben and nick before revealing she was a faithful. 

It leaves two alliances left in play between Ben and Nick and Vanessa and Oyin with Kelley being the potential deciding vote if there's any tie in the finale's voting. 

Big questions still remain ahead of Tuesday night's finale such as whether the faithfuls or traitors will emerge victorious or if the cracks are starting to show in the conclave. Ben or Nick could still turn on one another in what would be a fascinating conclusion to the season's big bromance.

Nick's sentiment in the conclave on Monday night that even if one of them wins then it's like a victory for both of them may have sowed the seeds on a potential betrayal between the pair. 

The events of Monday's penultimate episode sets the scene perfectly for a captivating finale on Tuesday night which would be a fitting conclusion to a spectacular debut season for the Irish edition of 'The Traitors'.

How did social media react?

Social media was sent into overdrive once again as Monday's penultimate episode unfolding in dramatic fashion. Many users commented on the impact fan favourite Wilkin had on the show after learning of his murder. 

One X user reflected on Wilkin's stint on the show saying: "He missed clues, he picked the wrong people, he thought he was in Slane for a concert. Still, there goes the best damned contestant a Traitors show ever had". 

Another user commented on Wilkin's lack of tactics and gameplay during his time on the show writing: "He came, he ate 367 croissants, he stared blankly into the abyss. He left again, God speed sweet prince". 

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Others speculated on what Monday's episode could now mean for the finale. One user wrote: "Brutal final stretch for 'The Traitors Ireland', worried that last roundtable was a huge mistake for the men, you've gotta think maintaining the feuding sides into the finale would have been safer but it does open the possibility of a great faithful win". 

A final user speculates that Monday's round table could be an opportunity missed for the faithfuls. They said: "if even just one of the girls could take a step back and stop arguing for a minute they'd see that the boys are playing such a massive game".  

Could the Traitors have played it differently?

Nick and Ben were clever in letting the drama unfold between the faithfuls at the round table on Monday night keeping any heat off themselves as the final five was decided. 

However, in doing that, they played a hand in banishing the only remaining player who trusted both of them completely which would have been a massive advantage in the finale. 

If they could have broken up the alliance between Oyin and Vanessa going into the finale whilst having Faye on side then it could have gave the Traitors a huge advantage of winning the prize pot. 

The traitors could have backed Faye at the round table putting the vote to a split and hoped to sway Kelley to banish one of the other faithfuls but uncharacteristically let it all play out without intervention. 

It remains to be seen if it was the right move for Nick and Ben but they are now outnumbered on votes by the faithful if either of them comes under pressure in the next banishment. 

Kelley could prove to be a pivotal player in deciding Tuesday's finale if the alliances stick together as the deception, deceit and scandal continues for one final episode. 

The Traitors Ireland finale will air on RTE one at 9:35 on Tuesday night.