As a queer autistic person, I have nothing against Francesca being queer, quite the opposite, but I really like the representation of the dynamic of her and John's relationship. I find the whole "quiet relationship" very wholesome and it makes me happy. Of course, her future relationship with Michaela might have a similar dynamic, but I am a bit afraid the writers will give her a "whirlwind romance" like the other children. If that happens, then it would take away from her and John's relationship and undo the storyline that romance looks different for everyone.
This is what I've been saying! I so hope they don't write next season in a way that undermines the absolutely beautiful story of Francesca and John, but the ending of the last season doesn't make me hopeful. Please, make like Daphne with her all-romance-tropes-together gay instead.
I was going to say something similar. After finally acknowledging the validity of Francesca and John's quiet relationship, the had her react the way her mother expected her to when interacting with someone else. You (the writers) just delegitimized the relationship you worked so hard to have everyone accept!
As a fellow neurodivergent person, and an asexual on top, this is my biggest fear. Her storyline was so beautiful and validating for me because it showed love can come in a different form than the whirlwind kind.
I loved their quiet story too ... but at least looking at the source material it dosen't look good, she has one of the most whirwind relationships of them all ... 😬
Ah yes, the disability representation paradox. You are absolutely correct when you say the presence of deaf people and wheelchair users felt tokenistic, but at the same time I'm so used to disabled people in media either being evil or pitiful (especially in period dramas) that having them just be *there* in a completely neutral way felt amazing. Let's hope this is just the starting point of them building better respresention in future seasons, which I feel more confident in for Bridgerton than other shows, but I won't hold my breath.
I do love that lady Danbury uses a cane as a cane- she clearly has dynamic support needs and she’s made her cane a statement… reminds me of a lot of people I know today covering their mobility aids with stickers and badges.
If you like reading romance novels, Mary Balogh has a few disabled main characters. It's been really lovely watching her develop those characters from side characters to main over the past decade.
Right?! It’s nice to be in a period drama that’s not the Very Special Episode that’s depressing and all about discrimination or suffering. Why can’t marginalized people in media just have fun sometimes?
Francesca was a super relatable character for me, her Autistic traits closely mirrored my own in several ways. And since there is a high overlap in the Queer and ND communities I actually like that she is representing both in the Bridgerton world. I do hope they continue to improve their disability and body positive representation in future seasons! I think it's important that we not gloss over Lady Danbury as a disabled character though. It's subtle in many scenes but it seems clear to me that she has a dynamic disability that affects her mobility - because that is a thing I also experience. Her cane is fashionable, yes, but is also a mobility aid.
I wish that it was clarified in some (appropriate) way as to whether the cane is a mobility aid. Or was it clarified and I missed it? Because I have always been unclear.
@@lotusflower474 I don't think it's ever explicitly stated. This is my inference based on the way the actor moves and uses the cane. It appears that she actually puts weight on it, which you wouldn't do with a fashion accessory.
@@lotusflower474 I believe in one of the episodes (the specific one escapes me at the moment, forgive me) that she is meeting with Queen Charlotte. Lady Danbury slightly curtseys and the Queen asks her if it's "as low as she can go". Lady Danbury's response was, "With these knees? Yes, your majesty" So maybe that was supposed to be the clarification? I know she was leaning heavily on her cane in that scene as well
@@blackivy7582 I think it was in Season 2 after the ruined wedding of Edwina and Anthony. Queen Charlotte was mad at Lady Danbury for recommending Edwina as the diamond.
21:07 my great great grandmother is remembered for the way she spoke to children and adults with the same tone and respect, would leave gatherings without apology whenever she got tired, would not give hugs, had a very well organised collection of elephant carvings, and on the day of her death, stood up from Christmas dinner, said ‘well, that’s me!’, nodded without eye contact at the grandkids, drove home and went to sleep.
My grandfather could quite literally recite large parts of the encyclopedia and had an inability to understand nuerotypical conversational undertones to the point that he flooded a Parisian hotel in 1946 because he didn't realize "Would you like a bath?" Meant "do you want us to start you a bath right now?" He was always just our quirky grandad.
With regards to Penelope not being seen as attractive in-universe: the designers hint that they deliberately put Nicola in unflattering costumes and wigs/makeup to give her room for the glow-up in season 3. The character is also shown and described as being very awkward and shy with strangers. There is in-show reasoning for why she is in her third season out and yet unmarried.
Same! I don't understand complaints about dresses and the lack of bonnets in a fantasy inspired by a certain era but not representing it. It's the magic of it!
in the more traditionally 'that character screams queer even if you don't say it' that fandom used to have to do, pour one out for Cressida Cowper and her intense bonding and crush seen from space re: Eloise, 'oh no a husband who's going to be gone for years leaving me alone with chosen companions in a really nice home with money and just wants me to be socially presentable?' (she really should've got to marry Lord Debling, she was actually asking intelligent questions about his interests unlike Penelope). Here's hoping she gets to meet her very own Llagollen lady in Wales in s4. 'have job as very close companion to pretty rich lady who treats me right and understands my need for statement fashion. Suck it, parents.'
as a queer autistic woman, i was afraid to read or watch any other opinion on this matter, and you making a video about it made me so happy. thank you!
I really liked Benedict's bisexuality on screen and am kinda mad (as a bisexual) that everyone minimizes that storyline. Yes it didn't have any effect on the other stories, but it was on screen bisexuality of a man! In a positive light! Francesca just made a face and lost her breath. (Totally on board with her being queer too!)
As a fellow bisexual, I disagree with you. While I do like that Benedict is bi, I hate the way it was represented on the show. Some of the most common (and usually negative) stereotypes about bisexuals is that we are overly sexual, non-comittal and love threesomes. Benedict in season 3 literally embodies all three of these, without any further nuance to add more depth to his character or sexuality. He is never shown having an interest in men outside of threesomes, and considering he'll be getting married to a woman next season, there probably won't be enough time to show him having an actual meaningful same sex relationship. In my eyes, his representation on season 3 did more harm than good by only further enforcing negative stereotypes. I honestly wish they'd put off his season so that they'd have more time to explore and develop his sexuality (or have him marry a man, but that probably wouldn't work considering the context of the show). I guess I'm glad somebody enjoyed it though? 😭
@@stellastella99 fortunately I'm polyamorous so I get those accusations doubled :) I hope they do have him marry a man (no idea how the book story will square that). He is interested in the idea of men with his artist friend's parties, so they do lay the groundwork. I was kinda blindsided by the hot widow even bringing up more than sex. They could have left that conversation out entirely and reduced the iffy rep.
@@lizzyrbits1283 oof, I can imagine! People really love to judge, don't they? 😭 Yeah, season 1 definitely built it up better, which is also why I'm so disappointed they didn't develop it further in season 3. There are definitely plenty of bisexuals that do like threesomes, but I hate that his sexuality was essentially reduced to JUST threesomes. Unfortunately I think there's a very big likelihood they won't develop it any further than they have thus far, seeing as they've already cast a woman to play his love interest in season 4. To be clear, I don't mind him marrying a woman at all, I'm just disappointed we won't get to see him in any meaningful relationships with men (like the guy he was hooking up with was barely even a character?? We know next to nothing about him and he seems to be out of the picture already).
@@stellastella99 I didn't mind the thrupple, I just hate how awkwardly It was executed. The het couples get all of this toxic passionate drama - and a thrupple gets no toxicity or tension? There's no tension between the three being jealous of each other. It was boring and the female actor was was a bit awkard in the spicy scenes. The entire season missed out on spiciness. That's why we are watching bridgerton - drama, romance and spice. It was a slog to get through.
I’m a queer neurodivergent person who is very angry about the change to Francesca. The whole plot of her season was about how quiet love is just as real as sudden love and then they undermine all of that by having her suddenly fall in love with her husband’s cousin. Honestly I’d have been just as upset if they introduced her in the same way but she was a man. They’ve made it clear they’re leaning toward her being a lesbian. She was visibly disappointed by the wedding kiss and then immediately fell for his cousin. I hate the implication that she never loved her husband or that her love for him is less real. I wish they’d just handled this with her being introduced to his cousin and smiling politely, regardless of the gender of the cousin instead of being immediately smitten. She should fall for the cousin AFTER her husband passes.
Yes. Like, they could do something about bonding through grief or something. I don’t know, I’m not a tv show writer. I just feel like they could have handled it better without trivializing her relationship with John.
Even with changing Michael to Michaela they can still follow the book storyline, that Michaela falls for Franchesca at first sight, is able to be a very good friend to her throughout her marriage to John, and Franchesca then falling for her well down the track.
@@songofjoy164 except they’re not doing that. They didn’t introduce her that way. They heavily implied she was very into her at first sight instead of allowing attraction to build after her husband passes.
A real, not anyhow sarcastic or trolling question: do you believe in quiet love in the first place? Francesca's story felt to me like accepting the fact that she must marry and choosing a person who she can become friends with, who is pleasant for her, who fits her lifestyle, who shares her hobbies. Is this love? I personally believe that romantic love involves hormone flashes and all that follows for any (not aromantic) person.
I don't have a problem with Francesca being queer. I just feel that story-wise, it was too early to introduce Michaela. And the way they did it completely undermined the theme of "a different way to love" they'd been establishing with Fran and John's story. It's a shame because I really think both could have been done, but the producer was too impatient to reveal Fran's queerness and kind of bombed one of the best subplots of the season.
This is how I feel as well. I would’ve loved for them to introduce Michaela simply for the people who had read the books to get the hint but the fact they made it a speechless moment felt like it ruined the relationship Francesca already had. The relationship should build over time and not just be a sudden love at first sight moment as that didn’t seem to be the way Francesca falls in love I was so disappointed by the introduction
“Hey US friends register to vote,”can you please say it louder for the people in the back? High five for that public service announcement I could hug you.❤❤❤❤
This is absolutely the best analysis! Bridgerton is my wife’s and my guilty pleasure. We thought the show was fun and it spurred lots of discussion about things they could have done better. Jessica hit on everything we thought was a problem and more! Plus there was the added bonus of Jessica being bleeped for profanity…and I am here for it! 😁
A long time ago (2001), a very popular genre romance writer (Suzanne Brockmann) introduced a very out gay character (FBI agent Jules Cassidy) in her stories, as a way to introduce her readers--the vast majority of which were straight cis white women, many with conservative backgrounds and beliefs--to the idea of that "gay men" are just men, as deserving of joy and happiness and love as any other characters in the stories she told--in other words, creating a parasocial relationship between this character and the reader. (She's a GLAAD mom and wanted a better world for her son, and hey, also for everyone else.)
But Julia Quinn didn’t create Francesca Bridgerton as gay. Maybe ask her to write a lesbian regency romance and have that adapted instead of writing a beloved character out of his own book. I want to see Michael brought to life.
@@SweetLotusDreams Quinn didn't write a single Black person into any of the Bridgerton books or sequels or associated novellas and spinoff series. So if your issue with a show that has stretched the term "adaptation" until it broke, is because they've acknowledge that queerness exists, has always existed, and will always exist, but not with any o the other changes from the authors all cis het white books, that's a you problem, not the show's.
as a person who has had gay friends her whole life, and read the Bridgerton novels when they were FIRST published (as well as again recently), my opinion is: they've done a splendid job of making everything else fun to watch. I'm a boring cishet person, and I best enjoy cishet relationship stories. But I'm going to trust the show to do a good job exploring other sexualities. If it's fun to watch, I really don't care. I mean, my first reaction was "but THAT isn't WHAT the BOOK said!" First reactions can be dumb. As pointed out, we have already diverged significantly from the books, adding all kinds of side plots and interesting bits. As long as the dresses are divine and there's a really good bum or two on display, I honestly will watch all of it. I refer to "Queen Charlotte" as Bridgerton Season 2.5. the clothes, the music, the acting, and the story - sometimes I'm screaming at the TV about stupid actions, but clearly I'm engaged!
The mad thing is that not only is Nicola an objectively beautiful, incredibly hot woman with perfect breasts, buuuut also at the time the series is set, skinny women were considered less desirable than ladies with a fuller figure. She'd have the fellas duelling each other over her, I'm not even joking!
That's actually the craziest thing for me that is coming from the book to tv show. And no one did anything with it. Pen being plump and considered undiserable... She had to loose weight in book When she was literally THE silhouette of the era
@@olakeska7908 It's funny to me because I feel like, if actual Regency nobility were asked, they would be weird about her _Irishness,_ not her weight.
They really need to cool it with Eloise ‘not like other girls’ trope. I do think there is a lot of potential to her character if only she could drop this.
As a casual viewer, I've been hoping that Eloise would be some good asexual or aromantic representation. Edit: forgot to add, another brilliant video! I get the feeling you had fun picking the costumes for this one lol
@@olakeska7908 oh true, maybe somewhere on the aro spectrum tho? grey/demiromantic?? honestly if they do in fact make it canon she’s somewhere on the aro/ace spectrum i just hope they don’t call her ace if she’s actually some typa aro like people do so often😭
@@harlivie. As demi aroace. I don't see her being on aro spectrum but I could be wrong or not seeing something I just feel like Eloise need man to respect her and see her as an equal person to be able to have feelings. Like it has nothing to do with aroromantism spectrum, it's just plain "I'm a human being and want to be seen as one". I don't see it as coming from her as not being able to feel romantic attraction to everyone. And just as "someone who sees me as lesser stupid girl is not attractive and good to consider" Some people always will be ignorant and mess things up. But I don't think Bridgerton would do something so wrong as twisting it up. They already have backlash. And they actually *try* to be inclusive and do things. It would be really bad for them if they would get us something in like 2025-2028 with queer rep that is that shitty 💁
They could have avoided all of this if they never tried to give an explanation for the racial diversity in season 1 while in the same season telling us homophobia (and likely other forms of discrimination until they show otherwise) are still around 😭
literallyyyyy like if you’re going to make homophobia such a big thing (as well as ableism and eugenicist rhetoric in the prequel show) I’m just? Confused? Because historically European colonisers are some of the only people who even hold heteronormative ideas… like you’re telling me these black people who in the real world were described as having ‘woman Kings’ and all manner of other extremely reductive dumb labels by colonisers will back this prejudice?
@@HuntingViolets Right like the misogyny is still very strong within the series! They were like we are gonna try to get ride of the racism but women you still have no rights!!! 😊 You are still property and martial SA is just a cold blooded reality women had to accept!! But the show barely gets into that. Even Eloise our token ‘feminist’ is completely clueless to the realities of sexism in their society. Which is why she couldn’t at all support Cressida who was dealing with those cruel realities.
@@birdiewolf3497 I think the writers kind of fell down with Eloise in the second half of S3. Her ups and downs with feminist development were fairly realistic. I hope they get back on track in S4 with her. I understand the depression of S2 pt 1, but I'd like some growth again, please.
@@HuntingViolets her being like I’m not gonna shake the table anymore was realistic. But her friend being like “ my father wants me to become a brood mare to a man that’s older than he is and he wants to keep me under lock and key.” Eloise was struggling to care, even though it was basically the foundation of her feminist awakening. She understood why the patriarchy was wrong philosophically but never really saw the damage up close. This should have reawakened her, but instead we were given apathy.
I will never stop being surprised by how differently allistics interpret emotions. I am autistic. The way Francesca lit up when John asked if he could share silence with her screamed "autistic passion". Her every interaction with John shouted "I AM AUTISTIC AND I AM INTO THIS MAN". Their little love arc made me so happy. When he presented his rewritten music for her based on her critique, and she rushed home to play it immediately, it felt like my heart grew 3 sizes. I feel like her infatuation with him is written all over her face - it's unavoidable. I've read all the books. What I'm mad about with Michael/a is how Francesca is instantly head over heels for M when 1) in the books, it was a long, long way to get there and she *loved* John until then 2) Francesca had just made a beautiful case for quiet, unassuming love stories. I'm overall annoyed with Bridgerton queer representation. Racism is fixed and all better, but homophobia is still around. We couldn't have written that out, too?
Well said. While I’m still excited to see the Michaela/Fran story, it will be nothing like the book and really sad to see the entirety of the John/Fran romance be completely rubbished.
The weird thing is not that its Michela but as per book John and francesa’s marriage (a non dramatic one) was a happy one . But the last episode they threw that away 😅 Michal pursues Francesca and not other way around. Francesca has same reaction as described by her mother about love . Therefore discrediting her marriage with John
I would like to see Eloise be aspec personally. Also I know nothing about the books so I didn't know thet show was setting Francesca up to be queer but I'm here for it. I would also like to see Benedict smooch more boys. It doesn't have to be for plot. I grew up on fanfic. Not everything is about plot.
“Hey US friends, register to vote and show up to do so with everyone else you know, or you’ll lose access to this and other healthcare!” Thank you, Jessica!
The first season mentioned the concern for the black community losing their gifted power. The 2nd season was great about the pressures of social expectations. The 3rd season disappointed me as all those things seemed to fall away. They also stopped using a language coach, so more modern lingo made it into the script.
God, as a Black woman, I'm so glad they did away with that! All of their social commentary has always fallen flat (especially in Queen Charlotte) and quite frankly they insult the intelligence of their Black audience by ever implying that race as a social construct could be done away with just by a Monarch marrying a Black woman (mixed race Black at that). Look how well that worked out with Harry. I'm so glad they finally know what they are: Regency romp. They don't have enough episodes for commentary, they don't have the skills, nor do they have enough people of colour behind the scenes to be doing this commentary. They should just stop and I'm glad they did stop this season.
@@aliciawonderlaand4133 francesca had the tamest makeup of anyone young and she still had heavy illuminator on a straight line along her cheekbones. it was so distracting i couldn't even focus on the plot a lot of the time. the beauty dept in general just jumped the shark
27:14 Glad to be a cosigner of this parasocial contract! Good to hear the benefits in empathy and understanding. Bias can blind us, but videos like your's help us see a bit clearer.
Yas! The lack of Lord Remmington was a crime. I wanted him to become a regular character and friend to Lady Whistledown. I really like your take on stereotypical queerness--but all I wanted from Francesca's story was her dual love story. I wanted a show about fireworks, passion, and"the one" to have a character who can love again. I haven't read the books, but I LOVED her quiet love. I felt power and sweetness in it, and it's just destroyed in the final moments of the season. If they had done this with a male version of Michael I would be upset. However, because of the gender-bend, I feel the bi-erasure and it makes me want to just walk away.
Preach! Remmington was an immediate favorite new addition. So much personality in one scene. We haven’t had any guys be into Whistledown and gossip. I want to see a male kiki
It makes sense he didn't call on Penelope as promised - at the same ball the story of Colin helping her breaks out and the scandal follows. It is understandable that he would follow the societal rules and not associate with a girl mixed-up in a scandal. But getting completely rid of him was a crime. Why not have him for another brief moment somewhere at another ball?
Personally, I view Bridgeton as to the regency like GOT is to the medieval period. I love that dress historians are talking about the costumes on social media, and it is encouraging people to look into history and find LGBTQIA+ and POC people. I do wish that Netflix would go further in terms of actual real-life historically diverse representation. It would be cool if they did a series where it is based on a particular year, say 1456, then each episode is based in one area of the world for 24hrs. It would be a great way of showing actual diversity without having to create a fantasy world. Also I love the idea of Lord Remington becoming a source for Lady Whistledown. It would make sense as he tells Penelope that he loves gossip, he could be someone who feeds her information about what's going on in the ton
I really liked Francesca's character! The idea that Eloise makes more "sense" to be a queer person rather than Francesca never sat right with me. As if only stereotypes exists.... I'm one of those people that knew about Michael but was pleasantly surprised to see Michaela. I'm excited to see their story! Just a note, Emma Kenworthy is another person on the show with a bigger body type who was praised by LW for her personality and did get engaged this season. I thought she was lovely. I'm a bigger girl so watching her and Penelope on the show has been wonderful. Particularly with Penelope, I love rewatching the first two seasons and see how ill-fitting her dresses and how unflattering the colours were on Nicola so when we got to see the first glow-up dress, she looked breathtaking! Also, LW never talked about Theo Sharpe when writing about Eloise. She stated that Eloise was associating with political radicals, which was damning but not as ruinous as if she wrote about Theo. This has nothing to do with the topics at hand but I love Colin. I feel like he's a misunderstood and very nuanced character. I've probably rewatched season three for Polin's love story more times than it's healthy to admit. Friends to lovers is a trope that I enjoy so their love story is right up my alley lol.
Hyacinth?! That's the name of the main character of another great show "Keeping up Appearances." It is an old show poking fun at a woman obsessed with being the most sophisticated interesting person in the room.
I LOVED that show as a kid!! My grandmother and I watched it all the time. That, "As Time Goes By", "Are You Beingng Served?", and all those old Sherlock Holmes adaptations!
@crypticmedicine OMG we need another show like "Are you being served?" The banter and clash of age, gender, and sexuality are very relevant to today. Although the shopping scene is way different, we'd need to adapt it to a new industry maybe, or find a more fitting retail location for the modern day.
It's also the name of the fourth Bridgerton daughter (and a flower, but then the Hyacinth you mention had sisters all with flower names too -- so alphabetical may not be so bad).
I am looking forward to Francesca's story and what it bodes for a genuinely interesting and compelling tale. Since Benedict has been announced as the central figure for S4, with an asian woman cast has his love interest Sophie, I wonder about how his presumed bisexuality will play out? The novel evidently is about how Benedict really breaks the rules because he weds someone in the working class! And I do think your notion of Penelope now using her pen to push for more tolerance would be a lovely thing. Let us hope! I was pleasantly surprised at how invested I became in these characters, even finding myself hoping for Cressida's future (especially when we learn her parents evidently tried to turn her into a doll or a sociopath--the fact they failed seems like good news). Likewise I'm genuinely curious about how they will proceed with Eloise! Methinks she will be S6.
Well they mangled the Colin and Penelope and forgot to put in any sexual tension or chemistry, so I am super doubtful that any future Bridgertons will do a good job. I expect them to run Benedict, Francesca and Eloise together and Netflix will call it a day. I hope so because I doubt I will live long enough to see them all at the current rate of production.
@@DavidMacDowellBlue i am not putting anyone down, where do I even mention YOU in my comment? I didnt like S3 and I am entitled to that opinion. I had to make myself finish S3 because I was hoping ut would get better but it just didnt. There was little to no romance between Pen and Colin, their storyline revolved around Whistledown at the expense of the romance, to say nothing of all the pointless side plots. It seemed that Cressida’s ridiculous outfits were a mockery of her character and a metaphor for how little the showrunners care for the integrity of the story, and I expect that to continue.
@@SweetLotusDreams No you just go on a public forum to complain a lot. Well, yeah you have that right. So what? Frankly I think your comments make zero sense to me, and being a playwright myself much of what you're saying seems baffling to me (especially given how extremely successful each season has continued to be). But whatever. You didn't like it. You feel the need to go places where people are analyzing and praising the show to declare how much you disliked it--yet continued to WATCH for some baffling reason (unless maybe complaining is really important to you--which frankly seems the case). But your reaction is your own, and as valid as mine. As is my reaction to your comment. Now, I'm giving this a rest.
24:45 I feel like the writers need to understand that despite how much they tried to make her look unattractive, she’s just very pretty and also derry girls means I’m already unreasonable attached to her
Isn't it great the way the Prince Regent's marriage to Maria Fitzherbert vastly improved relations between the Anglicans and Catholics? Or the way the marriage of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson increased tolerance toward divorce? Oh, yeah, oops.
I also have many thoughts and had to watch a few historical costume people discuss the deliberate choices to not be accurate to finally get to watch this show. The fact that the very first episode of S1 starts with someone being tight laced into a corset, a thing you almost literally canNOT do in a Regency corset and that is irrelevant and silly when the waist isn't shown ... could have been so easily handled with a "Mama, you are so out of fashion, no one cares!" and Mama Featherington being all 'I care!' would have done wonders, but nope. Anyway, onto Nicola. As has been noted elsewhere, the silly thing about her body type is that is the body type that was considered beautiful in that time period. Slender women were NOT it. Fully bodied and large breasts (the entire point of a Regency gown and underthings was to basically say "here ya go - see ma boobs") was super sexy. I got the modern eye was essentially "oh no, she's not a stick figure" but considered that the show did a decent job in showing that it was her wearing clothing that flattered her figure and colors that flattered her that caused the men to start going "oh, wait, she's hot". The show didn't do any "and now she's lost weight so suddenly PRETTY" which I did really like. and I agree wholeheartedly that the media about her and her character was so effing focused on her weight as if it matters. She is so gorgeous, you are right. In that sex scene, all I could think was "if I was into women, my god I'd want to just dive into the gorgeous body and that lovely soft flesh." As it was, it was just generally esthetically pleasing and I feel that only people with (to use a phrase badly no doubt) body dismorphia could look at her and be "not gorgeous". So sad.
I really appreciate that you include CC since I have issues with auditory processing. On this video in particular a lot of the CC is making the same point using different words from the audio which is really distracting
Never seen bridgerton, but everything I hear makes me think they should have just made it a fantasy world. Creating an escapist world where systemic issues don't exist is still a valid way to provide temporary relief and even critique of those issues, esp if such a world doesn't even exist today, though it wouldn't stop fans from disliking this and other adaptation choices, or trying to criticize its fashion choices by associating it with the era the choices are based on
The worst thing is they still have some systemic issues… in queen Charlotte they tried to address homophobia, racism, and the eugenics movement… and then you go back to bridgerton, and it’s all gone. Except the whole insitutionalising disabled people thing was never actually resolved? Only for the literal king? And it’s very awful to watch and very triggering?
@@kwowka In Bridgerton in season 1 they make an oblique reference to racism (Lady Danbury mentions it when talking to the Duke) - but the rest of the time, you see NO evidence of any kind of racism. So the whole thing literally makes no sense! Would have been better if they just went straight fantasy and not mentioned race at all. Instead, the way they did it, it felt like they were trying to have their cake (no racism in this world!) and eat it too (but there's still racism?). Locating the story in that time and place is also complicated by the fact that the reason there was so much wealth and power in Britain at that time was thanks to colonialist actions and slavery in other parts of the world (e.g. sugar plantations in the West Indies). Having a bunch of (historically white) British aristocrats (who personally benefited from those abuses) played by people of colour is a real ick for me. Does "representation" just mean you get to use our bodies as tools to tell these white people's stories? As a POC all these things just make it hard for me to enjoy the show although I genuinely liked the books.
Me pretending I was invested in any of the other relationships when truly I am just a Cressida Cowper apologist and I think her and Eloise should pull a ladies of Llangollen
I'm sad to say that I don't have high expectations for Francesca's story, as much as it pains me. As a trans lesbian, it always warms my heart to see representation, but sometimes we have to accept that not every story is interchangeable. Changing Michael Stirling's gender isn't just about picking a character where this wouldn’t matter; it actively alters something that is essential to this narrative. I’m not the biggest Bridgerton fan, but Francesca's book has always been a personal favorite for me because it resonates with many stories I've encountered in my work. I volunteer at a place that helps women deal with the loss of spouses, babies and infertility, and Francesca’s journey touches on these themes in a profound way. As much as I appreciate Masali Baduza, I struggle to see how changing Michael will enhance the story. Beyond grief, the theme of infertility is significant in Francesca's narrative and would be difficult to translate into her now-queer storyline, especially given the time period. I wish I could be excited about this change, but it feels like the new showrunner is using Francesca more as a blank slate for her own self-insert fantasy rather than honoring and respecting her deeply moving story. All I can do is hope they treat the characters with the respect and love they deserve.
I agree. I'm not a big Bridgerton fan, but I loved this book and it was my favorite, but with the change the things that made it so beloved will become impossible because of the time period.
Not only did we have North Pole penguins, but the word “penguin” comes from the Dutch word for the great auk. Some sailors saw some penguins and were like “woah look there are South Pole auks!” and now we still call them that, even though the original animal it’s named after is extinct.
HUGE spoiler at 7:53 for Francesca's season from the book!!! Just highlighting for others. I know a warning was given, but I thought I knew the premise of her book and I did not. You dont know what you dont know.
I must say as an autistic i did watch episode 1 of S3, while saying "apparently they're going to add more gay love stories" to my mum and then was immediately hit with oh franchesca is hoing to be gay... or autistic. Because lets be real film making shorthand for both is "character is odd by social standing". At the time i was totally ok with that. My issue came up with the introduction to michaela, specifically because i feel they invaludated her lovestory with john. After telling a very good neurodivergent lovestory they said syc! Got you! Shes only into girls! I then later learned of a big part of her book being about fertility issue's, and while i understand that is obviously an issue with same sex couples back then there was no IVF, no sperm bank, etc. I cannot see how they can tackle the story the same way, in this setting, without a huge change in the type of story. Not least the issue of marrige for two women over inheritance, when neither can inherit the title, which we saw in S2 and S3 through the featheringtons story. In short i think they can make a good story, and include some of the same themes, possibly ending with adoption, but its not going to be even a loose adaption of the book, so i can understand why people who really felt seen by that books story will be upset. Im still upset at the invalidation of quiet love though
Most Scottish peerage titles were heritable by women, so either Michaela or a child of Francesca and John's would inherit the child (the latter would kind of take away from the children dilemma, but the former were create the problem for Michaela's heir -- maybe they can take in a distant cousin at some point after Francesca chooses Michaela over having a child).
Francesa being gay isnt the problem. Its her love for john being undone in 5 sec Because it also undermines her future relationship with micaela. Cause then it implies shes only attracted to her cause shes a woman Not that they have a relationship built from shared trauma and love for a person irrespective of gender. I mean, imagine. Wouldve been so much deeper and heartfelt. Now it kinda feels like francesca is just as much of a rake as her brothers
As a "unofficial" (undiagnosed) ND girlie, I definitely saw myself in Francesca. I was the quiet one who didn't socialize like the other kids and I felt it. I didn't have the knowledge or vocabulary to express it as a child, but as an adult: "YES. I am... different." I certainly speak differently, because words are fun, why limit yourself to "normal lexicon"? Freezing / poker face in social settings: *You have no idea* 😶 Sensory processing differences: just the other day, a coworker asked me to explain. I may not have "loud outbursts" of how it affects me, but it does. It takes a lot of energy to keep a lid on it, and I've had a lifetime of masking.
This hit too close to home as a diagnosed ADHD girlie (and suspected autism, but it's complicated?). My gradeschool teachers told my mom they were concerned that I was reading at recess alone 😅
As someone who hasn't read the books, I'm all here for Francesca being gay and feel like I clocked it in episode 1. Her story with her husband was cute and all, but I think it's quite realistic to find what you think is love and then meet someone who makes you experience attraction for the first time. A lot of people have gone through that. I also genuinely enjoyed Benedict's queer storyline. Good for him!
You have no idea how loud I screamed seeing the video title!! I’m OBSESSED with Bridgerton!! I’m in my Polin era and cannot, will not, do not want to get out!! I burn for everything Ton right now!! It’s the bane of my existence and the object of all my desires at the moment!!
I think there are several things contributing to the "We want Michael" drama. Some are show-related, some are books-related. First the show-related. We spend a whole season on a story validating a quiet love and we all fall in love with John and Francesca's story. Even Violet, so fixated on the butterflies, finally accepts Fran's choice. And then the rug is pulled from under us and it's all "just kidding! it must be drama otherwise it's not love" when Francesca meets Michaela. It's so off-putting as a storyline. The other show-related problem is the tokenism of queer identities. Many people disliked Benedict's threesome because 1) it was just a repetition of his story from the previous season, only this time he goes for it (and in many places I read comments from people who believed he actually did already, so even this added thing went unnoticed), 2) the terrible editing of the season made it an intermission in-between the blackmail drama (which is the main drama of the season) and made people roll their eyes on this week long hook-up session. And then the show-runners explained things in commentary but didn't bother to show us on screen, like the fact that they saw Colin as demi-romantic. That ads up, but maybe invest in dialogue/scenes actually showing him acting like one? And then there are books-related things. For one, Francesca's book (which I haven't read yet) is widely considered the favourite in the fandom, and Michael to be the best of the male leads in the series. Of course many fans will be angry by the TV show changing their favourite story and removing their favourite man completely (in contrast, most people dislike Eloise's book and wouldn't mind it changed). Second, many people resonate very strongly with the three main topics of the book - guilt, infertility, and second chance of love. Michael is the one falling for Fran upon meeting her and after John's death inherits the title and the estate, and is guilt-stricken for wanting his wife as well. Wanting children is the main motivation for Francesca to come back to London and find a new husband, and her losing her pregnancy when John dies added to her grief tremendously. Third, this is the only book where the female protagonist is not a virgin and knows what she wants and what she likes, and is not a naive teenager. I also don't think the majority of people watching Bridgerton is homophobic. If that was the case, people would have hated the romance between Brimsley and Reynolds in Queen Charlotte - and they didn't. But their story made sense in the plot and was very emotionally moving. Pointless threesomes and falling for someone else 2 minutes after you marry someone else are not (and may be actually harming, as they perpetuate the stereotypes of bisexual people as promiscuous cheaters).
This is EXACTLY it, the perfect comment that touches every aspect of this situation. Also, as someone who has read the books, I can confirm every single thing you said about them, including how Francesca's one is a standout in a positive way, and just about everything you said here - if I were to single out the best parts I'd just be repeating your whole comment haha. But anyway, I think pretending people don't have valid reasons to be upset, that they haven't been articulating those reasons very clearly and that they're all homophobic/racist/another vile thing, is quite disingenuous and an attempt to avoid facing real valid criticism and cause for disappointment.
Everyone's talking about Francesca but also, Eloise is also super ND coded! Just, in a more outwardly-extroverted way. She's forever talking about how she doesn't understand all these social rules and is very confused as to why everyone else doesn't think the same way and value the same things as her, she's very black and white in her thinking, very stubborn, and knows she's different in some way to others but can't quite pin down what so it comes out as "I'm not like other girls". Source: my childhood as a late-diagnosed ND person
When they first introduced Francesca this season I was completly sure they were trying to make her a lesbian (not soo interested in marriage, just wants to get away from her family...). Then i feel like they introduced more autistic traits and I tried to forget it. But then the end of the season gave us BOTH! lovely Then again, being a lesbian i might just see them everywhere. But I really like her character being queer it just makes sense : she never had the opportunity to experiment anything and discover life. I loved her relationship with John and I also don't feel like it's going to be ruined if he turns out to be a support. She is my new absolute favorite character and i can't wait to see her find out more about herself
Yeah I initially started dating men because I felt like a damsel who needed rescuing from a situation. (Obviously I wasn't aware this is what I'm doing but reflecting after accepting I'm gay that's what I was doing) When my circumstances changed and I was in a safer situation I no longer felt desire to be with a man and relationships became more about sharing experiences than running away.
Bridgerton is my guilty pleasure. This season I was pleased to see what can be interpreted as Demisexual representation with Colin, which I don’t think is talked about enough.
One of the things I love about going to my local public pool is seeing a wide variety of bodies. We're all doing things that are good for our bodies but our bodies look vastly different. Also, a lot of disabled people go to the pool, so it makes me feel less alone when I make my accessibility needs known to lifeguards.
Wait I though the lack of desirability in the case of Penelope was, that she is still unmarried although she went through several seasons??? Which is ofcourse affected by her ... fun family and people not wanting to have to put up with her mother or their very unusual clothing choices and overall financially desperate head-hunting behaviour that is taken to the extreme (and also sth. ridiculed in other families) :'D Oh plus the whole part of her anxiety and being awkward when speaking to potential suitors, which was shown, too.
There was one supporting character fellow debutante, Emma Kenworthy who married Lord Cho, but agreed very inadequate. And one brothel worker was curvy....which Colin seemed to like....
I label Bridgerton as historical fantasy/alternative history in my mind because if i start pointing out all historically inaccurate parts I wouldn’t enjoy watching it as much as I do.
Thank you for this wonderful video! The consent violations involved in season 3 in particular enraged me, so it’s really refreshing to feel less alone in having well-informed criticism of the show honestly!
My friends grandmother has kept the same toilet schedule for 70 years. Minor issue- she moved from Portugal to Australia around 50 years ago. No, her routine has not changed. Her internal body clock refuses to accept time zones exist. Yes she is autistic.
I mean, I’m a queer reserved autistic person raised as a girl who had a special interest in classical piano growing up, so Francesca kinda glows to me. The way she peaced out to find the piano? I did that hundred of times
I understand the sense of loss over not having something in the book being depicted to the letter. I also am really annoyed with changes that are made thoughtlessly that come off more like pandering rather than a serious attempt at being inclusive. BUTTTT I think it's important to think about the heart of the story. Here it's about romantic relationships and the pressures of social expectations. Adding elements about race and queerness fits really well under that, and adds more challenges and storylines to explore. It's not taking anything away from the original work. Throwing in a secret poly thrupple is weak, but a queer couple trying to navigate this environment would be really interesting to watch!
One of the pictures you put up was of Sophia Duleep Singh and her sisters. I do think SDS deserves a mention if you're going to put her picture up, as she was part of the suffragette movement. I'm not saying she solved sexism, but she certainly had some effect.
What really worries me personally is that they might take away the representation of something as specific as autistic coded, quiet understanding love- and discredit it in order to make way for a tumultuous romance that is seen as the actually REAL one. Its completely independent from Michaela's gender, really. Id be just as upset either way, not because i dont like messy romance in shows but because we spent so long setting up this neurodivergent and almost ace-like vibes just to throw it for a whole different kind of rep. I would hope they could co exist, in media too as a pan, ace, neurodivergent myself. Thanks for the video!!
Jessica not even have 1 FULL regency inspired outfit, but 2 of them, with fake flowers, ribbons and funky hair, everything!! You are literally english queen and you talk like one! Thank you for video!
No subscription today, but entertaining and educational video content still deserves to be shared! Hope everyone’s having a great day! Thanks to all on team Jessica who made that video happen ❤
In Gentleman Jack, I kinda like that Anne Lister is sometimes... not great. 😅 Seems realistic and its also a source of comedy when the other characters react to her snobbiness like "🙄".
I feel like Eloise was,a natural queer character and more could have been done with the that plot line. Francesca and John/Michael fertility journey as a couple deserves representation as well. And I feel like Francesca being queer comes off as a form of box ticking and it hurts and ruined her and John's love .
As always you look incredible - i love the attention to detail in your outfits is reflected in your work. A wonderful break down of inclusivity and it's lack in Bridgerton. Plus the lilac rose peeping out your bonnet above your eyes is romantic aesthetic perfection. 💜
I'm getting massive Asexual vibes from Eloise, but I may be biased. She definitely came off as heartbroken over Pen tho. Feels like that might be part why she was so obsessed with finding out how kids are made.
Geez! Yes! I keep saying if Eloise is queer she would be asexual. I don't think her being heartbroken over Pen is sapphic thing in the slightest. Friendship broke ups are often worse then the ones with SO. Pen was her ONLY friend and she lied and betrayed her. I think it's natural to be so heartbroken then... We know tho that she had feelings for Theo Am I a little biased? Yeah, but she's actually giving ace vibes
I have to be honest, still not sold on bonnets even though they have a very practical purpose and have made something of a comeback in fashion recently.
I am not angry, but I am afraid that the way they had her react to Michelle means they are going in a "Oops, I was actually a lesbian all along! I wasn't really in love with John at all! And wow now that I have experienced REAL LOVE I no longer struggle or retain any of my previous traits because my lover will rehabilitate them out of me! " direction. I found their love story to be so moving and meaningful. I would prefer the quiet love storyline to be preserved and for her to be Bi or Pan rather than say she wasn't in love with John. I love your idea for Hyacinth though!!!
I haven’t read the books so I don’t have the kind of attachment that other people have to Francesca’s original story line, but as an autistic asexual person, I was left a bit disappointed? Initially I really connected with her storyline, especially so when she seemed disappointed in the kiss she shared with John. To me it just really resonated with the whole “why don’t I like this?” feeling I’ve had several times before, and the fact that she didn’t seem to want a crazy romance or connected to love in the same way as the other bridgerton’s was quite meaningful for me. So while I was happy about the queer aspect, i was a bit bummed that it once again followed the line of “character doesn’t experience strong attraction or love but they jUsT nEeDeD tO mEeT tHe RiGhT pErSoN.” The same with Éloïse - I actually really loved her storyline with Theo but at the same time, is it too much to ask for a character that isn’t interested in that sort of thing and is happy and fulfilled anyway? It doesn’t have to be a main storyline, but just you know! There!
Yes! I'd have loved to have hyacinth be queer. Her story being of a hopeless romantic who when is in the marriage mart is disappointed, BUT finds love outside of it? In a who done it?! That would probably be one of my favorite seasons. And the ideas has stuck in my head so I'm so glad someone agrees. I originally thought of it cause I didn't love how Francesca's queer story was introduced/portrayed so far and the implications of it, her being a widow meaning that's an easy way to have them be together without questions, but also that Benedict's bisexuality will probably be confirmed then thrown away which gives me the feeling it was only introduced because of the backlash. (And also Fran being one of the only ones in the books with a semi different story already, she was the one who needed a new plot point to differentiate her the least (at least from what I've heard of the books) which really leads me to believe that they only chose her cause they can have her be with a woman easier) And I never liked the read that Eloise was gay cause why can't a woman not want to be married/not want kids (ESPECIALLY in THAT society, men legally OWNED their wives) and I like the idea of her marrying outside the ton a lot more than "she doesn't want to marry (a man) 😮??? that must mean she's gay!!!"
@@HuntingViolets yeah I was really hoping they'd make him her love story cause they were really cute in season 2 and her story in the books sounds just bad and wouldn't even work for show Eloise, but interviews with the actors where they all seem surprised at the idea and season 3 barely bring it up has made me give up hope.
From a purely vibes based standpoint, Francesca feels more queer to me than Eloise. What I do agree with though: the show shouldn’t have undermined her relationship with John (making a face at the wedding and her falling for Michaela at first sight)
As an autistic trans woman who hasn’t actually seen Bridgerton, I can’t comment on your analysis, but loved your summary of the fate of the Great Auk 😍
Funnily enough the 1st thing I thought about when I saw that they made Michael Michaela was who's gonna be Earl after John, will they introduce another cousin who will inherit the title? (And I was always amused by the fact that Francesca married Earl Kilmartin twice for some reason, and the reason she and Michael got together is that he was the Earl and he told her she's still welcome as part of the family and to still act as the Lady and move between properties and live wherever she wants and so he was there when she started thinking about remarriage, and while that could still happen with a new Earl, Michael is a women, won't she be forced to marry and will the new Earl be as kind to her!), then I though when John died Francesca was pregnant maybe she will have the baby in the show and it will be a boy and she will be in charge of everything until he's off age and then I just put everything aside and move on to looking forward to Benedict's story which my 2nd favourite one (after Hyacinth's). But I guess after watching this that does take out from her struggle with infertility, I wonder how the show will play it! For me as long as the couples have chemistry and the story is entertaining then I'm not complaining.
In terms of regency romance novels and disability representation, I quite like the direction Mary Balogh has been going. She had a series about veterans of the Napoleonic Wars dealing with their trauma and acquired disabilities and the main character of one of her latest novels is a woman partially ambulatory wheelchair user who survived an illness that sounds like polio. There are more and more queer historical romance novels coming out all the time, but they're not my thing. I did really like the one about the astronomers in 1816. Historians will say they were roommates.
White cis het male here. Big Jane Austen fan, which is how I got into the Regency period. I didn't read Quinn's books, but love the show. I rather like that they change things from time to time, and am willing to see where they are going with something. This includes Michaela Sterling.
have you seen Penelope’s dresses and hair? same for her sisters and mother. gaudy af. also her family status and awkwardness definitely plays a role in her “unattractiveness”. she never really put herself out there as someone to even be looked at until this season
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As a queer autistic person, I have nothing against Francesca being queer, quite the opposite, but I really like the representation of the dynamic of her and John's relationship. I find the whole "quiet relationship" very wholesome and it makes me happy. Of course, her future relationship with Michaela might have a similar dynamic, but I am a bit afraid the writers will give her a "whirlwind romance" like the other children. If that happens, then it would take away from her and John's relationship and undo the storyline that romance looks different for everyone.
This is what I've been saying! I so hope they don't write next season in a way that undermines the absolutely beautiful story of Francesca and John, but the ending of the last season doesn't make me hopeful. Please, make like Daphne with her all-romance-tropes-together gay instead.
I was going to say something similar. After finally acknowledging the validity of Francesca and John's quiet relationship, the had her react the way her mother expected her to when interacting with someone else.
You (the writers) just delegitimized the relationship you worked so hard to have everyone accept!
As a fellow neurodivergent person, and an asexual on top, this is my biggest fear. Her storyline was so beautiful and validating for me because it showed love can come in a different form than the whirlwind kind.
Those are my feelings, too. I love the autistic4autistic pairing, it adds a dimension to their relationship we didn't/couldn't get from the books.
I loved their quiet story too ... but at least looking at the source material it dosen't look good, she has one of the most whirwind relationships of them all ... 😬
Ah yes, the disability representation paradox. You are absolutely correct when you say the presence of deaf people and wheelchair users felt tokenistic, but at the same time I'm so used to disabled people in media either being evil or pitiful (especially in period dramas) that having them just be *there* in a completely neutral way felt amazing. Let's hope this is just the starting point of them building better respresention in future seasons, which I feel more confident in for Bridgerton than other shows, but I won't hold my breath.
I do love that lady Danbury uses a cane as a cane- she clearly has dynamic support needs and she’s made her cane a statement… reminds me of a lot of people I know today covering their mobility aids with stickers and badges.
If you like reading romance novels, Mary Balogh has a few disabled main characters. It's been really lovely watching her develop those characters from side characters to main over the past decade.
Right?! It’s nice to be in a period drama that’s not the Very Special Episode that’s depressing and all about discrimination or suffering. Why can’t marginalized people in media just have fun sometimes?
Very well put ❤
Francesca was a super relatable character for me, her Autistic traits closely mirrored my own in several ways. And since there is a high overlap in the Queer and ND communities I actually like that she is representing both in the Bridgerton world. I do hope they continue to improve their disability and body positive representation in future seasons!
I think it's important that we not gloss over Lady Danbury as a disabled character though. It's subtle in many scenes but it seems clear to me that she has a dynamic disability that affects her mobility - because that is a thing I also experience. Her cane is fashionable, yes, but is also a mobility aid.
I wish that it was clarified in some (appropriate) way as to whether the cane is a mobility aid. Or was it clarified and I missed it? Because I have always been unclear.
@@lotusflower474 I don't think it's ever explicitly stated. This is my inference based on the way the actor moves and uses the cane. It appears that she actually puts weight on it, which you wouldn't do with a fashion accessory.
@@lotusflower474I think it was kiind of clarified in S3 when she said ‘you got all the good joints in the family’ to her brother
@@lotusflower474 I believe in one of the episodes (the specific one escapes me at the moment, forgive me) that she is meeting with Queen Charlotte. Lady Danbury slightly curtseys and the Queen asks her if it's "as low as she can go". Lady Danbury's response was, "With these knees? Yes, your majesty"
So maybe that was supposed to be the clarification? I know she was leaning heavily on her cane in that scene as well
@@blackivy7582 I think it was in Season 2 after the ruined wedding of Edwina and Anthony. Queen Charlotte was mad at Lady Danbury for recommending Edwina as the diamond.
21:07 my great great grandmother is remembered for the way she spoke to children and adults with the same tone and respect, would leave gatherings without apology whenever she got tired, would not give hugs, had a very well organised collection of elephant carvings, and on the day of her death, stood up from Christmas dinner, said ‘well, that’s me!’, nodded without eye contact at the grandkids, drove home and went to sleep.
My grandfather could quite literally recite large parts of the encyclopedia and had an inability to understand nuerotypical conversational undertones to the point that he flooded a Parisian hotel in 1946 because he didn't realize "Would you like a bath?" Meant "do you want us to start you a bath right now?" He was always just our quirky grandad.
With regards to Penelope not being seen as attractive in-universe: the designers hint that they deliberately put Nicola in unflattering costumes and wigs/makeup to give her room for the glow-up in season 3. The character is also shown and described as being very awkward and shy with strangers. There is in-show reasoning for why she is in her third season out and yet unmarried.
and thank god does NOT mention the huge weight loss she does in the books as the reason for her now being attractive.
Specifically, room for the glow-up WITHOUT weight loss is what they wanted
my favourite thing about the show is that it's historical Fantasy with a capital F.
I like how they're not even trying to do historical accuracy.
Same! I don't understand complaints about dresses and the lack of bonnets in a fantasy inspired by a certain era but not representing it. It's the magic of it!
Agree. The whole thing is a fun fantasy😊
I actually hate it. I don´t understand why is that show so famous. 🙄
@@beq4797the books are a bit better
in the more traditionally 'that character screams queer even if you don't say it' that fandom used to have to do, pour one out for Cressida Cowper and her intense bonding and crush seen from space re: Eloise, 'oh no a husband who's going to be gone for years leaving me alone with chosen companions in a really nice home with money and just wants me to be socially presentable?' (she really should've got to marry Lord Debling, she was actually asking intelligent questions about his interests unlike Penelope). Here's hoping she gets to meet her very own Llagollen lady in Wales in s4. 'have job as very close companion to pretty rich lady who treats me right and understands my need for statement fashion. Suck it, parents.'
this!!!!!
Finally! someone mentions the lack of bonnets in this show 😅.
Bridgerton could outsell bonnets.
as a queer autistic woman, i was afraid to read or watch any other opinion on this matter, and you making a video about it made me so happy. thank you!
I really liked Benedict's bisexuality on screen and am kinda mad (as a bisexual) that everyone minimizes that storyline. Yes it didn't have any effect on the other stories, but it was on screen bisexuality of a man! In a positive light! Francesca just made a face and lost her breath. (Totally on board with her being queer too!)
As a fellow bisexual, I disagree with you. While I do like that Benedict is bi, I hate the way it was represented on the show. Some of the most common (and usually negative) stereotypes about bisexuals is that we are overly sexual, non-comittal and love threesomes. Benedict in season 3 literally embodies all three of these, without any further nuance to add more depth to his character or sexuality. He is never shown having an interest in men outside of threesomes, and considering he'll be getting married to a woman next season, there probably won't be enough time to show him having an actual meaningful same sex relationship. In my eyes, his representation on season 3 did more harm than good by only further enforcing negative stereotypes. I honestly wish they'd put off his season so that they'd have more time to explore and develop his sexuality (or have him marry a man, but that probably wouldn't work considering the context of the show). I guess I'm glad somebody enjoyed it though? 😭
@@stellastella99 fortunately I'm polyamorous so I get those accusations doubled :) I hope they do have him marry a man (no idea how the book story will square that). He is interested in the idea of men with his artist friend's parties, so they do lay the groundwork. I was kinda blindsided by the hot widow even bringing up more than sex. They could have left that conversation out entirely and reduced the iffy rep.
@@lizzyrbits1283 oof, I can imagine! People really love to judge, don't they? 😭 Yeah, season 1 definitely built it up better, which is also why I'm so disappointed they didn't develop it further in season 3. There are definitely plenty of bisexuals that do like threesomes, but I hate that his sexuality was essentially reduced to JUST threesomes. Unfortunately I think there's a very big likelihood they won't develop it any further than they have thus far, seeing as they've already cast a woman to play his love interest in season 4. To be clear, I don't mind him marrying a woman at all, I'm just disappointed we won't get to see him in any meaningful relationships with men (like the guy he was hooking up with was barely even a character?? We know next to nothing about him and he seems to be out of the picture already).
@@stellastella99 I didn't mind the thrupple, I just hate how awkwardly It was executed. The het couples get all of this toxic passionate drama - and a thrupple gets no toxicity or tension? There's no tension between the three being jealous of each other. It was boring and the female actor was was a bit awkard in the spicy scenes. The entire season missed out on spiciness. That's why we are watching bridgerton - drama, romance and spice. It was a slog to get through.
@@Mariathinking yeah that's one of my main issues with it as well. Their whole storyline was so shallow, basically just an awkward sex montage 😅
I’m a queer neurodivergent person who is very angry about the change to Francesca. The whole plot of her season was about how quiet love is just as real as sudden love and then they undermine all of that by having her suddenly fall in love with her husband’s cousin. Honestly I’d have been just as upset if they introduced her in the same way but she was a man. They’ve made it clear they’re leaning toward her being a lesbian. She was visibly disappointed by the wedding kiss and then immediately fell for his cousin. I hate the implication that she never loved her husband or that her love for him is less real. I wish they’d just handled this with her being introduced to his cousin and smiling politely, regardless of the gender of the cousin instead of being immediately smitten. She should fall for the cousin AFTER her husband passes.
Yes. Like, they could do something about bonding through grief or something. I don’t know, I’m not a tv show writer. I just feel like they could have handled it better without trivializing her relationship with John.
Well put! That's how I felt
Even with changing Michael to Michaela they can still follow the book storyline, that Michaela falls for Franchesca at first sight, is able to be a very good friend to her throughout her marriage to John, and Franchesca then falling for her well down the track.
@@songofjoy164 except they’re not doing that. They didn’t introduce her that way. They heavily implied she was very into her at first sight instead of allowing attraction to build after her husband passes.
A real, not anyhow sarcastic or trolling question: do you believe in quiet love in the first place? Francesca's story felt to me like accepting the fact that she must marry and choosing a person who she can become friends with, who is pleasant for her, who fits her lifestyle, who shares her hobbies. Is this love?
I personally believe that romantic love involves hormone flashes and all that follows for any (not aromantic) person.
I don't have a problem with Francesca being queer. I just feel that story-wise, it was too early to introduce Michaela. And the way they did it completely undermined the theme of "a different way to love" they'd been establishing with Fran and John's story. It's a shame because I really think both could have been done, but the producer was too impatient to reveal Fran's queerness and kind of bombed one of the best subplots of the season.
This is how I feel as well. I would’ve loved for them to introduce Michaela simply for the people who had read the books to get the hint but the fact they made it a speechless moment felt like it ruined the relationship Francesca already had. The relationship should build over time and not just be a sudden love at first sight moment as that didn’t seem to be the way Francesca falls in love I was so disappointed by the introduction
“Hey US friends register to vote,”can you please say it louder for the people in the back? High five for that public service announcement I could hug you.❤❤❤❤
Yeeeesssss!
Jessica commenting on Bridgerton? I'm a very happy clam now
This is absolutely the best analysis!
Bridgerton is my wife’s and my guilty pleasure. We thought the show was fun and it spurred lots of discussion about things they could have done better. Jessica hit on everything we thought was a problem and more!
Plus there was the added bonus of Jessica being bleeped for profanity…and I am here for it! 😁
A long time ago (2001), a very popular genre romance writer (Suzanne Brockmann) introduced a very out gay character (FBI agent Jules Cassidy) in her stories, as a way to introduce her readers--the vast majority of which were straight cis white women, many with conservative backgrounds and beliefs--to the idea of that "gay men" are just men, as deserving of joy and happiness and love as any other characters in the stories she told--in other words, creating a parasocial relationship between this character and the reader.
(She's a GLAAD mom and wanted a better world for her son, and hey, also for everyone else.)
But Julia Quinn didn’t create Francesca Bridgerton as gay. Maybe ask her to write a lesbian regency romance and have that adapted instead of writing a beloved character out of his own book. I want to see Michael brought to life.
@@SweetLotusDreams Quinn didn't write a single Black person into any of the Bridgerton books or sequels or associated novellas and spinoff series.
So if your issue with a show that has stretched the term "adaptation" until it broke, is because they've acknowledge that queerness exists, has always existed, and will always exist, but not with any o the other changes from the authors all cis het white books, that's a you problem, not the show's.
as a person who has had gay friends her whole life, and read the Bridgerton novels when they were FIRST published (as well as again recently), my opinion is:
they've done a splendid job of making everything else fun to watch. I'm a boring cishet person, and I best enjoy cishet relationship stories. But I'm going to trust the show to do a good job exploring other sexualities. If it's fun to watch, I really don't care.
I mean, my first reaction was "but THAT isn't WHAT the BOOK said!" First reactions can be dumb. As pointed out, we have already diverged significantly from the books, adding all kinds of side plots and interesting bits. As long as the dresses are divine and there's a really good bum or two on display, I honestly will watch all of it. I refer to "Queen Charlotte" as Bridgerton Season 2.5. the clothes, the music, the acting, and the story - sometimes I'm screaming at the TV about stupid actions, but clearly I'm engaged!
❤
The mad thing is that not only is Nicola an objectively beautiful, incredibly hot woman with perfect breasts, buuuut also at the time the series is set, skinny women were considered less desirable than ladies with a fuller figure. She'd have the fellas duelling each other over her, I'm not even joking!
That's actually the craziest thing for me that is coming from the book to tv show. And no one did anything with it. Pen being plump and considered undiserable... She had to loose weight in book
When she was literally THE silhouette of the era
@@olakeska7908 It's funny to me because I feel like, if actual Regency nobility were asked, they would be weird about her _Irishness,_ not her weight.
@@Eloraurora Except the character isn't Irish -- but her redhead gene, I guess, does suggest a Celtic background.
She is also not plus size. Like she is objectively just a petite woman with a round face and as she says fabulous breasts.
They really need to cool it with Eloise ‘not like other girls’ trope. I do think there is a lot of potential to her character if only she could drop this.
As a casual viewer, I've been hoping that Eloise would be some good asexual or aromantic representation.
Edit: forgot to add, another brilliant video! I get the feeling you had fun picking the costumes for this one lol
YES!!! i was just thinking this, honestly i can see more aro than ace tho
Not aro. She had feelings for Theo
But I'm here for ace representation
@@olakeska7908 How could I forget Theo, he's so cute!!
@@olakeska7908 oh true, maybe somewhere on the aro spectrum tho? grey/demiromantic?? honestly if they do in fact make it canon she’s somewhere on the aro/ace spectrum i just hope they don’t call her ace if she’s actually some typa aro like people do so often😭
@@harlivie. As demi aroace. I don't see her being on aro spectrum but I could be wrong or not seeing something
I just feel like Eloise need man to respect her and see her as an equal person to be able to have feelings. Like it has nothing to do with aroromantism spectrum, it's just plain "I'm a human being and want to be seen as one". I don't see it as coming from her as not being able to feel romantic attraction to everyone. And just as "someone who sees me as lesser stupid girl is not attractive and good to consider"
Some people always will be ignorant and mess things up. But I don't think Bridgerton would do something so wrong as twisting it up. They already have backlash. And they actually *try* to be inclusive and do things. It would be really bad for them if they would get us something in like 2025-2028 with queer rep that is that shitty 💁
They could have avoided all of this if they never tried to give an explanation for the racial diversity in season 1 while in the same season telling us homophobia (and likely other forms of discrimination until they show otherwise) are still around 😭
literallyyyyy like if you’re going to make homophobia such a big thing (as well as ableism and eugenicist rhetoric in the prequel show) I’m just? Confused? Because historically European colonisers are some of the only people who even hold heteronormative ideas… like you’re telling me these black people who in the real world were described as having ‘woman Kings’ and all manner of other extremely reductive dumb labels by colonisers will back this prejudice?
And sexism. That's rampant.
@@HuntingViolets Right like the misogyny is still very strong within the series! They were like we are gonna try to get ride of the racism but women you still have no rights!!! 😊 You are still property and martial SA is just a cold blooded reality women had to accept!! But the show barely gets into that. Even Eloise our token ‘feminist’ is completely clueless to the realities of sexism in their society. Which is why she couldn’t at all support Cressida who was dealing with those cruel realities.
@@birdiewolf3497 I think the writers kind of fell down with Eloise in the second half of S3. Her ups and downs with feminist development were fairly realistic. I hope they get back on track in S4 with her. I understand the depression of S2 pt 1, but I'd like some growth again, please.
@@HuntingViolets her being like I’m not gonna shake the table anymore was realistic. But her friend being like “ my father wants me to become a brood mare to a man that’s older than he is and he wants to keep me under lock and key.” Eloise was struggling to care, even though it was basically the foundation of her feminist awakening. She understood why the patriarchy was wrong philosophically but never really saw the damage up close. This should have reawakened her, but instead we were given apathy.
I will never stop being surprised by how differently allistics interpret emotions. I am autistic. The way Francesca lit up when John asked if he could share silence with her screamed "autistic passion". Her every interaction with John shouted "I AM AUTISTIC AND I AM INTO THIS MAN". Their little love arc made me so happy. When he presented his rewritten music for her based on her critique, and she rushed home to play it immediately, it felt like my heart grew 3 sizes. I feel like her infatuation with him is written all over her face - it's unavoidable.
I've read all the books. What I'm mad about with Michael/a is how Francesca is instantly head over heels for M when 1) in the books, it was a long, long way to get there and she *loved* John until then 2) Francesca had just made a beautiful case for quiet, unassuming love stories.
I'm overall annoyed with Bridgerton queer representation. Racism is fixed and all better, but homophobia is still around. We couldn't have written that out, too?
Well said. While I’m still excited to see the Michaela/Fran story, it will be nothing like the book and really sad to see the entirety of the John/Fran romance be completely rubbished.
I feel the same way about Francesca 🤝
THIS THIS THIS
The weird thing is not that its Michela but as per book John and francesa’s marriage (a non dramatic one) was a happy one . But the last episode they threw that away 😅
Michal pursues Francesca and not other way around.
Francesca has same reaction as described by her mother about love . Therefore discrediting her marriage with John
I would like to see Eloise be aspec personally. Also I know nothing about the books so I didn't know thet show was setting Francesca up to be queer but I'm here for it. I would also like to see Benedict smooch more boys. It doesn't have to be for plot. I grew up on fanfic. Not everything is about plot.
“Hey US friends, register to vote and show up to do so with everyone else you know, or you’ll lose access to this and other healthcare!”
Thank you, Jessica!
The first season mentioned the concern for the black community losing their gifted power. The 2nd season was great about the pressures of social expectations. The 3rd season disappointed me as all those things seemed to fall away. They also stopped using a language coach, so more modern lingo made it into the script.
And let’s not talk about the gel nails and the glitter makeup
God, as a Black woman, I'm so glad they did away with that! All of their social commentary has always fallen flat (especially in Queen Charlotte) and quite frankly they insult the intelligence of their Black audience by ever implying that race as a social construct could be done away with just by a Monarch marrying a Black woman (mixed race Black at that). Look how well that worked out with Harry. I'm so glad they finally know what they are: Regency romp. They don't have enough episodes for commentary, they don't have the skills, nor do they have enough people of colour behind the scenes to be doing this commentary. They should just stop and I'm glad they did stop this season.
@@aliciawonderlaand4133 francesca had the tamest makeup of anyone young and she still had heavy illuminator on a straight line along her cheekbones. it was so distracting i couldn't even focus on the plot a lot of the time. the beauty dept in general just jumped the shark
27:14 Glad to be a cosigner of this parasocial contract! Good to hear the benefits in empathy and understanding. Bias can blind us, but videos like your's help us see a bit clearer.
Yas! The lack of Lord Remmington was a crime. I wanted him to become a regular character and friend to Lady Whistledown.
I really like your take on stereotypical queerness--but all I wanted from Francesca's story was her dual love story. I wanted a show about fireworks, passion, and"the one" to have a character who can love again. I haven't read the books, but I LOVED her quiet love. I felt power and sweetness in it, and it's just destroyed in the final moments of the season. If they had done this with a male version of Michael I would be upset. However, because of the gender-bend, I feel the bi-erasure and it makes me want to just walk away.
Preach! Remmington was an immediate favorite new addition. So much personality in one scene. We haven’t had any guys be into Whistledown and gossip. I want to see a male kiki
It makes sense he didn't call on Penelope as promised - at the same ball the story of Colin helping her breaks out and the scandal follows. It is understandable that he would follow the societal rules and not associate with a girl mixed-up in a scandal. But getting completely rid of him was a crime. Why not have him for another brief moment somewhere at another ball?
Personally, I view Bridgeton as to the regency like GOT is to the medieval period. I love that dress historians are talking about the costumes on social media, and it is encouraging people to look into history and find LGBTQIA+ and POC people.
I do wish that Netflix would go further in terms of actual real-life historically diverse representation. It would be cool if they did a series where it is based on a particular year, say 1456, then each episode is based in one area of the world for 24hrs. It would be a great way of showing actual diversity without having to create a fantasy world.
Also I love the idea of Lord Remington becoming a source for Lady Whistledown. It would make sense as he tells Penelope that he loves gossip, he could be someone who feeds her information about what's going on in the ton
She would probably need someone as everyone will be on guard against her now.
23:30 The show briefly notes that Penelope is "two stones heavier than she ought to be" by Prudence.
I really liked Francesca's character! The idea that Eloise makes more "sense" to be a queer person rather than Francesca never sat right with me. As if only stereotypes exists.... I'm one of those people that knew about Michael but was pleasantly surprised to see Michaela. I'm excited to see their story!
Just a note, Emma Kenworthy is another person on the show with a bigger body type who was praised by LW for her personality and did get engaged this season. I thought she was lovely. I'm a bigger girl so watching her and Penelope on the show has been wonderful. Particularly with Penelope, I love rewatching the first two seasons and see how ill-fitting her dresses and how unflattering the colours were on Nicola so when we got to see the first glow-up dress, she looked breathtaking!
Also, LW never talked about Theo Sharpe when writing about Eloise. She stated that Eloise was associating with political radicals, which was damning but not as ruinous as if she wrote about Theo.
This has nothing to do with the topics at hand but I love Colin. I feel like he's a misunderstood and very nuanced character. I've probably rewatched season three for Polin's love story more times than it's healthy to admit. Friends to lovers is a trope that I enjoy so their love story is right up my alley lol.
Emma Kenworthy, played by Sesly Hope. I hope we'll see more of her.
I don’t even get the ‘makes sense’ stuff. People are just gay lol
Hyacinth?! That's the name of the main character of another great show "Keeping up Appearances." It is an old show poking fun at a woman obsessed with being the most sophisticated interesting person in the room.
I LOVED that show as a kid!! My grandmother and I watched it all the time. That, "As Time Goes By", "Are You Beingng Served?", and all those old Sherlock Holmes adaptations!
@@crypticmedicine Have you ever seen 'To the Manor Born?' A must watch if not.
@@fruitygarlic3601 Don't think I have! Apparently I have something to look into this weekend, thanks!
@crypticmedicine OMG we need another show like "Are you being served?" The banter and clash of age, gender, and sexuality are very relevant to today. Although the shopping scene is way different, we'd need to adapt it to a new industry maybe, or find a more fitting retail location for the modern day.
It's also the name of the fourth Bridgerton daughter (and a flower, but then the Hyacinth you mention had sisters all with flower names too -- so alphabetical may not be so bad).
Jessica, you make every outfit elegant. I know that it's done with naps and recovery, but in the final video you look fabulous.
I am looking forward to Francesca's story and what it bodes for a genuinely interesting and compelling tale.
Since Benedict has been announced as the central figure for S4, with an asian woman cast has his love interest Sophie, I wonder about how his presumed bisexuality will play out? The novel evidently is about how Benedict really breaks the rules because he weds someone in the working class!
And I do think your notion of Penelope now using her pen to push for more tolerance would be a lovely thing. Let us hope!
I was pleasantly surprised at how invested I became in these characters, even finding myself hoping for Cressida's future (especially when we learn her parents evidently tried to turn her into a doll or a sociopath--the fact they failed seems like good news).
Likewise I'm genuinely curious about how they will proceed with Eloise! Methinks she will be S6.
Well they mangled the Colin and Penelope and forgot to put in any sexual tension or chemistry, so I am super doubtful that any future Bridgertons will do a good job. I expect them to run Benedict, Francesca and Eloise together and Netflix will call it a day. I hope so because I doubt I will live long enough to see them all at the current rate of production.
@@SweetLotusDreams Wow. You don't like it. Okay. So you have to put down those who disagree with you. Wow.
@@DavidMacDowellBlue i am not putting anyone down, where do I even mention YOU in my comment? I didnt like S3 and I am entitled to that opinion. I had to make myself finish S3 because I was hoping ut would get better but it just didnt. There was little to no romance between Pen and Colin, their storyline revolved around Whistledown at the expense of the romance, to say nothing of all the pointless side plots. It seemed that Cressida’s ridiculous outfits were a mockery of her character and a metaphor for how little the showrunners care for the integrity of the story, and I expect that to continue.
@@SweetLotusDreams No you just go on a public forum to complain a lot. Well, yeah you have that right. So what? Frankly I think your comments make zero sense to me, and being a playwright myself much of what you're saying seems baffling to me (especially given how extremely successful each season has continued to be). But whatever. You didn't like it. You feel the need to go places where people are analyzing and praising the show to declare how much you disliked it--yet continued to WATCH for some baffling reason (unless maybe complaining is really important to you--which frankly seems the case). But your reaction is your own, and as valid as mine. As is my reaction to your comment. Now, I'm giving this a rest.
24:45 I feel like the writers need to understand that despite how much they tried to make her look unattractive, she’s just very pretty and also derry girls means I’m already unreasonable attached to her
Isn't it great the way the Prince Regent's marriage to Maria Fitzherbert vastly improved relations between the Anglicans and Catholics? Or the way the marriage of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson increased tolerance toward divorce? Oh, yeah, oops.
LITERALLY THOUGH
I also have many thoughts and had to watch a few historical costume people discuss the deliberate choices to not be accurate to finally get to watch this show. The fact that the very first episode of S1 starts with someone being tight laced into a corset, a thing you almost literally canNOT do in a Regency corset and that is irrelevant and silly when the waist isn't shown ... could have been so easily handled with a "Mama, you are so out of fashion, no one cares!" and Mama Featherington being all 'I care!' would have done wonders, but nope.
Anyway, onto Nicola. As has been noted elsewhere, the silly thing about her body type is that is the body type that was considered beautiful in that time period. Slender women were NOT it. Fully bodied and large breasts (the entire point of a Regency gown and underthings was to basically say "here ya go - see ma boobs") was super sexy. I got the modern eye was essentially "oh no, she's not a stick figure" but considered that the show did a decent job in showing that it was her wearing clothing that flattered her figure and colors that flattered her that caused the men to start going "oh, wait, she's hot". The show didn't do any "and now she's lost weight so suddenly PRETTY" which I did really like.
and I agree wholeheartedly that the media about her and her character was so effing focused on her weight as if it matters. She is so gorgeous, you are right. In that sex scene, all I could think was "if I was into women, my god I'd want to just dive into the gorgeous body and that lovely soft flesh." As it was, it was just generally esthetically pleasing and I feel that only people with (to use a phrase badly no doubt) body dismorphia could look at her and be "not gorgeous". So sad.
Julie Andrews of Princess Diaries fame - fair enough! But I was expecting The Sound of Music!
I really appreciate that you include CC since I have issues with auditory processing. On this video in particular a lot of the CC is making the same point using different words from the audio which is really distracting
Never seen bridgerton, but everything I hear makes me think they should have just made it a fantasy world. Creating an escapist world where systemic issues don't exist is still a valid way to provide temporary relief and even critique of those issues, esp if such a world doesn't even exist today, though it wouldn't stop fans from disliking this and other adaptation choices, or trying to criticize its fashion choices by associating it with the era the choices are based on
The worst thing is they still have some systemic issues… in queen Charlotte they tried to address homophobia, racism, and the eugenics movement… and then you go back to bridgerton, and it’s all gone. Except the whole insitutionalising disabled people thing was never actually resolved? Only for the literal king? And it’s very awful to watch and very triggering?
@@kwowka In Bridgerton in season 1 they make an oblique reference to racism (Lady Danbury mentions it when talking to the Duke) - but the rest of the time, you see NO evidence of any kind of racism. So the whole thing literally makes no sense! Would have been better if they just went straight fantasy and not mentioned race at all. Instead, the way they did it, it felt like they were trying to have their cake (no racism in this world!) and eat it too (but there's still racism?).
Locating the story in that time and place is also complicated by the fact that the reason there was so much wealth and power in Britain at that time was thanks to colonialist actions and slavery in other parts of the world (e.g. sugar plantations in the West Indies). Having a bunch of (historically white) British aristocrats (who personally benefited from those abuses) played by people of colour is a real ick for me. Does "representation" just mean you get to use our bodies as tools to tell these white people's stories? As a POC all these things just make it hard for me to enjoy the show although I genuinely liked the books.
Me pretending I was invested in any of the other relationships when truly I am just a Cressida Cowper apologist and I think her and Eloise should pull a ladies of Llangollen
They could actually visit in Wales, where Cressida now resides with her interesting Aunt Jo, for that matter.
I'm sad to say that I don't have high expectations for Francesca's story, as much as it pains me. As a trans lesbian, it always warms my heart to see representation, but sometimes we have to accept that not every story is interchangeable. Changing Michael Stirling's gender isn't just about picking a character where this wouldn’t matter; it actively alters something that is essential to this narrative.
I’m not the biggest Bridgerton fan, but Francesca's book has always been a personal favorite for me because it resonates with many stories I've encountered in my work. I volunteer at a place that helps women deal with the loss of spouses, babies and infertility, and Francesca’s journey touches on these themes in a profound way.
As much as I appreciate Masali Baduza, I struggle to see how changing Michael will enhance the story. Beyond grief, the theme of infertility is significant in Francesca's narrative and would be difficult to translate into her now-queer storyline, especially given the time period.
I wish I could be excited about this change, but it feels like the new showrunner is using Francesca more as a blank slate for her own self-insert fantasy rather than honoring and respecting her deeply moving story. All I can do is hope they treat the characters with the respect and love they deserve.
I agree. I'm not a big Bridgerton fan, but I loved this book and it was my favorite, but with the change the things that made it so beloved will become impossible because of the time period.
I’m all excited to see Francesca and Michaela! ❤ as someone who has two mothers, lesbian or queer women representation on tv shows is always welcome ❤
Not only did we have North Pole penguins, but the word “penguin” comes from the Dutch word for the great auk. Some sailors saw some penguins and were like “woah look there are South Pole auks!” and now we still call them that, even though the original animal it’s named after is extinct.
I didn't know about the perfect breasts statement before, that was FANTASTIC
I love how well structured your videos are! They may cover a lot of ground but they always wrap up so cleanly at the end!
Jessica is such a great writer. She is so good at proving her points.
Love this! (Especially two lovely versions of yourself talking back and forth to each other) 😆
Thank you!!
HUGE spoiler at 7:53 for Francesca's season from the book!!! Just highlighting for others. I know a warning was given, but I thought I knew the premise of her book and I did not. You dont know what you dont know.
I must say as an autistic i did watch episode 1 of S3, while saying "apparently they're going to add more gay love stories" to my mum and then was immediately hit with oh franchesca is hoing to be gay... or autistic. Because lets be real film making shorthand for both is "character is odd by social standing". At the time i was totally ok with that. My issue came up with the introduction to michaela, specifically because i feel they invaludated her lovestory with john. After telling a very good neurodivergent lovestory they said syc! Got you! Shes only into girls! I then later learned of a big part of her book being about fertility issue's, and while i understand that is obviously an issue with same sex couples back then there was no IVF, no sperm bank, etc. I cannot see how they can tackle the story the same way, in this setting, without a huge change in the type of story. Not least the issue of marrige for two women over inheritance, when neither can inherit the title, which we saw in S2 and S3 through the featheringtons story. In short i think they can make a good story, and include some of the same themes, possibly ending with adoption, but its not going to be even a loose adaption of the book, so i can understand why people who really felt seen by that books story will be upset. Im still upset at the invalidation of quiet love though
Most Scottish peerage titles were heritable by women, so either Michaela or a child of Francesca and John's would inherit the child (the latter would kind of take away from the children dilemma, but the former were create the problem for Michaela's heir -- maybe they can take in a distant cousin at some point after Francesca chooses Michaela over having a child).
Francesa being gay isnt the problem. Its her love for john being undone in 5 sec
Because it also undermines her future relationship with micaela. Cause then it implies shes only attracted to her cause shes a woman
Not that they have a relationship built from shared trauma and love for a person irrespective of gender. I mean, imagine. Wouldve been so much deeper and heartfelt. Now it kinda feels like francesca is just as much of a rake as her brothers
Since season 4 will be set in Autumn, windy weather would be the perfect excuse to bring bonnets into the show (though I'm not holding out hope).
As a "unofficial" (undiagnosed) ND girlie, I definitely saw myself in Francesca. I was the quiet one who didn't socialize like the other kids and I felt it. I didn't have the knowledge or vocabulary to express it as a child, but as an adult: "YES. I am... different." I certainly speak differently, because words are fun, why limit yourself to "normal lexicon"?
Freezing / poker face in social settings: *You have no idea* 😶
Sensory processing differences: just the other day, a coworker asked me to explain. I may not have "loud outbursts" of how it affects me, but it does. It takes a lot of energy to keep a lid on it, and I've had a lifetime of masking.
This hit too close to home as a diagnosed ADHD girlie (and suspected autism, but it's complicated?). My gradeschool teachers told my mom they were concerned that I was reading at recess alone 😅
As someone who hasn't read the books, I'm all here for Francesca being gay and feel like I clocked it in episode 1. Her story with her husband was cute and all, but I think it's quite realistic to find what you think is love and then meet someone who makes you experience attraction for the first time. A lot of people have gone through that. I also genuinely enjoyed Benedict's queer storyline. Good for him!
You have no idea how loud I screamed seeing the video title!! I’m OBSESSED with Bridgerton!! I’m in my Polin era and cannot, will not, do not want to get out!! I burn for everything Ton right now!! It’s the bane of my existence and the object of all my desires at the moment!!
I think there are several things contributing to the "We want Michael" drama. Some are show-related, some are books-related.
First the show-related. We spend a whole season on a story validating a quiet love and we all fall in love with John and Francesca's story. Even Violet, so fixated on the butterflies, finally accepts Fran's choice. And then the rug is pulled from under us and it's all "just kidding! it must be drama otherwise it's not love" when Francesca meets Michaela. It's so off-putting as a storyline.
The other show-related problem is the tokenism of queer identities. Many people disliked Benedict's threesome because 1) it was just a repetition of his story from the previous season, only this time he goes for it (and in many places I read comments from people who believed he actually did already, so even this added thing went unnoticed), 2) the terrible editing of the season made it an intermission in-between the blackmail drama (which is the main drama of the season) and made people roll their eyes on this week long hook-up session. And then the show-runners explained things in commentary but didn't bother to show us on screen, like the fact that they saw Colin as demi-romantic. That ads up, but maybe invest in dialogue/scenes actually showing him acting like one?
And then there are books-related things. For one, Francesca's book (which I haven't read yet) is widely considered the favourite in the fandom, and Michael to be the best of the male leads in the series. Of course many fans will be angry by the TV show changing their favourite story and removing their favourite man completely (in contrast, most people dislike Eloise's book and wouldn't mind it changed). Second, many people resonate very strongly with the three main topics of the book - guilt, infertility, and second chance of love. Michael is the one falling for Fran upon meeting her and after John's death inherits the title and the estate, and is guilt-stricken for wanting his wife as well. Wanting children is the main motivation for Francesca to come back to London and find a new husband, and her losing her pregnancy when John dies added to her grief tremendously. Third, this is the only book where the female protagonist is not a virgin and knows what she wants and what she likes, and is not a naive teenager.
I also don't think the majority of people watching Bridgerton is homophobic. If that was the case, people would have hated the romance between Brimsley and Reynolds in Queen Charlotte - and they didn't. But their story made sense in the plot and was very emotionally moving. Pointless threesomes and falling for someone else 2 minutes after you marry someone else are not (and may be actually harming, as they perpetuate the stereotypes of bisexual people as promiscuous cheaters).
This is EXACTLY it, the perfect comment that touches every aspect of this situation. Also, as someone who has read the books, I can confirm every single thing you said about them, including how Francesca's one is a standout in a positive way, and just about everything you said here - if I were to single out the best parts I'd just be repeating your whole comment haha. But anyway, I think pretending people don't have valid reasons to be upset, that they haven't been articulating those reasons very clearly and that they're all homophobic/racist/another vile thing, is quite disingenuous and an attempt to avoid facing real valid criticism and cause for disappointment.
@@tinatinkvirkvelia1317 Thank you very much!
Everyone's talking about Francesca but also, Eloise is also super ND coded!
Just, in a more outwardly-extroverted way. She's forever talking about how she doesn't understand all these social rules and is very confused as to why everyone else doesn't think the same way and value the same things as her, she's very black and white in her thinking, very stubborn, and knows she's different in some way to others but can't quite pin down what so it comes out as "I'm not like other girls".
Source: my childhood as a late-diagnosed ND person
When they first introduced Francesca this season I was completly sure they were trying to make her a lesbian (not soo interested in marriage, just wants to get away from her family...). Then i feel like they introduced more autistic traits and I tried to forget it. But then the end of the season gave us BOTH! lovely
Then again, being a lesbian i might just see them everywhere. But I really like her character being queer it just makes sense : she never had the opportunity to experiment anything and discover life. I loved her relationship with John and I also don't feel like it's going to be ruined if he turns out to be a support. She is my new absolute favorite character and i can't wait to see her find out more about herself
I too see lesbians in everything!
Yeah I initially started dating men because I felt like a damsel who needed rescuing from a situation. (Obviously I wasn't aware this is what I'm doing but reflecting after accepting I'm gay that's what I was doing)
When my circumstances changed and I was in a safer situation I no longer felt desire to be with a man and relationships became more about sharing experiences than running away.
This is actually a great take, and is how I’m going to choose to see it from now on!
Bridgerton is my guilty pleasure. This season I was pleased to see what can be interpreted as Demisexual representation with Colin, which I don’t think is talked about enough.
One of the things I love about going to my local public pool is seeing a wide variety of bodies. We're all doing things that are good for our bodies but our bodies look vastly different. Also, a lot of disabled people go to the pool, so it makes me feel less alone when I make my accessibility needs known to lifeguards.
It was nice to hear your perspective :)
The other video I watched on this topic was Princess Weekes' one which was also a good video essay
Wait I though the lack of desirability in the case of Penelope was, that she is still unmarried although she went through several seasons??? Which is ofcourse affected by her ... fun family and people not wanting to have to put up with her mother or their very unusual clothing choices and overall financially desperate head-hunting behaviour that is taken to the extreme (and also sth. ridiculed in other families) :'D
Oh plus the whole part of her anxiety and being awkward when speaking to potential suitors, which was shown, too.
There was one supporting character fellow debutante, Emma Kenworthy who married Lord Cho, but agreed very inadequate. And one brothel worker was curvy....which Colin seemed to like....
I label Bridgerton as historical fantasy/alternative history in my mind because if i start pointing out all historically inaccurate parts I wouldn’t enjoy watching it as much as I do.
Thank you for this wonderful video! The consent violations involved in season 3 in particular enraged me, so it’s really refreshing to feel less alone in having well-informed criticism of the show honestly!
Your blue dress wearing character is so funny in this 😂
My friends grandmother has kept the same toilet schedule for 70 years. Minor issue- she moved from Portugal to Australia around 50 years ago. No, her routine has not changed. Her internal body clock refuses to accept time zones exist. Yes she is autistic.
I mean, I’m a queer reserved autistic person raised as a girl who had a special interest in classical piano growing up, so Francesca kinda glows to me. The way she peaced out to find the piano? I did that hundred of times
Jessicas outfits 💅 the tea 🍵 🔥 absolute perfection
I LOVE 'Coliope' 💙🧡 Other people call them 'Polin'.
I understand the sense of loss over not having something in the book being depicted to the letter. I also am really annoyed with changes that are made thoughtlessly that come off more like pandering rather than a serious attempt at being inclusive. BUTTTT I think it's important to think about the heart of the story. Here it's about romantic relationships and the pressures of social expectations. Adding elements about race and queerness fits really well under that, and adds more challenges and storylines to explore. It's not taking anything away from the original work. Throwing in a secret poly thrupple is weak, but a queer couple trying to navigate this environment would be really interesting to watch!
Bridgerton is a fantasy. Like Tolkein. It's Shonds Rhimes version of the Regency era.
I'll claim Eloise, and Francesca too. I love both of them
One of the pictures you put up was of Sophia Duleep Singh and her sisters. I do think SDS deserves a mention if you're going to put her picture up, as she was part of the suffragette movement. I'm not saying she solved sexism, but she certainly had some effect.
What really worries me personally is that they might take away the representation of something as specific as autistic coded, quiet understanding love- and discredit it in order to make way for a tumultuous romance that is seen as the actually REAL one. Its completely independent from Michaela's gender, really. Id be just as upset either way, not because i dont like messy romance in shows but because we spent so long setting up this neurodivergent and almost ace-like vibes just to throw it for a whole different kind of rep. I would hope they could co exist, in media too as a pan, ace, neurodivergent myself. Thanks for the video!!
Bridgerton is a great place to be hidden in plain sight.
I agree that there should be more body types depicted.
Jessica not even have 1 FULL regency inspired outfit, but 2 of them, with fake flowers, ribbons and funky hair, everything!!
You are literally english queen and you talk like one!
Thank you for video!
No subscription today, but entertaining and educational video content still deserves to be shared! Hope everyone’s having a great day! Thanks to all on team Jessica who made that video happen ❤
In Gentleman Jack, I kinda like that Anne Lister is sometimes... not great. 😅 Seems realistic and its also a source of comedy when the other characters react to her snobbiness like "🙄".
Honestly your critique of this show is the best I've seen by far. I couldn't agree more.
your description of Cressida is sooo spot on! xD
I feel like Eloise was,a natural queer character and more could have been done with the that plot line. Francesca and John/Michael fertility journey as a couple deserves representation as well. And I feel like Francesca being queer comes off as a form of box ticking and it hurts and ruined her and John's love .
As always you look incredible - i love the attention to detail in your outfits is reflected in your work. A wonderful break down of inclusivity and it's lack in Bridgerton.
Plus the lilac rose peeping out your bonnet above your eyes is romantic aesthetic perfection. 💜
Love the Hyacinth bit 😊 And I adore Francesca!
I'm getting massive Asexual vibes from Eloise, but I may be biased. She definitely came off as heartbroken over Pen tho. Feels like that might be part why she was so obsessed with finding out how kids are made.
Geez! Yes! I keep saying if Eloise is queer she would be asexual. I don't think her being heartbroken over Pen is sapphic thing in the slightest. Friendship broke ups are often worse then the ones with SO. Pen was her ONLY friend and she lied and betrayed her. I think it's natural to be so heartbroken then... We know tho that she had feelings for Theo
Am I a little biased? Yeah, but she's actually giving ace vibes
@@olakeska7908 Demi, at least.
I have to be honest, still not sold on bonnets even though they have a very practical purpose and have made something of a comeback in fashion recently.
I am not angry, but I am afraid that the way they had her react to Michelle means they are going in a "Oops, I was actually a lesbian all along! I wasn't really in love with John at all! And wow now that I have experienced REAL LOVE I no longer struggle or retain any of my previous traits because my lover will rehabilitate them out of me! " direction. I found their love story to be so moving and meaningful. I would prefer the quiet love storyline to be preserved and for her to be Bi or Pan rather than say she wasn't in love with John. I love your idea for Hyacinth though!!!
I know it's not about the video but I'm a new Quaker and your channel means a lot to me. Thank you. :')
I haven’t read the books so I don’t have the kind of attachment that other people have to Francesca’s original story line, but as an autistic asexual person, I was left a bit disappointed? Initially I really connected with her storyline, especially so when she seemed disappointed in the kiss she shared with John. To me it just really resonated with the whole “why don’t I like this?” feeling I’ve had several times before, and the fact that she didn’t seem to want a crazy romance or connected to love in the same way as the other bridgerton’s was quite meaningful for me. So while I was happy about the queer aspect, i was a bit bummed that it once again followed the line of “character doesn’t experience strong attraction or love but they jUsT nEeDeD tO mEeT tHe RiGhT pErSoN.” The same with Éloïse - I actually really loved her storyline with Theo but at the same time, is it too much to ask for a character that isn’t interested in that sort of thing and is happy and fulfilled anyway? It doesn’t have to be a main storyline, but just you know! There!
Yes! I'd have loved to have hyacinth be queer. Her story being of a hopeless romantic who when is in the marriage mart is disappointed, BUT finds love outside of it? In a who done it?! That would probably be one of my favorite seasons. And the ideas has stuck in my head so I'm so glad someone agrees. I originally thought of it cause I didn't love how Francesca's queer story was introduced/portrayed so far and the implications of it, her being a widow meaning that's an easy way to have them be together without questions, but also that Benedict's bisexuality will probably be confirmed then thrown away which gives me the feeling it was only introduced because of the backlash. (And also Fran being one of the only ones in the books with a semi different story already, she was the one who needed a new plot point to differentiate her the least (at least from what I've heard of the books) which really leads me to believe that they only chose her cause they can have her be with a woman easier) And I never liked the read that Eloise was gay cause why can't a woman not want to be married/not want kids (ESPECIALLY in THAT society, men legally OWNED their wives) and I like the idea of her marrying outside the ton a lot more than "she doesn't want to marry (a man) 😮??? that must mean she's gay!!!"
Still like Theo for Eloise. Hated her book.
@@HuntingViolets yeah I was really hoping they'd make him her love story cause they were really cute in season 2 and her story in the books sounds just bad and wouldn't even work for show Eloise, but interviews with the actors where they all seem surprised at the idea and season 3 barely bring it up has made me give up hope.
Another delightful, thoughtful yet funny, video! And Jessica, your outfits make me swoon. 🎀💖🎀
Hoping against hope that the writers of Bridgerton see this amazing analysis and heed your advice on the show.
From a purely vibes based standpoint, Francesca feels more queer to me than Eloise. What I do agree with though: the show shouldn’t have undermined her relationship with John (making a face at the wedding and her falling for Michaela at first sight)
As an autistic trans woman who hasn’t actually seen Bridgerton, I can’t comment on your analysis, but loved your summary of the fate of the Great Auk 😍
I bow down to you! Thank you, thank you, thank you for calling out Americans to vote!! ❤
Jessica is Lovely in Lavender 💜 and Beautiful in Blue 💙
Funnily enough the 1st thing I thought about when I saw that they made Michael Michaela was who's gonna be Earl after John, will they introduce another cousin who will inherit the title? (And I was always amused by the fact that Francesca married Earl Kilmartin twice for some reason, and the reason she and Michael got together is that he was the Earl and he told her she's still welcome as part of the family and to still act as the Lady and move between properties and live wherever she wants and so he was there when she started thinking about remarriage, and while that could still happen with a new Earl, Michael is a women, won't she be forced to marry and will the new Earl be as kind to her!), then I though when John died Francesca was pregnant maybe she will have the baby in the show and it will be a boy and she will be in charge of everything until he's off age and then I just put everything aside and move on to looking forward to Benedict's story which my 2nd favourite one (after Hyacinth's). But I guess after watching this that does take out from her struggle with infertility, I wonder how the show will play it!
For me as long as the couples have chemistry and the story is entertaining then I'm not complaining.
In terms of regency romance novels and disability representation, I quite like the direction Mary Balogh has been going. She had a series about veterans of the Napoleonic Wars dealing with their trauma and acquired disabilities and the main character of one of her latest novels is a woman partially ambulatory wheelchair user who survived an illness that sounds like polio. There are more and more queer historical romance novels coming out all the time, but they're not my thing. I did really like the one about the astronomers in 1816. Historians will say they were roommates.
White cis het male here. Big Jane Austen fan, which is how I got into the Regency period. I didn't read Quinn's books, but love the show. I rather like that they change things from time to time, and am willing to see where they are going with something. This includes Michaela Sterling.
have you seen Penelope’s dresses and hair? same for her sisters and mother. gaudy af. also her family status and awkwardness definitely plays a role in her “unattractiveness”. she never really put herself out there as someone to even be looked at until this season