Bridgerton Review

I finished watching Bridgerton on Netflix last night. This is the new Shondra Rhimes series, helmed by her protegee, and long time writer Chris Van Dunsen.

It is a fun series. Fluffy, soapy, and very true to the "Regency-style" historical romances written by American writers. These aren't high-brow fiction by the way, but fun fluffy relationship dramas focusing on gender politics and place in a bygone age. They are mainly "fantasy" fiction and those reading and enjoying them - don't tend to view them as much more than fantasy. If I were to compare them to a painting - I'd say one of those romantic landscapes from the romantic period. Historically accurate, they aren't - and there are alas plot holes and inconsistencies aplenty in the genre. It's fun though, with witty banter, sex scenes, and everything works out in the end. There's a reason I've been reading the genre for the last several years - it's comforting, like a nice warm blanket, a cup of coca with marshmallows, and a fluffy pastry.

In watching it - I thought with glee - ah, the Regency Romances I've been reading (and forgetting with equal frequency) brought to life. It should be noted that part of the appeal of the genre is how easily I can forget it. It takes up no place in the old brain. It's fun little escape or distraction.

That said, they shouldn't be discounted so arbitrarily, any more than Bridgerton should. The romance genre much like daytime soaps, superhero/action comics (Marvel and DC) - do examine social issues. They just often do it with a light touch. It's not the point of their narratives, and it's more of a passing glance, that may or may not be followed up on or delved into with greater depth. Often it's just kind of commented on. Sandition, Pride & Prejudice, Downton Abbey or the Crown - this isn't. It's more akin to the early seasons of Grey's Anatomy or Scandal. It's a touch above the Hallmark movie, and a touch below the BBC Masterpiece Theater British Costume Drama.

I watched a little of Andrew Davies' Sanditon this morning and a little of Outlander - both work hard for historical accuracy, and delve deeply into social issues, and the history of the times. The romance, such as it is, is secondary. Neither have a happy ending. And they stick in the head longer.
In Sanditon, which also takes place during the Regency Period or close enough, lighting is done by candles, the streets of London are dark and dingy, and muddy. Bridgerton in stark contrast, is clean and neat. Racism is more than commented on - it's dwelled on in Sanditon but admittedly from a white perspective.

Bridgerton has a great deal in common with Shonda Rhimes other series, Scandal and Grey's Anatomy, where social issues are commented on, but the main focus are the romantic and familial relationships. Everything is background noise. Rhimes hired medical consultants for Grey's - so the hospital masks, and for the most part the hospital itself fits what most would expect. But if you know anything about hospitals or medicine, it will most likely jar you. Same here, with Bridgerton, they hired historical consultants to get fashion, furnishings, dance routines, etc correct, but if you know anything of the period or British history - it will probably jar you.

The other commonality, is plot inconsistencies.( Read more... )

Overall rating? B+

Day 290

On FB the other day there was one of those word game challenges - where the first four words you see - and your focus word for the new year? Normally they aren't that interesting and I tend to forget them. But this year I had to work to find any, and the four that came up were: Creation, Connection, Change and Strength.

Seemed interesting and unusual. It's usually Love, Money, Wealth, Health.

The days ahead are going to be tough ones. Was announced on GH Fan board that General Hospital suspended production as of December 18, and may not resume again until late January - partly due to the holiday, mostly due to COVID. And we've now passed 350,000 deaths in the US, and over 20 million cases, the rest of the world isn't a whole lot better. And I read an article recently that stated Russia most likely has over 230,000 dead or close to it and isn't releasing accurate numbers. Same with India, and possibly China.

Three viruses are raging around me and I'm struggling not to be infected by any of them: COVID, Misinformation, and Hate.

Today, I also found out that my favorite News Broadcast program had let go six of its long-term female anchors due to a lawsuit in which they claimed age and sex discrimination. The resolution was for them to leave the network - NY1 aka Spectrum News.

My mantra has become:

I will not discuss politics online.

I will not fight about it.

I will not let the news media infect me with fear and hate.

I will not lose my faith that my two dearest hopes and wishes for 2021 will happen.

The sociopath and his cronies out of the White House by January 20, and the vaccine widely distributed and proven effective by March.

Please Universe, please make this happen. Do whatever is necessary to make it happen.

It's really hard after the last four years to have faith. I've had my hopes crushed one too many times. But two of those four miracles happened, and it was touch and go on those two. I have to have faith the last two will happen and acknowledge that I've done all I could. There is nothing else that I can do.

Strength. Must have strength.

I feel a bit like this angel battling the tree perpetually.



Finished Bridgerton, then jumped about hunting another show to watch. Flirted with Outlander, that I may or may not go back to. Outlander is problematic for my blood pressure - in that I get furious with people and it's rather grim and frustrating to watch. We Can be Heroes - which is a kind of sequel to Shark Boy and Lava Girl, but lacks the same production value and writing. It's cute though. After - a millenial college romance or New Adult - but threw me out of the story so many times, I gave up on it. I went to college - it couldn't have changed that much. There's a few things in it that make no sense - a freshman woman is put with a junior roommate. The roommate is smoking pot and flaunting it when the mother arrives. The freshman's roommate keeps inviting her to go partying or hang with her - when they obviously have nothing in common. And when she does, instead of wearing jeans, she wears a formal dress to a frat party. And...and the junior roommate makes fun of her for bringing books to college?? I was Mystery Science Theater with the show. I might go back, but I don't know, I think I'm too old for it. It's very popular apparently.

Bridgerton by the way is number #1 in the US on Netflix. And in the Top 10 Netflix streaming series. (Considering Netflix has over 1,000 series streaming, that's actually fairly good.)

Anyhow I'm struggling to find something to watch. Which is good, I suppose, since I go back to work (from home) tomorrow. Still working remotely. I get up at 6:30 tomorrow, clock in by 8, and clock out at 4, and keep track of what I'm doing daily in a log. And try not to worry about what is happening outside my apartment complex - which I've no control over.

I could try the Mandalorian, the Expanse, go back to Titans, or The Crown, I suppose. Also Giri/Hajir and Cowboy Bebop have been rec'd to me. Along with Dragon Prince, and the rest of She-Rah and Steven Universe and Kipo. I just am in an odd mood - and want more of Bridgerton actually or Great Pottery Throw-Down, which I may re-watch.

If you've suggestions - have at it.

It's a rainy, blah day, and I've debated making chocolate mousse during most of it. Stopping myself. I need to grocery shopping again - but don't want to. May do it tomorrow - as my afternoon walk, weight-lifting exercise. Although Monday isn't the best time to go. Should at least get my fudge tomorrow - according to the USPS delivery updates sent to my email. But the Christmas cookies I ordered seem lost forever.