As the finale of Rivals begins, James Vereker (Oliver Chris) and Lizzie (Katherine Parkinson) appear on How To Stay Married. It appears Sarah Stratton (Emily Atack) finds out she’s pregnant. Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) tries to call Cameron Cook (Nafessa Williams) who is sleeping with Rupert. Later, Taggie O’Hara (Bella Maclean) and Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) try to drum up support. Ginger takes a picture of Rupert helping Taggie with her seatbelt. Patrick O’Hara visits Cameron to say he finished at the university. He yells at her to say she looks incredible as she speeds away. Ginger is watching from nearby. Later, Rupert learns that Seb Burrows (Milo Callaghan) is taking Taggie to the cinema. At Corinium, Cameron talks to the others about bringing in a co-host for Sarah’s show. Tony asks if he’s a man of his word. He reminds them he told them not to speak to any of the Venturer traitors.

Tony calls out Seb who was observed attending a screening of Absolute Beginners with Taggie. Tony warns him he’s going to make an extremely public example out of him and make sure he never works in commercial television again. In private, Tony asks Cameron why she didn’t answer on Friday night. They talk about Patrick’s visit. Ginger asks Tony is ready for a spin. Next, Tony speaks to Valerie Jones (Lisa McGrillis) who wishes they could go back to how it was before. Valerie admits they hold meetings in Fred’s office. She can’t remember who is siding with who. Valerie lets it slip that Fred is worried about moles. Taggie returns home and finds Maud (Victoria Smurfit) with Malhar. In private, Maud says she’s sick of Taggie’s disapproval. Maud reveals that Malhar offered her a part in a play. She says she turned it down. Lizzie runs into Rupert outside of Valerie’s opening. They agree that it’s horrendous. Lizzie tells him about James’s affair with Sarah.

She’s booked a hotel room to have an affair with Freddie but she chickened out. Rupert says everyone does it. She questions whether she’s really the only person holding out. Lizzie breaks down. When Freddie arrives, Rupert excuses himself. Freddie tells Lizzie that she didn’t come. Lizzie admits she couldn’t get out of the car. He suggests she was probably right when she said no the first time. Beaver causes a scene and briefly interrupts the shoot. Tony arrives to pick up Cameron so he can take her out. During dinner, Tony shows her the application for Venturer. He explains Ginger did a little espionage at Green Lawns. Tony says they’ll look over it tomorrow. Next, Patrick shows Taggie that she’s in The Scorpion with Rupert. Caitlin (Catriona Chandler) says Seb will be devastated. Patrick learns that Rupert is with Cameron. Taggie pleads with him not to say anything. Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner) practice for the upcoming briefing.

Freddie says he couldn’t find his copy this morning. Enid learns it’s happening at Corinium. Rupert finds out about the photos in The Scorpion. Declan says he made him promise not to touch Taggie who finds out. Declan gets upset and tells Rupert to get out of his house. He ends up punching him. Cameron enters and finds out what happened. She tells him that Tony has seen the application and knows their plans. Freddie realizes that’s why his copy is missing. Monica (Claire Rushbrook) and Tony laugh at Valerie while watching the show. Tony sees Rupert and Cameron together. He begins to suspect something is going on between them. Next, Cameron tells Tony and the others that they should pull apart every idea Venturer has. Cameron believes it is theirs. Tony warns her it never pays to think something is definitively yours. Everyone goes to Corinium for the franchise hearing.

Cameron is surprised to see Beattie Johnson (Annabel Scholey) with Tony. The IBA explains that they’ll inform Venturer later in the evening if they can submit a formal franchise application. Audience members begin asking questions. At one point, Tony says the programs belong to Corinium so Venturer would not be able to retain them. He says they’re replacing Declan with a new format and a new presenter. Beattie Johnson will be joining Sarah. Tony says Corinium serves people the television they want. He also mentions that Rupert knows nothing about broadcasting. However, Rupert says he knows people. Tony calls them amateurs. He says the drama should be on the screen and not off it. Declan says they do deserve better. He goes on to say they deserve better than what Tony has been pumping into their living rooms for years. Declan says they’re in this to make joy and not money.

He thinks it’s about community about that television has the ability to bring people together. Declan says he still believes in truth and integrity which is why he got into the industry. Tony is not happy. He complains that Ginger missed a lot of dirt this week. Declan tells Maud he meant what he said. She walks away. The rugby club brings Taggie a gift to apologize for being rowdy. Rupert is told she’s a keeper. He says she’s their top striker. Seb takes her away. In private, Rupert and Cameron talk about Tony bringing Beattie. Rupert insists they’re going to win this. He’ll look after Cameron no matter what happens. Paul can’t get Sarah out of the bathroom. James and Paul leave Lizzie to deal with it. Lizzie checks on Sarah who is ill. Sarah is also upset that Tony has put her with Beattie. She complains about the men who can’t be trusted. She claims they don’t need them at all. Lizzie thinks they do. She says they should do what they want and not just do the right thing all the time.

Sarah isn’t sure she’s ever done the right thing. Lizzie leaves. Monica visits Tony in his office to ask him to come home. She suggests this is a test and it’s time for Tony to decide. Monica has been loyal, but her stoicism has a limit. She tells Tony to come home tonight to talk about it. Otherwise, she’ll take the children to her sister’s. Rupert, Declan, and the others talk about the possibility of winning. Bas speaks to Declan about sleeping with Maud. Rupert insists that’s wrong. Valerie says goodbye to Fred before leaving. Later, Lizzie approaches Freddie and leads him away. They speak outside. They end up making out. Charles speaks to Gerard. Charles says his mother knew him this morning for the first time in months. He thinks it’d be good to be friends. Gerard thinks he’s found someone to marry. He says it’ll give him respectability for his career and they could be together in secret. Gerard isn’t sure he can live without Charles.

Fred and Lizzie have sex. Declan finds out that Maud is packing and leaving for London. She explains that Malhar offered her a part in A Doll’s House. Maud believes she spent too much time following him around. Now, she wants to work. Maud made the decision because he wasn’t remotely available to her. Declan tries to convince her to stay. He asks Tag to stop her. They’re unable to stop Maud from leaving. Lady Gosling calls to tell Declan the news. Maud hears them celebrating as she leaves. Tony watches a news report about the franchise battle. He stops Cameron and asks her to pop into his office. Tony asks how long she’s been sleeping with Rupert. Taggie and Rupert look at each other. Cameron tells Tony she was spying on Rupert and Venturer. Tony claims Rupert is the worst man in the world. He offers to give her whatever she wants as long as she doesn’t let Rupert touch her. Cameron refuses.

She also resigns. Tony warns her that her visa is tied to her job. Cameron suggests she’ll marry Rupert so she can stay. Tony and Cameron begin physically fighting. Taggie approaches Rupert at the party. Cameron hits Tony with the award. Taggie tells Rupert that Seb isn’t him. Rupert says he’s trapped with the franchise and Cameron, but he admits Cameron isn’t Tag. They begin making out. Tony is knocked out on the floor in his office.

 

Rivals Review

The finale of Rivals had some strong moments, including some of the speeches during the hearing. It was also good to see Lizzie and Fred finally get together. There was an uplifting moment with Taggie and the rugby guys as well. Nevertheless, the series has left a lot to be desired as it postures for another season.

For instance, the show didn’t do anything with Daysee’s rape. Why hasn’t that come out by now? It also feels a bit pointless for some of the characters to get together because they’re already stuck in other situations.

So much more could’ve been done with the story really. The show spent so much time going nowhere and showing too many sex scenes. That time could’ve been put to use actually finishing the story in eight episodes and developing the characters. Instead, Disney is desperate to have another season when it’s really not warranted.

That would’ve been different if the show had really used its time wisely and did as much as possible in the eight episodes it had. It didn’t. The finale was at least satisfying for the most part. It scores a 6 out of 10. Recaps of Rivals can be found here.

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