The shield temptation challenge in Episode 5 of The Traitors Season 4 was designed to tear trust apart—and it looks like it worked perfectly.

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Here’s how it went down in simple terms: Players split into groups of four. At statues in the bloody fountain area, each group found four hidden shields.

The deal was straightforward—if every shield stayed untouched, no murder could happen that night. Total safety for the whole castle. But if even one person picked up a shield for themselves, the Traitors could kill again, and anyone without protection was in danger.

The groups talked it through. They agreed: “Let’s all leave them alone for the team.” They even watched the prize pot grow by $16,000. But trust is fragile in this game. Everyone secretly thought, “What if the others are lying? What if someone grabs one anyway?” That fear is exactly why these missions are so powerful—they force players to choose between group safety and personal survival.

We already know the outcome for one round: Monét X Change was murdered. That means at least one shield was taken. Someone chose themselves over everyone else, opening the door for the Traitors to strike.

The real suspense? Alan Cumming didn’t reveal if more shields were grabbed later. He teased the players (and us) that we’d only find out at the next breakfast. So the question hangs: Did greed strike twice? Is Colton Underwood—the Traitors’ only target—still alive, or did another selfish grab seal his fate?

This mission fits the season’s pattern. Flimsy clues (Eric Nam’s laugh on Tiffany), personal blow-ups (Michael’s low blow on Colton), and quiet threats (Monét spotting Lisa) all feed paranoia. The shield test adds one more layer: You never know who betrayed the group. Was it a quiet player? A loud leader? Someone you trusted?

Episode 6 (January 22 on Peacock) starts with that breakfast reveal. If murder happened, expect chaos—blame flying, alliances breaking. If no murder (somehow all shields stayed put), suspicion explodes even more: Who can be trusted now?

The shield temptation proves once again why The Traitors is addictive: One small selfish choice can doom the Faithfuls and keep the Traitors laughing in the turret. Did greed win again? We’re about to find out.