Bridgerton came on the scene last year and was an immediate hit. Season two blew the stats of season one out of the water. So it is no surprise that the internet is still abuzz with Bridgerton news and excitement. Season two, for me, was way more enjoyable to watch as a whole than the first season. Let’s break down a few observations on why Bridgerton season two set the tone for the rest of the series. Warning, as you proceed with my Bridgerton season two thoughts and observations, there will be major spoilers and plot lines revealed. Read with caution.
LESS SKIN
I am not a prude by any means, so the intimate scenes didn’t bother me in season one. However, I believe it took away from the overall story. At the very least, it showed sexual chemistry over-emotional. I believe that Simon and Daphne did love each other, but in the end, it felt like the was so much a focus on the physical there wasn’t enough time to showcase the development of the love story.
It may have been due to health and safety reasons that season two cut back on the scenes where actors had to be so close to each other, which is totally understandable. However, this gave more room for scenes to show the development of the emotional attachment, which as a viewer, I enjoy seeing more.
Kate and Anthony‘s story was more intellectual at its beginning, which gave a really different story arc. I realize each relationship is different, and I am not saying that season one’s love story isn’t real love. I just enjoy seeing more of the emotional and intellectual side of love stories rather than the physical. Like I said, not a prude. I just love, love, and seeing two characters’ journeys is much more entertaining.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
I really enjoyed seeing more of the characters from season one and getting to know more of the backstories of some of the favorites and those you love to hate. Anthony’s emotional demons came to the forefront and influenced his choices and actions throughout the season. Lady Featherington showed her softer side, and we got to see her maternal instincts kick in, which gave us a glimpse at how in-depth her story is. Benedict got to explore his artistic side and make friends and get to know himself outside the family. Finally, Queen Charlotte showed more of her mischievous side, weaving herself into the major drama of the season.
As much as I love all the Bridgertons, I found it hard not to want to shake Anthony to get over it. I know he went through a traumatic event with his father’s death, but I kinda wanted just to tell him to talk to someone about it and let others know how he felt. Though in the end, he finally worked through it enough to realize he was being an idiot and got the girl. My romantic heart grew about six sizes. Like I said, I love love.
Mrs. Featherington is a troublemaker, to be sure, though the end of season two showed a bit of a softer side. Her actions and manipulations have been to protect her family’s status in the Ton. And we know she’s looked out for her daughters before.
While she isn’t evil, she does do things to help her and her family’s position, even if it hurts others. In season two, her scheme even pulled in the Bridgerton family. At this point in the season, I was feeling really mad at her. Her redemption did come, though, at the end of the season.
A Featherington cousin had come to take over the family without the money that the lady of the house was hoping for. In the end, the scheme they come up with doesn’t end up working as they both hoped, and instead of running away, Lady Featherington tells him to leave or be exposed as a fraud because he wants to leave her daughters behind.
I really enjoyed seeing this side of her. It shows that each person’s story on the show is a complex web of many things. You even can’t completely hate the characters that do something shady.
CULTURE MELTING POT
The inclusion and diversity in this series are really unmatched. The choice to make characters from all different cultures and races is refreshing. It shows that everyone loves and everyone has relationships.
The Sharmas come to town with baggage, and they bring their culture and traditions with them. I really enjoyed seeing the interweaving of their home culture and the culture of the Ton.
ELOISE IS AHEAD OF HER TIME
Eloise Bridgerton quickly became my favorite character in season one. Her independence and desire to be something other than her pre-determined persona were relatable and inspiring in season two that developed into a bit of rebellious behavior. Unfortunately, this got her into a bit of a pinch when she found herself attending feminist lectures.
At the same time, she meets Theo, her male counterpart, and she continues to sneak away to meet with him and talk to him. She is caught, and Lady Whistledown reveals in her column about her behavior. This of course, creates drama around town, and gossip abounds. It affects her family and their status in town.
Though her rebellious nature got her and her family into trouble, she used it to grow and learn. Her desire to find herself and know who she is without someone else telling her is something I can relate to, and I am sure many of you can. I think her growth from being really against anything social season-related to having to attend dances and balls, to attending scandalous events, to realizing she may need to combine and balance the two desires is realistic. I look forward to seeing what season three brings for her.
LADY WHITSLEDOWN IS CONFLICTED
Speaking of Eloise. Her friendship with Penelope was a favorite part of mine in season one. After Penelope is revealed to be the writer of the gossip column, it was exciting to think how it would play out in the next season.
Now, I must say that I really thought Eloise had figured out in the last scenes of season one that Penelope was the writer. I apparently was wrong about this. The real unraveling of Lady Whisteldown’s identity to Eloise is much more dramatic than a montage. I hated seeing the ending of this friendship, and I believe it is one of the best relationships in the series.
Penelope is trying to balance being a friend and daughter as well as being Lady Whitsteldown. She is steadfast in being independent and self-sufficient but also remaining in the Ton’s good graces. However, her ability to balance these two sides of her crumbles more and more as Eloise is venturing out of Ton to visit Theo, and her being caught by one of Queen Charlotte’s men puts her into a tough situation. She needs to decide to save Eloise from Queen Charlotte’s punishment or keep Eloise’s reputation clean.
A lot of us are trying to balance others’ expectations and the people we want to be. This is compounded by the society and culture around us. This plotline is a perfect representation of this common theme.
REINFORCED MY LOVE FOR CERTAIN CHARACTERS
My love for certain characters was established even further this season. Certain characters like Lady Danbury, Eloise, and Benedict were my favorites of season one. I loved getting to see more of them.
Lady Danbury gives the queen a run for her money with knowledge of the Ton and its’ people. I love how she always seems to know what to do and has a plan, and is also shown to be stumped sometimes.
Seeing new sides and further exploration of Benedict and Eloise’s characters was great. The insight into their lives gave a new perspective of why they are how they are. This goes for all characters, really, though I really loved it for my faves.
In all, this season was much more well-rounded and in-depth than season one. Though I do have a couple of quips. Before I get into them, I have to say that these are minor annoyances to me and don’t affect my thoughts on the quality of this season.
SIMON IS NOT MENTIONED
Everyone is aware that Reje Jean Page was not going to be on this season, though it felt strange to me that he wasn’t brought up. Usually, it shows that people have to leave, and there is an explanation of why they aren’t around. It felt weird to me that there wasn’t even a “Simon had business to take care of” line. It is a very minor issue. But, as I said, it felt like it needed to be said.
EDWINA ANNOYED ME
I realize Edwina was wronged in the fact that she thoughts she had true love, though I believe her anger was misdirected to Kate when she really should have been most angry at Anthony, who did the most lying to her. In all, I think that she is young and naive and did not do much wrong except correcting Kate that she was only her half-sister when she had just found out that she and Anthony were in love. That was a low blow.
I must admit her character was slightly irritating to me. I wanted there to be more for me to like. Maybe she will show up in the next season, and away from the main plot and drama, we can see her grow and come into her own.
Season three is bound to be exciting, especially with the news that it will focus on Penelope and Colin‘s love story. Let’s hope he wakes up and realizes how blind he’s been to how great she is! You can watch seasons one and two on Netflix. What do you guys think? Am I way off base? Let us know your thoughts.
