"Bridgerton" Season Two: Trading Spicy "Gossip Girl" For Classic Regency Adaptation.

After the lockdown phenomenon of Bridgerton comes the awaited adaptation of The Viscount Who Loved Me, the second book in Julia Quinn’s novel series. This time, the story focuses on Anthony Bridgerton, the eldest of the Bridgerton children, known as Viscount Bridgerton, searching for a Viscountess. So, just based on that premise alone, the pure period-drama genre hopeless romanticism of the Regency era is primed and ready.

Alright, I must break the fourth wall of writer/reviewer and interject my first-person limited narration here. I am a massive fan of Joe Wright’s 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, starring Kiera Knightly and Matthew MacFadyen, among a truly stellar ensemble. The film is not only gorgeous but handles the lines of adaptation so well, creating moments and dialogue that enhance Jane Austen’s original story. Bridgerton has assured the 2005 film is not only a mainstay of popular culture, but it is also now, without a doubt, capital “I” Iconic. Referencing the iconography of Pride and Prejudice (2005) and Bridgerton’s clear inspiration, Tiktoker @Peachpopsickle, using @Coloskia’s audio, drew the parallels with: “A healthy reminder, this [b----] walked, she [f------] strutted that runway, Mama so that Papa. Could. Runnnn.”

The screenplay for Bridgerton’s second season is written into a classic Pride and Prejudice adaptation. Anthony is proud and shows as much in his approach to finding a wife. Kate Sharma, the icy older sister of Edwina Sharma, is prejudiced towards the society which shunned her parents, especially Anthony Bridgerton. The story plays out with learning moments for both characters. It mirrors plot development and events from the Pride and Prejudice novel. Since television is a visual medium, the visuals pull straight from the masterpieces of Joe Wright’s film. The eavesdropping on a conversation at a party, an argument in the rain, subtle emphasis on the touch of hands, and the tense yet passionate verbal wordplay of two people reluctant to concede their thoughts and feelings.

Season two sees the Bridgerton family more self-reliant as a unit, navigating various plotlines while aiding Anthony throughout his headache-inducing season and the emotions that ensue. To clear the elephant in the room – yes, season two does feel the absence of actor Rege-Jean Page, the actor who played the Duke of Hastings and wed Daphne Bridgerton in the series’ first season. The writers and actors put their might behind navigating the absence. Still, it does leave a lot of plot holes throughout the season. The absence is especially prevalent as Daphne shows up throughout the season at many important moments for her family, one visit even including her son. Page had the self-agency to decide not to return to the show, but the show does lack his presence.

Let’s clear the other piece of tension in the room as well: Season two is not anywhere near as spicy as the first season. Season two has one spicy scene later in the season, but nothing as sexy as the literal sex montage from Season one. I, for one, am okay with that. From a story standpoint, it makes the Regency era period more believable. From a social perspective, folks can now talk about “Bridgerton” without a not-so-implicit undercurrent of sexual tension.

Overall, between the addition of new, well-cast characters and the clever adaptation of Julia Quinn’s novel with cinematic and writing nods to Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” the new season is a thoroughly enjoyable and vibrant piece of escapist streaming television. Season one and two indeed share similarities and marked differences, yet both deliver on content and talent. Season two has its talking points of well-executed romantic drama and solidifies “Bridgerton’s” success as not just a one-off but a franchise.