Minor spoilers for Rivals season two episode two ahead.
Rivals season two has arrived with plenty of fanfare as viewers sink their teeth into the first three episodes of the hit 80s bonkbuster adaptation.
The raunchy Disney Plus ensemble series, based on the late Dame Jilly Cooper’s bestselling series, is back after two years with its standout ensemble cast, including stars like Aidan Turner, David Tennant, Emily Atack, Alex Hassell, Danny Dyer and Katherine Parkinson.
In season two, the power-hungry Lord Tony Baddingham (David) has waged full-on war with former TV host Declan O’Hara (Aidan) as they fight for the upper hand with their television enterprises.
Our cast of supporting characters has been torn apart in the heated rivalry with the charismatic Rupert (Alex) teaming up with Declan while trying to control his feelings for his daughter, Taggie (Bella Maclean), who, in turn, is trying to keep her budding catering career afloat.
Meanwhile, presenter Sarah (Emily), her husband Paul (Rudus Jones), co-star James (Oliver Chris) and his wife Lizzie (Katherine) are all team Tony – while attempting to navigate their own complicated rhombus of affairs (with Danny Dyer thrown in for good measure).
And… breathe.
All this to say that by the time we get to season two, episode two, the dynamics are messy and the dinner parties are even messier.
While hosting her own do, in a desperate moment, Sarah secretly hires Taggie to cater the party, which leads to absolute mayhem, which all plays out in an immaculate 10-minute one-shot scene.
When Rupert sneaks over to get Taggie out of a beef bind, and the various other main players pop in and out of the kitchen – people are being shoved into cupboards left, right and centre.
There’s an accidental pregnancy reveal, a banged-up nose, a pretend trip to the toilet and some wince-inducing moments in the wine closet – not to mention a closer-than-close call when Tony almost uncovers the whole sorry situation.
Pulled together with pitch-perfect comedic timing and layers of tension that leave you on the edge of your seat, fans simply can’t get over how wild the entire sequence is.
‘Season 2 Episode 2 has one of the most impressive sequences yet, with an incredible Emily Atack as Sarah Stratton at its core,’ Shelby Elpers wrote on X.
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‘The dinner scene in episode 2 was everything,’ Aams declared.
‘I actually love how morally grey Sarah Stratton is but that doesn’t stop me loving how chaotic she is and genuinely wishing her the best,’ coolcatdizi shared.
‘The first three episodes of Rivals series 2 are incredible!!! Emily Attack doing her best work during the episode 2 dinner party kitchen scene,’ Charlotte echoed.
‘Episode 2 dinner party scene is peak comedy,’ Marriverse agreed.
‘Episode 2 was just hilarious television that dinner scene could’ve been a whole episode I would’ve watched an hour of Taggie/Rupert/Sarah trying to keep their secret,’ Vic reflected.
‘Sarah’s dinner party scene was absolutely insaneeeeee and the fact that it was shot in one take, now this is what you call REAL TELEVISION,’ ririndrama declared.
What does Metro think of Rivals season 2?
Metro’s Senior TV Reporter Rebecca Cook shares her four-star review…
The House of Mouse coin has been well spent. Rivals looks and feels fabulously retro. The soundtrack touts the earworms of Sade, David Bowie and Shocking Blue. The wardrobe, buffeted hair and certain set designs look purposefully tacky.
Rivals has somehow bucked the TV trend in recent years towards fewer sex scenes and ‘eat the rich’ antics. These toffs can’t get enough of each other. Nor us them.
(Picture: Disney Plus)
The show’s comeback has proved to be an unmitigated success, with fans bingeing the first chunk of episodes and critics securing it s 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
‘To say there is a lot going on here would be an understatement. Yet, Rivals manages to be a grandiose display of brilliant soapy drama,’ Variety wrote.
‘That’s what makes Rivals such a rare treat in today’s television landscape. It is well-written and well-acted, but it aspires to nothing more than being fun,’ The Independent said.
‘Rivals walks this tonal tightrope in a flammable fuchsia tutu. Which is to say, perfectly,’ The Guardian praised.
If you have yet to watch the new season, then this is your sign to cancel your Saturday night plans and experience the dinner party scene in all its glory – as well as the other juicy plotlines simmering away.
Episodes will come out every Friday between now and June 5 with the promise of six more to round out the season before the end of the year.
Rivals season two, episodes one, two and three are available to stream on Disney Plus now.
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