Bridgerton

This is the 3rd season of Bridgertons and I'm tired. New shiny costumes, elaborate sets, pretty ppl, soothing music, that's about it for this show. The only book i liked from the series was book 2 and that was unnecessarily butchered in the name of drama in season 2.

I am not much for historical accuracy as I don't have vast knowledge on British History, but i do care for a bit of logic, a bit of beautiful performances and a bit of beautiful making. But this show has already exhausted all of their resources and at this point everything looks like it was a chore to be done.

I am glad Nicola aka Penelope got her story for season 3 but boy was it felt so tiring to watch her going to a ball to just end up crying every single time. The writers were just going in a cycle of dress up - ball- cry - outing - dress up - ball - cry - outing. I think 3 episodes should have been enough to wrap this whole thing up.

And don't get me started on Luke aka Colin. I have never felt such second hand embarrassment for any lead like i felt for him. The wooden performance with one facial expression just shows getting physically attractive can not save an underwhelming performance. Especially beside Jonathan and the other Luke, who tend to steal the scene anytime they are in it, just like Claudia. In theory the makers are telling u Colin is now a suave sexy charming fella but on screen he came across confused little boy, reading dialogues from the teleprompter and delivering them without much conviction.

I don't know why i keep torturing myself by watching these shows, this can't be even passed as a time pass. The makers have budgets, why not invest in good writers and good storytelling? Even the good actors seemed like they were in the show to play dress up only and delivered half hearted performances. My expectations for season 4 is wayyyyyyyy below 0.

Claudia Jessie played Eloise with extreme class. Hope she continues to "stun the stage" in her future acting career!

Fun for those who enjoy the frothy visual thrust, light story and modern casual take on costume drama. It's a trashy soap opera in a dream version of Regency. I do like the diversity in casting and experimentation in costume. Casting is strong. However I can't seem to appreciate this production as much as I wanted. I find the direction and delivery of lines tends to self conscious, loud, stagey and over the top. Also the soundtrack is the same thing again and again, pizzicato strings, not creative, boring that flattens depth of emotion or drama. Otherwise a heady trip with lots of short scenes whipping from one character to another. It's good, just not totally my cuppa. A pleasant pretty distraction.

The costumes, settings, music are all beautiful, but we've seen them before. This season lacks the substance and intrigue that led so many to bingewatch the first. A gaping hole is left with the resolution of Simon and Daphne's romance. The love triangle between Anthony, Kate and Edwina feels forced, with none of the actors particularly charismatic. The heightened focus on Eloise is detrimental, with the actress' eyerolls, overreaction, and unrealistic conduct reminiscent of Anna Chlumsky as Vivian in Inventing Anna. The other subplots are so redundant that they could have been crafted from film left on the editing floor in Season 1 and weren't enthralling on the first go-round (e.g., Penelope's unrequited infatuation with Colin).

My rating of 6 is the average of a 7 for Season 1 and a 5 for Season 2.

Let me just start that I am a fan of the books so I am watching this as I did when I watched all the live actions of Pride and Prejudice, with eyes finally getting my wish of seeing my fave books come to life, and I was not disappointed. Is it a masterpiece? NOT AT ALL. Is it accurate to the books? Not so much but they did get the heart of it. There's a lot of issue I find with it but somehow I still find myself watching it because I love the genre.

To note: If you are into the ACCURATE retelling of history then I'm telling you right now SKIP THIS. This isn't about the accurate retelling of history. So if the "diversity" and "wokeness", the designs of their costumes, the way they acted takes you away from the story because of inaccuracy then you will have a bad time. This isn't a documentary. This isn't a biography. This isn't a true story.

Now first of, the books star different siblings so each season will focus on different Bridgerton with splice inserts of side stories. S1 is more steamy and shoves a more lustful play on their romance it's a fake love turned real love trope. S2 is a slow burn and might be boring for some as it is less steamy, it's an enemies to lovers trope.

Now. If you're into the book series do give this a try! Of course it wouldn't be 100% accurate but I did feel that it was very true in how romance book genre goes. It's like a whimsical romance. Glazed over. Or whatever term. Something like those Hallmark Christmas romance movies but with more mature scenes. Modern music made classical. They really brought to life the family dynamic of the Bridgertons. I love how they interact with one another as a family.

Finally. If you're just looking for a Pride and Prejudice or historical setting romance show then do give this a try! You might just like it.