To be clear, as I write this review, I’ve only watched the first episode of part two so far. The series returned from its five-month hiatus (part one dropped in May) this week, picking off where we last left off—with heartthrob Rupert Campbell-Black (played by Alex Hassell) breaking the news to his arch-enemy Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) that his wife, Monica (Claire Rushbrook), had been killed in a car crash. (Flashing back to those final scenes in the concluding episode of part one for a minute: I was so shocked and gutted, I immediately began messaging the only other person at that London dinner party who joined me in pressuring everyone else to watch. He replied with this meme.)
But Monica’s end was a true loss. And one that, based on the beginning of part two, which picks up at her funeral, has the propensity to reset the entire series. After all, Tony—the mogul behind TV station Corinium—was already quite the villain in his efforts to block the success of rival station, Venturer. Monica’s death also comes following her discovery of the true depth of her husband’s nefarious behavior (ahem, having an affair with the wife of his nemesis is pretty low) and finally asking for what was long overdue: a divorce.
Alas, her future happiness would never come. Instead, we’re left with an angry and emboldened Lord Baddingham who, according to one of the guests at the reception following Monica’s funeral, will carry forth without “a conscience,” something his late wife was the only one to provide.
