Bridgerton
Director - Shonda Rhimes
Extension - 4 seasons, 32 episodes (ongoing)
Studio(s) - Netflix
Release date - December 2020
(Season 4 released in January 2026)
(bad) Synopsis
A society kept alive by the power of love and the power of gossip.
Notes/Opinion
In theory, this show isn’t really for me. I don’t hate romance by any means, but the dramatic, almost performative kind of love doesn’t always manage to captivate me.
That being said, Bridgerton’s escapism is very effective. I think that’s the part I like the most: this overarching message that anyone can be worthy of love, regardless of things like ethnicity or body type. Sometimes a screen adaptation manages to do things better than the book, and I would argue that is the case here. Especially in terms of representation, I actually think it’s pretty well-managed.
Not perfectly, to be clear, but I like how there’s both “casual” rep that doesn’t go too deep (this is a diverse society, what about it) and other times when it does elaborate on a character’s background.
It is a fantasy, but a comforting one nonetheless.
Anyway, let’s go season by season up until the latest one, shall we?
Season 1
Sets the scene for what was going to become a cultural moment and a crowning glory for Netflix. Needless to say, Regé-Jean Page is beautiful in this. Also, I hope it isn’t a hot take that he and Marina both deserved better. Like, what Daphne did to her own husband was Not Okay, and I sincerely do not blame Marina for not telling Colin about her pregnancy. I actually thought Penelope was kind of annoying this season? She burst into tears very often and it threw me off a bit. Other than the Lady Whistledown plot twist and the jealousy, she didn’t have much more going on.
Season 2
I enjoyed Kate and Anthony better than the last couple, it has to be said. Can’t say I cared too much for Anthony’s sniffing (what perfume did Kate have on?), and I’m very sorry that Edwina got caught up in the middle of all this. Now, please don’t incarcerate me, but beautiful as Simone Ashley is, I don’t… think season 2 is the best she has looked. In retrospective. Even then, she’s incredibly gorgeous.
Other than that, Penelope’s confrontation with Eloise kinda hit close to home. It made me feel called out and awakened a fear in me of not being able to “do something great.”
Season 3
The main couple is fine, and I have to say this season meant a lot to me, at least in the moment. As someone who longed to write for a living and make a name for themselves, whose relationship with their family is a bit complicated, that aspect of Penelope’s character was very inspiring. Eventually I was able to see the ugly cost of her success more clearly, and that’s made me look at her in a different way, but I do think she served a purpose in my writing career.
Season 4
No joke, this season might have been my absolute favorite one to date. First of all, I love Sophie! She’d actually my namesake lol.
She’s genuinely such a kind, resilient, good person. Cultured and empathetic. I loved, for example, the way she confronts Benedict when he pulls a “you’re not like other girls” on her.
I love the way she talks to herself and takes it all in during the masquerade, during her time in “My cottage”. I love the way she’s so proactive and composed, even in conflict. Lovely girl.
Honestly, during the earlier part of the season I kept thinking she might deserve better than Benedict…
Now, something I really love is how Sophie’s friends (her fellow staff members) help the girl go to a ball. There’s something so great and oddly endearing about friends and/or family scheming in a positive way. Arranging a romantic situation, helping the main character get ready, whatever. It’s been a while since I saw it happen
Penelope is seemingly trying to grow as a person and become more principled, which she definitely needed.
Violet is with Lady Danbury’s brother, which is really sweet and low-key iconic of her.
John’s death was so sad… :(
Regarding the main ship this season, I think the conflict is alright. I still don’t love Benedict, especially after the infamous request, so I think it’s good that being with Sophie actually costs him something. Requires commitment on his part.
So yeah, amazing season. Let’s see if the following ones can top it, but we’ll have to see!
Is Bridgerton your kind of thing, or not really? Do you have a favorite season/ship so far? Don’t be shy, let me know in the comments!