In The Traitors US Season 4 Episode 8, “A Queen Never Comes Off Her Throne,” Rob Rausch solidified his status as the game’s most dangerous player by turning chaos into opportunity and emerging as the last original Traitor standing.

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The Love Island USA alum showcased a level of calm, calculated gameplay that left viewers stunned—and the remaining Faithfuls dangerously unaware.

The episode opened with the fallout from Lisa Rinna’s banishment. Rob had already voted against his fellow Traitor to protect himself, sparking Candiace Dillard Bassett’s spiteful “throwaway” vote against him in the prior roundtable.

Instead of confronting the issue head-on in a way that would expose him, Rob played it cool in the turret. When Candiace refused to own her vote or rebuild trust, he chose not to reveal that Colton Underwood had been floating her name as suspicious. He let the tension simmer, knowing it would work in his favor.

When Alan Cumming offered the chance to recruit a new Traitor, Rob shut it down immediately. He argued that staying a duo was safer for now—clearly confident in his position. He even handed Candiace the lead on the night’s murder, a seemingly generous move that proved masterful.

Candiace chose to kill Colton, Rob’s close ally, hoping to sever their bond and shield herself. Rob allowed it without protest, fully aware that Colton’s prior suspicions of Candiace would draw a straight line back to her once the body was revealed.

By letting her pull the trigger, Rob eliminated a potential threat to himself while framing Candiace as the obvious culprit—all without lifting a finger.

Throughout the day, Rob worked the castle like a chess master. He spread theories about Candiace, volunteered himself for a shield during the painting recreation mission (though Kristen Kish ultimately claimed it), and maintained his Faithful persona flawlessly.

When Candiace confronted him publicly, accusing him of using Colton as a “beard” to mask his Traitor moves, Rob calmly labeled her push “bad sportsmanship” and reminded everyone the game is called The Traitors. He never used his dagger to cast extra votes—he didn’t need to. The Faithfuls saw her aggression as personal, not strategic, and banished her in a landslide.

With Candiace gone, Rob found himself alone in the turret for the first time, enjoying what he called “peace and quiet.” But the rules forced his hand: he had to recruit.

After weighing options like Johnny Weir and Mark Ballas, he chose Eric Nam—the low-profile, good-looking Faithful who had been close to Colton. Rob passed him the recruitment note with the ultimatum: join the Traitors and build a powerful, unsuspected duo to the end, or be murdered next.

The episode closed on that gripping cliffhanger—Eric’s decision hanging in the balance. If he accepts, Rob gains a fresh shield and a partner no one suspects.

If he declines, Rob loses his chance at reinforcement and risks immediate exposure. Either way, Rob’s solo maneuvering has positioned him perfectly for the endgame: no loose ends, no obvious enemies, and a clear path to the finale.

Rob isn’t playing dirty—he’s playing the game at its highest level. Episode 8 proved why he’s the one to beat as the castle shrinks and suspicion tightens. Will Eric join him? Or will the Faithful finally catch the snake in their midst? Tune in next Thursday (February 12, 2026) on Peacock to find out.