Review: Bridgerton (Season 2, Netflix)
Review: Bridgerton (Season 2, Netflix)
I, amongst many other Bridgerton fans, have anxiously been awaiting Season 2; especially following Rege-Jean Page’s announcement that he would not be appearing in Season 2.
“Season 2 shifts the focus to Anthony, the eldest of the eight Bridgerton children. When last we see Anthony in the Season One finale, fresh off the heartbreaking conclusion of his on-again, off-again romance with opera singer Siena, he declares his intentions to find a viscountess, informing Simon and Daphne of his commitment to marrying for duty rather than love.”
- Official Synopsis
Dear Reader,
I, amongst many other Bridgerton fans, have anxiously been awaiting Season 2; especially following Rege-Jean Page’s announcement that he would not be appearing in Season 2. Page's character, the Duke, made all of us burn for him. Many of us suspected they would lean into Daphne’s (Phoebe Dynevos) brother’s storyline. After all, Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) is the first son and Viscount, and will need to marry and produce heirs soon. Now, Season 1 ended with the reveal of Lady Whistledown, which I’ve heard if you’re a big Jane Eyre fan you would have caught on almost instantly. I, on the other hand, in my mid-pandemic binge, missed all the red flags pointing out our writer. The hype for Season 1–especially with The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical happening on Tik Tok–really helped me find solace in a community that loved this show as much as me.
I’ll say it one time, but being a Black person and getting to see a period piece based in a reality where we existed, first, as a person, warmed my heart. Truly this wouldn’t have been possible without Hamiliton the Musical paving the way and casting regardless of race. Along with being a safe place for BIPOC, there were plenty of scandals, flashbacks, and artistically beautiful moments that made me want to exist in the Bridgerton universe. I must say, going into Season 2 I wasn’t overly excited but I was once again taken on a trip into one of my favorite universes. First we need to talk about the florals in this season. Not only have the sets gotten bigger and better, but they continue to have what appears to be thousands of dollars worth of florals. If you’re a fan of Bridgerton you love the classical covers of modern songs—and they do not disappoint this season. Hopefully with some refining, the green screens will be less obvious when used in the next chapter.
The feeling I had with Season 1 being rushed towards the end is still the way I feel in the second. Even with an episode or two more we could continue the tactful pacing that keeps fans enraptured throughout the first half of the season. I will never get tired of the cinematography and shot compositions in this show. They tell a story all on their own even in the quietest of moments. The cast continues to do an incredible job, especially the newcomers, but my favorite in growth this season has to be Eloise (Claudia Jessie). She is exactly who she needs to be. I will say that while the writing is [mostly] great, it retreads the trope of doing what is expected rather than doing things for yourself. There are enough potential plotlines and twists that keep it fresh and not feeling like an exact carbon copy of Season 1.
During the beginning of another season in London, the biggest question is who will be our diamond, though we’ve all seen what the pressure of being a diamond can do to someone. All I can tell you is the Queen wants a wildcard diamond, and that is exactly what she gets. We have our favorite modiste, though it appears they are no longer enraptured with a certain Bridgerton (the most attractive brother in my opinion). The Duke’s best friend, Mr. Mondrich (Martins Imhangbe), is trying to pave his way into our high society's world, but I’ll let you figure out how. If you were worried about his decision towards the end of Season 1, you have every right to be. Though he remains one of my favorite side characters and I would love to share a drink with him.
Where does one even begin with the Featheringtons? The amount of drama and overall distaste for the entire family in Season 1 was enough to dread their return. Even our beloved Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) drives me up a wall, as she has constantly put her own family and friends into scandal, however well deserved or not. Fortunately, I left Season 2 with an odd amount of respect for Lady Featherington (Polly Walker), something I never quite saw happening. They have been the family I wish we would do without, but what is high society without a family like them. I continually wondered if Penelope would ever leave the friendzone or be courted—though, it’s not as if her yellow dresses are doing her any justice. I’m practically begging for her to be in an emerald dress at this rate. We delve into how Pen makes Lady Whistledown happen, which might have been one of the most enticing plotlines within the season. Overall, the Featheringtons continue to be exactly who they are and I might be one who’s growing to like them after seeing all their sides.
While I, and I’m sure many others have a love-hate relationship with the Featheringtons, there will never be a woman I respect much more than Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh). She’s simultaneously the fiercest and funniest in the show. I tend to wonder how the Queen (Golda Rosheuvel) and Lady Danbury are so close, regardless I love their petty best friend situation. In this season we get all the wit and sarcasm that we love but we also see a more aggressive side of her. She is relentless in getting what she wants while also being a guide to the youth that are around her, most especially the debutante she is sponsoring this season.
This show could not exist without them, so it is only natural they assist in wrapping up this review. Anthony Bridgerton is our main character now which also means we get flashbacks into what made him the same way we did with the Duke. These flashbacks allow you to resonate with him on a deeper level and truly understand who he is. Though we all know he was enraptured by a certain opera singer, the standards he has for his future viscountess are nothing less than perfection. He is looking for a partner over a basic love match to his family's dismay. Though the amount of diversity he has when meeting, or should I say interviewing, the ladies is quite profound. Anthony isn’t the only one involved heavily this time around, as Eloise is being announced into society. Our dear sweet Eloise wishes nothing but to be exactly who she is inside though we grow to see an even softer side of her. One who experiences hurt, insecurity, and internal conflict so beautifully. Eloise is blossoming into a beautiful young lady who is in a different league than just Daphne’s shadow.
We do get to see our beloved Duchess a few times within this season, and we even see the heir to the Duke of Hastings—but alas, the Duke does not appear. Don’t worry: you’ll get plenty of eye candy when it comes to Benedict (Luke Thompson). He is the definition of the second son, going after his passion and being daringly brazen with women. Though, as always, he and Eloise have the same bond Daphne and Anthony do. There is no better bond than those who have to set the standard for their successors. When I tell you there will never be calm in a home as grand as the Bridgertons, our mighty family deals with some of the biggest scandals of the season. Some of which you can expect, and others that will be sure to blindside you. Colin (Luke Newton), the boy part of our biggest scandal of Season 1, is allowed to grow into his own person, though for a moment you’d think he didn’t learn anything from his past. Regardless, the head Viscountess (Ruth Gemmell) has done a wonderful job raising her children and I loved the intimate moments we got to be a part of.
Bridgerton continues to hold a special place in my heart and I am so excited to begin the discourse on another, successful season through all of the scandal, heartwarming interactions, and heart-wrenching reveals. I cannot recommend the show enough. Though like any follow up there are some plot issues and misdirection, but here’s to hoping our writers keep taking risks!