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I am Lover of romance, who indulges in the romantic adventures of literature

My name is Renee, and I am the host of this site. I am a 34 year old woman, on the prowl for her mate, searching out the best of books, exploring the wilds of the imagination and delving into the heart of a beautiful love story.

 

Bridgerton Season 2 Movie Review and Rant

by | Mar 28, 2022 | Tea and Biscuits Discussions | 7 comments

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

As many of you know, there was a large amount of hype surrounding the season two release of Bridgerton that was released on March 25th. I actually really loved Season 1 despite the creative license that was used in certain aspects, and I will admit that I was extremely nervous watching this because of what they did in Season 1, but they stuck with the plot of the book surrounding the romance, so I was good with it. But when it came to Season 2, I wanted them to do so well with this one. The Viscount Who Loved Me is my favorite of the series and is a fan favorite for a very good reason. I tried to stay away from spoilers on Friday as I wasn’t able to watch it uninterrupted until Saturday late afternoon but it still happened. It was everywhere, on every single platform and while I understand, it lowered my expectations which might have been a good thing as if I had watched this without not knowing certain things, I probably would have disliked this one even more.

I first want to go over what I enjoyed the most to start this review with a positive note and then I will share the issues that I had with this one. I truly had a blast with the imagery and visual representation. Shondaland has done a tremendous job in capturing such beautiful moments, landscapes, and a cast that lifts it up so well. You can say what you want about the show but it is truly a beautifully mastered show. You can’t help but fall in love with the style of imagery that they have done in this show. I just enjoyed all the little details that they portrayed and especially the “BEE”. I really enjoyed all the colors that are shown in this show. I loved getting to all the Bridgerton fun times again and we get to see Daphne in this one. And we also get a scene where we see the death of father Bridgerton (and while the scene is not what actually happens in the book I was thrilled we got to see him and his impact of Antony). We do get some moments of Sir Phillip (LOVE HIM) and also some hilarious in-between moments with the Queen and Lady Danbury. We get a beautiful introduction to the Sharma sisters (while I loved these sisters I didn’t like them changing their last name from the book, I get why and understand it but not a big fan). I really loved their interaction in the first half of the show and how supportive they are of each other. The PALL MALL scene was to die for. I just loved everything about it and I was most worried about that scene, but they did it so well. The chemistry between Antony and Kate was perfect even if we don’t get a kiss for quite a while, I just loved the building of chemistry we see between them. All of those “almost touches and kisses” just had me all in my feelings and sensations.

Now onto what I didn’t like and this could turn into a rant and if it does I apologize but I do want to be honest here. I really did like certain aspects of this show and how they adapted it. One issue I have with book-to-movie adaptations is not sticking with the story and they didn’t. We have about the first half of the book, and then the second half they completely ruined. Maybe they didn’t want the same trope but the trope we see a lot in this series is all over the place in many historicals, but I really hated they had a love triangle in this book because Edwina NEVER loved Antony in the book at all. And how they dragged this all out to the altar was just insane and ridiculous to me. I know they probably did it for effect, and to create a shock type of reaction, as Hollywood likes to do this type of thing, but it wasn’t needed at all. There is so much great content in the book, because when they changed the plot of the story, they took away the magic and wonder that is in The Viscount Who Loved Me (in the book). And those who have read the book know exactly why they are my favorite pairing’s out of all the bridgertons. There is something so unique about their relationship and I hated what this show did to them. And also they completely ruined Edwina for me. She is so not like this in the book. It just left me feeling so sad because this could have been epic and it just fell flat in many respects. We also have other aspects to the season I didn’t care. We have this story arch of the Featherington’s and I so didn’t like this at all. I didn’t care for what happened between Penelope and Eloise because it’s not like this in the books and what we see happened way sooner than what happens in the books. The timeline of certain events is all over so not sure what they will do in future seasons for certain things that are built up. There are elements to Antony’s character that just make him seem so unlikeable in some ways, and by which doesn’t happen in the books. In the books, he is my favorite hero but in the show, he is so unlikeable, especially in the relationships he has with his family. Now I know there are lots of complaints on the level of heat, I wanted more kisses, of course, I don’t care too much for having the sex scenes in movies like this that are more explicit but I can see after season 1 how it would be disappointing but in all honesty, when they changed the plot….it also makes sense when they didn’t get together till the very end of the show. And also lastly, I really didn’t like how we didn’t much together time of Kate and Antony, literally, we got less ten minutes on the last episode. It just wasn’t even close to enough. I hate seeing this in books and this pair deserved more than what they got in this.

While I understand that Julia Quinn gave up her creative license, I just wish that had brought more honor to the show and to the romance community. It feels almost like a betrayal. However, while I had my issues I still had a blast with the show and it had me laughing all over the place. There are many redeeming qualities to the show. I am not sure I will rewatch this season very often like I have season 1, but I still had an entertaining time. Now I want to say that if you loved it and the changes they made then I am so thrilled for you! I truly mean that. I want people to enjoy this and get true enjoyment from it because romance novels aren’t adapted very often and this show has brought attention to this and the great content that they have. Also if you struggled to watch this….your opinion is VALID TOO!!! We need not shame each other for our views on this. Whether you loved it, moderately enjoyed it, or really disliked it, you do YOU and that is more than okay.

So tell me….have you watched season two of Bridgerton? If so, what are your thoughts on this? Did you love or hate it? If you haven’t watched it, do you plan to? Let me know in the comments below!

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7 Comments

  1. Genesis @ Whispering Chapters

    I watched the season and I wasn’t a fan (and this is coming from someone who didn’t read the book). I didn’t like the dynamic between Kate and Anthony. I would have loved if they’d gotten more screen time together than just the end of the season. Plus I had so many other issues with it and just things I didn’t really care for at all. It ended up being boring.

    Genesis @ Whispering Chapters

    Reply
  2. Christine @ Captivated Reading

    I haven’t watched it yet. And even after reading your review I still will–but, with eyes wide OPEN. I genuinely have a difficult time with book-to-movie adaptations for this very reason. Especially when the book is so good. I’m sorry you disliked this so much. I’m really curious as to the reactions of those who haven’t read the books compared to those who have. 🙂

    Reply
  3. michelle

    i have not yet watched this season, but am planning to do so this week. one thing i went into the first season with ZERO expectations that this was going to be like the books. i was thinking, oh they are using the characters and some plot, but don’t think of it as a retelling. that helped me enjoy season one and i hope i enjoy this second season as well.

    Reply
  4. Sophia Rose

    I wasn’t that taken with the first book- it got me angry with the heroine- so I never kept going with the series. Now I want to after reading that it is your favorite. Not sure I’ll watch the show. I’ve had enough disappointments with Outlander and a few other recent book series adaptions to make me not bother. I concur that the pics and vids I’ve seen of the show have gorgeous imagery and costuming that draws me in.

    Reply
    • Lover of Romance

      Oh yes Sophia I definitely understand. The first book with what Daphne does is so abusive but the second book is amazing. You will love it. I think you would really enjoy the other books in the series. The first book is the only one that is problematic like that.

      Reply
  5. Nadene (TtllyAdd2Reading)

    I didn’t read the books so I am not in a position to do a comparative analysis between them and the TV series. However, in terms of the TV series I enjoyed both seasons, but season one is my favourite of the two.

    Reply

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