Episode 5 of Rivals Season 1 kicks off with an intriguing chase as Taggie relentlessly tracks Rupert during his dawn horseback ride. Rupert, adhering to his promise to Declan, greets her with frosty indifference, a demeanor that doesn't escape Bs's keen eye, who promptly pokes fun at Rupert's hidden feelings for Taggie. This unexpected chill sends shockwaves through Taggie's heart.
Meanwhile, the media buzzes with excitement over Thatcher's impending appearance on Declan's show, sparking debates about the soaring heights of Declan's stardom and whether he has truly become the kingpin of television. Tony's resentment deepens as he reads glowing reviews of Declan's program, fueling his fiery jealousy.
Elsewhere, James and Sarah embark on an interview with Edna, a revered contemporary composer whose distaste for James is palpable. Amidst this tension, Daysee's innovative ideas begin to garner attention, stealing the spotlight. Declan, updating Cameron on his encounter with Thatcher, expresses confidence that their collaboration is progressing smoothly, anticipating a no-holds-barred interview. However, Thatcher's office intervenes with a list of sanctioned questions, inciting Declan's fury. He refuses to play by their rules, igniting another fiery confrontation with Tony. Tony, armed with Declan's tax troubles and damning photos of Maud's affair, calls his bluff, offering James the interview reins. Defeated and furious, Declan threatens to quit but is held hostage by Tony's dirty secrets. Tony, triumphant, assigns Declan to judge a beauty pageant on Friday, a bitter consolation prize.
As Declan retreats to drown his sorrows in alcohol, James celebrates his own stroke of luck with Sarah in the bedroom. He then enlists Lizzie's help to prepare for the high-stakes interview, surprised by her impressive mimicry skills. When Lizzie attempts to liven things up, James politely declines, maintaining professionalism.
The following day, Lizzie's agent falls head over heels for her latest work, igniting her creative spark. On her way back, a chance encounter with Freddie on the train blossoms into a fleeting moment of intimacy, as they hide to avoid an upcharge for first-class, their lips almost meeting. Alas, Lizzie realizes she's left her chapters behind, prompting Freddie to chase after the departing train, his chivalry shining brightly in the midst of chaos.
At the bustling Corinium, Tony endeavors to lift Cameron's spirits, extending an alluring invitation to accompany her on a trip to Spain, where they'd grace an esteemed award ceremony. One of their prized spectacles has garnered a prestigious nomination, and Tony dreams of transforming the occasion into a celebration extraordinaire, blending work with pleasure. Cameron's agreement is swift and enthusiastic.
Days fly by, culminating in a visit from the Prime Minister herself, her arrival met with electric excitement backstage while Declan, confined to his domicile, guzzles alcohol relentlessly. Maud, witnessing her husband's gradual demise, resorts to calling her former flame, beseeching a rendezvous. Likewise, Taggie's heart aches for her father's wellbeing, confiding in Rupert upon his casual visit, seeking answers to their shared anxieties. United in purpose, they assist Rupert in quenching his alcoholic thirst, hoping for a fresh start. Taggie, filled with earnestness, enlists Rupert's aid in redirecting her father's path, which he solemnly vows to embark on dawn's early light, albeit briefly.
Within the cozy confines of the Jones abode, Freddie's pulse races as he reads Lizzie's alluring prose, sparking an unexpected ardor. Yet, his advances are met with gentle rebuff from his wife, propelling him towards Lizzie's doorstep. Returning her work with a tinge of awkwardness, he proposes a covert meeting, a desire echoed by Lizzie who, though drawn to him, is bound by her vows. Freddie, a man of understanding, accepts her limits, his praise for her literary prowess echoing as he departs.
Dawn breaks with Rupert offering Caitlin a warm lift home, their encounter coinciding with his intention to savor lunch with Declan. Separately, Mud treads towards her ex, pleading for a favor. But first, Rupert escorts a somber Declan to a meeting, their goal to acquire a majestic steed. Yet, Freddie, a formidable opponent, emerges victorious in the bidding war. Over lunch, the trio forges an unlikely bond, their mutual disdain for Tony the unexpected catalyst. Declan, ensconced in alcoholic bliss, forgets his obligations as a beauty contest judge, a regrettable oversight amid the chaos of the day.
In the midst of the beauty contest's preparations, chaos ensues as one of the esteemed judges, Reverend Penny, arrives tardily. Daysee, ever the helpful soul, volunteers to fetch him, little knowing the sinister turn her kindness would take. Tragically, the reverend betrays her trust, perpetrating a heinous act of rape upon her.
Tony, initially fuming with righteous indignation, hesitates when he learns of the perpetrator's identity—a reverend and a prominent member of the IBA board. His secretary, canny in her ways, convinces Daysee to silence her trauma, weaving it into a strategy to exact her desires from the company's grasp. Yet, in a twist of fate, she inadvertently spills the beans to Declan, who arrives unsteadily, fueled by alcohol, to fulfill his judging duties.
As the contest unfolds live on television, Declan's disgust for Reverend Penny's hypocritical rhetoric, cloaked in the guise of moral uprightness, boils over. Unable to contain his anger any longer, he unleashes a visceral assault, knocking the reverend unconscious in a shocking display captured by millions. Following the dust-up, Declan confronts Tony, unleashing a tirade before quitting on the spot, leaving Tony's office in shambles.
Daysee's dreams of using the incident to her advantage shatter as she watches Declan's impulsive act ruin her plans. Amidst her disappointment, Declan offers a heartfelt apology before disappearing into the night. Tony, in a desperate attempt to salvage the situation, grovels to Reverend Penny, vowing vengeance against Declan. Little does he know, the incriminating photos of Maud have already slipped through his fingers, finding their way into Declan's possession.
Devastated and directionless, Declan seeks solace in alcohol, only to wake up in a drunken stupor, surrounded by the vast fields of his countryside home. Maud, her own tale of rejection woven with sorrow, reveals her failed audition attempt, the doors of opportunity slamming shut due to her age.
Elsewhere, Taggie confronts Rupert, lashing out at him for fueling her father's alcoholism and lamenting the prospect of leaving a place she's grown to love. Cameron, ever the schemer, floats an idea to tarnish Declan's reputation, painting him as a troubled soul consumed by alcohol and rage. Tony, capitalizing on the opportunity, stages a press conference, transforming Declan into a public villain.
The episode culminates with an unexpected visit from Freddie and Rupert, who propose a bold venture—launching their own production company, with Declan at the helm. But Declan, his spirit unbroken, rejects their offer, outlining an even grander scheme: to take over the franchise and drive Tony out of town, sealing his fate in a mother of all takeovers.
