Rivals ending explained: Is [SPOILER] really dead?

As a long-time observer of human drama and a connoisseur of soaps, I must say that this latest turn of events in Rivals has me hooked! The tension between Cameron and Tony, the passionate confession between Rupert and Taggie, and the mysterious fate of Tony – it’s all too much to bear!

*Warning: This article contains full spoilers for Rivals episode 8.*

As the Rivals finale approached, the tension mounted since the second last episode of the Disney Plus series featured a dramatic confrontation between our trio of power-hungry characters: Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant), Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell), and Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner) – all meeting at the British Television Awards.

On that very evening, Corinium received an award, but the atmosphere remained tense. Lady Monica (Claire Rushbrook) had a gut feeling that there was some connection brewing between her spouse, Cameron Cook (Nafessa Williams), and the producer – and as it turned out, she was spot on.

In fact, things got a lot more serious between the pair as Tony vowed to be all Cameron’s.

Tony effectively planted seeds of uncertainty about Venturer’s success in the minds of Rupert, Declan, and Freddie (Danny Dyer), causing them to question its potential. Amidst this internal conflict, Rupert’s ingenious idea to bring Cameron on board as a Programme Controller sets the stage for a trial of loyalty that unfolds dramatically.

The unexpected turns didn’t end when Tony proposed to Cameron; instead, she chose to join Venturer, risking the ire of the man who is deeply in love with her. Thus, as mentioned earlier, the stakes are incredibly high leading up to the finale, making it crucial to dissect the events from the last episode thoroughly.

Read on for a full explanation of the final episode of Rivals.

Rivals ending explained

Rivals ending explained: Is [SPOILER] really dead?

Today, after countless door-knocks and assembling their core team, Venturer finally reaches the anticipated moment: an important confrontation with Corinium Television.

As a fervent supporter, I find myself eagerly anticipating the upcoming public meeting where both Venturer and Corinium will face off. This event will determine if Venturer has a chance to challenge Lord Tony’s current control over Central South West in the bid for the coveted franchise.

But before it gets going, Tony is full of suspicion as he underlines once again that if he finds out anyone in Corinium has been working for Venturer, they will never have a job in the TV industry again. Tony fires Seb (Milo Callaghan) publicly and then directs his line of questioning to Cameron, who he quizzes about spending time with Declan’s son Patrick (Gabriel Tierney).

On both sides, they find ways to allay their doubts temporarily, as they ready themselves to present their respective cases. In the Corinium camp, there’s a new addition to the talkshow team: Lizzie, played by Katherine Parkinson. As she makes her way to meet her husband in his dressing room, she unexpectedly overhears him engaging in an intimate moment with Sarah Stratton, portrayed by Emily Atack.

As a cinephile, I found myself flustered before the debate, opting not to address the issue head-on just yet. Maintaining my composure was key, as both sides readied themselves to deploy their most provocative arguments, hoping to win over the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) and the audience, whether in the room or at home.

Speeches and remarks about the opposing side are given, along with announcements. Among these announcements is Tony’s decision to launch a scandalous gossip show, which will be led by Sarah and Beattie Johnson, as portrayed by Annabel Scholey. This announcement catches both Sarah and Cameron off guard since neither were aware of Tony’s new project plans.

It’s enough to make Cameron suspicious and although the live TV show debate doesn’t end well for Corinium, her fears surround Tony knowing about her work with Venturer. She talks to Rupert about it, not quite knowing whether Tony may know something or not. But quelling her worries, Rupert says that no matter what happens with Corinium vs Venturer, he will “look after” her no matter what.

In his office, trying to heal from recent events, things take a turn for the worse in Tony’s personal life as Lady Monica drops by. Having observed Tony with Cameron during the BTA’s on TV, Monica doesn’t openly accuse Tony of infidelity but instead subtly reminds him of her unwavering loyalty.

She explains that even her “stoicism has a limit”, telling Tony to “be careful” and that he is to come home that evening so they can talk otherwise she will take the children and leave.

Meanwhile, Sarah is experiencing a emotional collapse in the office restrooms, and her husband Paul (Rufus Jones) requests Lizzie to step in and offer assistance. Despite knowing that Sarah has been unfaithful with her husband, Lizzie enters and consoles her, as they discuss the influence men have in their respective spheres of life.

Something strikes a chord in Lizzie who dashes off after the conversation, but it’s also worth noting that when Lizzie entered the toilets, Sarah was throwing up – clearly suffering from morning sickness after finding out she was pregnant that same morning.

Could the TV presenter actually be pregnant with James’s (Oliver Chris) child?

The Venturer group head back to Declan’s residence to celebrate and anticipate the bid outcome, but it becomes clear that Maud (Victoria Smurfit) isn’t relishing the occasion and hasn’t managed to capture her husband’s focus. As she readies herself to depart for London, she confides in Declan about her feelings, expressing that she’s postponed her aspirations of performing on stage for too long.

Although both Taggie and Declan don’t wish for her to depart, her choice becomes finalized when, on the verge of bidding farewell, Declan gets a critical call from the IBA, prompting him to answer it instead.

Stepping outside her home, Maud is greeted by a series of triumphant roars, which indicates that Venturer has finally secured their franchise bid.

What happens between Lizzie and Freddie?

Rivals ending explained: Is [SPOILER] really dead?

Previously, during the afterparty, Valerie (Lisa McGrillis) expressed her intention to depart, mentioning that she was taking the children home. However, prior to leaving, she unexpectedly displayed affection towards her husband and expressed her pride in him for his achievements on Venturer.

With the atmosphere buzzing, the party begins, and upon learning that James is involved with Sarah, Lizzie walks up to Freddie with newfound resolve.

Lizzie and Freddie stroll around O’Hara’s estate, eventually sharing a long-delayed kiss. After some time apart, they move to a private space for an intimate moment, marking the start of their relationship which Lizzie had previously hesitated about but now reconsiders her feelings towards.

Simultaneously, Charles (Gary Lamont) communicates to Gerald (Hubert Breton) that he desires them to become friends. However, Gerald mentions he’s found a woman he wishes to marry for the sake of his political advancement. He suggests to Charles they can carry on their clandestine relationship as he can’t do without him, which Charles appears pleased with.

What happens between Lord Tony and Cameron?

Following Rupert’s invitation to the Venturer gathering, Cameron was moments away from exiting the Corinium offices when she was suddenly halted by Tony. In the dimness, he had been waiting for her and requested that she join him in his office.

However, there, he confronts her about her relationship with Rupert. Despite Tony suspecting the truth, Cameron dismisses it as merely an attempt to gather information from a rival. Yet, Tony remains unconvinced. He then begs her, revealing his intention to bring in a lawyer the next day to finalize his divorce from Monica, enabling him and Cameron to be together.

However, he’ll act upon it only if Cameron clearly declares that Rupert will never be allowed to touch her again, in a somewhat childish tone, “Grant me this instance, please.

I stand firm, and it throws Tony into a whirlwind of frustration, where he warns me that my dismissal could potentially endanger my work visa status.

Despite being taken aback, Cameron remains calm and reveals that she plans to marry Rupert to stay in the country, which causes Tony’s downfall as he responds by slapping Cameron. The two engage in a physical altercation, and when Tony advances towards Cameron, she grabs the closest object – a heavy Spanish TV award – and strikes Tony on the head instead.

What happens between Rupert and Taggie?

At the gathering, Taggie appeared resolute on approaching Rupert about a certain matter. Noticing his exit towards the kitchen, Taggie followed suit to engage in conversation with him. However, Rupert seemed inclined to depart.

As he leaves, he notes that Seb (Milo Callaghan) appears to be a suitable fit for Taggie. However, Taggie merely replies that Seb isn’t Rupert. This catchphrase leaves him puzzled. Moments later, he re-enters the kitchen and wraps his arms around Taggie. He confesses that just as Cameron isn’t Taggie, he too is bound by the franchise. He then confesses to Taggie that he can hardly live without her.

Ultimately giving in to their affection, Rupert and Taggie share a kiss. However, this moment raises questions about the future of both their personal connections and Rupert’s professional alliance with Taggie’s father, Declan.

Is Tony really dead?

Following a heavy blow to the head with an apparent trophy, Tony collapses lifelessly in his office, with a growing puddle of blood at his head. Stunned and unsure of his actions, Cameron remains frozen as we witness Tony’s final, trembling breaths.

As I sat down to pen my thoughts about this captivating film, snippets of Tony’s earlier speeches echoed softly around me from the multiple screens scattered throughout the room. A chilling soundtrack to the poignant moment that unfolded before my eyes as Tony, with a heavy sigh, took his final breath and closed his eyes.

It’s uncertain if Tony is truly deceased, but based on the brief final view, it seems plausible. Yet, there’s still a chance Cameron might react quickly to call for help, or perhaps Tony could be unharmed and use this violent event as leverage against his ex-lover.

Either way, it’s certainly a corker of a cliffhanger to leave Rivals on!

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that the highly-anticipated film “Rivals” will be streaming exclusively on Disney Plus starting 18th October 2024! To ensure you don’t miss out on this cinematic experience, consider subscribing to Disney Plus today. You can choose from a monthly fee of just £4.99 or opt for an annual subscription at £79.90 – the choice is yours!

2024-10-18 18:38

Rivals ending explained

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