Bridgerton - hot take

Helloooo!

It’s been nearly 1.5 months since I last wrote.

Today, like most days, I have nothing to write about. And yet—because this blog has somehow made its way onto Facebook—there is clearly something written below.

I genuinely don’t know what to talk about. So let’s talk Bridgerton.

If you haven’t already watched it, I hope this post convinces you to do so.

You know how there are some shows that mean absolutely nothing—pure drama, mindless romance—and yet they’re wildly addictive? Bridgerton is exactly that. An elegant orchestral piece blending classical Regency-era styles with modern sensibilities, dominated by violins and harp. The theme perfectly sets the tone for Netflix’s romantic, dramatic, contemporary, and scandalous take on London high society. It’s based on the Bridgerton books, but honestly, it’s one of those rare cases where watching is far better than reading.

When the show first came out, I was younger and couldn’t care less about what happened to that one Bridgerton girl who fooled around with that one duke.

But when I finally watched it—my oh my—I was hooked. Hot men. Endless drama. Pining. Yearning. So much romance. Like capital R Romance. The kind that makes you stare at the ceiling at 2 a.m., questioning your standards and wondering why no one has ever looked at you the way Simon Basset looks at literally anyone.

Oof. Trust me, this show is a conversation starter. I’ve had full-blown debates with my mom over which season has the hottest sex. She says Simon and Daphne—and while I agree—I personally prefer Kate and Anthony.

She watched the first season, Daphne and Simon, and so did I. When the second season came out, I was sceptical. I thought, eh, one good season doesn’t guarantee another. Then a friend forced me to watch it. Bless her. Truly. Because I would have seriously missed out.

Season two leaned heavily into enemies-to-lovers and a whole lot of scandal. Domination, arguments, tension—basically the emotional equivalent of fighting in the rain, making out aggressively, and making up immediately after. It was intense. Messy. Delicious.

The second season is my favourite so far. Some characters annoyed me deeply, but overall? Loved it.

Then came season three: Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton. My mom is currently watching it and is loving it. I, however, found it the least appealing. The drama and scandal were fun, sure, but the romance and yearning felt… off. Something didn’t hit the same way.

My favourite character throughout the entire series has been Benedict Bridgerton. That man is the least uptight of them all. He’s free-spirited, enjoys a cigarette or two, gets high, and has threesomes and foursomes that his mother absolutely despises.

He’s different. An outsider. In my opinion, he lives by YOLO.

Season four—which has just come out—focuses on him and his love interest, Sophie Baek. You see Benedict becoming more mature, more grounded, and finally ready to settle down with the woman he kisses at his mother’s ball. He then goes on a hunt to find her… and that’s where it stops.

I hate this part. They make you wait 2.5 years for a season, only to release it in parts. The first dropped on January 29th, the next comes out on February 26th, and everything is left on a cliffhanger. Criminal behaviour, honestly.

What really got me, though, wasn’t just the pretty people (HOT MEN) doing pretty things in pretty costumes—although, huge bonus. It was the yearning. Bridgerton thrives on stolen glances, long pauses, almost-touches, and the kind of tension that could curl your toes and leave you wanting more. Everyone is always holding back, and somehow that restraint makes everything ten times louder.

And let’s talk about the music for a second. Whoever decided that Taylor Swift and Madonna should be played on violins deserves a raise. That’s the only form they sound nice in (not Madonna). I’ve literally saved multiple instrumental tracks to my playlists. Classical music really does help you concentrate—I agree now. Kris Bowers, who composed several of these pieces, is truly a legend.

There’s something wildly unhinged yet perfect about watching a Regency-era ballroom scene while recognising a pop song you’ve danced to in your bedroom. It’s familiar. It’s dramatic. And it tricks your brain into feeling like this 1800s love story is somehow… personal.

And the women. Strong, flawed, curious, reckless, trapped, ambitious. Daphne trying to understand desire in a world that refuses to explain it. Eloise questioning the entire system and not caring if she’s labelled “difficult.” Penelope quietly observing, loving from the shadows, becoming more than just the girl in the corner. They’re messy—and that’s what makes them human.

Is Bridgerton historically accurate? Absolutely not.
Is it deep television that will change your worldview? Probably not.
Does it still consume your entire personality for a week straight? Absolutely, yes.

Truly a fantastic use of time.

So if you haven’t watched Bridgerton yet, consider this your sign. Go. Get emotionally invested. Fall in love with people who don’t exist. Judge everyone’s decisions.

Swoon a little.

(Correction: SWOON A HELLA LOT.)