Rivals’s ending cliffhanger hits back at the show’s sketchy worldview

As a lifelong fan of the golden age of soap operas, I must say that Rivals has been a breath of fresh air in this modern era of gritty dramas. This show has managed to bring back the glamour and drama of the 80s with a twist that keeps us hooked!

Major Rivals spoilers follow.

In a production like “Rivals,” which is known for its grandiose and over-the-top style, it was inevitable that they would need to raise the pitch of the melody significantly for the climactic finale.

The eighth and concluding episode seemed precarious as we found ourselves entangled in the intricate struggle between Venturer and Corinium, their fisticuffs, coupled with the unexpected addition to our daily viewing routine, “How to Stay Married“.

Despite the steamy, blockbuster-like feel on Disney+, the series unexpectedly returned to its dramatic roots with a climactic, bloody finale that left viewers guessing. The decision about who would meet their demise was necessary to keep things from becoming too over-the-top; however, the chosen character seemed carefully selected to address some of the show’s contentious political issues.

In the end, Tony (David Tennant) figured out that Cameron (Nafessa Williams) and Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) were having an affair, when some unedited footage from filming revealed them affectionately interacting around Rupert’s black Labrador named Beaver.

Tennant magicked up a frightening new Tony Baddingham sneer for his freshly cuckolded scenes, which made it look more and more like he could be the killer. But it was Cameron who dealt the fatal blow to Tony’s inflated head, leaving him bleeding out on the ’80s shag carpet.

The showdown came after an episode which dwelt particularly on the era’s downgrading of women – or “the womenfolk” as our charming How to Stay Married host Paul (Oliver Chris) put it.

Sarah (played by Emily Atack) was let go from her new hosting position before learning she was expecting a child. She shed tears in the restroom, frustrated at being controlled by men in the world. On the other hand, there was Maud (portrayed by Victoria Smurfit), who felt her acting career had been overshadowed by motherhood and her spouse’s profession.

In the last scene, there was a lot of tension between Cameron and Tony. He confessed to surveilling her, made veiled threats about deportation, claimed ownership over her, and physically assaulted her. As chaos erupted, a terrified Cameron used their fake BAFTA award as a weapon, striking Tony in retaliation.

In the realm of Rivals, discrimination isn’t limited to sexism alone; it also includes elements of snobbery and hidden prejudice towards certain sexual orientations. Furthermore, Cameron seems to be the only character who is not of white ethnicity residing in Rutshire.

In contemporary society, if Tag, who is significantly older than the Sports Minister, were to be in the limelight today, it would spark gossip among tabloids and inspire countless articles dissecting power dynamics within age disparate relationships known as May-December romances.

If we were to fully embrace the perspective presented in “Rivals,” it might be found lacking, as the series strives to depict the ’80s authentically, leaving in the unsavory aspects rather than sanitizing them. The downfall of Tony, who symbolizes much of what is problematic about that era, at the very least offers a satisfying payback and a rejection of his ideals.

It’s more than worth your while forgiving the faults of the Rivals bubble, because it has been, yes, daft, but a hugely entertaining watch.

A significant number of standout shows this year – such as “Baby Reindeer”, “Blue Lights”, “The Penguin”, “Slow Horses”, and “The Responder” – often present somber themes and are visually characterized by a subdued, black-and-white palette. These series aren’t typically lighthearted or entertaining.

Into that tranquil, unmoving pond, the lively splash of “Rivals” has cannonballed, not too polished, and not so pretentious that it demands the same tone from us.

Rivals is available to stream on Disney+.

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2024-10-19 14:48