Rivals season 2 episode 6 has the worst cliffhanger ending of any TV show
this decade and it proves why streamers like Hulu and Disney+ are doing so badly by its LGBTQIA+ characters

Date:
Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Description:
Rivals season 2 episode 6 has ended its mid-season break with a shock death that absolutely nobody saw coming but not only was it completely
unnecessary, it's lazy storytelling.

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 Spoilers for Rivals season 2 episode 6 ahead. Readers, I'll level with you: after watching Rivals season 2 more doggedly than Rupert's (Alex Hassell) fixation on a new woman,
I feel like an absolute mug.

If you've been reading my weekly coverage of the new Hulu and Disney+ series up until now, you'll know how much I've been championing Monica's (Claire Rushbrook) personal development. In season 1, she was downtrodden, meek and sidelined at every opportunity, while Tony's (David Tennant) repugnant behavior meant her pet dogs were in her bed more often than her own husband. Latest Videos From Watch full video here:

By season 2 episode 5 , 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 (Aiden Turner) and Rupert's rival TV company Venturer, and is prepared to go rogue to make this into a reality.

In season 2 episode 6, this has changed yet again. Finding out about Tony's affair with Maud (Victoria Smurfitt), she not only threatens to tell Declan the truth, but she claims she wants a divorce. Driving off in a storm to get her revenge, she's killed by a falling tree before she gets to the O'Hara house. You may like Rivals season 2 episode 4 just hinted at a future lesbian romance on Hulu and Disney+ series Rivals season 2 episode 5 confirms one dream relationship needs to come true Rivals season 2 review: less sex, more stress in Hulu and Disney+ show's return

It's a tragedy, and one that Tony is clearly bereft about. But while you
might think that Monica is a lost cause who has to pass in order for the storyline to move forward, I'm seething at the decision for a very different reason. Rivals season 2 episode 6 killing Monica before she could explore her feelings for Enid is shameful (Image credit: Hulu/Disney) As episode 4 explored, a romantic tension has been simmering under the surface between Monica and Enid (Selina Griffiths). Enid has been laying the groundwork for her attraction carefully, subtly flirting with memories of Monica's school performance o f A Midsummer Night's Dream and getting a signed photograph of her favorite German athlete. 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.

The sense of longing between the two was stronger, and over the last three episodes of Rivals season 2, Monica was growing more confidently into her feelings. The divorce only proves this further, meaning she would have had
the agency to explore what was there, and whether that felt right for her.

But of course two women who are attracted to one another can never be
together in TV world! It's a tale as old as time, seen in The 100 to Buffy
the Vampire Slayer and Killing Eve . This is known as "Bury your gays," in which a TV show will kill off an LGBTQIA+ character and prohibits their love story from fully being explored.

When it comes to queer women in particular, death or a man usually prevents a romantic connection from happening, which makes shows such as Gentleman Jack or Feel Good , where this doesn't happen, so rare. Rivals has fallen straight into an incredibly dated trap, and for such a sex-positive show, it's beyond disappointing. What to read next Rivals season 2 episode 6 release date and time on Hulu and Disney+ Rivals season 2 creators reveal Jilly Cooper script notes just days before death Rivals season 2 first half will end with unexpected plot twist before disappointing delay

When I think of Jilly Cooper, I think of a "bonking for everybody" policy.
She didn't discriminate when it came to who felt the full force of physical passion in her books (obviously, that's why there are so many affairs), and she also never killed off Monica either.

Cooper apparently gave her approval on all 12 Rivals season 2 episode
scripts, but I'm yet to understand the benefits of episode 6's shock ending. Nobody will care if Enid, hidden in the ensemble, will pursue another woman
in time, closing the doors to fleshed-out representation.

But hey, at least we got to enjoy some stolen looks while everybody else is falling in love and having lots of sex, 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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