A Letter to Modern Men: What Bridgerton Gets Right About Love

Dearest Gentle Reader, 

As it seems spring has quickly come to a close, it is with great pleasure I welcome you all to the next season. A lofty goal set forth, but as we will be kept waiting nearly a whole year before the next installment of the Bridgerton family romances, one can hope that my letter to you all will pique your interest enough to hold your attention for a brief moment in time. 

A beloved Bridgerton fan, I must confess to never having read the books upon which the series is based, thus my analysis as outlined here is made purely upon watching the Netflix series. I hope you will allow me some grace as I attempt to entertain you whilst we eagerly await the full trailer for the fourth season of Bridgerton.

Though other seasons of Bridgerton surely entertain us with more sordid tales and pearl-clutching gossip, the second season of Bridgerton is rivaled by none. The romance and pursuit between Kathani Sharma and Anthony Bridgerton exhibits the best storyline of the Netflix adaptations thus far. A girl can dream of a man so deeply in love that he acknowledges his own feelings and then declares us to be “the bane of my existence and object of all my desires.” Anthony Bridgerton brings new meaning to the term “Character Development” in that his development in the show was so brief, but profound. He went from the Regency Era playboy or “Rake”, to a man truly unafraid to bear his soul when professing his love for a woman, making him the perfect example for modern men. 

From the first season of Bridgerton, we have watched Antony struggle to be happy in his life and in his relationships. He was intimately entwined with Siena Rosso, an opera singer, whom he clearly loved, but had no intention of marrying. While in season one, we do see an attempt by Antony to declare his love for her, she spurns him on her doorstep and leaves him bitter. This changed his demeanor for the remainder of season one and it carried over through the first episodes of season two. It is in this first episode that Anthony lists his requirements for taking a wife, “a pleasing face, acceptable wit, and genteel manners enough to credit a viscountess.”

Earlier in the day, Anthony had raced Kate on horseback and lost, and now when he catches her eavesdropping, he greets her with a soft and bemused smile instead of indignance. Kate has overheard his diatribe on finding a suitable partner and is completely off-put by him and his “locker room talk” which she clearly shows with her body language and actual words, marking the beginning of the showdown of the season’s battle of wits. 

Part of their allure as a couple is that they are so equally matched in intellect and will. Both possess the stubborn desire, or need, some might say, to be right as eldest children often do. They are quick witted with one another and their discussions look more like verbal sparring than of the calm chatting between lovers. They are both so clearly besotted with one another, but refusing to accept it. In Episode three, the family gathers to play a game of “Pall Mall” which is apparently a Bridgerton family tradition.  Kate and Anthony shortly engaged in many quick snips at one another.  It is Anthony’s betrothed, Edwina, who steps out of the game, leaving him disappointed. Kate, who is strong willed, spirited and yet reserved is in stark contrast to her younger sister, Edwina, who is meek, mild mannered and has not the quarrelsome spirit.  Anthony’s younger but married sister, Daphne, is observing the interaction and from her facial expression, audiences can see her contemplating what we are all thinking. That it is Kate who is far more suited for her brother, Anthony, than his betrothed, Edwina. 

  As we watch, we can see Anthony is realizing what he wants far more quickly than Kate. In episode four, they are forced to dance at Edwina’s request to make peace between them, but the chemistry is palpable on screen. Anthony’s eyes are so intensely staring at Kate that when the two find themselves alone in the library, they cannot simply stay away from one another. Their lips are mere centimetres apart when Daphne intrudes on the intimate moment, realizing that what she has witnessed is true- Anthony is in love with Kate and not his betrothed. 

All the while knowing of their feelings for one another, Kate and Anthony find themselves pushing apart. Even after Edwina realizes the nature of their hearts and calls off their wedding at the last moment, the pair find themselves still in denial. It is only after Kate suffers her tragic accident after they have finally come together that things fall into place. It is only at the thought of losing her for good after her tragic accident that he realizes how deeply he feels and how empty his life would be without her. “Antony,” his mother greets him with a pregnant pause, and he knows that Kate has woken up from her coma. He is overcome with emotion and closes his teary eyes through shuddering breaths. “It is… unthinkable… finding someone like that.” Violet describes, “Someone you love.”  As she finishes a touching conversation with her son, he acknowledges the truth of her words, having known them in his heart for a long time. He heads straight to her, where he proposes to her. Granted, she turns him down initially, but as we will see, Kate simply needed time to come to the conclusion on her own. 

Though other seasons of Bridgerton are far steamier,  it is plain to see the allure of watching a man declare himself for your heart. In the conclusion of the season, we find them once again on the dance floor, bidding what they believe to be their final goodbyes. The track is a classical version of Miley Cyrus’ wrecking ball and there might not be a more fitting tune. Try as they might, their attraction literally wrecked both of their plans for their own lives. Anthony’s plans for Edwina, and Kate’s plans to return to India. As others are deserting the dance floor, the couple remains steadfast. When the rest of the tonne deigns to pass judgement on them, Queen Charlotte herself speaks on their behalf and silences those who would express discontent. The melancholy sound of the violin as the song winds down shows us the bittersweet moment between the couple who thinks they are bidding goodbye. Interrupted by a call to go outside,  Anthony finally bears his spirit to Kate in a private moment in the gardens alone as the fireworks explode. “You must feel it in your heart, because I do. I love you.” Anthony declares himself for her. In the most tender and respectful way, he has placed his heart at her feet, and this, dear reader, is the reason that this season of Bridgerton is simply superior. It speaks to what women yearn for in our hearts–a man who would patiently wait for us, calmly and with feeling declare his heart for us, and allow us the space to process and respond on our own time. Anthony showcases to modern audiences what authentic masculinity looks like in this moment. He is speaking from his heart, aware of his own emotions and allowing Kate to give her own consent and step into their love of her own free will.

Women in today’s dating-app, soy-boy nightmare who are so parched for any example of men willing to be vulnerable and to put their own desires after those of their beloved, are the reason that romance novels and shows like Bridgerton are thriving. 

Men, let this be a call to action. Note that what women want is not a talking wallet to fund their lifestyles, but someone who sees us as we are; someone who understands and is capable of expressing their own emotions and allowing us the space we need to decide and express ourselves on our own. Finally, my dear Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, we thank you. My lord, you have placed the bar upon an upper parapet, and have reminded modern women what it is to be desired and to be known. 

Yours truly,

Lady Whistledown