Sorry to state the obvious, but the cast of Made in Chelsea can be hypocrites. They cheat, and can't believe they've been cheated on. They spread gossip, and can't fathom that their friends would do the same. They refuse to commit, and then get hurt when the person they're seeing sleeps with someone else.
Tristan Phipps is no different. In this week's episode, he had an argument with Muffin, who he had been seeing casually for the past month or so, after she admitted to kissing Vanders on a night out.
The crux of the issue was that Tristan and Vanders had recently fallen out and Tristan had assumed some degree of exclusivity given that he'd told her he was interested and wanted to pursue things. Muffin, on the other hand, was under the impression things had fizzled out because Tristan had been travelling a lot with work and had barely texted her. Not only that, but Tristan had also kissed someone else and been on other dates since seeing Muffin, and was still liking the girl's Instagram pictures. When she confronted him about this, he denied it, until she brought out the receipts on her phone and he was forced to back down.
For two people who haven't been seeing each other for that long, it was quite the showdown. If nothing else, it brought us one of the best lines of the series so far when Tristan stood up from the table and shouted, 'I LET MY GUARD DOWN WITH YOU, MUFFIN!'
However, clued up Made in Chelsea fans were quick to point out that Tristan wasn't treating Muffin with the same grace he expected in return. Firstly, Tristan is nine years older than Muffin, and since she is new to the show there is a natural power imbalance at play. He seemed to get quite irate during their conversation and turned Muffin kissing someone else when she wasn't sure where she stood – something he had also done – into the reason he's 'done with dating' and 'needs a break from this group'.
One X user wrote, 'Tristan is a gaslighter. Your actions don't match your words pal.' While another wrote, 'Vanders and Muffin are actually cute together. Get her away from Tristan by any means necessary.' A third said, 'Can't Tristan ever take accountability?'
While they are all guilty of playing games and having double standards, Tristan's serious demeanour is often weaponised in these situations. He appears to take the moral high ground and act as though he's never done anything petty or inconsiderate before - which, in Made In Chelsea land, is almost impossible.