Summary
Bridgerton does a grand job of keeping up with the quality of the original season. But not everything works, partly due to the overwhelming knowledge of where the story will take the audience.
This review of season 2 of the Netflix series Bridgerton does not contain any spoilers.
It was once said in Bridgerton that “just because something is not perfect, does not make it any less worthy of love”. And that is exactly the case with the second season. In some ways, it’s better than its predecessor, and in other ways, the first season clearly comes out on top.
In the first season, which saw Daphne and Simon marry, some may wonder where the show will take us next. Well, after Daphne’s brother decides that he must fulfill his role as a Viscount, he decides to find his wife during the social season. But as you would expect, it isn’t smooth sailing, and it doesn’t take long before he finds himself involved in a love triangle with two of the show’s newest characters (and sisters) Kate (Simone Ashley) and Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran). With the added complexity of the tensions caused by Lady Whistledown, Season 2 of Bridgerton is a fun, light-hearted, and classical watch.
Above all, Season 2 feels very familiar yet different at the same time. In some aspects, it feels like an extension of the first season. And considering how great the first season was, that is by no means an insult. Even with the large sense of similarities, the show doesn’t fail in its execution. It maintains all of the key ingredients that made the first season ever so successful. Well, except one. As you’re probably aware, Rege-Jean Page won’t be appearing in the second season. And the show’s originally leading lady Phoebe Dynevor is a side character in the second outing. But don’t worry, their lack of presence doesn’t dimmish the spark at all.
While you’ll be happy to learn that the costumes remain on point, you may be dishearted to learn that this season isn’t as raunchy. There’s plenty of sexual chemistry, however, the heightened build-up of chemistry may lead to the audience begging for a sex scene to develop. The show’s new leads are Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) as characters that have desires to keep their families happy. Not only does the chemistry between Anthony and Kate reach levels not seen between Daphne and Simon, but the tragic stories of the characters add layers of depth to them both.
While romance is vital to the story of Bridgerton, I’d argue that the best storyline of Season 2 is watching Penelope attempt to keep her identity as Lady Whistledown under wraps, which is much more entertaining. Whilst some were dismayed that the identity of Lady Whistledown was announced in the Season 1 finale, knowing exactly who she is makes Bridgerton Season 2 a whole lot more fun! And, let’s be real, more screen time from Nicola Coughlan is always welcome.
The extremely popular classical covers return! Listen out for “Material Girl”, “You Oughta Know”, and “Sign of the Times”. And with each episode comes a larger level of potential scandal. Although with several longing looks and eight episodes later, the need for a conclusion becomes strong. It definitely feels like it’s a long time before Bridgerton reaches the inevitable in the final episode. Regardless of the fact Season 2 is a slow burner, the first episode will hook the audience immediately.
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