Bridgerton Episode 2 Recap and Review

Episode 1 Recap and Review

Episode 2 of Bridgerton opens up with flashbacks of Simon’s childhood, beginning with his birth and the death of his mother in childbirth. He is then left in the care of his cruel father, who denies him any affection or attention after learning he has a stutter. 

I must say that from the beginning I knew I was going to hate Simon’s father, but he proved himself to be even more vile than initially anticipated. Throughout this episode we learn why Simon is the way he is and the reasoning behind his choice not to marry. 

The Queen is invested completely in Lady Whistledown’s gossip column as well as the rest of Ton. Though later one we see that she has grown bored of the gossip as it lacks enough drama and proposals for her liking. 

Marina Thompson’s (Ruby Barker) pregnancy is a hot topic this episode. It also brings to light how little girls were taught about their bodies and reproduction. Eloise and Penelope speak about it and ask how it could happen without her being married. 

Anthony,  Daphne and their mother argue about the many suitors who came to call on her. He makes it clear that Nigel Berbrook and his sister will marry, staying true to his promise. Upin his exit, Anthony pays a visit to Simon to discuss his “courtship” with his sister. 

Marina and Penelope’s friendship grows as she is confined to her room. The pair talk about love and they both await letters from Sir George Crane, the boy that she fell in love with back home. Marina even shares the letters that they exchanged. 

The Queen personally invites Lady Bridgerton to private tea. It seems as though Daphne’s association with Duke Bassett is proving to be advantageous to everyone. 

Lady Danbury proves herself to be even more than a friend to Simon. In a flashback she is seen visiting him as a young boy. She discovers his stutter and vows to help him as long he proves himself to be worthy of the attention his status commands. The scene transitions (quite beautifully) into present day with Simon and Lady Danbury entering the evenings ball. 

Things come to ahead at this ball, with the truth about the previous episodes ending coming out. Simon, Anthony, and Berbrook argue about his intentions with Daphne and his actions with her. Anthony then retracts his promise with Berbrook and says he must stay away from his sister. Of course, he doesn’t, and only gets bolder with his actions. Especially after Simon and him have an altercation after the ball ends, getting a special contract to marry Daphne. His threats go further even threatening to ruin her reputation if the family does not agree to the marriage. 

Simon is shown in flashback to visit his father, shows his improvement in his speech and grades, it doesn’t seem to sway his cold heart. It seems to make him more cruel. I thought that Lady Featherington would be my most hated character, yet he really took the trophy on this one. 

Benedict and Eloise bond in this episode of the want for more and for better. I really enjoy seeing their relationship and bond. This family cares for one another and all of them would really do anything for each member of the family. 

Simon and Daphne have obvious attraction to each other, we just have to wait for them to realize it. I just want to scream, shake them, and scream “you like each other!” I am impatient when it comes to love and the act of “shipping,” though. 

Violet’s tea with the Queen proves to be enlightening and brings about a plan to turn the tables on Berbrook. I must say this scene was a little weird for me. Despite the use of drugs by the Queen it felt a bit out of place. Though it did allow for Violet to have an enlightening moment for a scheme to dismantle Berbrook’s plans. 

Lady Berbrook is very unlikable and truly annoying, though this invitation to tea scheme allowed a gossip train to be born. Berbrook, it seems, has a child with an ex maid. Of course Lady Whistledown gets word of this and it is published in her column, Berbrook of course departs town in embarrassment. 

The realization that women’s reproductive health and education was lacking back then. It is made apparent in a scene with Eloise and Daphne discussing their mothers near death delivery of their sister Hyacinthe. 

Simon is shown with his father at his dying bedside. He makes a vow to him that he will never marry and that the Hastings line will die with him. As much as I understand why he did this, i wanna, again scream at him, because now it is making him stubborn and surly when it comes to Daphne. I hate death bead promises, they always screw things up.