As the second episode of Rivals begins, a Corinium host, James Vereker (Oliver Chris), mentions the arrival of Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner). Declan’s first guest will be Hollywood star Johnny Friedlander. It will be his first interview since being the victim of a sex tape scandal two years ago. Declan gets ready for the interview. Taggie O’Hara (Bella Maclean) and her dog hide when Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) rides by looking for a fox. After the intro, Johnny (Adam Rothenberg) arrives at Corinium studios. Tony Baddingham (David Tennant), Cameron Cook (Nafessa Williams), and others greet him inside. Declan argues with Brian Hetherington (Rich Keeble) who told an Irish joke. He briefly speaks to Cameron about the cards and questions. They wonder where Johnny is. Tony is shown speaking to Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer) and Charles Fairburn (Gary Lamont).

Lady Gosling (Maggie Steed) arrives with Reverend Fergus Penny (David Calder). Johnny is caught having sex with a woman and getting drunk. Cameron tells him it’s time. Rupert and Bas (Luke Pasqualino) visit Maud O’Hara (Victoria Smurfit). Caitlin O’Hara (Catriona Chandler) is shocked when Rupert enters the room. Johnny finally goes to the stage to speak to Declan. Before long, Declan asks Johnny about the rumors that he caused problems on the set of his last movie. He asks what it was like when he drove off the bridge. Johnny says he woke up the second he hit the water. He knew he had to get sober. 415 days later, the world looks more beautiful than ever. Declan asks about the sex tape and questions whether Miss Cortes is okay. Johnny hopes she got a lot of money out of the whole thing. Declan asks if $5,000 is a lot of money. He says that’s what Cortes alleged he paid her for sex and to take the tape to the National Enquirer.

Johnny says she got publicity too. Declan argues he let the press vilify her. Johnny blurts out that she was a porn actress and he paid her to make a porno. They believe Johnny is going to walk out. He doesn’t and admits he’s an a$$. Johnny confesses he was scared after having four flops in a row. He admits the worst part was that he really liked that girl. Johnny apologizes to Pia on television and offers to buy her something. Declan takes the show to a break. Rupert and the others talk about making a sex video. Maud and Rupert seem to have a thing for each other. Charles and Gerald Middleton (Hubert Burton) make out in a private office. Meanwhile, Johnny tells Declan about James Bond. After the show, Tony is thrilled with the show. Declan complains to Cameron that someone spiked Johnny’s dressing room although she admits she did it. He argues they didn’t need to push him off the wagon. Johnny is introduced to everyone.

It seems James Vereker is becoming jealous of Declan. Lady Gosling tells Tony it is a shame that he couldn’t get Rupert on the board. Tony discreetly tells Cameron she’s getting the lay of a lifetime tonight. Caitlin tells Lizzie and Bas that a man started turning up at their house. He was in love with Maud. When Declan found out, it wasn’t funny at all. Caitlin says that’s the real reason they moved away from London. Rupert dances with Maud. Lizzie walks Rupert home and tells him to watch out for Declan. He reminds her to never tell him what to do. Declan returns home to Maud who wants sex. James still isn’t happy at home. He tells Lizzie she could be a little more supportive. Next, Caitlin talks to Taggie about whether Maud will start something with Rupert. Caitlin leaves Taggie along with the dog and their parents. Declan continues doing his show. His show tops 10 million viewers for the 5th week in a row. Maud complains that she never gets to go anywhere.

Declan complains that all she does is spend money. Once he leaves, Maud tells Taggie that he’s still punishing her. At the office, everyone celebrates. Cameron says she wants 12 million this week. They discuss who should come on the show next. Cameron mentions Rupert. She asks Tony why he hates Rupert so much. Tony says he always gets what he wants. Joyce admits she wasn’t surprised when Rupert’s wife left. Declan suggests Thatcher who won’t accept anyway. Tony says the public doesn’t decide which way the election goes. In private, Tony asks Declan why he’s still unhappy there. Declan explains he has a lot on his mind and an eighty grand unpaid tax bill following him around. Tony offers to settle that for him and he can pay him back. Taggie goes to Green Lawns. Valerie Jones (Lisa McGrillis) helps her get into her outfit. Fred comes in and says he invited a single woman to balance the books. As they get ready, Tony tells Lady Monica Baddingham (Claire Rushbrook) that they need to reel in Freddie tonight.

Paul Stratton (Rufus Jones) tells Sarah (Emily Atack) to behave tonight because he wants Tony to invite him to join the board. They all go over to Fred’s place. Taggie answers the door when Rupert arrives. Rupert tries to smooth things over with Paul. Tony asks Fred to show him the sound system. Rupert interrupts them and asks if Tony is trying to seduce Fred onto his board. Valerie says Mr. Vereker and Mrs. Stratton are on the television. James questions Sarah about her marriage to Paul who is MP for Cotchester. Cameron reaches the party moments later. Taggie goes upstairs where she catches Rupert having sex with Sarah. Tony finds out that he’s going to be sitting next to Cameron. Monica speaks to her briefly before Rupert joins everyone. Rupert says hello to Cameron and suggests they’re being set up with each other. Monica finds out that her name is Cameron instead of Cavendish. Rupert brings up Declan and mentions that Taggie is his daughter.

Cameron finds out that Rupert and Tony are rivals. James says they found a presenter for their “caring for the elderly” segment. She’s a Jamaican lady living in Cotchester. They begin talking about her being a black single mother. Lizzie speaks to Taggie about the menus and her dyslexia. Rupert keeps an eye on Taggie. He grabs her backside causing her to spill food all over Cameron who curses her. Sarah asks Rupert how he could do that. Lizzie complains, but Rupert says he thought she’d like it. Rupert goes outside and tells her he thought she wanted it. She calls him disgusting before driving away. Fred tells Tony to send him the business plan and he’ll look for it. At work, Cameron tells Tony that last night was humiliating. She isn’t sure she can do it anymore. Declan interrupts before they can talk about their relationship.

Declan offers to pay for the cleaning of her clothes. Tony mentions that Rupert caused it when he groped Taggie. Cameron suggests interviewing Rupert to death. Tony likes the idea of exposing him.

 

Rivals Review

The second episode of Rivals shows that the series is really heading nowhere. Besides a few scenes at the end, this is a lot to do about nothing. It’s got too many characters and too many storylines that aren’t going to matter in the end. While the performances are good, some of the casting choices are so odd.

Maud and Declan surely don’t click like they should and Rupert doesn’t really fit the playboy character. There isn’t a single character in this whole story who is genuinely sympathetic. All of them are terrible rich people who are bickering about mostly petty things. When one of them is sexually assaulted, the solution is to interview the culprit.

The whole story is just dumb and not in a funny way. It’s easy to question why Declan is with Maud and why everyone is so hung up on Rupert. The bigger problem is that nothing is fun about this though. It’s just tedious as it ping-pongs from one group of characters to another with no real direction or purpose. For instance, Charlie and Gerald were making out during Johnny’s interview for whatever reason.

There is no purpose there. In fact, those characters could probably be removed along with several others. Then, this thing could be straight and to the point at six episodes. A good cast doesn’t always make a series good and neither does countless sex scenes, but those are the primary reasons the show is receiving so much praise. In reality, it’s just shallow and dull.

The second episode scores a 4.5 out of 10. Recaps of Rivals can be found here. Learn about supporting our independent site here. Find out how to advertise with us here. Discuss Rivals with others here.