Banging Bridgerton
Image courtesy of Netflix
By Kat Kaderabek
Bridgerton has taken the world by storm. According to The Wrap, it is Netflx’s most-watched show in history, exceeding over 82 million streams within its first thirty days on the platform. And the hype? It’s worth it.
Corsets. Carriages. Callers and Queens. Bridgerton has every facet that makes up a great period piece, including a star narrator. Julie Andrews voices the narrator for Bridgerton and the mysterious Lady Whistledown, who reports on all of London’s highbrow society politics of the early 1800s.
The show follows the eldest daughter of Lady Bridgerton, Daphne Bridgerton, in her quest to not only find a suitable husband, but also choose a man whom she loves. This proves rather impossible after a series of events leaves her without any gentlemen-callers aside from the older and obnoxious Nigel.
In an unexpected turn of events, Daphne finds herself teamed up with the gorgeous and eligible Duke of Hastings, who just so happens to be her brother’s dear friend and former college roommate. In an effort to work her way back to her status as the diamond of the season, Daphne and Simon must work together to prove their falace romance as a whirlwind love affair. And the results are simply intriguing.
The entirety of Bridgerton can be described as what happens when Downton Abbey meets Gossip Girl. There is an aspect of modernity to the piece that the filming itself presents in terms of color and stylistic approach; however, the outdated ideals of London society in the 1800s continues to provide a stark contrast.
The soundtrack is by far the most modern element of the eight-episode series, and it is interwoven expertly well within the scenes. Instrumental renditions of Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” and Taylor Swift’s “Wildest Dreams” are just examples of the modern pop culture references interspersed throughout the dance scenes in Bridgerton. The full playlist can be found here.
The music provides a freshness to the series that many period pieces lack. Another new characteristic, the inclusion of people of color as main characters with titles. Bridgerton highlights several main characters, including Simon, Duke of Hastings, Lady Danbury, and even the Queen herself as people of color. This inclusivity note made the show even more exciting to watch and within the series there is even an addressment of the integration that has happened within English society during this time.
Bridgerton also features a more graphic aspect than most period pieces regarding sex. This certainly isn’t a show to watch with the grandparents as the directors of Bridgerton were not afraid to let the actors get hot and heavy on camera. One of the episodes even includes a montage that lasts approximately fifteen minutes; certainly too long to be watching with a parental figure. So proceed with caution and enjoy the show.
Another quality that Bridgerton possesses is a historically accurate fashion portrayal. The older baroque style, which features gaudy dressings and frills, can be seen present in the older generation. The younger generation chooses instead to wear simpler, more elegant plated gowns that accentuate the collar bones. Beautiful and exciting to see, the costume design was excellent and noteworthy.
While this season has ended without a cliffhanger, fans have demanded more Bridgerton content. Shortly after its release, Netflix announced that a second season of Bridgerton is in the making, leaving fans everywhere ecstatic with news and buying corsets left and right.
Since Bridgerton is based on a book series by Julia Quinn, it is natural to assume the next season will follow the eldest brother Antony and his unsuccessful relationships with low-brow women throughout England. Most notably, this past season ventures into his sexually-explicit relationships with opera singer, Siena, whom he comes to realize too late that he is in love with.
Other books in Quinn’s series surround the extensive list of beloved characters like Benedict, the second eldest Bridgerton; Eloise, the spunky and independent second daughter; and Collin, the younger and more naive brother who shares nothing but friendship with neighbor Penelope, who certainly does not feel the same.
This current season, while spending time to highlight the relationship between Daphne and Simon, also left ample amount of opportunity for viewers to get to know and fall for other characters. Several minor scandals emerge compared to the major plot, but could threaten the entire fabric of their society.
One such scandal is the identity of Lady Whistledown, who remains unknown until the final episode of the series. Even then, her identity is questionable and not yet fully known by the audience or characters. Still, her tumultuous upset of English society has caused a ruckus in the ranks like no other as she reports on the misdeed and gossip of London’s finest gentry.
And who could be the mastermind of such devious yet delicious gossip? You’ll have to watch until the end to find out.
