Rivals: The haunting significance of Monica's final words, what song she was singing before her death, and her love for Enid
Episode 7 was another heartbreaker
Rivals series 2 returned this week, dropping the latest three episodes of part 2 – and viewers were left heartbroken by Monica’s final words, and the song that spoke of her love for Dame Enid.
On Wednesday (November 11), Disney+ dropped three new episodes of Rivals. Episode 7, 8 and 9 of series 2 part 2 kicked off with Monica’s funeral. And it was as heartbreaking and dramatic as you’d expect.
Episode 7 also delivered another brutal blow as viewers saw the exact moment Monica died, and her final words – and haunting song – to friend Rupert Campbell-Black who found her dying body.
Monica died at the end of Rivals episode 6, after driving out into a storm after finding out about her husband Tony’s affair with Maud O’Hara. And, in the following episode (five months later!), viewers saw the moment Monica died in upsetting flashbacks.
But did you notice the song Monica sung just seconds before she died? And did you understand the significance of it? Here’s everything you need to know Monica’s final words, the song she sung, and how they relate to Dame Enid Spink…
***Warning: spoilers from Rivals series 2 episode 7 ahead***
What song did Monica sing before she died?
In Rivals series 2 episode 7, Monica lay dying in her car after a car crash left her trapped under a tree. After a gut-wrenching heart to heart with Rupert, Monica – who clearly knew she was dying – began to softly sing the song I Whistle a Happy Tune.
Viewers might also have noticed that it was the song Rupert was listening to at the beginning of the episode. The song I Whistle a Happy Tune was sung by Deborah Kerr in the 1956 film The King and I.
The lyrics, as sung by Monica in the car, say: “Whenever I feel afraid, I hold my head erect, and whistle a happy tune. So no one will suspect I’m afraid, while shivering in my shoes, I strike a careless pose, and whistle a happy tune.”
In the film, Anna teaches her nervous son Louis a helpful way to shake off his worries – which she herself secretly feels. As their ship approaches Bangkok, she teaches him the song I Whistle a Happy Tune.
The song represents courage and psychological self-deception, illustrating how acting confident can eventually overcome real fear.
The significance of The King and I’s I Whistle a Happy Tune to Monica and Enid in Rivals
Earlier in the episode, viewers had learnt the significance of The King and I to Monica and her school friends.
During her wake, Dame Enid Spink revealed that The King and I was their fifth form play. Monica had played the main character of Anna, while Enid had played the King. Of course, they attended an all girls school, so there were no boys to take the male leads.
As Enid reminisced about their time in school, and their parts in the play, she admitted she “loved Monica”. And anyone who has been paying attention will know she did not just mean platonically.
Fans of the show will know that Charles and Gerald are secret gay lovers in Rivals. But readers of the Jilly Cooper books will know that Monica and Enid were also in a sexual relationship.
Was Monica in love with Dame Enid Spink in Rivals?
In the Jilly Cooper books, Monica Baddingham did not die.
She continued to quietly endure her husband Tony’s emotional neglect and constant infidelity. The character appeared in later entries of the Rutshire Chronicles series. She eventually found happiness with Dame Enid Spink, played by Selina Griffiths in the TV series.
Although a deeper relationship with Enid is hinted at in the Disney+ series, scriptwriters changed the fate of Monica for dramatic purposes.
Without his “conscience”, Tony is now unmoored and is capable of doing anything.
What were Monica’s final words?
As well as her quietly heartbreaking song, Monica also shared some words of wisdom with her friend Rupert before she died. And they are words which will hang heavily upon him during the subsequent episodes.
After checking Maud and Declan’s daughter Caitlin was alright, she said to Rupert: “Aren’t people disappointing?” Talking about her husband’s latest indiscretion, she said: “I’ll spare you the gory details, but it’s worse than ever. I told him that was the end of it. I was trying to leave.”
She added: “Despite everything, I still love him. He’s the father of my children, my wonderful children. I wish to understand how he keeps hurting people over and over again.”
Turning her attention to Rupert, who also hurts people regularly, she said: “You could stop it Rupert. You hurt people, you’re destructive. This duel with Tony, we’re all collateral damage, and no one can possibly win. Tony’s going to be very dangerous after this. Promise me you’ll stop it.”
Of course, when Rupert later visited Tony to suggest a truce, he was only interested in war.
Monica also told Rupert “he deserved to be happy”. In turn, he admitted he “loved” Taggie. He said: “I’ve never loved anyone more in my whole life.”
Read more: Rivals series 2 part 2 start date and full release schedule: When is the next episode?
