SPOILER WARNING
Dear Reader,
Did we ever think Mrs Whistledown would let us down in the new season for the ton to find a bride? On the 25th of March, Bridgerton graced us with its second season and left us all wanting more. This season followed Antony Bridgerton (Johnathan Bailey) on his loveless search for a Viscountess, to further fulfil his duty as Viscount and head of the household. Meanwhile, the Sharma’s have come to London, a family with a past full of drama, to marry the youngest daughter Miss Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran). After broken engagements, arguments and long, long, intense stares, Antony Bridgerton himself was head over heels with Edwina Sharma’s witty, older sister Miss Kathani Sharma (Simone Ashley).
The development in Antony Brigerton’s character from season 1 to the end of season 2 was seamless. The over-bearing, strict older brother from season 1 is now just a man trying his best for his family. The flashbacks showing Antony and his father the day his father died, show the foundations for Antony’s pain, and allows a complete shift of opinion over the man who once was deemed as nothing more but a patriarchal force. When his mother falls into labour, the quick enforcing of power to Antony is horrifying as he is given the choice whether to save his mother or his unborn siblings – a choice removed from his mother by the doctors. In these flashbacks, he is even referend to as one of the ‘children’ and yet now the entire Bridgerton household is on his young shoulders.
The chemistry between Kate Sharma and Antony Bridgerton is the main star of the show this season. Many threatened to quit watching the show after it was announced that Rege-Jean Page, who played Simon Basset, would be leaving the show after the first season, however if they did, they are surely missing out on a much more romantic and lustful season than the one Simon Basset was centre stage for. Many have critiqued this season for its lack of sex in comparison with the first season, however those lustful stares and speeches from Antony Bridgerton seem to be more than enough. Narratively more sex scenes would not have worked; there were no couples that could have fulfilled them. The long burn of Kate and Antony’s courtship meant it was impossible for them to have sex, especially as Antony was originally courting her sister. And, if Antony and Edwina were to have sex, the betrayal of Antony and Kate’s love would become malicious and unforgiveable- rather than a beautiful thing us as the audience are meant to route for.
One praised factor of this season was the representation of the Sharmas. The book this season was based off was ‘A Viscount Who Loved Me’ by Julia Quin, however there have been some changes from the original text. One of those changes was that of the Sharma family, who originally were the Sheffields. One improvement from the last season is that Kate and Antony’s love story is not scandalised due to them being a biracial couple; no one even questions it. We also get moments of the Sharma’s expressing their culture, without the characters having to explain what they are doing or why to other characters or the audience. In season 1, Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) and Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) are discussing the relationship between Daphne Bridgerton (Pheobe Dynevor) and Simon Basset, in a throwaway line, Lady Danbury mentions that biracial couples were once not accepted. However, with the time narrative of Bridgerton and it’s supposed ‘colour blind’ casting, this leaves major plot holes. In this season however, the writers do not attempt to make the Sharma’s white in their portrayal, their heritage and culture is celebrated.
By the end of the season, we’re left with huge cliff-hangers to see us through to the next season, that has been confirmed to focus on Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson). Eloise (Claudia Jesse) has discovered Lady Featherington’s identity, leading to a huge fight between her and Penelope (Nicola Coughlan). And Benedict, our future leading man, has decided to give up his passion for art and leave school. All of this is building up for a season 3, even more dramatic than the last.