Summary
Bridgerton is its own 1800s steam room that salivates the viewers with raunchiness and intensifying excitement.
It was very ironic that on the week social media decides to open up the “sex in film and TV” discourse, Netflix released Season 1 of Bridgerton on Christmas Day. Netflix read their minds, and triple folded that discourse by releasing one of their raunchiest TV series. It is perhaps not the best Christmas to gather the family around to watch this series; I can only imagine the awkward sidewards glance to your nan.
A Sexy but Thematic Series
But Bridgerton is more than sex, though many critics will markedly point at that theme and understandably so; set in the 1800s, the Netflix series focuses on the marriage market in London, and the prying eyes of wealthy families that bestow their children with pressure to engage with the watchful gaze of the Queen passing by.
It follows the Bridgerton family, who propel their next-to-marry Daphne, who is quickly claimed to be the market’s jewel. Usual historical tropes follow, with suitors, grand balls and the temptation of dishonouring each other sexually before the question is popped with a chaperone present. This has all the bearings to be the usual period drama, glazing itself in settings and costumes.
And it does deliver on that aspect. Chris Van Dusen can be praised for ensuring it captures the era while also slightly modernising the aesthetics and bringing a more diverse cast. It’s difficult not to smile when the violin music represents a modern-day bopper — Bridgerton wanted to be more than a period drama, and it makes it known to viewers very early on.
The Leads’ Chemistry Is The Selling Point
From the start, the eye candy is clear. Daphne Bridgerton, played by Phoebe Dynevor and Simon Basset (Duke of Hastings), played by Regé-Jean Page titillate the viewers by tension alone, veering themselves as the most attractive prospects of the show.
Their chemistry is magnetising, but it’s merely magnified by the storyline where anticipation feels as consuming as seeing them embrace. The opening premise has both characters pretending to court each other; to make Daphne desirable to a host of suitors, and to fend off mothers from Simon, who is pressured to carry on the family name.
There are many other characters in Bridgerton season 1 with subplots that successfully entwine with the arc; none of them is remotely dull, and the problem for the characters remain the same — they all want to successfully place themselves in a world where men automatically have the hierarchy — marriage is business over love — it’s a social and working necessity to maintain family names and circulate wealth.
The series manages to encapsulate old-fashioned beliefs well and does not stagnate the marriage market to something routine — the routine is the drama itself; a vicious circle that is entertaining.
I’d wager a guess that those who do not attract to period dramas will lunge themselves at this; as a person that does not look for period dramas, I was oddly conflicted, but when I find myself sweating with tension and rising to my feet to high-octane scenes, then we can safely assume that Bridgerton has a narrowed a demographic we did not expect.
But let’s talk about the raunchiness and the sex; Bridgerton is its own 1800s 50 Shades of Grey, but with well-measured (and frankly good) writing, it becomes a sensational story. Focusing on the times where sex was taboo and anticipated on the wedding night, it ignites a story where viewers will feel overjoyed at the characters’ satisfaction.
The sex is not placed in for the sake of a sex scene; they are brought in to represent the yearning these people felt in a world that was stiff, robotic and formalised. The selling point is obvious — fans will be obsessed over the lead characters. They are there to be obsessed over.
Bridgerton is its own 1800s steam room that salivates the viewers with raunchiness and intensifying excitement.
Bridgerton Season 1 Episode 1 Recap
Bridgerton Season 1 (Credit – Netflix)
Episode 1 opens with Lady Whistledown narrating; it begins in Grosvenor Square, 1813. She narrates about the marriage market in the social season. The latest mistresses are presented to the Queen. One of the women faints in front of the Queen. And then, Daphne Bridgerton is presented to the Queen.
There’s anticipation in the room, and you can feel the nervousness emanating from Daphne, which is understandable; the series has markedly built this moment up. The Queen is impressed and kisses Daphne’s forehead.
Daphne and the others celebrate the success with the Queen. Eloise Bridgerton is less enthused about the situation, constantly being sarcastic.
Chaperoning Daphne
Anthony Bridgerton is enjoying himself in “Diamond of the First Water”, sleeping with Siena Rosso. Afterward, he talks about how he could chaperone Daphne at the Danbury Ball. He talks about the need of protecting her. Lady Whistledown narrates how this is the Ball where the women find out if they can attain a match.
Episode 1 is displaying the constructs of old-fashioned marriage season between wealthy families; it feels like a competition. It is a competition.
Keeping her protected
At the Ball, Anthony Bridgerton makes sure that Daphne is protected, fending off men he deems not good enough for her. Lady Danbury introduces herself and asks why she is not on the dancefloor. Marina Thompson attends the Ball that catches Colin Bridgerton’s eye.
Mingling on your own
Daphne mingles on her own and she ends up talking to Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings. She takes an instant interest in him. Her brother Anthony knows him and after a brief conversation, he tells Daphne that the best thing to do is leave the Ball, leaving the men wanting more. All this feels highly complex; we’ve gone from this to swiping on Tinder.
The market is heating up
The next day, Marina Thompson is presented in the story; Lady Whistledown wonders if the Queen should reconsider her praises. Marina lives under Lady Featherington’s roof. It’s worth noting that Lady Whistledown’s opinions in the paper are taken seriously by the families.
Taking Whistledown’s opinion seriously
Lord Berbrooke visits Daphne; she evidently isn’t interested — it’s etched all over her face. Daphne tells Anthony that Lady Whistledown has called her ineligible and blames it on her brother after scaring everyone away. Daphne states that social season is the only thing that makes her feel valued. There’s an air of tragedy in the story; how the only thing that makes women feel valued is the potential of marriage.
Family pressures
At dinner, Daphne and Simon are sat next to each other and they start bickering; Daphne calls Simon arrogant, and Anthony looks on suspiciously. He sees the tension between his friend and his sister. Later, Anthony is unhappy that his mother and Lady Danbury concocted this matchmaking scheme to bring Daphne and Simon together. It turns into an intense argument; the mother believes Anthony continues getting in the way of Daphne — she wants to know if he’s being an older brother or the man of the house in place of his father.
In the next scene, Anthony tells Siena Rosso that he cannot see her anymore and she feels betrayed. Bridgerton Episode 1 sees Anthony conflicted on his duties; his overprotective nature seems to be birthed from the absence of his father and having the responsibility of looking after the family.
At the Vauxhall Celebration, Anthony tells Daphne that she must marry Lord Berbrooke — she is dismayed at his suggestion. Meanwhile, Lady Featherington confronts Marina Thompson and tells her that she hasn’t bled for a month — she asks who the father is. Marina gets upset at Lady Featherington and ends up getting slapped.
Bridgerton Season 1 Episode 1 Ending Explained
Back to Daphne and Lord Berbrooke tries speaking to her about their marriage but she tells him to leave. Lord Berbrooke handles her, stating he is her last chance. Daphne punches him square in the face and knocks him unconscious. Simon is impressed by her. The pair continue to bicker like before but it’s clear they want each other.
Simon has a suggestion for the Lady Whistledown issue — “Pretend to form an attachment”. Simon and Daphne walk through the Vauxhall Celebration together which turns head. The plan is to make Lady Whistledown believe that Simon is unavailable and Daphne is desirable. They plan to appear madly in love but do not plan to marry. Daphne’s mother and Lord Danbury look on and look proud.
Lady Whistledown writes her muses, and she is happy about the match between Daphne and Simon.
What did you think of Bridgerton Season 1 and Episode 1? Comment below.
