Bonfire Night causes the temperature to rise around Rutshire in Rivals Season 2, Episode 8. The result is an intense escalation of big feelings and immense pressure. This episode, written by Clare Naylor & Mimi Hare and directed by Dee Koppang O’Leary, is chalk full of bombshell developments that change everything for the characters. For one, I anticipate that there will be some pushback against Bas and Taggie, let alone them sharing their first kiss. I like it!
The pacing works for their dynamic, and maybe it has something to do with having the foresight of reading Dame Jilly Cooper’s book. Regardless, though, the scene is beautifully directed and super sweet. And, yes, this next step in Bas and Tagge’s relationship will likely (ideally) stir up some jealousy in Rupert because Taggie shouldn’t have to put her life on hold for him. I’m also looking forward to seeing how this impacts Bas and Rupert’s friendship.
He tells Cameron, “Bas is a lot of things but he’s no snake,” and I’m curious to see if that stands when Taggie is with Bas. It’s also not lost on me that Bas is saying a lot of what other people (Lizzie, Rupert, etc.) have told Taggie before. I don’t think that makes it less true–it makes it more disappointing that Declan and Maud don’t see it. Because Taggie deserves better and more and to be selfish. Choosing to kiss Bas – she leans in – is a part of that right now. That kiss is also one of the only generally optimistic things to happen in this episode.
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Is It Over Between Charles and Gerald?
I didn’t expect the fallout with Muffy yet. Hermione’s initial comment that Muffy was away felt like a way for Rivals to stretch the story out that way. As it turns out, this episode makes the case for why it doesn’t go that route and instead pushes up the wedding. One of the better things that comes from this is more insight into Muffy. Hearing her speak about the value she gets from the engagement and the fear she has about AIDs just opens up her perspective in a way Rivals really hasn’t done yet.
In turn, these scenes also highlight how the show could have used even slightly more of this character before. It would help her argument to have seen a before the engagement and an after more consistently. Either way, this relationship is about her, too, and what she wants. A family is a big part of that for her – and for Gerald, who, at this time, may only safely get that with Muffy. All of that boils into Gerald saying that he wants “to be normal” to Charles, and those words visibly hit him. It’s such a tough scene for these characters.
Gosh, the work that Gary Lamont and Hubert Burton do in this scene is incredible. You can just see Charles and Gerald break apart inside as they realize this partnership they’ve built has completely crumbled. All because Gerald has to make this impossible yet necessary choice. In 1987, the best thing for Gerald to do “to be safe,” like of course he wants for himself and the man he loves, is to marry Muffy and end things with Charles. Rivals doesn’t shy away from how difficult, isolating, and heartbreaking this is for them, and it likely will only get worse as they try to move forward through this awful heartbreak.
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Is It Worth the Risk for Freddie and Lizzie?
I have to appreciate that, by including these affairs, Rivals also explores all their sides and side effects. Yes, it’s romantic that Freddie sweeps Lizzie off her feet with a private jet and lunch in Paris. He says all the right things about her book, too. They make me smile so much that my cheeks hurt! On that note, I’m obsessed with Lizzie not taking Venturer’s offer just because she’s with Freddie. A different version of Lizzie may have taken the first offer she got.
Now that she’s gaining self-confidence through a love that doesn’t tear her down, she knows what she’s worth – more. On the flip side of that, though, Freddie is still going home to Val and that relationship that he’s still actively invested in. It’s different with Lizzie and James. James’s pride may take a hit, but it’s more than that with Val. She is getting hurt in all of this, and she doesn’t even know it. It’s worse that Val thinks she and Lizzie are on the same side, even supporting one another. The twist of that knife in the back is Val saying that she uses Lizzie’s advice to spice up her marriage with Freddie.
So, it’s quite clever of Rivals to block this conversation with a door between Val and Lizzie. Val doesn’t even realize that it goes further than that – that Freddie is using what he learns about sex with Lizzie when he has sex with Val. It’s so complicated that even if the truth were to be revealed or the affair ended now, the damage would still be quite immense.
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Cameron Chooses Herself
Likewise, everything with Venturer’s mole comes to a head in this episode when all eyes turn to Cameron. I don’t think I’ll ever be over how absolutely absurd Rupert’s disguise is at the White Elephant. The actual best thing to come out of all of this is Cameron realizing that she’s done with it all. The swiftness at which these men are willing to throw her under the bus is infuriating and stunning.
Even so, I don’t for a second believe that this episode is Cameron’s final one in this show. She’s one of the best characters! I don’t even think that this is the end of everything with the mole. I know that Maud is the spy in Cooper’s book, but, as it usually does, I think this TV adaptation is expanding the story. Regardless, Cameron deserves better, and these people can’t give it to her. As she says, “No matter what hoops I jump through to prove my loyalty, I’ll always be the fall guy. Wrong accent, wrong colour, wrong country.” Nafessa Williams is phenomenal in that scene – she’s great in every scene Rivals gives her.
It’s also expected yet refreshing that Taggie comes to Cameron’s defense with Rupert. She is right that Rupert should have more faith in Cameron. Relatedly, I’m glad that Cameron gets that final scene with him. How he’s treated her isn’t fair. He should’ve been more honest with her about his feelings because his heart was never truly in it in the same way hers was. Cameron laid her heart bare for him. She loved him so much that I think it surprised her. Cameron has also given so much of her ambition and professional skills to Venturer’s effort just to be met like this by Rupert and Declan. Well, not anymore – good for her!
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Declan and Maud Reach a Breaking Point
After all, the truth has a way to break and/or illuminate patterns of behavior. Declan and Maud become reacquainted with that concept in this episode. Unfortunately for her, Maud severing the affair with Tony only makes him want her more. Distance makes his heart grow fonder…or more desperate. All the while, Rupert’s dedication to telling Declan the truth feels like a solid instance of his growth and genuine care for Declan. The reality is that people were always going to get hurt because of this – Monica is dead!
All of this sinks in for Maud and Declan in a confrontation that unfolds like a play. Aidan Turner and Victoria Smurfitt do some of their best work in this extensive, dialogue-forward scene. It feels like the direct inverse of one of my other favorite scenes of theirs – that very quiet and serene scene in the grass from Season 1. Some things remain true from then: Maud wants attention, and Declan still favors his work. He denies it, but he cheats with his career.
Their familiar refrain reaches a new (fever) pitch of toxicity in this episode. Declan and Maud’s lines are delivered with such piercing vitriol – until Maud admits to sleeping with Tony in their house. That comes out quieter – that’s another line crossed that seems to create or reopen much deeper wounds. It’s such a choice for Rivals to cut away then and come back with Maud running from Declan. It’s undeniably dramatic and explosive, and it leads to Declan announcing to everyone that he may be a good journalist but never saw the truth right in front of him. Mole or not, Maud is a traitor.
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