Let’s be real for a second. If you’ve spent any time navigating the foggy, gas-lit streets of Victorian London alongside Eliza Scarlet, you know the tension isn't just about who committed the murder. It’s about the simmering, often frustrating "will-they-won't-they" between a headstrong private investigator and a gruff Scotland Yard Inspector. But things shifted. Specifically, Miss Scarlet and The Duke The Rival—the fourth episode of the debut season—changed the DNA of the show. It wasn't just another procedural "case of the week." It was the moment the power dynamic between Eliza and William Wellington finally fractured in a way that felt permanent.
Honestly, it’s the episode where Eliza stops being a "novelty" and starts being a threat.
What Actually Happens in The Rival?
The setup seems simple enough. A highly publicized heist occurs at a high-end department store. This isn't just a petty theft; it's a blow to the reputation of the city's elite. Naturally, the Yard is on it. But Eliza, ever the opportunist (and let's face it, she has bills to pay), finds herself hired by the store owner to find the culprit.
The friction? Duke is already on the case.
This is where the title Miss Scarlet and The Duke The Rival stops being a metaphor and becomes a literal description of their working relationship. Up until this point, William "The Duke" Wellington had been a sort of reluctant mentor or an annoyed protector. In this episode, that mask slips. He realizes Eliza isn't just playing at being a detective. She is actually good. Maybe better than his own men. And in the 1880s, for a man whose entire identity is tied to his rank at Scotland Yard, that’s a hard pill to swallow.
The Problem With Victorian Professionalism
We need to talk about the gender politics here without sounding like a textbook. It’s messy. Eliza Scarlet, played with a brilliant mix of steel and vulnerability by Kate Phillips, isn't just fighting criminals. She’s fighting the fact that she can’t legally own her father’s business without a male figurehead.
In "The Rival," we see the introduction of competition that isn't just between Eliza and William. It’s the internal competition of Eliza trying to outrun her own reputation. She’s constantly underestimated. The episode leans heavily into the irony that while Duke claims to want to "protect" her from the dangers of the underworld, he’s actually terrified of her succeeding on her own. Why? Because if she succeeds, he loses his leverage over her.
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It’s a power struggle. Pure and simple.
The writing in this specific episode, penned by series creator Rachael New, highlights the sharp contrast between Duke’s rigid adherence to "the rules" and Eliza’s necessary flexibility. She has to lie, cheat, and charm her way into rooms he can just walk into with a badge. When they clash over the suspects in the robbery, it’s the first time we see them truly work against each other rather than just alongside each other.
Why This Episode Ranks High for Fans
Most viewers point to the chemistry. And yeah, Stuart Martin and Kate Phillips have it in spades. But "The Rival" is a fan favorite because it introduces real stakes for their relationship. It’s not just cute bickering anymore.
- Eliza’s financial desperation is palpable.
- Duke’s professional jealousy starts to manifest as genuine anger.
- The supporting cast, especially Moses (played by the scene-stealing Ansu Kabia), provides the necessary groundedness that the Yard lacks.
Moses is crucial here. He represents the "other" London—the one Duke refuses to acknowledge and the one Eliza is forced to navigate. In this episode, the interplay between Eliza’s high-society aspirations and her back-alley reality is what makes the "rival" aspect so compelling. She’s an outsider in both worlds.
Breaking Down the Heist
The crime itself involves the theft of precious jewelry from a safe that "couldn't be cracked." It’s a classic trope, but the show handles it by focusing on the staff of the department store. We get a glimpse into the lives of the working class—the shop girls and the clerks who are immediately under suspicion because of their status.
Eliza’s approach is psychological. Duke’s approach is forensic and authoritative.
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When Eliza discovers that the "heist" might actually be an inside job involving a complex insurance fraud scheme, she doesn't just go to Duke with the info. She uses it. She maneuvers. It’s a chess match where the board is a rain-slicked London street. The "rivalry" is solidified when Duke realizes Eliza has been one step ahead of him for the entire forty-five minutes.
That ending? It’s not a clean victory. It’s a stalemate that leaves both of them feeling slightly betrayed.
The Legacy of the Rivalry
Looking back from the perspective of later seasons, Miss Scarlet and The Duke The Rival was the blueprint. It taught the audience that Eliza doesn't need a knight in shining armor—she needs a level playing field. It also forced Duke to stop seeing her as "Henry's daughter" and start seeing her as "The Competition."
If you’re rewatching the series, pay attention to the lighting in the final confrontation of this episode. It’s dark, moody, and highlights the distance between them. They aren't standing together; they are standing across from one another.
The show has evolved significantly since Season 1. We’ve seen character departures (most notably Stuart Martin’s exit from the lead role eventually, which changed the show's title to simply Miss Scarlet), but the foundation of the series was built on the friction found in this specific episode. It’s the peak of their dynamic.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Writers
If you’re a fan of the genre or a writer looking to understand why this specific dynamic works, there are a few key takeaways from the "Rival" arc:
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1. Respect the Stakes.
The reason their rivalry works isn't just because they disagree. It's because the consequences are real. If Eliza fails, she loses her house. If Duke fails, his career at the Yard is mocked. When the stakes are personal, the rivalry feels earned.
2. Leverage the Setting.
Victorian London isn't just a backdrop; it’s a character. Use the restrictions of the era to create conflict. Eliza can’t just go to the police station and demand files. She has to find backdoors. That "forced creativity" is what makes her a compelling detective.
3. Avoid the "Perfect" Ending.
The best part of this episode is that it doesn't end with a hug. It ends with a cold realization that they are both stubborn, ambitious people who might never truly be on the same page.
4. Diversify the Investigation.
Watch how Moses operates compared to the Yard. To understand the "Rival" episode fully, you have to look at how different characters solve the same problem using different social currencies.
To get the most out of the series now, go back and watch this episode with a focus on the dialogue subtext. Every time Duke tells Eliza to "go home," he’s actually saying he’s losing control of the situation. Every time Eliza smiles and ignores him, she’s asserting her right to exist in a man’s world. It’s brilliant, it’s frustrating, and it’s exactly why the show became a hit.
Start by comparing the "heist" resolution in this episode to the cases in Season 2. You’ll see a clear evolution in Eliza’s confidence. She stops asking for permission entirely. And that, more than anything, is the lasting impact of becoming a rival.
Next Steps for Your Viewing Experience:
- Compare and Contrast: Watch Season 1, Episode 4 (The Rival) immediately followed by the Season 2 premiere. Notice how the tone of their arguments shifts from "annoyed siblings" to "professional adversaries."
- Focus on Moses: Track how Moses’s involvement in this episode sets the stage for his role as Eliza’s unofficial partner in later seasons. He is the bridge she needs to survive.
- Research the Era: Look up the real-life private female investigators of the 1880s, such as Kate Warne (though she was American, her influence on the profession was global). It adds a layer of reality to Eliza’s struggles.
The show might have changed names, but the fire started right here.