Jashlene Cawagas
“All is fair in love and war.” The Netflix hit series Bridgerton which is based on Julia Quinn’s novels, The Duke and I and The Viscount Who Loved Me, made quite the impression among viewers and left them speechless with anticipation for the next season. Bridgerton released its second season on Mar. 25th, 2022, over a year after the release of its first season released on Dec. of 2020.
The show became a viral sensation around the world with its steamy and extraordinary plot. In March of 2022, Bridgerton was once again the Top One in the U.S. today Netflix with the release of season two.
Bridgerton season two has taken a new path from the first season, with past cast reappearance and a new storyline. The first season focused on Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dyvenor), the fourth daughter of the Bridgerton family and eldest daughter, through her journey in London high society.
The “mating season” as it was called, is a period in London where nobles and aristocratic families show off their daughters and sons in society to find a spouse. Daphne meets the lavish Duke of Hastings, Simon Basset (Rege Jean-Page) at one of the most extravagant balls. The two create a ruse to fake a relationship in hopes of getting their presumptuous mothers out of Simon’s life and making all the males desire Daphne. But to their surprise, the two fall in love and eventually get married.
In contrast to the first season’s main leads and story plot, the second season revolves around the life of Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), the first-born of the Bridgerton family and his entanglement with the noble Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) and her sister Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran).
This new season diverges from Quinn’s novel and its unpredictability has left fans wondering what might play out next. The story of a viscount looking for a wife to fulfill familial duties with no interest in love and a woman raised in India, visiting London to help her sister Edwina Sharma find a husband. Edwina catches the eye of the viscount who has regarded her as perfect and a logical match, but he has to go through her combative sister and deem himself worthy of Edwina.
The series raises the stakes and heightens the drama. The second season displayed much push and pull between Anthony and Kate, including complications within the family. However, things escalate when Edwina comes into the picture. This makes the plot more interesting and worth watching.
Through many occasions and balls, Anthony is set on making Edwina his wife, with no regard for true love or sincerity. Anthony does not believe in love and concludes his marital relationship as a duty he must fulfill.
In this high society, true love comes as an excess of marriage; a ritual where two bodies become one as well as their wealth and attains a higher status. In this case, Edwina is exactly who he’s looking for.
As Anthony courts Edwina, her sister acts as a “gatekeeper” inspecting every male who comes as a suitor to Edwina. Anthony and Kate do not see eye to eye which hinders his courtship with Edwina. But things become complicated when sparks fly out between Kate and Anthony.
Bridgerton stays to be on Netflix’s Top One, even after days of its release. The second season depicts an endearing and lovely story compared to the first season. It is a period drama containing regency romance. To choose between duty and love is never easy, especially in London high society. Watch Bridgerton to find out how Anthony’s life will turn out. Will he choose Edwina or Kate?
