First of all, I apologize for the language that will be used. Second of all, I will be ranting. Third of all, I'm glad I planned on watching this entire series in a long weekend because it was super addicting.
The world of Bridgerton exists only in the world of regency romance novels but given all that is going on in the world currently, it provides the necessary dose of escapism that is desperately needed. With an impeccable set, costumes, set design, props and music, the series boosts few major names though this series will undoubtedly make the cast famous as each is pitch perfect in their respective roles.
As near royalty in 1813, women are trained for their entire childhood for their 'season' in which they are on display to find a husband. For the title Bridgerton family, it is oldest daughter, Daphne's (Phoebe Dynevor) is about to make her debut but it does not get off to an auspicious start thanks for her overprotective brother, Anthony (Jonathan Bailey). It is only by chance, escaping from a wretched opinion, that Daphne runs into, literally the Duke of Hastings aka Simon (Rege-Jean Page) and, of course, it is love at first sight.
But Simon's childhood was a wretched one, told in flashbacks in episode two, his father (Richard Pepple) is a fucking asshole and that's being polite. He cares little about his wife during her difficult delivery which ultimately kills her and when his intelligent son has a stutter, he banishes the little boy from his sight, so Simone has some major scars and has sworn off love, marriage and most certainly children.
Still, after Daphne fends off her unwanted suitor, the two enter into an arrangement where they will fake date (or court) so she can find a better prospect and the meddling mothers will leave him alone and it works. As it always works, they actually fall in love even after Daphne catches the eye of another, too bad the chemistry between Daphne and Simon is too much to ignore and after a make-out session (which is no-no back then), the two marry, which gives us a much needed, intimate and epic sex scene. And then the two have sex for much of the sixth episode until Daphne discovers that Simon's pulling out. And this is a big deal because he lied to her and said that he was incapable of bearing children. After a talk with the maid, Daphne doesn't let him, which is low, but he was likewise despicable. It takes until the finale for them to finally talk things through (as if they had nothing better to do) and work out the issues, not to mention Daphne discovering some unopened letters in which she finally learns just how cruel Simon's father was. So they finally get their happy ending, just watch the epilogue. But this is a romance, a happy ending is in order.
Now, that is only the main plot, as there are plenty of other characters, as the Bridgertons have eight children and there is a gossip columnist who calls herself Lady Whistledown (narrated by Julie Anderws) and Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie), is hellbent on uncovering her identity and there is the ridiculous double-standard on how men are allowed to go the brothels while the woman is supposed to be completely pure on her wedding night, which is unacceptable.
That all being said, and despite the fact that both Simon and Anthony are wretched dumbasses, I still haven't been this enamored with a TV couple since the first half of season one of Poldark's Ross and Demelza (Aidan Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson) until now, this couple had me on the edge of my seat and the chemistry is white-hot. And I'm grateful that Simon finally came to his senses and saw Daphne for the diamond she is, and I'm grateful that she didn't pregnant from that encounter as babies should be conceived in love.
So despite the slightly wretched actions of some characters, this is a flawless show and I can't wait for a season two. Grade: A
Side Notes:
-There several important subplots, including Anthony's affair with opera singer, Siena (Sabrina Bartlett) who actually was in several episodes of Poldark.
-The most notable subplot involves neighboring family Featherington's cousin (Ruby Gerber) who is pregnant out of wedlock and how Lady Featherington (Polly Walker) tries to trick a man into marrying her.
-The only Featherington daughter worth mentioning is the youngest, Penelope (Nicola Coughlin) who believes herself to be in love with Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton). She is also best friends with Eloise.
-It takes until the finale for Marina (Gerber) to decide to consider abortion, by drinking a mixture of herbs which doesn't even work.
-The subject of race is brought up precisely once. And it refreshing to see a near color-blind cast.
-The cast had six weeks of regency camp to learn how the dance and behave, etc. There was also an intimacy coordinator on set so the actors would feel comfortable and the sex scenes were incredibly hot. And though there were plenty of them, the dance scenes between Daphne and Simon were equally as sexy so much so that I fanned myself off several times during the series.
-While I do think men are idiots, I am glad of when they can change and Simon changes mightily during the season, proving that true love might just actually exist.
-And as for the ending, I predicted that it was going to named Amelia, unfortunately I was wrong.
-Also, props for this show for including several mentions of women's periods, in this case, checking the bedsheets for blood stains as underwear weren't worn back then, which is just rank. Also, props for having the husband in the delivery room, though they still aren't wearing wedding rings (which is historically accurate but pisses me off nevertheless.
-There is some cursing but fuck is used sparingly so it has the greatest effect.
-If Simon had just been honest with Daphne as to the real reasons he didn't want children (his mother dying in childbirth, him being fearful that he'd be a bad father), that would have been one thing but it was rather because he swore to his dying father that the Hastings line would end with him, which is such bullshit and Daphne calls him out on it, to her credit.
-The true identity of Lady Whistledown is rather surprising. There's some things that not even I can reveal.
-I want season two, like yesterday. And I want to make out with someone, pronto.
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