Bridgerton Season 2
Apr. 3rd, 2022 11:40 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkatI binged all eight episodes of Bridgerton S2 Friday Night through Saturday. I should have gone outside - it was a bright and sunny day, but after the work weak (exhausting) I kind of crashed on Saturday, wanting to do little more than knit, watch a fluffy romance, and sleep. I did bake brownies. And take out the trash.
As luck would have it - I'm awake today and wanting to wander about - but alas it is raining. Wish I could flip Sunday and Saturday (the weather is not cooperating with me). Ah well, I am taking Monday off - as a personal day - to get blood work done and doctor's appointment. It's supposed to be sunny and cool tomorrow.
Bridgerton Season 2
Mother: I'm bored by Bridgerton S2. I liked S1 better.
Me: Hardly surprising, since you only watched S1 for the Duke.
Mother: That's not completely true -
Me: Yes it is, you liked the Duke. You watched it for the Duke. He's not in S2
Mother proceeds to try to spoil me on Season 2.
Me: No. I want to see it. Please don't spoil it for me, I'd like to enjoy it on my own.
You kind of have to be in the mood for this sort of thing. I watched it when I was in the mood. Last weekend - I was not in the mood for it, so watched other things instead. Mother's last big binge watch was Money Heist which she loved - so I don't think she was in the mood for Bridgerton. (I can't watch Money Heist right now - it's too stressful, violent, and frustrating. Me and thought provoking violent thrillers are NOT mixy things at the moment. I want fluffy romance and emotional dramas.)
I enjoyed it. Whizzed through all eight episodes. Wasn't bored at all. I found all the characters engaging and interesting. It is very bingable, and I think it actually works better if you binge it - as opposed to dragging it out, since each episode kind of flows into the next one. It is written to binge - kind of similar to a romance novel - which is written to read in one sitting. (I never do, since I read the things on my commute to and from work - but they are kind of designed for that. Which is why most readers of romance novels, like my mother, read anywhere from 10-100 books a month. They don't often remember them, and are known to re-read them. I take about one - two weeks to finish them - but again, I read them in snippets of time, on the train, on the subway, before bed, at lunch, which amount to anywhere from 5-20 minutes each time.)
Anyhow, I actually think Bridgerton S2 is better in some respects than Bridgerton S1. All Season 1 really had going for it was the Duke of Hastings and the raunchy sex (which depending on one's point of view - wasn't all that raunchy). The plot was a bit on the thin side, and the conflict didn't quite work. (Admittedly I don't like the baby or the misunderstanding trope that much. It was raunchier because of that trope...but still.) I didn't watch S1 in one sitting - nor did I binge it. I made it last a week or so. Also, I found that S1 drug a bit in the middle. (In stark contrast - I was so captivated by S2 Bridgerton that I watched it in one sitting.) It could be a mood thing. Or, I require a strong relatable heroine in my pairings, and Daphne didn't cut it? While Kate definitely did. Also, the actor portraying Anthony was compelling and attractive in a different way from the Duke.
S2 unlike S1, had a conflict on both sides, not just one. S1 was a touch one-sided, most of the conflict was on the Duke's end, along with the miscommunication. And the difficult back story. In S2, it's more equal and a bit deeper. Both Kate and Anthony share a sense of responsibility for their families, they both took over the running of their father's accounts, and both managed their family's welfare - often making difficult and controversial decisions to ensure their families financial future. The conflict between them is that shared sense of responsibility and desire to meet the expectations of others above all else. Neither appears to have much faith in love. The misunderstanding or miscommunication is more external than internal - and it's mostly between Anthony and Kate and their relations, and their perceived commitment to them.
In S1, it was more of an internal misunderstanding - between the Duke and Daphne, regarding the prospect of having kids. He had a strong aversion to having them, she desperately wanted them. And she kind of forces him to ensure she gets pregnant. As opposed to just talking to him about it.
It made it difficult to like her - and the pairing suffered. The family was kind off doing its own thing during all of this, and not really connected.
The Anthony/Kate romance feels a bit more connected to the other players. Anthony like Kate, makes decisions for his brothers and sisters that annoys them. He loses his brother Benedict's respect, because he gives a sizable donation to an Art School to ensure Benedict's placement. Benedict wanted to get there on his own or on the basis of his own work. Anthony doesn't understand this, and quips, if you want to paint, paint. Similarly, Kate makes decisions for her half-sister Edwina. She will get Edwina a good match, get the dowry from the Sheffield's (once again Anthony Stewart Head makes a cameo as a bad guy), and go back to India, with Edwina and her mother well taken care of. When Edwina discovers it, she's less than happy about the arrangement. And pretty much tells her sister that she is a grown woman (she's not - she's barely 21...but whatever), and she's deserving of the truth and the ability to make her own informed decisions for herself.
In some respects the story in S2 is more intertwined, and focused on the world as opposed to just the pairing. More characters are involved, it's not just focused on the romantic pair, also there's more focus on the world around them. We get a bit more information on the Queen, a touch more on Eloise, Benedict, Colin, Penelope, the Featherington's, and
the back story on what happened to the father of the Bridgertons.
Also more happens in S2 - in S1, the audience finds out who Lady Whistledown is, in S2, Eloise finally figures out who she is. And it's unclear at the end what if anything Eloise will do with the information. Also Lady Whistledown's actions unintentionally and irredeemably hurt Eloise, and end her relationship with the printer that she was forming a friendship and an attachment to. Although that would have ended badly anyhow - due to the class distinctions, which Eloise is finally made aware of. Less time is spent on sex scenes and more on plot development. The other major thing that happens - is Colin figures out that the new Lord Featherington is a swindler and con artist, he foils his plan, and helps the Boxer friend of Hastings setup his own bare and gaming club.
At any rate, I enjoyed this season far more than I expected. Next up? Possibly Moon Night, or Julia. There's so many.
As luck would have it - I'm awake today and wanting to wander about - but alas it is raining. Wish I could flip Sunday and Saturday (the weather is not cooperating with me). Ah well, I am taking Monday off - as a personal day - to get blood work done and doctor's appointment. It's supposed to be sunny and cool tomorrow.
Bridgerton Season 2
Mother: I'm bored by Bridgerton S2. I liked S1 better.
Me: Hardly surprising, since you only watched S1 for the Duke.
Mother: That's not completely true -
Me: Yes it is, you liked the Duke. You watched it for the Duke. He's not in S2
Mother proceeds to try to spoil me on Season 2.
Me: No. I want to see it. Please don't spoil it for me, I'd like to enjoy it on my own.
You kind of have to be in the mood for this sort of thing. I watched it when I was in the mood. Last weekend - I was not in the mood for it, so watched other things instead. Mother's last big binge watch was Money Heist which she loved - so I don't think she was in the mood for Bridgerton. (I can't watch Money Heist right now - it's too stressful, violent, and frustrating. Me and thought provoking violent thrillers are NOT mixy things at the moment. I want fluffy romance and emotional dramas.)
I enjoyed it. Whizzed through all eight episodes. Wasn't bored at all. I found all the characters engaging and interesting. It is very bingable, and I think it actually works better if you binge it - as opposed to dragging it out, since each episode kind of flows into the next one. It is written to binge - kind of similar to a romance novel - which is written to read in one sitting. (I never do, since I read the things on my commute to and from work - but they are kind of designed for that. Which is why most readers of romance novels, like my mother, read anywhere from 10-100 books a month. They don't often remember them, and are known to re-read them. I take about one - two weeks to finish them - but again, I read them in snippets of time, on the train, on the subway, before bed, at lunch, which amount to anywhere from 5-20 minutes each time.)
Anyhow, I actually think Bridgerton S2 is better in some respects than Bridgerton S1. All Season 1 really had going for it was the Duke of Hastings and the raunchy sex (which depending on one's point of view - wasn't all that raunchy). The plot was a bit on the thin side, and the conflict didn't quite work. (Admittedly I don't like the baby or the misunderstanding trope that much. It was raunchier because of that trope...but still.) I didn't watch S1 in one sitting - nor did I binge it. I made it last a week or so. Also, I found that S1 drug a bit in the middle. (In stark contrast - I was so captivated by S2 Bridgerton that I watched it in one sitting.) It could be a mood thing. Or, I require a strong relatable heroine in my pairings, and Daphne didn't cut it? While Kate definitely did. Also, the actor portraying Anthony was compelling and attractive in a different way from the Duke.
S2 unlike S1, had a conflict on both sides, not just one. S1 was a touch one-sided, most of the conflict was on the Duke's end, along with the miscommunication. And the difficult back story. In S2, it's more equal and a bit deeper. Both Kate and Anthony share a sense of responsibility for their families, they both took over the running of their father's accounts, and both managed their family's welfare - often making difficult and controversial decisions to ensure their families financial future. The conflict between them is that shared sense of responsibility and desire to meet the expectations of others above all else. Neither appears to have much faith in love. The misunderstanding or miscommunication is more external than internal - and it's mostly between Anthony and Kate and their relations, and their perceived commitment to them.
In S1, it was more of an internal misunderstanding - between the Duke and Daphne, regarding the prospect of having kids. He had a strong aversion to having them, she desperately wanted them. And she kind of forces him to ensure she gets pregnant. As opposed to just talking to him about it.
It made it difficult to like her - and the pairing suffered. The family was kind off doing its own thing during all of this, and not really connected.
The Anthony/Kate romance feels a bit more connected to the other players. Anthony like Kate, makes decisions for his brothers and sisters that annoys them. He loses his brother Benedict's respect, because he gives a sizable donation to an Art School to ensure Benedict's placement. Benedict wanted to get there on his own or on the basis of his own work. Anthony doesn't understand this, and quips, if you want to paint, paint. Similarly, Kate makes decisions for her half-sister Edwina. She will get Edwina a good match, get the dowry from the Sheffield's (once again Anthony Stewart Head makes a cameo as a bad guy), and go back to India, with Edwina and her mother well taken care of. When Edwina discovers it, she's less than happy about the arrangement. And pretty much tells her sister that she is a grown woman (she's not - she's barely 21...but whatever), and she's deserving of the truth and the ability to make her own informed decisions for herself.
In some respects the story in S2 is more intertwined, and focused on the world as opposed to just the pairing. More characters are involved, it's not just focused on the romantic pair, also there's more focus on the world around them. We get a bit more information on the Queen, a touch more on Eloise, Benedict, Colin, Penelope, the Featherington's, and
the back story on what happened to the father of the Bridgertons.
Also more happens in S2 - in S1, the audience finds out who Lady Whistledown is, in S2, Eloise finally figures out who she is. And it's unclear at the end what if anything Eloise will do with the information. Also Lady Whistledown's actions unintentionally and irredeemably hurt Eloise, and end her relationship with the printer that she was forming a friendship and an attachment to. Although that would have ended badly anyhow - due to the class distinctions, which Eloise is finally made aware of. Less time is spent on sex scenes and more on plot development. The other major thing that happens - is Colin figures out that the new Lord Featherington is a swindler and con artist, he foils his plan, and helps the Boxer friend of Hastings setup his own bare and gaming club.
At any rate, I enjoyed this season far more than I expected. Next up? Possibly Moon Night, or Julia. There's so many.
no subject
Date: 2022-04-03 07:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-04-04 12:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-04-04 01:37 am (UTC)I'm on the fence as to whether the Duke of Hastings was needed in S2. I've read enough romance novels - in which it's handwavable. He could have been away on business, sick, or any number of things. Also, Anthony wouldn't have sought his council necessarily - Daphne kind of thrust hers on him.
And Daphne's made more sense. In-laws tend to stay out of it.
Also, he'd have taken the focus off of Anthony.
no subject
Date: 2022-04-04 01:49 am (UTC)I'll be curious to see what happens in S3 and beyond. I'd assume we'd still see Anthony and Kate in some capacity since they're the heads of the Bridgerton family now and they can be in the background as Benedict/Colin take center stage. Selfishly I really hope their marriage gets to be featured as a subplot because they were so entertaining together.
no subject
Date: 2022-04-04 10:01 pm (UTC)I'm not sure what Page (the guy who played the Duke) is doing. His IMBD page is a bit scarce, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. Actors can be very busy with projects - and no one knows what they are. I see projects film in NYC all the time - and have no clue what they are - they have a tendency to film under a fake name.
I may re-watch S1 and S2, since I'm craving that sort of thing at the moment. Sandition isn't quite cutting it - although will try. (I'm not a fan of the trope that Davies is pursuing in Sandition which is the widower in need of a governess to tame his kids. That was more Bronte than Austen.)