While writing a Netflix recap Bridgerton, it is quite difficult not to assume the voice of Julie Andrews in your own mind. After all, she is Lady Whistledown’s voice. And while the scandal sheet scribe’s true identity is not revealed until the eighth and final episode of season 1, in many ways Andrews’s narration sets the tone for this cutting-edge version of Gossip Girl.
The first chic installment, “Diamante da Primeira Água”, opens at the beginning of the social season in the London Regency era around 1813. Two families are immediately introduced. There is the very attractive Bridgerton clan with all its eight beautiful daughters and handsome sons and its lovely widowed mother, Viscountess Violet Bridgerton (played by Ruth Gemmell). Her eldest daughter, Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), is being served, um, introduced, for marriage. While his eldest son, Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), is shown going crazy with his soprano singer girlfriend, Siena (Sabrina Bartlett), next to a tree. Needless to say, this guy is not the type to marry.
Anthony’s naked ass is exposed and barely three minutes into the series. It is shown again later, when he and Siena go there the second time. Of course, later episodes are much hotter, but it is safe to say that the duo’s outdoor play serves as an early warning that this is not a family program.
The Featheringtons are the second noteworthy family. There is patriarch Baron Featherington (Ben Miller) and his demanding Baroness wife, Portia (PomegranatePolly Walker), who is determined to marry her three daughters – Philipa (Harriet Cains), Prudence (Bessie Carter) and Penelope (Nicola Coughlan). Poor Prudence’s corset is tied So with strength that she faints in front of the Queen (Golda Rosheuvel). Things only get worse for the Featherington girls when their most beautiful and mysterious cousin Marina (Ruby Barker) arrives to be with them and drags gangs of suitors. Unfortunately for Marina, a past relationship with her former boyfriend seals her destiny as a future mother and increases the need for her to marry quickly to avoid social embarrassment.
Daphne, whose breathtaking white dress, tail and tiara make her look like she’s going to her own wedding, does much better at the royal court and Queen Carlota declares her the season is unparalleled. This turns out to be a blessing and a curse after a very critical and hypocritical Anthony wipes out all of Daphne’s most eligible suitors. Things get so terrible, in fact, that a lascivious old Nigel Berbrooke (Jamie Beamish) remains Daphne’s best and only option.
But not so fast. Anthony’s college friend, Simon Basset (Rege-Jean Page), flirts with Daphne when she tries to escape Berbrooke at Lady Danbury’s dance (Adjoa Andoh). This is where Daphne finds out that Simon is the Duke of Hastings, but she is not impressed by his title. There is an undeniable zing between the two and Daphne and Simon leave thinking about each other. Although Chris Van Dusen created the show, which was adapted from the extremely popular version of Julia Quinn Bridgerton series of books, Shonda Rhimes is an executive producer. So fans of the prolific producer can expect a lot of romantic chemistry between Daphne and Simon, and a lot of racial inclusion. The issue of race is addressed briefly in Episode 2 and in more depth in Episode 4, presumably to close opponents who may prefer the white versions of the book by Simon, Danbury, Marina and the Queen. Or maybe it won’t. Pish posh.
Back to the series premiere. Thanks to the scathing but separate remarks from Daphne and Simon’s Whistledown and the writer’s public challenge for a matchmaker to join Simon with any of the waiting ladies, Danbury and Viscountess Violet devise a scheme to arm the children. The plan also kind of works because it brings Simon and Daphne together again, this time at the Bridgerton dining table with Simon and Daphne verbally overcoming each other at each step. Ooh! Peep that sexy chemistry!
The moment the two meet for the third time, Simon runs to rescue Daphne from a practical Nigel. But Daphne is able to control herself and gives Nigel a two-piece piece and a biscuit with gloved satin cuffs. The first episode ends with Simon devising a cowardly plan in which he and Daphne pretend to fall in love so that Whistledown and all thirsty noble mothers leave him alone and all singles wish for more Daphne. The two co-conspirators walk hand in hand to the dance floor and the fireworks in the background are not the only sparks that revelers can watch with joy.
What did you think Bridgertonopening act of?