Rivals season 2 episode 5 confirms who is running rings around the rest in
the hit Hulu and Disney+ show and why their scandalous dream relationship needs to come true

Date:
Fri, 29 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Description:
With one episode to go until the mid-season break, Rivals season 2 episode 5 is getting back on track after some serious shakeups with one character rising well above the rest.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Disclaimer Mild spoilers for Rivals season 2 episode 5 ahead Rivals season 2 episode 5 is now streaming on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (international), and I fear that I'm the only fan who found it underwhelming.

Still, the "quiet before the storm" effect is exactly what I should expect from a penultimate episode, with the hit series going on a temporary hiatus after next week's episode 6. But for most of episode 5, things felt like more of the same. Maud (Victoria Smurfitt) is still making incredibly bad
decisions by choosing to have an affair with Corinium TV executive Tony
(David Tennant), while wholesome lovebirds Lizzie (Katherine Parkinson) and Freddie (Danny Dyer) have never felt more distant from each other. Latest Videos From You may like Rivals season 2 episode 5 release date and time on Hulu and Disney+ Rivals season 2 episode 4 just hinted at a future lesbian romance on Hulu and Disney+ series Rivals season 2 review: less sex, more stress in Hulu and Disney+ show's return

Surprisingly, it's Rupert (Alex Hassell) who's the most well-behaved, determined to climb back on his reputational horse after Tony's takedown on live TV in episode 3. Then there's Declan (Aiden Turner), who appears to have eyes for Cameron (Nafessa Williams)... despite the fact that she's been
dating Rupert.

But none of these characters I've mentioned are the one I think has had the strongest character journey so far. And if I had to put money on it, I think said individual will be the polar opposite of who they are now when season 2 part 2 finishes airing. Rivals season 2 episode 5 proves that Monica is the strongest character in the entire series Rivals Season 2 | Official Trailer | Hulu - YouTube Watch On Frankly, Claire Rushbrook's back must be hurting from carrying the entirety of Rivals season 2 in her role as Tony's long-suffering wife, Monica. In season 1, she was downtrodden, meek and sidelined at every opportunity, while Tony's repugnant behavior meant her pet dogs were in her bed more often than her own husband.

Five episodes into season 2, however, and she's a changed woman. She has
stood up to Tony to try and regain control in their marriage, leveraging his adultery in an attempt to gain the upper hand. She's hellbent on Tony remaining successful against Declan and Rupert's rival TV company Venturer, and is prepared to go rogue to make this into a reality. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

This doesn't mean that her fears and insecurities have gone away, though. Episode 5 sees Tony drag Monica onto a Corinium daytime TV show to prove to the public that their marriage is a picture of health, insisting that she is given a makeover that makes her look incredibly uncomfortable. But this only allows for Enid (Selina Griffiths) to once again swoop in and save the day.

If you were paying close attention, episode 4 suggested that Monica and Enid could eventually have a romantic connection , and episode 5 only solidified this theory. After the interview, Enid comforts Monica with a signed photo of her favorite German athlete. When Monica's daughters suggests Enid is a
"funny fish," Monica responds, "That's incredibly unkind. People might say that I'm a funny fish, too."

If that isn't thinly-veiled subtext for "we both find women attractive but that isn't public knowledge," I don't know what is. My hope for episode 6 and beyond is that Enid's interest allows Monica to re-find the self-confidence she had in the series 2 premiere, and eventually dump Tony to live authentically. A girl can dream, right? Today's best Hulu deals Get first month free Hulu - Monthly (with Ads) $7.99 $9.99 /mth View at Hulu Get First Month Free Hulu (No Ads) $18.99 /mth View at Hulu Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/streaming/hulu/rivals-season-2-episode-5-confirms-wh o-is-running-rings-around-the-rest-in-the-hit-hulu-and-disney-show-and-why-the ir-scandalous-dream-relationship-needs-to-come-true


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