Over the past few weeks, my timeline has become flooded with scandals and soirees – and no, I’m not talking about the upcoming elections across the world.
Bridgerton is back in all its opulent glory, with the second part of season 3 debuting on Netflix today. Somehow, I’d avoided the streaming hit for a while. Period dramas aren’t really my thing, you see.
However, upon giving it a try I realised that this isn’t like other historical shows such as Downtown Abbey and The Crown. Bridgerton takes all the fantastical elements of history and portrays them through rose-tinted, steamy glasses. It’s more like Gossip Girl… but make it sexy Regency era.
I’ve binged the first two seasons, so I’m thoroughly hooked. Nonetheless, I can’t help but be bewildered by some of the story choices in this bubble of a world, and the artistic touches that make it one of a kind. And trust me, there’s plenty.
These are the most bizarre things about Bridgerton, from a newly converted fan.
Beware gentle reader, for spoilers for the first two seasons of the show are below – Yours truly, Lady Cowton.
There are far too many balls
Get your mind out of the gutter – I’m talking about the parties.
What feels like nearly every episode, there’s a grand ball happening. These are basically events to show off the girls of the season, so they can find a suitor to marry and strengthen their family name.
Everyone seems to fall into some sort of choreographed waltz or prance, often set to classical covers of modern pop songs. Season 3 was talked about a lot on X/Twitter because it includes a rendition of Give Me Everything Tonight by Pitbull. Because of course, there’s nothing that says historical romance more than Mr. Worldwide.
These parties also emphasise how completely out of touch these elite folk are with the real world. Let me be clear, barely any character in Bridgerton has a real job – and those that do (such as the boxer Will Mondrich) don’t get enough of a chance to discuss their hardships versus the frivolous events of the rich.
All the plot points are fanfic tropes
If you’ve been on Tumblr, AO3 or Fanfiction.net then you’ll probably be aware of tags such as ‘Enemies to Lovers’, ‘Slow Burn’ and ‘Smut’. If you’re not, please stay ignorant.
Many of these online stories focus solely on a main romance, with little substance in the surrounding world. Bridgerton is exactly that. Its relationships are walking stereotypes, with two of the main ships having an immediate dislike of each other as soon as they meet, despite the clear underlying rampant tension and unnecessarily heavy breathing.
It also picks and chooses what prejudices are prevalent in this world. For example, sexism is a huge part of the show, with most ladies only defining success by who they marry, and men dismissing the achievements and abilities of women. However, it completely overlooks the racism of the era it’s set in.
Like a fanfic, it’s a binge-able guilty pleasure that’s not safe to be consumed in public or in the presence of your parents.
Actors leaving the show are painfully obvious
The first season of Bridgerton follows the dashingly handsome Duke of Hastings, played by Regé-Jean Page, and Daphne Bridgerton, played by Phoebe Dynevor. While Dynevor was happy to return as a supporting character in the next instalment, Page told Vanity Fair that he only planned to do one season, and that was it. He wanted to focus on other projects.
His absence was not handled well by the writers. In the first season, Daphne made a huge song and dance about her new husband being by her side when she went back to London. The pair were in a massive feud, but appearances were massively important to her, and they needed to show that they had a strong partnership.
Now, she appears multiple times (with a baby no less) and her excuses for Simon’s repeated absence are about as flimsy as “he’s washing his hair today” – even for huge social events, such as weddings. This could have been slightly remedied with a body double filmed from the back, or by explaining that he was attending important business overseas.
Personally, I’m happy to believe that the Duke left Daphne due to the very controversial scene where she impregnated herself without his consent, but the show (and book) never addressed it as sexual assault. That leads me on perfectly to…
The most dramatic moments are swept under the rug
Lady Whistledown’s narration keeps us viewers informed about who is coupling up, and what other frivolous drama is going on. However, what is arguably the most dramatic plot point on paper in season 1 is barely a blip in the main story.
Lord Featherington is murdered by some thugs, seemingly via poison. However, his death is only briefly visited. We see some tears from his wife and sisters, only a very brief period of mourning, but no questions as to how or why this happened.
It truly left me quite baffled. Because yes, this man was a deadbeat gambler and alcoholic, but he was still a husband and a dad. Surely, there could have been a scandalous murder mystery entangled with our fluffy gossip? Instead, we’re focusing on which couples are reuniting, and who will be the new heir to the estate now that the Lord is out of the way.
The priorities of the people in this show are quite baffling.
Fashion rules are out of the window
The costumes are completely and utterly insane in Bridgerton. It’s not just that they’re historically inaccurate by a few decades, it’s that they use fabrics and fastenings that can only truly be made in today’s modern era with machines.
This show wants us to believe that one seamstress, Madame Delacroix, can pull together several lavish gowns with only a day’s notice? Unless she happens to have a TARDIS hiding in her tailors, I very much doubt it. It’s amazing that this woman isn’t more stressed.
A viewer of Karolina Żebrowska’s excellent video costume essay points out that in the latest season, the gowns and hairstyles have gone from slightly over-the-top to Hunger Games Capitol gaudy chic – I’m looking at you, Cressida.
You must suspend your disbelief with the costumes, and most other things in the show. If you’re prepared to be swept up in a superficial fantasy with a good dose of raunchiness, then you’ll have a great time with Bridgerton.
Still not keen on Bridgerton? Try one of Netflix’s other bingeable TV shows or brilliant movies.