The concluding six episodes of Rivals season two bring the Jilly Cooper adaptation back into peerless territory, according to a new review. After a middling first part that leaned too heavily into 1980s cheese, this second half delivers hilarious moments, twisting machinations, and convincing character development, giving the stellar cast plenty to work with. In short, the consequences of all the bonking come crashing down.
The Aftermath of Monica's Death
The entire second part rests on the aftermath of Monica's death. The story opens at her funeral, where Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) is suddenly lost without his wife, but hardly cowed. A guest warns, "He's lost his conscience now," and indeed he soon wields a shotgun to throw guests out of the house, sending his children to leave as well. His son, who knows about his bad behaviour, tells him, "I wish you'd died instead of her." Tony is egged on by Monica's sister Araminta, in a genius cameo by Rachael Stirling.
Affairs Come to Light
Meanwhile, affairs have come to light. Paul Stratton (Rufus Jones) punches James Vereker (Oliver Chris) for sleeping with Sarah (Emily Attack), declaring, "Stay away from my wife you bleached blond giraffe." James then has to beg his wife Lizzie (Katherine Parkinson) for forgiveness, with the immortal words: "You're my bollard." But Lizzie is alright, because her affair with Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer) is cooking nicely.
Yet it is Maud O'Hara's (Victoria Smurfit) affair with Tony that is the real ticking timebomb, with her husband Declan (Aidan Turner) and his TV company Venture teetering on the edge anyway. As it all rockets towards its gripping climax, the season blends hilarity with heart and represents television at its very best.
Rivals season 2 episodes 7-9 are streaming now on Disney+.
