Sex, scandal, status: 'Bridgerton' becomes 2021's must-see show

"Bridgerton," a newly released Netflix period romance, takes place in 1813 London and has been all the rage over winter break. I was eager to get into this show as I love period dramas and I initially heard of its similarities to both "Gossip Girl" and "Pride and Prejudice," but with a twist.

"Bridgerton" is set apart from other period romances due to its unique setting, whimsical costumes and developed characters. The show is adapted from a book series — which I will read very soon — and its screen adaption blends modern music, cast diversity and unique costume choices within historical fiction and traditional English high society.

The bright colors and lavish settings of the gardens and balls of "Bridgerton" make it a perfect escape during the winter months of quarantine. 

While watching the first couple of episodes of the beloved show, I thought it was off to a slow start. But, approximately four episodes in, I was binge-watching and couldn't look away. I was surprised and pleased with how season one played out, with the right mix of drama and romance between the characters.

The main characters are divided into two houses: the Bridgertons and the Featheringtons. During the first episode, we are introduced to the Featheringtons through tight corsets and failing to please Queen Charlotte, the queen during the time period. The Featheringtons are wealthy and have the same energy as the stepsisters in "Cinderella," but are harmless in their bright yellow dresses and florals.

In fact, they are even best friends with the Bridgertons who are beloved by the town and extremely wealthy. Daphne, the protagonist and “diamond of the first water” as deemed by Queen Charlotte, even catches the eye of the Duke of Hastings and (spoiler alert) the Prince of Prussia. 

Although the series opens with showing the Bridgertons as flawless and highly regarded by high society, we are exposed, as is the town through Lady Whistledown, the gossip columnist, to the mishaps and faults of everyone through scandal. Through a series of events, beautiful and young Daphne struggles to find a suitor as her overprotective brother Anthony pushes many of them away.

One day she is at the ball and fleeing a social interaction with an annoying suitor when she bumps into none other than the handsome and revered Duke of Hastings, Simon. They begin to forge a fake courting to elevate their social statuses — an agreement that helps both the Duke and Daphne.

Through the raunchy romance, and at times explicit sex scenes, one cannot look away as Lady Whistledown, London’s "Gossip Girl," publishes daily articles about scandal and drama that both threaten to ruin the town and their reputation. Eventually, the Duke and Daphne succeed in their ruse and they even convince Queen Charlotte to allow them to officially wed.

The casting of this show includes much-needed diversity often excluded from period romances, featuring English actors like Regé-Jean Page and Phoebe Dynevor. These actors are compelling and their experience in British drama and comedy shines through even in a whimsical historical fiction.

I think "Bridgerton" is exactly what audiences need in 2021 to escape the outside world. Although the costumes are historically inaccurate, they are nonetheless decadent, colorful and whimsical for viewers to watch. "Bridgerton" seems to be a utopia where prejudice does not exist and the main threat is Lady Whistledown’s gossip column. 

"Bridgerton" hits the mark being unlike other period pieces using modern songs from Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande, but with string quartets and classical musicians to make their music relevant for the show.

There were also refreshing feminist themes incorporated in the plot by Eloise, the younger sister of Daphne, and we are hinted at a gay plotline with Benedict, her artist older brother. The show talks about class with Anthony’s mistress, an opera singer who he cannot marry. The show even includes discussion about masturbation and sex which are topics that are often missing in period pieces. 

I also liked that this show was a romance and did not try too hard to be a drama or comedy. Overall, I found "Bridgerton" extremely enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to the second season.