- In a three-star review for The Independent , TV critic Nick Hilton argued that the show has developed a “Taggie problem”, devoting too much attention to the will-they-won’t-they romance between Taggie and Rupert despite a lack of tension.
- Similarly, The Telegraph ’s Anita Singh criticised a suggested romance between Taggie and another character when “all Rivals fans want is for Taggie and Rupert to get together”. However, she awarded the series’ second part four stars.
- The Standard ’s Martin Robinson awarded a rave five-star review, saying the “latest episodes bring this bonkbuster right back into peerless territory.”
- Lucy Mangan awarded four stars in her review for The Guardian , but echoed other critics in arguing that Rupert “has been neutered by his love for Taggie”, which “changes the vibe” of the series.
- In a five-star review, The Times’ s Carol Midgley teased that “so much happens in these new episodes — so many secrets are spilled — that I don’t have space to talk about them.”
IN FULL
