Disney's 80s-set drama Rivals is back, and this time everyone in Rutshire is furious. The fallout from Lady Monica Baddingham's death drives the six new episodes, which take a decidedly darker turn than the series' earlier fun and frolics.
Grief and rage after Monica's death
As fans will remember, Lady Monica Baddingham (Claire Rushbrook) died after a falling tree struck her when she rushed out into a storm, having just discovered her husband Tony (David Tennant) was having an affair with Maud (Victoria Smurfit).
Tony, despite having let down his wife in every possible way, is consumed by grief and anger. At Monica's wake, he grabs a gun and threatens to shoot the mourners if they don't leave. Their son Archie (Louis) channels a quieter rage, holding his father entirely responsible for his mother's death. His eulogy for his 'magnificent Mummy' is a moving moment.
Monica's sister Araminta (Rachael Stirling) is also furious with Tony, believing he ruined her sister's life and is not entitled to live in the family's ancestral home. Her anger has apparently simmered for decades.
Betrayals and accusations across Rutshire
Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) is outraged when he thinks he has found the mole leaking Venturer's secrets to Tony at Corundum, though he is wrong. He is then incensed with Maud for cheating on Declan with their arch-rival in the franchise bid, and later furious with Tony for the same reason, though the unhinged Lord barely notices.
Charles (Gary Lamont) is left livid when Gerald, the love of his life, gets cold feet yet again over their secret relationship, despite it having been on Gerald's terms. Gerald's fiancee Muffy Hampshire (Eliot Salt) is also cross when he confesses to being 'a homosexual', but she soon decides it is nothing she can't work with.
Paul Stratton (Rufus Jones) is seething when he discovers the baby his wife Sarah (Emily Atack) is carrying is not his. Someone gets punched in the face over it, though not the actual father.
The O'Haras take the crown for anger
Maud is like a rabbit in the headlights as she realises her daughter Caitlin (Catriona Chandler) blames her for Monica's death. 'I hate you,' Caitlin tells her. It is only a matter of time before everyone else, including Maud's husband, blames her too.
Declan O'Hara (Aidan Turner) wins the award for being the most outraged person in all of Rutshire. 'Everyone outside for the fireworks!' he declares.
Only a handful of characters are not hopping mad, and it seems only a matter of time before they join in, except for Taggie (Bella McClean), who doesn't really do cross. The first three episodes of series two, part two, are available on Disney+ from today.
