Words: Clotilde Chinnici

Dearest reader,

Welcome back to the social season and scandalous endeavours of the ton. In other words, Bridgerton season two is out! I have taken it upon myself to watch it and give you my honest opinion on the second season of the series that last year was an instant success. Will season two manage to do the same? Let this author enlighten you.   

Some people may have thought last year’s success of season one was largely dependent on the lockdown that forced us all inside with nothing to do but watch Netflix. But Bridgerton season two numbers don’t lie. According to Variety, viewers watched 193 million hours of the show only during the opening weekend, establishing a record for Netflix. It seems that the series, which has already been renewed for a third and a fourth season, will continue to be a hit.

Warning: Bridgerton Series 2 Spoilers Ahead

Following the books, each season of the show will focus on a Bridgerton sibling and in season two, the lead role is passed on to none other than Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey). Perhaps, this entire season could be summed up in Lady Violet Bridgerton’s (Ruth Gemmell) words in episode one. “This is the season the viscount intends to find a wife” she announces during season two’s first ball. Talk about an entrance. And, indeed, he does. However, as he had proclaimed at the end of the previous season, Anthony has no intention of looking for a love match. Instead, he is getting married only to fulfil his duty. In order to do so, he intends to marry the woman who will be best suited for the role of viscountess.

Of course, it becomes immediately clear that the chemistry between Kate and Anthony is undeniable. The enemies to lovers arch is clear from their first scene when Anthony sees her horse-riding in the woods. And yet, Bridgerton manages to keep us on the edge of our seat with a masterfully crafted slow-burn romance that only sees its protagonists declare their love to each other. That was so obvious for us as the audience and for some of the characters in the series as well, including Daphne Bridgeton (Phoebe Dynevor) first and foremost and Kate’s own sister and Anthony’s fiancé Edwina – in the final episode of the season. Compared to season one, the main romantic plot of the series felt much slower but nonetheless as exciting, shocking, and breath-taking as Daphne’s own journey to find a love match.

Anthony proves to be an amazing and compelling protagonist for this second season not only because of his love story but also because the focus on him allows us to delve deeper into his character. Through some well-constructed flashbacks, we get to see a young Anthony witnessing the death of his father and taking on the responsibility for his whole family.

We heard a lot about Anthony stepping in his role as viscount after his father’s death in the previous season. And I really enjoyed seeing that portrayed on screen, as well as witnessing Violet’s reaction to her husband’s death and the high-risk labour and delivery of her last daughter. The flashbacks definitely made us feel the momentum of these pivotal moments that have made the family, and especially Anthony, who they are now. I only wished that they would have cast an actor to play young Anthony instead of using Jonathan Bailey who, despite being a fantastic Anthony, perhaps does not make the audience realize how young Anthony was when he had to undergo all of this.

But what about the novel?

Many have complained that the series – as the previous season did – departs quite a lot from Julia Quinn’s The Viscount Who Loved Me. Although I have not read the books myself, I did look into the changes that were made to the source material. I have never been a fan of adaptations that venture too far from their original. But I have to say, I think in the case of Bridgerton it actually makes sense. The changes are many – such as including a love trying between Edwina, Kate, and Anthony which is absent in the book as Edwina herself is one of the first people to notice that her sister has feelings for Anthony. But they do heighten the overall stakes of the series and end up working in favour of the slow-burn that makes the audience love this couple from the very beginning of their relationship.

Furthermore, I have enjoyed seeing a new aspect of the Bridgerton series this second season. While the first one could count on the novelty of the product and the thrill of introducing the audience to a new world they have never experienced before, the setting and atmosphere of the series were already clearly established by the time season two began. One of the challenges of this new season, then, was to still keep that excitement that series one created.

Another challenge of this season was perhaps the fact that the identity of Lady Whistledown, a mystery that drove part of the plot of the first season, is now out in the open. It was definitely a most welcome change. Although I did enjoy trying to unravel the secret behind our favourite author’s identity, this season showed us the inner workings behind the icon that Lady Whistledown is, such as how Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) gets her pamphlets printed and delivered to the families in the ton and how she convinces Madame Delacroix (Kathryn Drsydale) to help her. She is not only an accomplished author, but she also tries to protect her best friend Eloise (Claudia Jessie) when the Queen believes her to be Lady Whistledown and wants to punish her.

But, a controversial opinion here. I did love Penelope this season and how the found her voice through Lady Whistledown and spoke for herself as Penelope in her fight with Eloise. Say what you will, I will stand by her for this one.  

Let’s Get A Little More Technical…

As always, one of the most stunning and impressive elements of the show is its visuals. And season two does not disappoint: with its beautifully composed shots – such as the memorable bee sting scene or when Anthony’s focus cannot help but go to Kate during the wedding ceremony rather than towards Edwina, and thus the camera pulls focus on the former – and compelling mise-en-scéne, Bridgerton once again manages to transport the audience into its world and makes all of us wish to attend one of those balls ourselves.

Talking about balls, I have always thought that it is the masterfully arranged spectacular ball scenes that create the most interesting and beautiful moments. The last ball of this scene was particularly significant when Kate and Anthony finally put themselves first and dance together, as if no one was watching, with a string version of Wrecking Ball playing in the background. Ten out of ten.

The mix of classical pieces, such as Vivaldi’s Spring, and classical renditions of modern music on strings, such as those of Material Girl and Sign of the Times, is a mark of the Bridgeton we know and love. This season, the music included a homage to South-Asian culture in the cover of the song Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, a very popular song from the homonymous 2001 Bollywood film.

Overall, Bridgerton has showcased South-Asian culture and traditions throughout this season not only in the music but also in many other aspects. For instance the names of the Sharmas, who were the Sheffields in the book and most definitely not from India. The costumes that incorporate pashminas and other details inspired by India. Edwina being bathed in haldi as a part of the wedding preparations, and showing how Kate makes tea, after saying that she hates how British people drink it, just to name a few.

The production was aided by the expertise of South Asian advisers, such as Dr Priya Atwal, on the characterization and historical background of the characters. From the responses I have seen online, it is clear that an accurate representation of South-Asian characters and South-Asian culture was very much needed: I cannot begin to tell you how many people have expressed seeing themselves represented on screen and in a period drama, no less. If only for this and nothing else, Bridgerton season two deserves praise.

All in all, this new season Bridgerton has definitely earned a special place in our hearts and proved to be a worthy successor to season one, reconfirming the unmatched charm, suspense, and scandal of the Regency-era atmosphere that Bridgerton has become known for. Dare I say it even surpassed its predecessor? This author cannot wait to see how the show will continue to surprise us in the next seasons.