Hulu’s Rivals returns for season 2 part 2, picking up immediately after part 1’s finale in which Tony Baddingham’s wife, Monica, dies. Coverage focuses on what follows for the characters as the series moves through episodes 7 to 9, framing Monica’s death as a turning point that reshapes relationships, alliances, and personal decisions.
Several outlets also address controversy about the adaptation’s change from Dame Jilly Cooper’s 1988 novel. In the books, Monica reportedly leaves Tony and later finds love with a woman; the show instead kills her off, prompting backlash from some viewers who raised concerns about representation and narrative choices. Cast members respond that the shift creates new plot opportunities, particularly for women characters, while still acknowledging the emotional impact.
Reviewing the new stretch, The Guardian describes the material as more than a “romp,” pointing to funeral and character moments that mix lustful comedy with “real poignancy.” The emphasis across outlets varies from spoiler-filled breakdowns and audience debate to a broader critical assessment of how the story’s grief and scandal play out.
