The Traitors might now be one of the most popular shows on telly, but that doesn't mean it's impervious to criticism. We've had a thing or two to say ourselves, in fact.
There has long been a popular theory about a perceived 'flaw' in the BBC show's format, and the show has struggled to shake it ever since its earliest season. But episode 10, which aired on Wednesday night (January 22), should now shut that down once and for all.
You could probably call it the 'breakfast theory', as it centres around the way in which surviving contestants enter the castle the morning after a murder (in the context of the game, of course, the cast are alive and well).
The gist of the theory relies on the idea that the contestants who happen to be last to arrive for a coffee and a chinwag are all Faithful. It's said that this is done in the name of suspense (because, television), and is dependent on who the Traitors have named as being 'at risk' of getting their death warrant signed, wax-sealed and delivered.
This idea invites criticism of the Faithfuls' game plan, as surely they could use this tool to keep track of who enters last for a glass of morning orange juice in order to deduce who is – or isn't – a Traitor?
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But we've actually had this hypothesis proven false a number of times before. Despite that though, the 'breakfast theory' continues to gain momentum among viewers and has almost become part of Traitors lore.
When Joe was revealed as the latest victim of the Traitors' scheming, failing to make it to breakfast, it was shown that Leanne and Charlotte were the cliffhanger arrivals – that's right, Charlotte, now legit queen of the Traitors (after Minah's shocking banishment, which came later in the episode).
Of course Charlotte wasn't an OG, having been recruited by Minah mid-way through the series – which in itself also pokes a big hole in the 'breakfast theory'. How could the Faithfuls rely on clocking the last to arrive in the morning, if a new Traitor can be poached any time?
While it might be the most recent example, this isn't the first time that this theory has been debunked.
Former contestant of The Traitors Ivan Brett, who appeared in the first series, has previously even spoken out to explain why "the Late Faithful (Laithful) strategy" (as he called it) is "categorically wrong".
He said that "while it's true to say that in season one this tended to happen" it "didn't always", pointing to the example of Amanda (remember that fan-favourite Traitor?) being last to turn up one morning.
Ivan went on to name a number of other instances where a Traitor arrived to breakfast last, including both Paul and Harry, across the second season.
"Four times a Traitor was late to breakfast," he later added. "Another breakfast, two Traitors didn't arrive at all", he said, because they were in the dungeon as part of that game-changing task.
We have continued to see this part of the format being switched up in the third season, with Charlotte's late arrival being the freshest example.
"It's fair to say, this myth should be busted," Ivan said back in January.
Clearly, it really is way overdue.
The Traitors season 3 is airing Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Another season and a celebrity spin-off have already been confirmed, while international versions also stream on iPlayer.
TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK's biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world's oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).
