Time to jump on board with the royal version of ‘Gossip Girl’ in Netflix’s new hit, ‘Bridgerton’

If you haven’t heard of Bridgerton yet, the latest hit show to come from Netflix, then you are truly missing out. The story is based on the books by Julia Quinn, and good news is that it’s a nine-book series. So hopefully many more seasons to come. The story centers on the royals set in England but in an alternate universe where Queen Charlotte is from a mixed race and allowed for more diversity in the show.  

This season focuses on Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) who is preparing for the coming season as it’s her first chance to try and find a husband. She sets her eyes on the most eligible bachelor, Duke Simon Hastings (Rege-Jean Paul) who is determined to not have a wife or kids.

Her naivety really shows once she continues on in a friendship with the Duke over episodes 2-4 as the Duke begins to show her what being married to someone can be like, and what gentlemen do before they get married. Naturally, when she learns about what it’s like to potentially be with a man, she cannot let that desire go and makes some interesting decisions by the end of episode 3.

As the season progresses, obviously there is a kindship/love that develops for Daphne and Simon and I know I have found myself getting mad at both parties for different reasons. By the end of episode 8, we have all come to an understanding that is satisfying to watch.

While the main story is focused on Daphne and the Duke, there are plenty of little stories that resolved by season’s end or will likely being indulged in future seasons (fingers crossed). We will go over them all in a smallish way.

The biggest story (besides the relationship between Simon and Daphne) is trying to uncover who Lady Whistledown is. Whistledown (who is voiced by none other then Julie Andrews) is writing all the dirty secrets of the royals and always seems to be at least two steps ahead of everyone else. Eloise (Claudia Jessie) is not like her sisters in the fact that she is focused on sharpening her mind and not getting married. Takes it upon herself and the help from her bff, Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) to try and find out who Lady Whistledown is.

The other main storyline is involving a handmaid for the Featheringtons, named Marina (Ruby Barker). She is pregnant with a child, which obviously is not well accepted since woman were not permitted to even kiss before they were married. The Featheringtons (who are not a good family sans Penelope) due what they can to wed her off before it’s discovered.

This obviously doesn’t pan out well for Marina. But she does make Penelope and Daphne both see that the fantasies that they have believed they were living in is not like that in the real world. It’s the storyline with Marina that we  get to see how little the women were prepared for what can happen in the real world and what actually makes the world work.

The last major storyline that is important to note is the Vicount Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) who is struggling with his love for the opera singer, Siena (Sabrina Bartlett) and his duty to his family. I think that this is probably a common struggle that many faced during this time. The first two episodes he wanted to throw caution to the wind, but then he realizes that it’s not fair to his family. But of course, his male ego doesn’t like that she is moving on so he tries to figure out a way for her to be with him. This storyline will likely continue into the coming seasons.

The best character hands down is Lady Danbury. She has a deep connection with Simon and while she does love the gossip, she is not one to use it maliciously to watch the other person suffer. What sold me was in episode 7 when she took Daphne to a ‘lady’s gathering’. I really do hope that this kind of thing did happen during that time.

No need to wonder if there will be more, Netflix has already announced their will be a season 2. There have been some hints at to what we can expect, but after watching this first season, those hints could mean anything.