‘Rivals’ Season 2’s Shocking Tony Baddingham Scene, Explained—And What Happens Next

Warning: Major spoilers for Rivals season 2, part 2 ahead. Just when we thought things couldn't get any more dramatic in Rutshire, Rivals has delivered one of its most shocking moments yet. The second half of season 2 has finally landed on Disney+ and Hulu, picking up in the aftermath of Lady Monica Baddingham's (Claire Rushbrook) devastating death. And while her husband Tony (David Tennant) is struggling to come to terms with losing his wife, his grief is taking a seriously disturbing turn.Because, in a scene that nobody saw coming, the ruthless Corinium Television boss takes a rifle to Monica's beloved peacocks. Yes, you read that correctly.It's a particularly brutal moment, even by Tony's standards, and one that reveals just how far he's spiraling following his wife's death.But what exactly pushed him to breaking point? And what does it mean for the rest of the season?Here's everything you need to know.Jump to:Why does Tony kill Monica's peacocks?What happens next for Tony Baddingham?When is the next episode of Rivals season 2?Why does Tony kill Monica's peacocks?When we last visited Rutshire, Monica had been killed in a car accident after discovering that Tony was having an affair with Maud O'Hara (Victoria Smurfit).The latest episodes pick up in the aftermath of her death, with Tony struggling to process his grief while facing the consequences of his infidelity.While the TV boss has never exactly been known for his kindness, the scene takes his cruelty to another level.Disney+The peacocks are a reminder of Monica and the life they shared, making his decision to kill them feel particularly vicious.Rather than dealing with the pain of losing his wife, Tony appears to direct his anger toward something she loved.Speaking to Deadline about the latest episodes, David and executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins discussed Tony's increasingly destructive behavior following Monica's death.He told the outlet: "To lose your life partner is devastating. Even for someone who’s not always the most morally engaged human, I think it’s bewildering and it’s distressing for him. He’s rudderless without her, so I think it’s quite a plausible reaction."He’s a man who doesn’t have a particularly well-oiled path to his own emotions, so I think the fact that such a traumatic moment should end with some kind of violent exorcism makes perfect sense. I think that’s who Tony is, unfortunately."For someone who has spent much of the series manipulating those around him, Tony suddenly finds himself unable to control the one thing that matters most: his own life.Of course, there's also the small matter of his affair with Maud, which continues to complicate an already messy situation.What happens next for Tony Baddingham?If you were hoping Monica's death might inspire Tony to turn over a new leaf, we wouldn't hold our breath.Despite everything that's happened, Tony remains determined to maintain his grip on Corinium Television, with his bitter rivalry against Declan O'Hara (Aidan Turner) showing no signs of slowing down.And things are about to get even more complicated now that Declan has discovered the truth about Tony's affair with Maud.The revelation leads to an explosive confrontation during the Bonfire Night celebrations, leaving Declan and Maud's marriage hanging in the balance.Meanwhile, Tony's relationship with his son Archie remains fractured, and his increasingly unpredictable behavior raises questions about just how far he's prepared to go to protect his position.With the battle for the television franchise reaching a critical point, Tony could find himself facing consequences both professionally and personally.And given what we've just witnessed, we're slightly terrified to see what he does next.When is the next episode of Rivals season 2?The first three episodes of Rivals season 2, part 2 are available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu, with the remaining episodes arriving weekly.Here's when you can watch them:Episode 10: Wednesday, November 18Episode 11: Wednesday, November 25Episode 12 (season finale): Wednesday, December 2 Rivals season 2, part 2 is streaming now on Disney+ and Hulu.