Rivals season 2, part 2 is now streaming on Disney Plus, but viewers are voicing frustration over the show's staggered release schedule. Disney Plus released three new episodes on Wednesday, November 11, with one new instalment set to air every Wednesday until December 2.
For fans of the 1980s-set drama, this means another wait following a five-month break after June's mid-season finale. It marks a change from the first series, which was available to watch all at once.
Story picks up after Monica's death
The new episodes pick up after the death of Lady Monica Baddingham, played by Claire Rushbrook. She was killed by a falling tree after running into a storm when she discovered her husband Tony, played by David Tennant, was having an affair with Maud, played by Victoria Smurfit.
As those left behind grapple with Monica's death, Tony's fight with Declan O'Hara, played by Aidan Turner, for supremacy in the Cotswolds continues. Rupert Campbell-Black also faces a reckoning, with the synopsis teasing: "Rupert Campbell-Black is forced to confront his own personal demons".
Fans divided over weekly releases
Despite the anticipation surrounding the show's return, its staggered release has frustrated some viewers. Taking to Reddit, one fan said: "Okay but why...? Why do we have to wait even longer for the rest of the series to drop? All these months waiting for part two and we only get the first half of that for now as well? Not a big fan of this move."
Another viewer echoed the frustration, posting: "It's ruined the momentum for me." Yet another wrote: "Making us wait this long for part 2 and only dropping half of it is painfullllll," reports the Mirror.
Some viewers even assumed the series had concluded, with one fan admitting: "Omg guys I thought that was the end of the series." Others, however, welcomed the chance to watch the drama unfold week by week.
"I like it. Keeps me excited. I miss episodes dropping week to week for shows it keeps me interested longer and actually makes me retain what happens. I get bored binging! ! ! ," said one viewer. A second added: "I like weekly release. It gives you time to think about the show, "be" in it. If you binge you forget about it two days after."
Rivals season 2, part 2 is streaming now on Disney Plus.
