'Rivals' Season 2 Review: The Hulu Series Is A Frothy Escape

Key Points:

• The second season of Hulu's British drama "Rivals" continues the story of two Cotswolds-based broadcasting companies, Corinium and Ventura, competing for a commercial contract amid a backdrop of romantic entanglements and corporate intrigue.
• Central characters include Taggie, devastated by Rupert Campbell-Black’s sudden disappearance, and the scheming Lord Tony Baddingham, who survives a violent attack and seeks revenge while juggling complex personal relationships.
• The show blends 1980s social commentary with Jilly Cooper’s "Rutshire Chronicles," exploring themes of love’s fragility and the chaotic nature of relationships, drawing parallels to Shakespeare’s "A Midsummer Night’s Dream."
• Despite a complicated and irregular release schedule, "Rivals" remains a fresh, humorous, and engaging series that highlights the struggles of love and power among flawed characters in a lush countryside setting.
• The series questions the possibility of "true love" amid the ruthless games played by men and the resilience of women tired of being collateral damage in their conflicts.