Historical Romance Book Club discussion
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Bridgerton - Netflix (Post-Viewing Discussion)
I've watched the first episode and loved it. The sets and costumes are amazing and I'm enjoying the dialogue very much. I'm not sure yet about the casting of Daphne. She seems a bit colorless, but that might change as the show continues.
Simon is very sexy.
Interestingly enough, my favorite Bridgerton right now is Eloise. The actress is doing a great job of conveying the annoying know-it-all younger sister :)
I just finished the first episode. Not having read the books it is all new to me. Some of it came off a bit campy and overacted. Towards the end of the episode I became more engaged in the storyline. The heroine is bland and I am rooting for the younger sister. The Duke is fantastic and acts like a leading man.
The beginning definitely seems to have an overproduced quality--which is fine, I was about 5 min in (they were waiting on Anthony) and realized trying to watch it in any main room was out. lol.
I just watched the 2nd episode and was much more drawn into the lives of the characters.
I’m fixing to start the first episode right now. 🤗
Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "The beginning definitely seems to have an overproduced quality--which is fine, I was about 5 min in (they were waiting on Anthony) and realized trying to watch it in any main room was out. lol."Yes, this comment didn't hold, or I quickly got used to it.
2nd episode and (view spoiler)
I’m all in. Even if it’s not my picture of the books, I’m already all into it after the first episode. It looks like a lot of fun.
I am totally loving the series so far
Debby wrote: "I am totally loving the series so far"SAME cannot stop.
First episode I was a bit unsure about it. Second episode better. Watched 3,4,and 5 . Now I am hooked.👏👏👍
Kathy wrote: "Do you have to pay per episode?"Its on Netflix. So its a monthly service. But it usually has a free trial. Since the entire season is already recorded you could binge watch it on the trial.
Shaz wrote: "First episode I was a bit unsure about it. Second episode better. Watched 3,4,and 5 . Now I am hooked.👏👏👍"I'm on 5 now and (view spoiler)
Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Shaz wrote: "First episode I was a bit unsure about it. Second episode better. Watched 3,4,and 5 . Now I am hooked.👏👏👍"I'm on 5 now and [spoilers removed]"
So loved the speech by Simon 👍
Lauren wrote: "I've watched the first episode and loved it. The sets and costumes are amazing and I'm enjoying the dialogue very much. ...Lauren I too am loving Eloise's character😁
Debby wrote: "Lauren wrote: "I've watched the first episode and loved it. The sets and costumes are amazing and I'm enjoying the dialogue very much. ...Lauren I too am loving Eloise's character😁"
She's the best.
I love it, but I’ve been drinking. I had to put on GoneWith The Wind. Scarlet and Rhett, you can’t get better. 🥰🥰🥰
I've watched episode 2 and I agree with many that the overdone acting feel is improving. Daphne is growing on me as she is slowly coming to life and is not as washed out and colorless in this episode. Eloise is still my favorite and Penelope is so cute.
Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "and realized trying to watch it in any main room was out. lol."LMAO! Yes, that came on quite suddenly and I was not expecting it to be so explicit.
Kathy wrote: "Do you have to pay per episode?"Its on Netflix, so I think if you have an account you have access to all their shows for the entire month.
I watched the first episode last night and really enjoyed it. The guy who plays Simon is sooo good looking. And I agree Eloise is great.
Looking forward to more tonight.
Hi Sam...I have to totally agree with you summation in your spoiler. It kept me captivated until the final 8th episode and enjoyed it immensely. Yes, there are different aspects from the book but this is made for TV and some things may need changing a bit...If Julia Quinn loved it...I do too.😊My only drawback (view spoiler)
My sister and I viewed eps 1-4 on Xmas. I have read 4 books of the series.
Initially, I was ignoring all threads and comments about this series bec I mixed it up with the Hathaway series, which I don’t care for.
I didn’t read or view any of the media buzz or publicity about this adaptation due to the reason I just mentioned.
My sister explained to me that this was what she called “color-blind” casting. Based on my sister’s explanation of what “color-blind” casting is (her definition), my expectation were raised and not met. I think the casting was more an example of racial “tokenism” rather than what my sister described. I don’t think we’ll ever see my sister’s version of what she described as color-blind casting in our lifetimes. We are both post-menopausal AA ladies. So, I put aside all thoughts of color-blind casting and watched this the way that I do any other costume drama that we usually enjoy watching.
We enjoyed it. My sister enjoyed my running commentary on the things that were inaccurate and not true to the time period.
My sister was Gaga for Anthony. We also thought the actor who played the Duke was very handsome. Very charismatic. The actress/Lady Danbury was really good too.
I’m not at all familiar with the actress who played Daphne, but I like that her looks fit with the time period rather than some young women who is “hot” by today’s standards. The actress who plays Eloise looks, sounds and behaves noticeably and jarringly older than Daphne and not in a good way. Very abrasive. She reminds me of Julie Kavner from 70s tv show “Rhoda.”
The production values were phenomenal—off the chain. My sis and I hope Netflix does more like this.
I don't think the casting was colorblind, but I didn't think it was tokenism either (obviously this is a subjective judgement, and it's a valid criticism!). In this case, the queer story line veers much more to tokenism for me. An article I read recently put in context what I like about it personally:https://ew.com/tv/bridgerton-poised-r...
It stated here the purpose was to be more aspirational in reflecting history than colorblind. Not sure if you'll find that helpful and regardless, I'm glad you were able to enjoy the show. It is definitely alternate universe!
I do think I felt a little confused by Hastings' Dukedom being 9 generations old as established in episode 1 or 2 (I thought) and the commentary by Lady Danbury to Simon (view spoiler)
Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "I don't think the casting was colorblind, but I didn't think it was tokenism either. In this case, the queer story line veers much more token for me. An article I read recently:https://ew.com/tv/b..."
My perceptions of “color-blind” expectations came from what my sister told me. Possibly, if I had been following the lead up to viewing (publicity, GR chats about it) I would not have had the expectation that that I had from only hearing from my sister and I could have corrected HER perceptions of the casting methods.
Everyone’s views of the casting are definitely valid, but my sister and I as AA women might see what we feel as tokenism a little differently.
I haven’t reached the queer storyline yet, but we’ve seen the set up.
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Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Oh my, I have been seeing comments come through in the book/tv comparison, which I plan to join in when done, but somehow had notifications turned off for this one. I am in episode 7 and sucked in...."I have viewed 1-4. I’ll see the other eps on New Year’s Day. Some of the comments I’m not reading for that reason that I haven’t finished viewing.
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I'm on 5 now and [spoilers removed]"
So loved the s..."
Yes, Simon’s speech made me tear up. It was so romantic and sweet 😍
Am on a road trip with the family so I’m experiencing the show by proxy through this thread, since I did not want to watch such a lavish production on my phone. Imagine my delight at discovering that our hotel room has Netflix. Imagine my horror and fumbling for the remote when less than 5 minutes in, the fam and I were given a very explicit reminder that I need to pay attention to the MA15+ rating. No easing into it whatsoever to give me a heads up! 😄 Enjoy everyone, and I shall catch up when I get home.
Jultri wrote: "Am on a road trip with the family so I’m experiencing the show by proxy through this thread, since I did not want to watch such a lavish production on my phone. Imagine my delight at discovering th..."Ha! This was my first comment! Hope others will see this. I was like "yeah, yeah, nudity" and then I was like "oh sh...."
I'm a bit scared to read these posts in case of spoilers (even though I've read the books LOL.) I've watched episode 1 and liked it. I like the casting. The unexpected casting choices of people of colour in some roles you wouldn't have thought are a little surprising but easily adjusted to.
Both Simon and Anthony are definitely *hot*. Phew. We knew Anthony was a bit of a rake, but a couple of scenes in the first episode took me by surprise! Anthony is being portrayed as a bit of a b@@@tard but that's no surprise considering his portrayal in The Duke and I.
I agree Daphne's portrayal so far (ep 1) is a little colourless, and hope her character will show more strength as the series goes on.
The secondary characters seem to be well cast. I like that they haven't been afraid to cast Penelope Featherington as a real looking young woman on the plump side.
I love the lavish costumes and sets. The music is unobtrusive but nice.
So far, thumbs up from me :) I'm not going to binge watch but do intend to watch the whole series fairly quickly. I'm glad I just reread The Duke and I. That got me in the right mood to enjoy the shenanigans :)
Jultri wrote: "Imagine my horror and fumbling for the remote when less than 5 minutes in, the fam and I were given a very explicit reminder that I need to pay attention to the MA15+ rating. "Ha ha ha. Oops!
Everyone’s views of the casting are definitely valid, but my sister and I as AA women might see what we feel as tokenism a little differently.Yes, I meant no disrespect, and I understand that it was your sister's impression(and many many journos have said the same)
I apologize that I came across as dismissive.
Jan wrote: "I'm a bit scared to read these posts in case of spoilers (even though I've read the books LOL.) I've watched episode 1 and liked it. I like the casting. The unexpected casting choices of people o..."
Jan, I've (and I'm sure joanna too) been scanning for spoilers regularly & feel free to notify me of any. Our threads should definitely tend to spoiler tagging & free, even the other one is discussion goes beyond the Duke and I.
Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "My sister was Gaga for Anthony. We also thought the actor who played the Duke was very handsome. Very charismatic. The actress/Lady Danbury was really good too.I’m not at all familiar with the actress who played Daphne, but I like that her looks fit with the time period rather than some young women who is “hot” by today’s standards. The actress who plays Eloise looks, sounds and behaves noticeably and jarringly older than Daphne and not in a good way....
The production values were phenomenal—off the chain. My sis and I hope Netflix does more like this. "
Yes, I agree with all these comments :) My husband was in the room when I was watching and he was casting his eyes towards the screen now and then (LOL). Even he commented that the actress playing Eloise had an odd and jarring presence and voice compared with the other characters.
But overall I liked it (only seen ep 1 so far LOL). I am hoping Netflix might decide to do a second series :)
Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Jan, I've (and I'm sure joanna too) been scanning for spoilers regularly & feel free to notify me of any. Our threads should definitely tend to spoiler tagging & free."Thanks for the support :)
Can anyone tell me if they took Lady Danbury’s nefews story line from “How to marry a marquis?” and gave it to Simon? It comes across that she was good friends with Simon’s mom and she “rescues” him from his father.But when I’m scanning through ”The Duke and I”, Simon says he’s fond of her from spending holidays with James Sidwell, Marquis of Riverdale.
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Lady Whistledown: (view spoiler)
Overall I really enjoyed it. I want to watch again because I think there were some subtleties that I likely missed. I found the Bridgerton brothers difficult to distinguish between at first.
Finished watching the whole series. It gets a big👍from me. As it’s been quite a few years since I read all the books 📚. And have forgotten some of the story. So I found that I was not looking for comparisons between book and tv version . But I don’t remember Anthony being such a Grouch or am I mixing him up with (Anthony Malory )😂
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Sounds plausible Jennifer, at least partially. She certainly had a larger role in Simon’s life than I recall.
Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Can anyone tell me if they took Lady Danbury’s nefews story line from “How to marry a marquis?” and gave it to Simon? It comes across that she was good friends with Simon’s mom and..."Full Season Summary
(view spoiler)And I caught Girls Like You in the score but just was irritated I couldn't name the other modern pop songs I kept recognizing.
Reminder that we do have a thread for the comparisons/departures! That way, we can keep this somewhat focused on the show even for those who have not read or do not remember the books, and you might have better luck with people recalling.
This is definitely the more active thread, as it seems most are enjoying the show. No hard and fast rules in my mind, just reminding those that are interested in contrasting and those discussions
Sam, if you watch the series with subtitles, the subtitles will name the pop songs.Edit: I found a playlist of the scores/soundtrack on Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngbdH...
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Yea, the bees popped up occasionally. I didn’t notice until I saw your comment!
I was totally cool with more Lady Danbury for the record.
I just finished the series. I actually loved most of it - all except Anthony and Sienna. They did not make that look like a fling or affair, that was him full on in love with her. And Anthony and Kate are my favorites from the Bridgerton couples (closely followed by Colin and Penelope). So the writers will have to do wonders next season but I do think they will, the original book itself is quite fleshed out. Colin and Penelope were cute too, but he was not the Colin we're used to in the books for sure so let's see what happens.
I loved how "Shonda" and Netflix-ed the show is - the love scenes are on fleek. Simon and Daphne aren't my favorite anyway, and I still enjoyed it so I'm waiting for the coming seasons.
But I wonder if they plan on keeping Sir Phillip the same, he was quite different looking in the book right?
For any that intend to watch the Bridgerton series, use this thread to discuss thoughts or reactions to watching the series. You can post as you go or thoughts after viewing. Please be considerate to other members by using spoiler tags about either the series or the books.
Thank you!