The gloriously knowing adaptation of Jilly Cooper\u2019s novel gets a tremendous second season. Its fabulous escapism is beyond earthly praise<\/p>\n
Rupert Campbell-Black is a bounder, a braggart, a scoundrel who won\u2019t play by the rules, by Jove. \u201cThe man is a loose cannon,\u201d hisses show-jumping coach Malise Gordon (Rupert Everett), as Rupert (Alex Hassell) directs his own cannon at the latest in a seemingly endless conga-line of pantingly grateful locals. By \u201chis own cannon\u201d I mean, of course, his penis. Or rather his \u201cwilly\u201d, for there is no aspect of the anatomy \u2013 or, indeed, life \u2013 that Rivals will not reduce to a cartoon while pointing and sniggering like a schoolgirl. And quite right, too. Who wants boring old reality when you could be engaging in an explosive bout of nude tennis with the MP for Chalford and Bisley (\u201cTit fault!\u201d)? Anyway, back to Rupert, who, as the aforementioned minister for sport and \u201cmost handsome man in England\u201d, is the throbbing nub of this unapologetically preposterous adaptation of the late Jilly Cooper\u2019s 80s bonkbuster.<\/p>\n
Rupert has a head for business and a body for wearing jodhpurs while shouting \u201cARE YOU READY FOR ME TO COME DOWN YOUR CHIMNEY?\u201d during sex. Men admire his ruthlessness; horses are magnetised by his reckless approach to leisurewear.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/d07f46c0a2a2bf21bedc990ca003ac7d3f4a85d4\/878_0_7000_5600\/master\/7000.jpg?width=140&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=f3ed1246ca4eccaed42bdb27dd89ca8b\" "\\"Rivals")
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