The Shakespearean competition takes a medieval turn with a familiar Ruthshire backdrop in Rivals Season 2, Episode 5. In turn, the period drama goes for another big set piece – and an addition not from Dame Jilly Cooper’s book – with The Golden Gauntlet. It comes on the heels of events like the polo match and the play. Therefore, this episode raises the question of whether these larger sequences are losing their novelty. Patrick’s birthday party in Season 1, for example, feels like such a rare, lightning-in-a-bottle thing. Now, these events with most of the characters are happening with much more frequency, and this season is not even halfway through its 12-episode run yet.
The Golden Gauntlet does serve some of the characters well. It does so mostly with those who have had more consistent prominence over the last four episodes, like Rupert, Declan, and Tony. Unfortunately, most of the other characters develop with far less screen time. So, this episode also emphasizes how Rivals is bound to function with an ensemble of this size. However, with so many episodes left this season, there is still plenty of time for Rivals to prove that its pacing is for the best. Perhaps, as this season progresses, the show will pull more characters and relationships to the forefront more often.
After all, this episode, written by Sam Hoare and directed by Jamie Jay Johnson, drops some big, character-driven bombs most casually. There’s plenty of time left for these golden nuggets to blow up into something much larger. Ideally, in due time, Rivals will take a breath to sit in all of that with the characters.
“Life and art can happen at the same time.”
The bulk of this episode draws comparisons and contrasts between Tony & Maud and Declan & Cameron. In Cooper’s book, the latter’s time in Ireland is rather secretive, so it’s exciting to watch Rivals adapt it for the screen. For example, it’s clever to send Patrick on the trip, even if he does become a bit of a reflection of Declan’s inner monologue. Mostly, though, he’s another obstacle for Declan and Cameron, who find a match in one another in this episode.
It’s so tightly written for all of these seemingly inconsequential moments to add up to something real. Nafessa Williams and Aidan Turner have such great chemistry while bringing all of that to life. From crowding around the phone call with Rupert to admiring and challenging each other throughout the shoot, there’s a real spark between them. It’s appealing and effective for Rivals to keep everyone guessing with Declan and Cameron, like in the book, by cutting away from them just as the tension heats up. It creates such a great juxtaposition with Rivals showing its entire hand with Tony and Maud. It’s also refreshing that this episode digs into the multifaceted conflict of this affair for Maud.
Tony has so little remorse about anything, and the show finds Maud (and Declan) in the aftermath of her affair with Malhar. So, it’s fascinating to watch Maud second-guess things, sitting across from Monica, who seeks Maud’s reassurance. It’s also such a brilliant twist of the proverbial knife that Maud learns that Monica is the one who suggested her for the role of Titania, not Tony. Maud really sees Monica as a person in that quick scene, and that’s important for literally all of the characters involved. Even with all of these reasons, Maud still chooses to continue things with Tony – and vice versa. It’s fascinating that Tony offers this childhood anecdote about his camera.
It’s fascinating and humanizing that Tony offers this childhood anecdote about his camera. It also suggests that there is a real connection with Maud – Tony wouldn’t have shared something that personal otherwise. Then, there’s all this unresolved, untenable tension between Maud and Declan. She doesn’t know how committed he is to supporting her career, while she struggles to commit to their relationship. It’s toxic, and Cameron says as much in that scene with Declan by the fire – the symbolism there. It’s as good as Tony destroying anything, even something he loves, if it means self-preservation and winning.
Beautiful People and Green Gunge
All in all, the Golden Gauntlet is a fun excuse to have all the characters together – again. Rivals is endlessly exciting when it layers smaller interactions. Take, for instance, the one-two revelatory punches of Monica saying she as well be considered a “funny fish” with Enid and Holly Cattle’s character introducing herself to Rupert as Perdita. (Declan burned a piece of paper with her name, which he discovered, on it after his interview with Rupert.) Those are two narrative threads that Rivals has been building this season.
Meanwhile, this episode could use more of Freddie. He is excellent when he bursts into Corinium to defend the fields he promised Sharon. On the other hand, this episode emphasizes how little Rivals has explored Lizzie and Rupert’s friendship so far this season. Their scenes are such a sweet reminder of their dynamic’s overwhelming strengths. As for Freddie and Lizzie’s relationship, it will be interesting to see how Rivals spins them now that they’re dedicated to the distance. Will they maintain that space for a while, or will the quicker pacing pull them under a riptide that speeds up their story?
There’s no denying that this show has a lot to juggle. For instance, Sarah Stratton has become a real background player, which is disappointing after such a strong start. That shift becomes all the more noticeable when Lizzie mentions that it’s September. In the previous episode, Paul Stratton says that they’re expecting the baby in December, which is rather soon. I wish there were more time to check in with Sarah more often. Alternatively, this episode, much like the others this season, has Charles and Gerald doing a lot with a little screen time. I hope they will oscalte more to the forefront as the wedding nears.
Another relationship that could have used just one good scene is Taggie and Bas. This episode takes on the part of Cooper’s book where Rupert sweeps in as Taggie’s family frightfully forgets her 21st birthday. Alex Hassell is just heartbreaking as Rupert stands in the doorway to whisper, “Happy birthday, angel.” The show’s choice to add Bas into that scene levels up Rupert’s chances to pine for Taggie longer. It’s also just nice to see Taggie have a life beyond Rupert, while he’s keeping his distance so as not to “break” her. For that reason, the episode may benefit from showing Bas and Taggie’s connection growing. However, maybe it’s intentional not to do so, so as not to insinuate that there is anything deep developing between them. It’s hard to know just yet.
Regardless, the Golden Gauntlet is ultimately the most effective for Rupert. He proves that he’s a man of his word in the act of service to make it up to Venturer. However, the other shoe is always just around the corner, waiting to drop with Rivals. With the midseason finale next, I’m already wondering what Rivals will do to keep us guessing until it returns later this year.
MORE: Alex Hassell and Bella Maclean Share Why Rupert and Taggie’s Romance Is Worth It in Rivals Season 2
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I was practically shouting at the screen by the end! The unbearable low after such a high for Ventura, the realisation that perhaps the people we keep at arms length are the ones we should hold close. Monica, Gerald, Rupert, Lizzie, Declan their aching looks at those they love and yet cannot reach was an emotional gut wrench. Tony’s ever increasing descent into maniacal villain character is both scary and rage inducing he knows no bounds! Hat tip to the subtle introduction of Perdita though…. Episode 6 is going to leave us on some cliff hangar I can just feel it!
Episode 5 of season 2 was an all time low. Wtf were we watching? It looked like the show we all thought Rivals might be before we watched series one and realised it had been done properly. The Golden Gauntlet sorry what? Insinuations Monica might have feelings for Dame Enid? Sorry this wasn’t the book Jilly Cooper wrote. The bravest thing the first series has to do was to get everyone to invest in the 12/13 year age gap between Rupert and Taggie and you did it because it’s not weird or pervy. It happened. And everyone was invested. We are not invested in stuff Jilly didn’t write in the book which just take away from what Rivals celebrated in the first place. Sadly it shows that Jilly isn’t around this season to ensure you keep the story authentic.