If you haven’t read our prior review of the first season I recommend you do, it can be found Here. That being said, I specifically left out things in the review for the sake of your enjoyment. If you haven’t seen the first season and do not want spoilers, turn away now because we will be talking about big reveals in the finale of the first season and how they affect this season.
Now that we got that out of the way, let’s jump into the review. We always discuss our critiques by covering the story, acting, and overall!
Story 9/10
With the shockers of Daphne and Simon finding their way to each other, and Simon being able to get past his psychological issues with his father, the show fast-forwarded through their story and eventual progeny. It’s sad that Rége-Jean Page backed down from the series, but it makes sense with the fact that Julia Quinn’s books don’t really focus on his character once his and Daphne’s story is concluded. But where does a show go when its main characters’ lives are so perfectly wrapped up? Well instead of spinning off to a side character, they spun up to her older brother.
All through the first season Anthony Bridgerton was waffling on putting off finding a lady to wed and produce a further heir for his title. Now with his love interest done with him, although he could not have married her, Anthony announces his interest to his family to take a bride this season. His mother then so eloquently shares that news with the entire Ton.
Anthony is not looking for what Daphne had though, due to his trauma with the death of his father, he is not looking for love, but for an equal who will make a great mother and lady to lead the Bridgerton name. Love need not apply, instead, love needs to not be involved at all.
While courting a woman almost perfect for his ideals though he lets his intentions slip in front of the potential bride’s sister. This elder sister wants love for her younger charge and will take none of Anthony’s advances.
Can love blossom from a man who feels it is a liability, can the sister break down his resolve, or will these mixed emotions become a scandal that will turn the Ton upside down? Yes, but we won’t tell you to which!
This is a fun and interesting story to enjoy this season, and while I was worried how they could tell a story having put so many eggs in the prior seasons’ love interests, I am pleasantly surprised with the skill at which they produced this story. Honestly, they could probably keep the seasons going as long as there are Bridgertons to be wed, and there are a lot of Bridgertons. Clearly, Edmund Bridgerton loved Violet or else how could they have had so many children!
Acting 10/10
Taking center stage this season was Anthony Bridgerton played by Jonathan Bailey and his love interests of the season. Both Simone Ashley and Charithra Chandran do an amazing job not only being impressive representations of a modern woman in the period of the show, but conveying the grey area people find themselves in when trying to find a balance between what we personally want, and what we owe to others.
On the other side of the Ton this year we have Eloise, played by Claudia Jessie, and Pen, played by Nicola Coughlan. They are excellent showcasing two girls on a course that directly conflicts and collides. With Pen outed to the audience as Lady Whistledown and Eloise pushed once more to try to find the identity, the audience is forced to sit and wait for the potential shocking conclusion between the friends.
Overall 9/10
At the end of the season, I can honestly say that this show did a great job pivoting away from Daphne and Simon as the main characters. Focusing on the backstory of the Bridgertons and the final acceptance of a bride by Anthony was brilliant for the focal point of the season. I will specifically say though that if they have the third season and it is about a man with daddy issues not being able to commit to a relationship, then Bridgerton may have fallen into a niche story over and over again.
I still would have loved to have seen Rége-Jean Page if only for a second at the end of the season. It feels weird to have Daphne sweep in so many times to help her family and just keep making excuses as to why Simon could not attend.
It’s probably the only setback to my enjoyment of the season.
Conner Eric’s Final Thoughts
As I said in our prior critique, there is a lot of nudity and sex scenes usually in Bridgerton. While there are decidedly fewer sex scenes this season, there is plenty of nudity. So a serious hint, this season, even without the constant sex appeal of Rége-Jean Page is not PG enough for you to watch with your parents or children.
If you want to watch the new season when it drops you can do so Here on March 25, 2022, but if you are in Los Angeles and would love to walk in the world of the Bridgerton series, you can do so with Fever’s new event Here! For the starting price of $64 a ticket, you can dance the night away and hope to catch the eye of the Queen.
You can even check out our more in-depth article Here!
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