That's all we've ever done

So, season 2. For me, it was meh. I’ll start with things I didn’t like, there will be a lot, but end on a positive note with things I liked.

The Featheringtons. Why the writers hate them so much? To quote another tumblr user from a year ago: “Book!Lady Featherington is Mrs Bennet not Lady Tremaine”. Yes, she is loud, vulgar and rather tactless but she is not evil in the books. And I don’t understand why did they feel the need to make her this evil lady who is scheming constantly. I found myself wanting to skip their entire plot because it’s just needless and tiring. You can’t honestly apprehend how unpleasant Cressida Cowper is because the Featheringtons are just as bad here. And Penelope, oooooh, I have things to say about her.

The Sharmas. Lady Mary was okay, I wish they included more interactions with Kate but the scene in the last episode was very powerful, I even teared up a bit. Edwina is my queen and I would die for her. In fact, let’s skip Penelope and Colin altogether and get Edwina a season.

Kate and Anthony. I think it was okay but the burn felt too slow, and I usually love slow burn. I just think they should stick so much to this whole The Taming of the Shrew for the entire season and allow them to come closer a bit. I wish they didn’t skip the library scene, it could provide a nice platonic bond for them. I understand that the bee engagement wasn’t that great but here they were just being stupid for the entire season and it was honestly exhausting to watch. Also, for the tv show based on the romance novels it’s kinda underwhelming for your heroes to kiss near the end of the season but maybe it’s just me. The editing of the sex scenes greatly improved and it doesn’t look awkward anymore. Nice.

The Bridgertons. I actually didn’t mind Anthony this season. Benedict didn’t annoy me once which makes me one of my favourites all of the sudden. I don’t care much for Colin (who is my favorite in the books) and it seems that the show doesn’t either, Colin is just filling the space and I do think he could be much more charming doing that. Daphne is rather good, I really like how Phoebe plays her, I think it’s very book accurate. I think that Eloise was flanderized from the start, her character seems like some awful reverse Bechdel test, she just here to remind us every ten minutes how the patriarchy is bad (which is valid but please give her something else to do). I didn’t care for her and Theo, does every Bridgerton have to have a tragic love backstory now?? Francesca, HEY REMEMBER FRANCESCA (I’m still mad). Gregory and Hyacinth steel the show, I love them. Also, the scene between Anthony and Gregory is just chef’s kiss. I absolutely adore Violet and I’m glad she is very present this season.

The production. Music is great, I loved casting choices so far, costumes are visually pleasing though I wish they gave Daphne some different colours now that she is married. I loved the camera work but I wish they did something other than “two people kissing and everything spins around them”.

Penelope. I hate Penelope with a burning passion and she is my other favorite from the books. I think Nicola Coughlan is adorable in real life but I don’t like how she is playing Pen but maybe it’s just bad writing and direction. For me it looks like they framing Penelope in some vilain origin story and definitely not as a future protagonist.

Final thoughts? I do think that stuff from the books can be improved but I feel like the writers improving the wrong stuff just to have some pointless drama to prolonge the season. I think they could have done a much better job with adapting the source material. I did like Edwina’s arc but I still don’t think that stupid wedding was necessary for the plot. Also, what was the reason to give Anthony a supposed heartbreak the last season instead of exploring his relationship with his family and his father? I just think there is a lot of missed potential here. Will I watch season 3? Eh, I guess so but not with enthusiasm.