TV Review: Bridgerton Is A 19th Century Gossip Girl
Out December 25, Bridgerton felt like the Shonda Rhimes version of Pride and Prejudice, and I was here for it. Based on the novels by Julia Quinn, Netflx’s delivers a steamy, sensual Christmas gift for its viewers that feels right out of Shondaland. It is deliciously dramatic, delightfully deranged, stunning, colorful, and addictive; filling a void for those that love Jane Austen novels but wonder how to make them more “now.” For Bridgerton, if you want to match the times, all you need is sex and gossip.
In perspective, how could Bridgerton fail, especially in 2020? This year was a propaganda machine; with opinions and “info” swirling through the internet to make you feel like if you never saw your laptop again, it might be too soon. We are all addicted to “knowing,” and that wouldn’t be so bad if we knew how to decipher and digest what the heck “knowing” and “knowledge” means. In this truth, Bridgerton wedges its two leads: dough-eyed Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) and the handsome Duke of Hastings: Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page) Two eligible singles in 1813 London, that fake a courtship to escape the pressures of their elite family at marrying them off while also trying to protect their family’s chances at climbing social ladders.. Of course, their “platonic” agreement enters sexual tension by the end of this sentence, and scandals arise to put the FALL in falling in love. Thus, grab your forks my Marie Antoinette lovers because this series brings the CAKE!
Perhaps, it was her move from ABC, but this Shonda Rhimes production felt like the popcorn illusions of the talented writer. I could see why she chose it. Created by Chris Van Dusen, the show feels relentlessly twisted and writhed in 3 desires: pleasure, love, and power. The three collide constantly as the ladies of this show are left to figure out whether you can “marry up” without feeling down. From its very beginning, women are at the helm of this series, which is pretty much about the highs, lows, and absolute dead-ends of “romance” back in the 19th century. In those days, marrying for “love” was laughable, and women being in love or loved felt irrelevant. Yet, in a show where women take the lead in sex, The Queen is black (played fiercely by Golda Rosheuvel) , and Julie Andrews voices a “Gossip Girl” character named Lady Whistledown, fantasy is 100% the goal of this series. It is not looking to make you believe its world exists as much as make you believe, for an hour, yours doesn’t.
Bridgerton is glorious escapism, and finds its grabs for attention in a very real truth: people CARE about their reputation. Anyone who say they don’t care if they “rise” or “look good” is a liar andLady Whistledown WILL uncover you. Thus, you watch as characters like Lady Portia Featherington (Polly Walker) and Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) manipulate and spread rumors to ruin other women’s chances at marrying well. You sit right next to the Queen as you watch sexual and lovelorn connections fizzle and fade to her entertainment, and you gawk over Daphne and The Duke because DAMMIT TRUE LOVE IS REAL AND I AM READY FOR IT TO BE 2021!
