Rivals: A millennial and Gen Xer both review Jilly Cooper's 80s 'bonkbuster' and compare notes
The Disney+ adaptation of Jilly Cooper's novel Rivals, part of her popular Rutshire Chronicles series, is set to premiere on the streaming service on October 18.
Thirty-six years after its initial publication in 1988, the eight-part series has become one of the year's most eagerly awaited television events. This excitement is heightened by the fact that Dame Jilly Cooper herself is thrilled with the news that Disney+ is creating a show based on her book. She expressed her joy at the announcement and praised the casting as "flawless."
In the imaginary town of Rutshire, located in the heart of the Cotswolds, we meet Tony Baddingham (played by David Tennant), the head of Corinium Television. Alongside him are Rupert Campbell-Black (portrayed by Alex Hassell), a former Olympic showjumper who has transitioned into a Conservative Member of Parliament, and Declan O’Hara (played by Aidan Turner), a charming television journalist who has recently made the switch from the BBC to Corinium.
The narrative focuses on three feuding men, their love interests, and the turmoil that surrounds the ambitious social elite in 1980s England.
Filled with enthusiasm for the series, two writers from GH, hailing from different eras—one having read the book upon its original release and the other not even born for another seven years—came together to watch the premiere episode and share their thoughts.
"Georgia Green Explores Rivals With Fresh Eyes"
It Redefines The 'Bonkbuster' Genre
Even though I haven't read Jilly Cooper's famous Rutshire Chronicles, I know about the series and its notorious reputation for being quite steamy. However, I was curious about just how adventurous the content was back in the 80s. After watching the trailer for Rivals, I thought the show might have downplayed the more risqué elements of the book, focusing more on the dramatic aspects instead. But I was completely mistaken.
The drama, humor, and cleverness are definitely present. Just eight seconds in, we find Alex Hassel’s Rupert Campbell-Black and his latest girlfriend, tabloid reporter Beattie Johnson (played by Annabel Scholey), sharing a moment in the bathroom of a Concorde jet.
Who's Marrying Whom? It's Confusing!
A book may have countless pages to familiarize readers with its characters, but a TV show only has about 50 minutes to accomplish the same task while also advancing the storyline. With a big cast of characters, I found it challenging to keep track of who was involved with whom in the first episode. This confusion largely stems from the fact that the characters often aren't sleeping next to their spouses. In fact, I quickly discover that that's quite uncommon in Rutshire; if two people are in bed together (or casually playing tennis in the nude), there's a good chance they're not married.
Smartphones Have Transformed Our Lives
At one point, a whole group of guests at the lawn party gets tipsy and starts dancing to The Birdie Song. This brings two thoughts to mind. First, I remember the stories my parents share about how they did The Birdie Song dance right in the middle of their wedding breakfast—was the song really that popular back in the 80s? Second, it strikes me that people used to be much bolder in letting loose and having a good time since they didn’t have to worry about anyone recording the moment on their phones and posting it online.
Was 80s Fashion Really That Questionable?
In the 80s, men stuck to brown tones while women went all out with bright, fluorescent colors that were almost blinding. That's the impression I got from the first episode of *Rivals*. While many period dramas tend to romanticize the fashion of their respective eras, I appreciate how *Rivals* boldly embraces the more questionable styles from that decade. Of course, there are some standout pieces as well—I'm particularly fond of Taggie’s bomber jacket, worn by Bella Maclean as Declan O’Hara’s daughter.
I have to say, the Rivals perspective really makes the 80s seem like an incredibly fun era. However, right from the first episode, it's clear that sexism and racism are going to play significant roles in this narrative. While I would love to revisit a time when we weren't constantly attached to our phones (and I do think the music was often better, except for The Birdie Song), I'm not eager to relive a time when overt sexism and racism were just accepted parts of life.
Gen X Sarah Maber Reflects On Rivals Series
Everyone Is Having A Blast!
In the 1980s, society had a lot of sexist attitudes. Men would go out hunting, they used offensive language, and they flaunted their wealth with extravagant shoulder pads. I can’t say for certain that everyone was having wild affairs at that time—I was only 18 when "Rivals" was released—but it would be nice to think so! I have vivid memories of sitting in my room, engrossed in the Rutshire Chronicles series and getting swept away by the rugged Declan O'Hara and the charming journalist Janey Lloyd Fox, who loved her gin, cigarettes, and often missed her work deadlines. In Jilly Cooper's world, everyone seemed to have a blast, making growing up feel exciting, too. Disney+'s adaptation of "Rivals" captures that spirit and more, and I’m not surprised it's endorsed by Jilly Cooper herself.
The Casting Is Nearly Flawless
Jilly Cooper's characters are so vividly portrayed that anyone who picked up her book in the 80s has a distinct image of Rupert C-B, Tony Baddingham, Cameron Cook, Declan O'Hara, and the others. Lizzie Vereker, who is unhappily married, and the self-made millionaire Freddie Jones are spot on in their descriptions; the same goes for Maud O'Hara and Caitlin. However, I envision my Declan as being more rugged than Aidan Turner, my Tony Baddingham as more commanding than David Tennant, and my Rupert C-B as definitely having blonde hair and blue eyes (even though the dark-haired, dark-eyed Alex Hassell who plays him truly captures the character's charisma).
Get Ready For The Fun Ride!
From Rupert Campbell-Black engaging in an intimate encounter in a bathroom on a Concorde flight to Maud and Declan O'Hara having a dramatic fallout that leads to them tearing each other's clothes off, the sexual content meets all of my expectations. Fans of the series will be glad to see that the scene featuring nude tennis is portrayed accurately, with Taggie O'Hara looking on in embarrassment. A word of caution: don't try to watch this with your teenage kids thinking it would be a nice bonding moment; they’ll definitely resent you for it.
And there’s smoke all over the place while we're at it! Everything in Rivals is cranked up to the max, just as it should be – the drinks, the cigars, the romance, the style, the hairdos, the dramatic moments, the wealth, the sneaky schemes, and what looks like real hedgerows full of blackberries (probably). I’d forgotten how perpetually inebriated everyone seems in the Jilly-verse, but I really enjoyed the scene where Lizzie Vereker drops by to see her new neighbors, Maud and Declan O'Hara. Maud fills tea cups with champagne during lunch and declares, "let’s get smashed."
Perfect Soundtrack For The Moment
From the earlier Concorde moment set to Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love," to Caitlin and Taggie O'Hara showcasing their skills with Wham's "Wham Rap (Enjoy What You Do?)" playing in the background, this is a genuine homage to the music of the 80s. Keep an ear out for Paul Simon, The Bangles, the Eurythmics, and even "The Birdie Song," which guests joyfully danced to at Lord Tony Baddingham’s garden party. It'll transport you back in time...
Rivals will debut on October 18, available only on Disney+.
