A Review: My Honest Thoughts On Bridgerton Season Two
I am a HUGE fan of the show, Bridgerton, and the similar book series by Julia Quinn (I’ve read four out of the eight books in the series). When season two came out on Netflix on March 25, the entire weekend was consumed with Regency-style romance and forbidden love.
I loved season one. It was an explosion of Regency romance perfection — perfect for fans of The Crown and Downton Abbey.
Disclaimer: This post contains multiple spoilers for this season (and the end of the season). Please read accordingly.
My Honest Thoughts
But season two? In my honest opinion, I liked season one better. (Though, I still loved season two!) Here’s why. Season one captured my heart by surprise — yes, because I loved shows like The Crown and Downton Abbey — but I did not expect to fall in love with this show when I first clicked on season one. With that in mind, I had high expectations for season two. I wasn’t particularly excited for Anthony’s season, even while watching season one, partly because I think Anthony is a Capital R Rake (literally the first episode title of season two), he’s controlling (he was way too controlling of his sister’s, Daphne’s, marriage prospects in season one), and overall, just plain whiny. So I wasn’t too excited for his season, but I still had high expectations. And I was really excited for Kate’s character (and the entire Sharma family), played by Simone Ashley, one of the actresses in the Netflix show Sex Education, which I loved.
I’m not saying that season two wasn’t good. Absolutely not — I’ll probably do a re-watch soon, tbh. But it didn’t live up to my expectations of it. It still lived up to its overall hype, and brought on tons of new characters and even deepened storylines for some returning characters. Although the beloved Rege Jean Page, who played the Duke of Hastings, did not return for season two, we were introduced to the Sharma family (in the book, they were called the Sheffields), the new Lord Featherington, Finch’s parents (for a brief second), the late Viscount Bridgerton, Theo Sharpe, and also came to know more about some of the other supporting characters like Madame Delacroix, Hyacinth and George Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte, and Lady Danbury. Even though these characters supported the season one storylines in their own way, we got to know more about them in season two. For example, Madame Delacroix played a big part in aiding Lady Whistledown (aka Penelope Featherington) in season two. I’m hoping to see more of her in season three, and specifically how her business started and will grow in the future. (And also her with Benedict Bridgerton and his love story.)
Who is Lady Whistledown?
Speaking of Lady Whistledown, we found out who was behind the gossip column at the end of season two. Miss Penelope Featherington’s storyline got a bit deeper with the addition of her Lady Whistledown alter ego, and I was VERY pleased to see how Whistledown was made — including how Penelope took it to the printers, the delivery of the column, etc. I’ve already read a little bit about how people responded to Penelope this season, and the response is mixed. Some are saying that what she did as Lady Whistledown, specifically to Eloise, was not okay and almost made her a villain. Some praised her. Honestly? I love it. I love Penelope, she’s one of my favorite characters, and I want to see more. While I do think what she did to Eloise was not okay, I do see it as an act of loyalty and love, two traits that I love about Penelope in the first place. I’m not only excited to see Penelope blossom and evolve as Lady Whistledown, but in her own personal and “real” life too.
I liked the first half of season two when it came to Lady Whistledown, especially as Penelope teamed up with Madame Delacroix — women supporting women, amirite? I think it definitely brought in that feminism aspect to a time period show where women didn’t have a lot of say and rights. Yes, the show definitely stayed true to that aspect of women not having any rights, but Shonda (and the rest of the writers) danced around that to speak to those topics. The second half, the Queen continued her investigation, leading her to Eloise, and Penelope felt led to give Eloise an alibi — without telling Eloise the truth. I think if Penelope told Eloise the truth from that point, then Eloise would have understood and even double teamed on the Whistledown column. But I also do understand Penelope wanting to stay quiet. She’s been a wallflower for a long time, and Whistledown helped her come into her own, and she wants to hold onto that.
The Bridgerton Family
Other than the obvious, aka Anthony, the rest of the Bridgerton clan was a delightful cast this season. I mean, even Colin, whom I do not care for. He came back from Greece in the second episode with a little beard on his face. He wasn’t whiny or complaining and I must say — vacation agrees with Colin Bridgerton. (But then he fell down the list by the end of the last episode.)
Eloise was a standout character yet again, especially as we got to hear more about her pursuits of Whistledown and her political ideologies. Did it cause hiccups later on in the season, especially with Penelope? Yes. I loved their friendship in season one and do hope that they make up. But Eloise also met Theo Sharpe, one of the printer apprentices who works for the same printer where Whistledown is printed — giving Eloise someone to flirt with in this season. Eloise is also introduced to a whole new world of political ideologies, or “the radicals” as the ton likes to put it. I’m excited to see Eloise flirt with more people in the next season, and I think the actress that plays her would love to see that as well.
Benedict is at the Academy for art and painting. In the first season, we saw Benedict in the art scene, but it was more of the artist party scene. In season two, we saw him develop his craft more and pursue his passions — which I was very pleased by. I like Benedict; I’m excited for his season but honestly? Who knows when that could be? In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Shonda Rhimes (showrunner) hinted that season three may not focus on Benedict — maybe Colin and Penelope?
Violet Bridgerton has a handful taking care of her kids — all eight of them, including Daphne, who arrived on the scene with baby Auggie while Simon is traveling and working. Violet is one of the BEST characters of this show (go read her profile in Bustle), and you can’t argue with me on that. She is a delightful matriarch and she always brings wisdom and clarity to her children. I would’ve liked to see more of her guiding Anthony in season two, giving him advice on love like she did with Daphne in season one, but I just don’t think Anthony would’ve listened to her (toxic masculinity). Still, I would’ve at least liked to see more of Violet talking to Anthony about the death of his father and her late husband, and on how she coped with his death. We got most of that by the very end of the season, but I would’ve liked to see it throughout the entire season. It was still good, regardless. I think that Anthony would’ve benefitted from much-needed therapy from his mom and brothers and Daphne on love and any other advice, but he’s too stubborn to receive any of it.
Anthony and Kate
That leads to Anthony and Kate. Before I get into their love story, let’s talk about the Sharmas (the Sheffields in the book).
I for one was completely surprised at the depths of Edwina’s storyline. In the book, she wasn’t as a prevalent character as she was in the series. She didn’t take much of an opinion — in my honest opinion — in her courtship with the Viscount and … she wasn’t engaged to the Viscount at all. Now, I know that the writers adapted that for a reason, and I like that they took out the part about the forced marriage storyline. But did they have to do a love triangle … and everything happen on Edwina’s wedding day? I’m rooting for Edwina at this point for her happily ever after. (Maybe with the Queen’s nephew?)
But in the book, there wasn’t a love triangle in the book. This article referred to the love triangle as Anthony being attracted to both sisters, with him attracted to Edwina with his head, meaning that it makes sense that he to marry the diamond of the season, and him being attracted to Kate was thinking with his heart, whom he truly loves. That theory holds up! But overall, I didn’t care for the love triangle and how it continued throughout many episodes. I still think Edwina’s character was absolutely amazing and lovable that the writers couldn’t not include her storyline. I loved the sister dynamic between the two; while I thought Kate was slightly too protective of her sister, I think the relationship between the two sisters was so good.
Perhaps the writers tried to put more scenes with Anthony and Edwina, and potentially create chemistry between the two of them, but it just didn’t work. We all knew that Anthony was going to be with Kate, and that it was his love story with Kate, so why did they have to create a chemistry (that we potentially came to love) between Anthony and Edwina? That — I do not understand.
And now … the love story between Anthony and Kate. I thought that it was a slow burn. I think they’re an amazing pair — the characters and the actors playing them had great chemistry. But it was a slow burn (a romance term to describe a romance book where two characters, in love, wait until the very end of the book to confess their feelings for one another or kiss). Even though it was only eight episodes (eight hour-long episodes), it still felt an eternity waiting for Anthony and Kate to kiss or at least reveal their feelings to one another or themselves. I think they had great chemistry like Simon and Daphne did in season one (and still do), but the slow burn of it all just kept me impatient (and still watching). There were moments where I became exasperated and yelled, “why won’t they just get together?”
But they did get together. And oh goodness, it was worth the wait (sort of). The final episode, with the Featherington’s ball (an entirely different story to review), Anthony asks Kate to dance. Kate has recovered from her fall in the park, which Anthony rescued her from. Kate is about to depart for India the following day, eager to sail away from London. By this time, Anthony and Kate brought shame to their families from the wedding day fiasco when Edwina called off the wedding after finding out the two had feelings for each other; now the ton completely disregarded them. Shunned and close to ruins, their families attempt to do damage control.
But during the Featherington ball, Anthony and Kate dance together. And oh my gosh, it is magical. They dance to a hauntingly beautiful classical rendition of Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus and the entire room just stops and stares at the pair. Even the Queen, who arrives unannounced to the ball, is mesmerized and completely fascinated. She actually gives her blessing to the pair, with Edwina closely behind, giving her blessing to her sister. It was a fantastic season ending — with fireworks.
A third season? I don’t know. Shonda already announced that there will be eight seasons — but we don’t know when we’ll be getting them. Season three could begin soon, or it could be similar to Stranger Things and release in three years. All I know is that I will be re-reading and finishing the Bridgerton series until then. That, and doing a complete re-watch of the first and second seasons.