Bridgerton Season 2 Recap – The Viscount Who Loved Me
Season Two of Bridgerton is finally here, and if you don't want to read any spoilers, leave and come back later.
Seriously. You won't hurt my feelings. I'm about to drop spoilers.
Bridgerton Season 2 Recap
Bridgerton Season 2 follows the story of Anthony Bridgerton, the eldest of the eight Bridgerton children. After his sister, Daphne, has a successful first season and weds the Duke of Hastings, Anthony decides the following season will be the year he finds his viscountess. Anthony initially goes for the season's Diamond, Edwina Sharma, but is that who his heart desires?
Before diving into the differences between the book and the movie, I'm happily on the record that I loved season two of Bridgerton.
Book and Show Differences
First, I loved the change from Kate and Edwina Sheffield to Kate and Edwina Sharma, and the family is from India. The diversity is excellent and makes for an interesting backstory for sure. It's woven nicely into the storyline and fits naturally.
However…
Bridgerton season two becomes very different from the novels. Not in a bad way, but in a more complex, exciting way. Queen Charlotte is not in the books. Historically, she's old and coming to the end of her life in the early 1800s, not hosting parties and weddings for the ton. Her friendship with Lady Danbury is also not portrayed in the books, nor does Queen Charlotte name the Diamond of the season. Interestingly, Lady Whistledown names the Diamond of the season.
Lady Whistledown is not revealed until book four, Romancing Mister Bridgerton. I don't disagree with revealing Lady Whistledown this early. Still, the show's future may diverge dramatically from the books as it relates to Eloise finding out her best friend, Penelope Featherington, is Lady Whistledown.
These changes add complexity and intrigue to the show. The Queen proclaiming the season's Diamond does create tension in the show and with the characters. Her friendship and everyday interactions with the ton members also add pressure, as shown by Anthony refusing to call off the wedding to Edwina despite having feelings for Kate. Because of the Queen naming the Diamond and her friendship with the Bridgerton family, a new plot comes about with Edwina and Anthony courting. In the novel, Edwina finds her interest lies with another gentleman, and Anthony pursues her, bumping heads more frequently with Kate and then falling in love with Kate.
These changes add complexity and intrigue to the show. I don't disagree with any of the show creators' changes because shows and books are inherently different. I loved that Shonda Rhimes and the team stayed true to the story's intent but added many twists and plotlines into the show. It's fun thinking about the subplots and storylines because all the storylines outside of each Bridgerton couple could have happened.
Overall, season 1 stays more faithful to the book, but season 2 brings out the potential for the show – even the show beyond the novels. I'm already counting down the time to Bridgerton Season 3, supposedly dropping in 2023.
My predictions for season 3:
We see Benedict's love story set up a bit more, but not the focus in season 3
We see Colin find his partner
The Queen and Lady Whistledown keep agitating each other
Eloise & Penelope drama
Edwina Sharma finds a love match
We see more of Francesca
Until then, Julia Quinn has 39 more books beyond the Bridgerton series. I know what I'll be reading!