Who Said Romance Was Dead? – A Bridgerton Review

Dearest reader,

It has come to our attention that all members of the buzzing Ton have fallen deeply, madly and whole-heartedly in-love with the sensational series that is Bridgerton.

For those who have not dipped their *silver spoon* to indulge in the wonders of a fervent, untainted, (arguably toxic) love between the regency’s most desired suitor, The Duke of Hastings, Simon Bassett, played exceptionally (and we mean exceptionally) by Regé-Jean Page. And the “Diamond of the season”, Miss Daphne Bridgerton, performed by the breath-taking, Phoebe Dynevor.

It is to my embarrassment that I must admit, fellow reader, that I, have viewed this phenomenon all but twice, for research purposes, of course… but it seems as if this is the romance narrative we all momentously needed during our winter lockdown, replacing an annual cuffing season with, well, The Duke.

The first series has simply taken over the standard in which we hold period-dramas, as it prevails in becoming Netflix’s biggest triumph, capturing the hearts, minds and *cough* wherever else, of 63 million households in its first four weeks.

Based on the book penned by Julia Quinn, it displays passionate love and affection, the unacquainted awareness of sex, the beholden authority and ownership of men and workings of patriarchy.

It displays many of such stereotypes and social rules, prominently that being of relations before marriage, and the regretful reputation such acts have on a young woman in that era.

But it does so by being highly praised as the most diverse period drama, which has been longed to be demonstrated in this genre.

For Bridgerton, is the tale of the accustomed rivalry between the lordly Bridgerton family and Featherington family, who are keen to be the most aristocratic family in the regency. Everyone with a daughter or who knows a daughter, are prepped, prodded and hoisted into the match of their social status dreams, and presented to Queen Charlotte, played by Golda Rosheuvel. 

Does this sound too prim and proper? Well dearest reader… I should like to say, that the story turns from the doting innocence of dating, which is quickly and, maybe thankfully, diminished in to the sensual, physicality’s of marriage. The producers of the show, Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers and Chris Van Dusen have a roster of work including; Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away With Murder, so it is inevitable that it would be *so* fulfilling.

Although it is with displeasure to make point of The Duke’s method of contraception, (none) which is perhaps highly unlikely to work for couples, so do not attempt this at home, unless of course, 9-months later you want that little gift…

If you had noticed, a piece of the tale surrounding the bee. Some claiming that it is symbolising the other royal family, Queen Bey herself. But it is simply to convey the buzzing, busy nature of The Ton, even so, it is endearing.

While the show has reached accredited triumph, it has had heavily opposing views and opinions of sexism, and wrongdoing by Daphne, in an intimate scene between the pair. It drives the burnt-out notion that love must hurt for it to work, or the male must impose his unhealed past on to his wife, which SHE *must* adhere to, because of love. But this was true for the 1800’s, how we change it, is a different matter.

We cannot wait for season two, which is said to be launching in 2022, so until then dearest reader… we wait.

Yours truly,

Honourable Ladies of Sistem x