The Trust's Struggle to Match The Traitors
The Trust: A Game Of Greed season 1, a new reality TV series by Netflix, has drawn attention as a show with elements reminiscent of The Traitors. However, it has failed to reach the same level of popularity and acclaim as its counterpart. The release of The Trust was seen as Netflix's attempt to capture the audience eagerly awaiting new episodes of The Traitors. Despite being compelling at times, The Trust has been unable to match the success of reality TV giants such as The Traitors and Big Brother, leading to questions about why it falls short.
Netflix's The Trust cast
In The Trust: A Game Of Greed, contestants have the unique option to choose not to vote and share the prize money. However, as the show progresses, the cast's greed comes to the forefront as they engage in team-building exercises and conversations that reveal unsavory personalities and betrayals, ultimately resulting in the elimination of fellow members to increase their share of the pot. This aspect of the show aligns with its title, as the contestants' greed drives the narrative. The absence of a strategic elimination process and the focus on greed raise doubts about the show's ability to deliver elevated entertainment, especially in comparison to The Traitors.
The Trust promo
The Gameplay Comparison
A significant factor contributing to The Trust's inability to match The Traitors is its less strategic gameplay. In The Traitors, contestants must navigate the challenge of being chosen as traitors and avoid detection to win the prize pot. In contrast, The Trust allows the prize pot to be shared by all contestants, with the initial amount set at $20,000 per contestant. The potential for sharing the money without any strategic gameplay diminishes the intensity and excitement that is prevalent in The Traitors.
The Trust
Furthermore, The Traitors' strategic gameplay is driven by the necessity for contestants to eliminate each other, leading them to formulate intricate strategies to survive as traitors or faithful. This strategic aspect is notably absent in The Trust, where contestants rely on appearing likable without engaging in substantial strategic planning. The lack of a compelling strategic element and the superficial nature of interactions between contestants raise concerns about the show's ability to captivate its audience.
Investment in Contestants and Forced Drama
The comparison between The Trust and The Traitors also reveals a significant difference in the level of investment in contestants. While The Traitors has succeeded in inspiring investment by featuring celebrities as contestants, The Trust's diverse cast, ranging from a retired grandmother to a Texas rancher, fails to evoke genuine investment. The contestants in The Trust come across as stock characters, lacking depth and thoughtful portrayal. This lack of investment is further exacerbated by the contestants' overt greed, which becomes the defining characteristic of the cast, overshadowing any potential for genuine connection with the audience.
Three cast members from The Trust season 1 with one woman and two men.
Moreover, The Trust's attempt to introduce personal narratives and drama falls short, with contestants resorting to contrived trauma dumping, resulting in shallow and one-dimensional portrayals. In contrast, The Traitors effectively presents contestants' backgrounds and personalities, providing a more comprehensive and engaging portrayal. The forced drama in The Trust, coupled with the lack of genuine investment in contestants, undermines the show's ability to resonate with its audience, further highlighting its shortcomings compared to The Traitors.
The Trust cast member
Final Verdict
In conclusion, The Trust: A Game Of Greed falls short in comparison to The Traitors across multiple aspects, including strategic gameplay, contestant investment, and the portrayal of drama. The lack of strategic depth, the absence of genuine investment in contestants, and the forced nature of drama have contributed to The Trust's inability to match the success and appeal of The Traitors. While there may be an opportunity for The Trust to redeem itself in future episodes, its current shortcomings have raised doubts about its ability to captivate and engage viewers.
