Spoiler alert - This piece discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale
Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming tension.
However on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.
From nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.
Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.
Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising outcome that went viral and left him emotional.
"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."
"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."
Social media immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented one user.
"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."
The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.
The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.
But his win still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by industry observers.
"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."
During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.
"He might have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.
"The majority didn't target him because how can you vote for someone who is so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.
Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the show.
"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"
The final installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.
There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.
True to form, Alan Carr provided some of the most memorable lines.
"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."
Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.
In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.
The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.
However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.
Following this was the competition, with the final players getting on board a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.
This task involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.
Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.
Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said a player, while the other just giggled.
And one did stick to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.
The remaining traitor appeared he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."
Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.
"I hoped against that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.
"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.
But there was no time to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.
The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.
One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.
"It hurts to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.
Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.
One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.
According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.
Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.
"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," the winner said.
And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and making contact.
"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.
The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.
