Jilly’s Rivals, where we discuss the ending of episode 8 SO obviously there are SPOILERS

[TheSecondMrsCampbellBlack]

Omg

I just started watching Rivals again 🤣. I’m not even an avid fan of the books but it was such a fantastically built world!

I've started watching again too. Looking out for any bits I missed first time round.

Hamilton Terrace, Cotchester.

Just discussing with DH whether there will even be a Series 2 if it's not a success in the US. 😬

It has a very British sense of bawdy humour. The Telegraph have an article explaining things like the Birdie Sing to Americans.

It's certainly a different version of the UK in comparison with Downton or Lark Rise to Candleford (which were both on PBS I think). 😁 I suppose it is marginally closer to a more rustic sexy version of a Richard Curtis film.

I really hope it is a success there too.

Jumping on this thread as I’ve just binged the whole thing in a couple of days and a few things are irritating me, probably because I did a JC reread this summer. I always think that tv/film adaptations are never as good as a book.

Perdita - Daisy doesn’t know who her father is, and when it comes out Rupert and Taggie are married, so Declan knowing just doesn’t fit the timeline.

They haven’t done the day Rupert & Taggie spend together with his children, although since it takes place after Cameron moves in with him, I suppose it could be in a season 2. Same with Taggie’s forgotten birthday.

They didn’t include Billy and Janey Lloyd-Foxe or the Archie and Caitlin storyline.

IMO some of the characters just weren’t quite right. Book Cameron is more of a bitch, Taggie is shyer, less confident and more vulnerable, and Tony in the book is nastier.

The ending - I suppose it had to end on a cliffhanger, but I can’t figure out what I think of it.

But it was fab, the soundtrack was great and I’ll be there for season 2.

It's been a while since I read Rivals. Pretty sure the book didn't end like that. How much of the book is yet to be shown?

I am hoping that this ending means that a series 2 is guaranteed.

Loved the production of this drama - great writing, great ensemble cast and high quality filming /sets.
Special mention to Katherine Parkinson and Danny Dyer - brilliant acting

Yeah @Chariz Aiden Turner & Danny Dyer were the unexpected surprises for me, I never watched Poldark so I was never interested in him before & of course we've all see DD in awful things hamming up his wide boy credentials but he was a delight in Rivals

Nah he’s defo not dead, franchise is still very much up for grabs and we need to see that play out with Tony being the baddy and good over evil blah blah

I defo think we’re going to get a end of Rivals/Polo mash up

Rivals is one of my favourite books, and I loved the adaptation - think the casting was brilliant! I wasn't too sure about a dark-haired RCB, but I think the actor really embodied Rupert's loucheness, casual elegance and charisma. I absolutely loved the NYE episode - it brought to life one of my favourite book scenes ever so perfectly!

It feels torturous to wait for S2, which will hopefully come along - I have to say, Rupert and Taggie are my favourite part of the book and we missed out on so many scenes I love, and I hope we'll get them in S2! When he gives her Claudius, when Tabitha and Marcus come to stay, when they have breakfast together outside the Priory amongst others... I think the series did a good job of giving Taggie a bit more of an edge than she does in the books, whilst still maintaining the attraction and connection between her and Rupert.

I agree that S2 might merge Polo and Rivals timelines - but the public franchise debate only takes place around page 450 of around 700, so I think there's still lots of ground to cover in Rivals! At around the same point in the book Tony beats Cameron badly after he finds out she's sleeping with Rupert, and she thinks "he's going to kill me"... Her head is bleeding badly after he hits her, and she then flees to Rupert's, so I think they've just possibly just switched the genders in their fight. I think S2 might pick up with Cameron fleeing to Rupert at this point.

I have seen on Spotify that there is a Rivals podcast launching tomorrow, which might be good fun!

Are you meant to read Jilly Cooper books sequentially? If so what's the order?

Riders
Rivals
Polo
The Man who Made Husbands Jealous

Appasionata
Score!
Pandora
Wicked!
Jump!
Mount!
Tackle!

The first 4 are brilliant. Appassionata and Score are ok. The rest not so much and I found Tackle! unreadable.

I agree. I think wicked really put me off. The characters were too young.. made me feel uncomfortable.

I'm watching for the second time (although have rewound and rewatched some of my favourite bits as I went along) and waiting for the podcast tomorrow.
How many times are you all watching and which is your favourite episode?

Rivals is my favourite book and has been since I was about 12.

I don't think TB is dead. He can't be the plot would have to change too much (but DT keeping his options open makes sense).

I loved the adaptation, loved Lizzie and Freddy. Less keen on RCB casting.

A Polo adaptation would be great.

Maybe I'll open the copy of tackle one of my friends offloaded on me a couple of weeks ago.

@tennissquare please could you share details on the podcast TIA

@Okayornot thats exactly what I think about the books except I haven’t even bothered with Tackle. The newer books are nothing like the original 4 or the stuff she wrote previously. I love The Common Years and all the girls’ name books especially Octavia and Imogen.

@Pipsquiggle , it launched this morning on Apple, 3 episodes, I haven't listened yet! I expect it's on Spotify too.

I’ve just finished it.
Wow, was not expecting that. Agree Tony B can’t be dead though, it’s got to be a cliffhanger for a second series. (Otherwise, really, what’s the bloody point of doing this when people who haven’t read the book won’t get to know the outcome of the franchise bid!)
Plus as everyone else has said, there is still plenty to cover. Maybe 6 episodes though, rather than 8.

I don’t see how they can incorporate Polo. That needs to be a separate series IMHO. Please, please. As I bloody loved that one!

At last I can join the spoilers thread! Actually cried a bit when Freddie and Lizzie finally got it on. I have loved every single minute of it and I must rewatch the whole thing immediately.

I absolutely love Alex Hassall as RCB and I don't care that Billy isn't in it, though I always did enjoy Janey

Just finished it. Loved it. Alex Hassell as RCB is growing on me. I keep thinking that they must have known what they were doing, casting so strongly against expectations. I think his brooding dark looks give the character more depth and make us more likely to believe he's capable of redeeming himself.

Sorry if any of this has been said before. I've had this thread flagged since yesterday but haven't read it yet - will do now.

When The Rest Is Entertainment discussed Rivals, Marina Hyde said that apparently Felicity Blunt has contemplated adapting other Jilly Cooper books, especially since the locations and some characters reappear. Richard Osman called it The Rutverse. 🤣

I've not read any of the books apart from Rivals, which I haven't finished yet, so I don't know how possible that might be.

I wish the TV show had covered the whole ‘Merry Widow’ section.

Just finished it and thought it was great, fun tv. Lots of nods to the intricacies of the British Class system and its markers. Right down the Tony slipping up with the language and Valerie not being able to convincingly mask her original accent et despite her efforts.

I did think Taggie was a simpering idiot so am surprised to find posters who have read the book found her not vulnerable/delicate enough!

I thought the same about Taggie. A complete wet fish.

I felt a bit sorry for Valerie- Freddy chased Lizzie again and again and she's left at Green Lawns with her huge gladioli.