Confessions of a Streamaholic

Not only do I just binge watch shows, I become obsessed with them and Rivals is a show that since it’s first season premiere I have been hooked. So, I thought I would give you all the thoughts and feelings on the new drop of episodes!

As it’s based in the 80s it starts of strong with such a great decade of music, making the soundtrack one of my favourites, cause the 80s is just iconic so many hits. The opening title credits could be my favourite of all time, it is sensational.

It’s all just doe so cleverly the first episode of Season 2 starts with a recap of the finale and when Cameron says ‘Help me’ to Rupert the music building all the atmosphere cuts which I thought was so good. ‘Let’s Dance’ by David Bowie plays, lots of instrumental music that sound very similar to the theme song plays. It didn’t take long for it to bring in the humor and nudity but it’s Rivals, would we expect anything less, it’s what makes it the spectacle it is.

There is so many things I picked up on in this episode that sets up what they could be planning for the rest of the season. You get to see moment’s of Taggie and Basil, which I am here for cause it will make Rupert jealous before they get Rupert and Taggie together. Declan and Maud seem to be on the rocks, she kicks him out of the hotel room after she realises he didn’t actually watch her play and Pat Butcher makes an appearance before Declan runs naked down the hallway. I also want to say I’m not condoning an affair but Freddie and Lizzie with a little look, slight touch of the finger that no one else sees I am obsessed can they just get together now! Sarah Stratton is pregnant and it’s Tony’s he is as vain as ever with wanting to see his name on the end credits of a programme on the TV and Monica giving him sass I feel like she’s a silent assassin who could take him down.

So much going on and I think that along with the very careful way they write the script that has you holding onto every word, Lizzie with “Hurting my heart” or Taggie saying to Rupert “You aren’t capable of love”, it all hits you right in the feels. I was taken with the way they show the switch of the cameras to the vintage 80s vibe from the modern portrayal we watch, it’s done so seamlessly.

Tony is really out for blood this season especially after Cameron embarrasses him at the polo match so he can’t use what she done to him against her, the little zoomed in kiss to end the episode I laughed at and though it fit the styling since it is a show based in the 80s and that was a done thing back then.

We continue into episode two and no surprise more sex! We get to meet Helen, Rupert’s ex-wife, played by the incredible Hayley Atwell who is a new addition for this season, she is naturally witty and it was a great first impression.

Everything in Rivals is so vibrant and colourful considering it’s set in England, but I guess that’s the power of TV, you can make it do whatever you want. I felt really bad for Sarah in this episode Tony is trying to say she’s making a power move with saying the pregnancy is his and then to make matters worse Paul is comparing her to his ex-wife. Although, her kitchen scene was a masterpiece, cut-takes, chaos and Paul and Tony together were so awkward so I think that’s a little bit of payback for them both.

We got to see more of Rupert and Taggie in this episode he goes to help her when she is spiralling about her recipe for Sarah’s dinner party being ruined, he sounded so soft when he spoke to her which we’ve never seen from him with Cameron. Not only is Taggie great with his kids, they still have that all consuming tension. However, they were still teasing Bas and Taggie, he gives a look showing he isn’t surprised when we finds out Taggie isn’t in the kitchen like everyone thought and when Taggie is with Rupert at the resturant we see Bas looking over at her giving the idea he feels something for her cause Bas makes a comment to Rupert about them being out together with his kids.

I was really enthralled by the humor in this episode, so many quotes that had me chuckling, the first being when Rupert teased Cameron saying “Hitting with a show jumping trophy”, might have been a bit to soon to make that comment to her but as a viewer it was perfec banter. You do see a lovely side of Rupert with his kids, a lot of humor but the kids have standout moments in this episode with the unintentional teasing statements they make, Marcus starts us off with “Do you think she’ll come back” talking about Cameron when she heads to Ireland with Declan. Then after running in with Taggie who swiftly avoids coming to tea with Rupert, Tabitha says “I don’t think she likes you daddy” which is ironic cause we all know the situation.

And I’ll talk more about the episode 2 ending in my next post, cause WOW was Rupert done dirty!