Can you grade it, and if so, what grade would you give? And that plays into what I saw as another theme for the show which was how different women in different ranks of society: from courtesans, to queens to debutantes to country cousins all were in so many ways very powerless but were trying their hardest to make a space and survive and maybe even be happy a little: Sienna and her insistence on making Anthony understand how important his role in her life was, Madame Delacroix and her knowledge that her discretion and her carefully curated facade meant her livelihood, Marina knowing she had no choices but trying to choose the lesser of all her evils, Lady Featherington and her constant hustle for relevancy. Will who is based on an actual historical figure, is intriguing to me because his story is a reflection of the role of Black entertainers, then and now. The Black characters know they are Black (and discuss it) but no one else does…so they’re all pretending not to notice race? Oh, and I’m ALL KINDS OF here for some Corgi Justice next season (hopefully doled out by a Kate of Color). When I zoom out and consider the whole, and think about how those parts interact or fit or do not fit, then it starts to fall apart. I don’t know. You figure it out after the irreversible wedding that your husband lied to you and is actively working to withhold the future that you have dreamed of all your life. She definitely could not hold my attention when she was on screen with Simon because he was bringing all the eye brow smoulder and sardonic eyebrow you’d ever want in a romance novel hero. I agree with this review. | POPSUGAR Entertainment But there is also so much angst, and so many things that are inconsistent or left unaddressed – and like Shana and Amanda I’m not entirely sold on the central romance. Then eh, idk, stick Colin with Sophie or something instead of Ben. (Oof, I forgot that Benedict is boring to me too). “That’s all we get?” is exactly right. Catherine: Agreed, it is absolutely GORGEOUS to look at, undeniably (and have we adequately addressed how ridiculously hot Regé-Jean Page is as the Duke? What is?) While Bridgerton the series hasn't exactly followed Quinn's novels to the letter, season 1 did closely track the plot of her first Bridgerton book, The Duke and I. New! I spent the first couple days after the show came out in a low level funk, worrying about my non romance reading online friends who kept posting about how much they were enjoying how light and fluffy it was. One of the challenges of adapting the Bridgerton books as a TV series rather than, for example, eight different movies, is that there’s a lot of new plot that needs to pad out each episode! I’m impressed that everyone stuck with it through all the episodes. The thing I liked the least was the constant involvement of the Queen, which made her seem petty for caring about who Daphne marries, and not the running of a kingdom. The show was beautiful but flawed. Lara: There’s no way to say this without sounding sassy, but it is sincerely meant… thank you for the wisdom. That’s a big part of what makes the books so loveable. Also, in that time period continuing the line would have been considered her duty. And it is pretty to look at with the costumes and set designs but I am dreading that upcoming scene. Yes, I too am wondering about Marina — on the one hand fleshing her out a bit more than she got in Eloise’s book is interesting, on the other, it makes her story even more depressing. 200 years later, Harry (who will probably not inherit the throne) married Meghan with all kinds of racial hits against her, so I don’t think one conversation would solve everything. Am I the only one who liked Daphne? Lara: That’s precisely it! Mrs Featherington treats her horribly, but as the story progresses, one gets the sense that she is actually doing what she genuinely thinks is best for Marina, based on her own experiences – I’m not sure she would treat her daughters much differently. Shana: But I also think some of the casting just sucked even outside of the diverse casting decisions. Shana: We thought the colorblind casting was a good idea, and occasionally enjoyable, but poorly executed. Her bangs were more compelling than she was, and most of the time her bangs were extremely distracting. First, of all in the book, I do think it is pretty clear that Simon is hiding his true purpose (not having kids because of his father) by taking advantage of Daphne’s ignorance regarding sex. Then again, the next available brother is Benedict and I’m not sure I trust the production to do get the racial dynamics of a Cinderella story right if they can’t even manage to interrogate them properly here. Whistledown is much more cutting in the show than in the book and I think the show suffers for it. Even though I have plenty of critiques over how the show handled race, I’m glad that they didn’t just do a colorblind world, and attempted to explain that an intervention had been made. Over the holiday break we’ve been discussing it nonstop. I also think it’s rough having Daphne as basically the viewpoint character, because she’s rather incredibly selfish. While Marina already had a lot going on this season, I can’t understand why they erased her mental illness instead of taking the opportunity to show a woman living with depression. Simon wearing those boots and those billowing white shirts stalking through the halls…whew! By posting a comment, you consent to have your personally identifiable information collected and used in accordance with our privacy policy. If you think X, why do you think that? Lara: If I’m too late to this party, totally understand! Still, since this is what we have, I would give it a C and hope they do better with future couples. I don’t like Violet because it’s inexcusable to let your daughter go into a marriage with that level of ignorance. This was probably most obvious with mysterious, strong Siena and Madame Delacroix, versus their easily scandalized and vanilla Bridgerton lovers. Having all this multicultural casting, but not letting any WOC get a HEA, felt like a blow to Shonda’s base. I found Marina very hard to sympathise with as a character. Benedict's Fling With Orgies And The Arts. BOOKS I WOULD I LIKE TO SEE FILMED IN A SERIES: The Walsh Family by Kate Canterbary. It’s so pretty. Daphne and Colin seem very miscast to me. Who decided Benedict and Anthony needed to look like twins while Colin looks like the guy who played Jacob in Twilight? Also I think it downplays how much she has made a place for herself. Based on a series of globally bestselling historical romance novels by Julia Quinn, Bridgerton centers on Daphne Bridgerton, the sheltered but spirited eldest daughter of a … I haven’t read the books. I watched it all Christmas Day), because there was a lesson I wanted her to learn that I think she didn’t, but I don’t remember what it was. Shana: It’s so pretty! Because I am constantly sitting there trying to figure out which pop song they’ve Regency-fied. Lara: In a single phrase: the queasy feeling it left me with due to the myriad reasons outlined above. We should offer one final warning that you'll be waltzing into spoiler territory here, with regard to. The children of the Viscount are named alphabetically so it starts off with Anthony, Benedict, and Colin, then goes on to Daphne, Eloise, and Francesca, and finally ends with Gregory and Hyacinth. She'd love to hear from you! The Duke is … a beautiful accessory. What to know about the Bridgerton book series and its author, Julia Quinn. I’m enjoying watching it for the costumes and ridiculous plots. Regarding Marina – in the book series, the Eloise book happens about 10 years after the events of the Duke and I. I think Colin/Pen was the same time jump as well. Based on the bestselling Bridgerton novels by Julia Quinn, the story actually goes on to explore the lives of all eight Bridgerton children, meaning there's an endless amount of narrative for a second season—and hopefully another six! Since finishing it, I have been pondering how to discuss Bridgerton. Shana: No, the actresses is fabulous, I just found the character so self loathing, petulant, and desperately sad when placed against Marina. I would watch an entire show of Lady Danbury’s gatherings of married ladies. It’s definitely beautiful to look at. Bridgerton is Shonda Rhimes's first scripted Netflix series. Ladies Danbury, Featherington, Bridgerton and the Queen were all powerhouses in their own ways, and Difficult Women who were over dealing with nonsense from the men in their lives. This show was specifically developed to target me as an audience who is familiar with the world, with romance conventions, with period drama, and eager to see a new take on all of it. IDK, I feel about this show as I feel about this book series in general: meh. I binged the whole series and loved it. All the latest sales and retailer coupons! And I found myself nodding and agreeing pretty much the whole way through. And she thought Daphne was the most milquetoast character. Her novels have been translated into 29 languages, and she has appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List 19 times. In fact, it’s worse because Daphne and Simon are pretty boring together. Shana: I was initially happy that they added in that scene between Lady Danbury and Simon because it made the alternate history more interesting, but it’s annoying that’s all we get. But there is only so long one in a position such as ours can hide. Contemporary Boston Architects with plenty of drama, humor and heat (and smart, competent women), Victorian Rebels series by Kerrigan Brynne. This story has important details about the "Bridgerton" books that may also spoil the Netflix series. Lara: So my 2 cents… I finished the series a few days ago now and I’m still sitting with some queasy feelings. (I’m on episode 6). Despite my nitpicks, I will still watch the hell out of future seasons should they arrive. I’m not saying Daphne did not make any mistakes. I don’t think you get to have it both ways and they tried to. Lara: I second Shana’s call for more joy! Polly Walker was just excellent all around anyway. What do you hope to improve or change in the next season? It is very problematic. She’s a young girl (just made her presentation, so first season…18-20 years old) who has been told all her life that she has to do well for the sisters who will follow. Maybe this can help with the Bidgerton boys’ general uninterestingness. Correct me if I’m wrong, but is Marina not supposed to be the same Marina, Phillip’s deceased first wife in Eloise’s book, “To Sir Phillip, with Love?” I was pretty sure she was when her lover’s brother also, named Phillip, showed up at the end to marry her. I will watch subsequent seasons but meh. Mostly that I hate what they’ve done with a lot of the characters. and amused by how clean it is. The series premiered December 25, 2020. She's still pretty furious about him … It would have landed with a thud because the tone, imo just wasn’t there. I also found the characterisation completely inconsistent. I just finished episode six last night so with the caveat that I don’t know exactly how it ends but I *do* plan to at least finish…I am…eurgh. My shins were not happy with me. Simon is…very clean after lying in a London gutter in 1813. Shana: I’m definitely curious about how people are responding depending on their previous relationship to the book(s). Why was Mrs Featherington a villain? It was noticeable (at least to me, being bi) that Benedict Bridgerton seemed to be queer-coded; he was certainly intrigued by learning that his new artist friend had a gay lover, raising my hopes for a future gay romance. The whole bit with Siena infuriated me. It’s… pretty. I suspect you’re being a bit too hard on yourself there! Especially on Marina getting an adorable marriage of convenience romance! Books Two Romance Novel Newbies Lose Their Virginity to Bridgerton A pair of skeptics dip their toes into the genre by reading Julia Quinn’s The Duke and I. "Bridgerton" Season 2 will focus on Anthony Bridgerton and his love interest, Kate Sharma, like Book 2 of the series. I think I read one of the books in this series some years ago, but I have zero memory of it, so I went into watching the show on its own merits, rather than having the books to compare it to, and ended up staying up most of the night to watch it from beginning to end. I actually find it interesting how adaptation changes the story while still including the elements of the story. I was also hoping they would fix the spoilery consent scene (they did not). He has enough age and experience that he should have known to stay away from Daphne in the garden. It Will who he turns to in distress. Most importantly, I’d like to see at least one of the Bridgertons in a healthy relationship, preferably one with loads of banter. Because if they screwed that up, I really wasn’t interested in the rest of it. I’m not going to watch the show. I’ve not thought about the reviewing/analysing process in those terms before, and it explains why sometimes I watch my little cursor flicker on the screen for ages before the words will come. Not sure where to start? Read 5 736 reviews from the world's largest community f… Kiki: Yeeeeessss. I didn’t watch it so I’m just going off on my thoughts from the book. I’m not disappointed because I figured they’d mess around with the characters & the plot & surprise! So in that sense it was a nice way to end a fraught year. BENEDICT: Making his love interest gay would be an interesting turn–in the book I believe they live in the country due to her being illegitimate, so it wouldn’t be far off to have them live in the country for another reason. I give Siena an A+. Agreed about Mariana and THAT content from episode six – good God, no one would have complained if they’d cut it out. I loved the acting, costumes etc, but the story and Daphne fell flat for me. It is OPULENT and visually stunning and parts that worked really worked for me. Why are we centering her feelings instead of Simon’s sense of betrayal? I presume the implication is that White folks had a few decades to flip out, decide class matters more than anything else, and they’ve gotten over it now and moved into a mode of quietly pretending race doesn’t exist. He was grasping at straws/opportunities with Siena to have something for himself, but he absolutely bungled it. Bridgerton's bleakest plot line sees the Featherington patriarch bet away his family's fortune on boxing matches. If you’re going to leave it in, call it what it is and deal with it. But maybe I’m giving Daphne too much credit. Penelope has loved Colin since she was 16. Though I did think her relationship with Mrs Featherington was one of the most interesting ones in the series. I think she does show up in the last episode. I had forgotten all about Marina from To Sir Phillip (which I remember not liking at all). He should also have been upfront about why he ‘couldn’t give her children’. Up next after Daphne’s The Duke and I romance? On the plus side: Simon, Eloise, Penelope, Lady Violet, Lady Danbury, the Featheringtons. This conversation is after most of us have watched all eight episodes, so we discuss plot points, characters, and other moments in detail. It’s like the show didn’t want to avoid the topic, but also didn’t want to engage with it. I really needed to see a grovel or at least an apology from Daphne as to her treatment of Simon in episode 6. But on the other hand. I didn’t originally set out to write an eight-book series; at first it was just going to be a trilogy! And speaking of Anthony, I hate what they’ve done with his character. Preferably before you walked down the aisle, you dummies. An Offer From a Gentleman book. Kiki: I feel like the writers tried to slip in some actual racial politics but how can you do that in a show that is pretending race doesn’t exist??? I’m trying to be mad, but…. New to SBTB? Watching Season 1 made me thing about how they could potentially better integrate Black characters into Season 2 if they follow the storylines of the books. That makes it hard to really sympathize much, and it’s difficult to see how they’re going to manage to get beyond that negative portrayal in the second season. be cast as black although not sure if Anthony is such a prize. And that extends to Penelope. And everything good is because of Lady Danbury’s jewelry. Perhaps it’s because in this telling of the story, Daphne feels like the point of view character, and so everything centres around her and her feelings. Sarah: I agree it’s a fragile basis for character motivation. Speaking of problematic. I don’t like Anthony because he’s a douche. I’m happy there’s a romance show with a big budget and profile, but I feel there are so many better book series out there! !” With Daphne eventually apologizing for her actions. Simon’s speech impediment isn’t addressed in the same detail either, which I think detracts from our understanding of him, and also the discussion he and Daphne have about that has more detail and emotional heft in the book. I also want Anthony to realise the error of his ways and attempt to woo Siena. I watch with subtitles, and I noticed that Whistledown’s narration of “…can the ends ever justify such wretched means?” was said over a shot of Daphne. I was always uncomfortable with THAT scene but am surprised no one mentioned how the show changed it. That Scene was a huge tipping point to me, very upsetting, and this issue could have been addressed with ONE CONVERSATION. That teensy, incomplete scene made it clear that racism isn’t just an accident, but something created by people. It started out fun in a Knights’ Tale sort of way, but that wore on me quickly. For me, the show worked best when I pretended it had nothing to do with the book. Again, there’s that… “Wait that’s it?” feeling? And yep. I think one of the great strengths of the Bridgerton books is the dialogue – and for whatever reason, Bridgerton chose not to use it, which was a pity. If you’d like to receive updates in your inbox, visit our subscribe page and sign up for the content you crave! If they don’t make Kate and Edwina Black, I think they are missing a huge opportunity to rectify the lack of upper class leading ladies that are portrayed as something other than white. Kiki: I’d be interested in discussing it as well—though I have one episode left and I skipped the nonconsensual scene. What series would you like dramatized? Beyond just Daphne/Simon, there’s a lot of great dialogue in the book that isn’t used. The show is based on Julia Quinn's Bridgerton book series about the titular family which begins with The Duke and I (the basis of Bridgerton season 1) and follows each of … We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Sometimes that is all you want. Here’s my future Bridgerton adaptation headcanon: Marina and Sir Philip have a marriage of convenience that turns out well in all the best ways. The actress is quite pretty and probably would have been a ‘diamond of the first water’ in Ye Olde Regency Times, but the actress lacked screen charisma. The Scene – I guess I just don’t have an issue with it as portrayed in the show. Did they mention where she was and I missed it? The illusion relies on their whiteness to make them automatically alluring to viewers, and it was noticeable when they were placed against working class or wealthy POC characters who are actually interesting. TV Colin never charmed me the way Book Colin did, and I find myself unconvinced that this version of him could really have true chemistry with (my beloved) Penelope. I re-read The Duke and I a week or so ago (time? Basically this is a case of the tv show not living up to the world I built in my mind around these characters, and a lot of the charm of the Quinn characterizations was missing for me, so I cut my losses after the first episode. Check for Smart Bitch events on our Events Calendar, and as always stay tuned to the blog and the podcast to keep up to date! The big ball scenes really showed off the gorgeous multicultural cast. Thanks to anyone willing to keep reading through all my rambling. Reviews are ALL OVER THE PLACE, this one included. Catherine: I was absolutely shocked by Marina’s storyline. Ever since I saw Adjoa Andoh on an episode of Silent Witness I was 100% here for her in this role. There is one really good quote of hers that I loved: “When I was a girl, some centuries ago, I was afraid even of my own reflection. https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/shondalands-regency-bridgerton/. I’ve also just reread the first four books. It is based on Julia Quinn's novels set in the competitive world of Regency era London's ton during the season, when debutantes are presented at court. Both because I’m much more sensitive to consent issues, and historical romances with zero racial diversity…also because I may have outgrown my love for rakes. I’m so baffled. I saw the scene as her trying to confirm information she learned from the conversation with the maid/housekeeper-person about babies – and correcting the information asymmetry. Should I even bother? I have lots more thoughts but can’t wait to see what the Bitchery thinks! They’ve taken her from a force to be reckoned with and turned her into a nothingburger. It feels reductive. Allows another exploration of how screwed women were with choices in the era, and could be another interesting plot foil, depending on how they handle it. Shana: Where to start? Benedict was something of a nonentity, which is interesting, given that his book is my favorite one in the series. It’s complex and there’s a LOT to talk about. This is a portion of our conversation, talking about the wonderful and woeful parts. But if that doesn't worry you then tighten up your corset, put on the family jewels, and follow us into the delightful world of the Bridgertons. The only Bridgerton couple I enjoy is Colin/Pen, because there’s this nice intellectual admiration to their relationship. And, not just because I was a guest, I’m an avid fan of What Would Danbury Do?, a podcast hosted by Rudi Bremer, Kate Cuthbert, and Adele Walsh. It felt like that Danbury/Simon conversation was just there to give me a chance to fill in the subtext in the Featherington’s family, or imagine a backstory for the modiste…while protecting White viewers from the difficulty of having to think about race. I’d also say that while I found Daphne dull as a character, I thought the chemistry between her and Simon was electric. That’s what’s bothering me. A story that couldn’t decide what it actually wanted to say? I’m also hoping we’ll see more ethnic diversity in season two, like non-Black characters of color! I agree with so many of your comments re: the sort-of colourblind casting. The first season of the show is all set to focus on the first book in Quinn's series, The Duke And I. Loved her! They look at each book in the series with a mix of informed affection and necessary critique, and are examining at each episode, too. And why (oh why) was Penelope wearing evening gowns to walk during the day with Eloise? I love Simon, hope Daphne grovels, and am firmly Team Eloise and Penelope. Marina’s ok, but other than being in trouble doesn’t have a lot of personality. Frankly, I think that if Simon had not shown up at Vauxhall, Daphne would have gone back inside, accepted the Prince, and lived a content life with oodles of children. All you need to do is click this link, and sign up! PB & Mayo Sandwiches (and Girl Scout Cookies) With Amanda and Sarah, 448. He's discovered for match-fixing and … Sarah: I also thought it was striking that there is a shot of Daphne’s menstrual blood, no shying away from what it is. I don’t know why they kept making Simon put his shirt back on. To quote Kate, one of the hosts of What Would Danbury Do?, a podcast examining the Bridgerton world, the marketing for the Netflix Bridgerton show has been very subtle. I also appreciate that it’s well lit (not many hats in sight and candles and the moon give a lot of light!) So, instead, I made myself frightening. Though to an extent everyone in Daphne’s narrative who isn’t Daphne is kind of secondary. not surprise! I had I pause the show after that scene and audibly say “what??!?!?”. And no one else comes close to that contextual conversation or awareness? Sure! that’s like a whole plotline in the show – the girls don’t know how babies are made and even with Violet’s fertility, she’s squeamish about talking about it. I ADORED the first couple of episodes, but after that my enjoyment level rather dipped for the reasons everyone has given – but I haven’t binge-watched a series this fast for a long time and I do still have a high level of enthusiasm for the next season. She was in the first episode or two and then disappeared. NOT MOVING. Sarah: Daphne as portrayed is a blancmange of a heroine isn’t she? But still, awfully pretty. I do like Danbury, though need to go read the Refinery 29 article. I am horrified. Sarah: I’ve been thinking a lot about the way I’m reacting to the show, too, Lara. I think that’s just par for the course with adaptions (Game of Thrones, Outlander, etc.). Which I was 100% there for, I have to say. It’s so beautiful though!! I think Nicola Coughlan steals so many scenes that she’s in. SPOILERS ABOUND. Really hard. I loved everything about Bridgerton’s visuals, from Charlotte’s wigs to the Featherington’s garish dresses. The Duke and I is not my favorite Bridgerton, and I felt like the show kept the problematic bits problematic without exploring them, and then added more problematic bits? As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. I’ve just finished the series. Or some combination–are they really going to do 8 seasons?