Don’t let Rivals distract you with hot romps and red knickers – episode 4 proves it’s so much more

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Okay, so the newest episode of Rivals was seriously intense, which I kinda expected. A lot of that is thanks to David Tennant playing Tony Baddingham – though it’s complicated. That guy’s sneaky moves are already causing big problems, and it’s starting with Rupert Campbell Black (Alex Hassell) getting caught in the crossfire.

Although the former politician’s past affairs were publicly acknowledged and briefly criticized, the current personal consequences he’s facing are proving far more damaging.

Tony’s exposure of Rupert’s secret has effectively ended his political career, even after a strong election victory. To make matters worse, his ex-wife, Helen Gordon (Hayley Atwell), devastated him this episode by announcing she intends to gain full custody of their children.

Declan (Aidan Turner) and Maud (Victoria Smurfit) appear to have lost their spark, but Maud has quickly found a new romantic interest in Tony, who seems eager to reciprocate.

A playful, romantic connection sparked between them at the end of the show, following her first appearance on Corinium Television and the news that she’d be in another series created by Baddingham, called Four Men Went to Mow.

Her decision to side with her husband’s enemy has created an even bigger divide between them. However, their relationship is likely to become even more chaotic if her connection with Tony develops further – and knowing how this show goes, it probably will.

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This episode was full of exciting conflict, largely driven by the ongoing feud between the rivals. But there’s a more subtle, captivating story developing as well. While everyone is focused on the men and their competition, our attention is on the women and what they’re up to.

The women in Rivals are caught in a powerful conflict: they’re fighting against the sexism around them while also desperately wanting to control their own lives. This struggle really takes center stage in episode four.

Maud perfectly illustrates this. While Declan’s career has flourished, hers has been somewhat sidelined, but she’s never lost her ambition. In fact, she’s been quietly harboring some bitterness since the very beginning of the show.

While it might appear that her relationship with Tony and agreeing to participate in Four Men Went to Mow were simply reactions to her husband’s lack of support for her acting, the reasons behind her choices are actually more complex.

Watching Maud, it feels like she’s really fighting to stay in control of her own life, and it’s heartbreaking. Honestly, it doesn’t seem like a great decision, and I get the feeling she knows getting involved with someone like Tony is going to end badly. But it’s the 80s, and it’s tough for women to get ahead in their careers without making some risky choices, you know?

Maud acts quickly and is deeply driven to take charge of her own life, and she’s not alone in wanting independence from relying on a partner.

Helen is a determined and caring person who wants to avoid being caught up in the problems caused by Rupert’s wild behavior, which often affects her as well.

Even though she’s no longer married to him, his bad reputation continues to unfairly affect her, perhaps even more than it affects him. While she certainly fought for full custody to do what’s best for their children, it’s also a way for her to protect herself and finally step out of his shadow, establishing her own identity and independence.

As a fan, I’ve always seen a powerful connection between these women. It’s like they’re all fighting against the same things – a world that tries to control them. This character, like Maud and Lizzie before her, is just trying to escape a terrible life with a husband who doesn’t care. It’s a quiet act of defiance, but it really resonates with me.

The steamiest moment of this episode was definitely Lizzie and Freddie’s intimate encounter by the pool. Even though Freddie seems to be trying to move on, viewers are still hoping for another secret rendezvous, despite their attempts to stay apart.

Their connection goes deeper than just love; it’s about who they are as individuals. Freddie sees her for the woman she truly is – not just a housewife, but a brilliant, beautiful, and confident person. He celebrates her achievements, making her feel empowered and more fulfilled than she ever thought possible.

Their secret romance feels stifled, and when she tries to discover who she is on her own, it’s suppressed.

The fact that these women face their challenges while a larger conflict unfolds between men doesn’t make their struggles less important—it actually highlights them even more.

As a gamer, it really bugs me how female characters are often pushed to the side so the guys can be the heroes. It’s like they don’t get to chase their own goals, they just have to deal with whatever situation they’re stuck in. Take Sarah Stratton, for example – she’s forced to take the easy way out instead of going after what she really wants, and it’s frustrating to watch.

I’ve noticed Cameron, played by Nafessa Williams, seems a little less confident lately, and it’s honestly a bit heartbreaking. Ever since she started dating Rupert, she’s seemed to shrink into herself, and the more she tries to connect with him, the more he seems to distance himself. It’s like she’s losing herself in the relationship, and it’s tough to watch.

We’re eager to find out what Tony will do next, and we’re just as excited to see how the stories of these women unfold.

The first four episodes of season 2 of Rivals are now streaming on Disney+, and new episodes will be released every week, starting with episodes 5 and 6.

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2026-05-22 14:21