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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be disappointed in Bridgerton?

268 replies

Scatterlingsofafrica · 30/12/2020 02:07

I love costume dramas and was excited when I heard there was a new one on Netflix. But it’s awful! I can’t watch it- the costumes, the dialogue, the plot are all completely implausible and unconvincing. Anyone else feel the same?

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 30/12/2020 09:26

Don’t usually like period productions, but this is binge worthy as light entertainment

Egghead68 · 30/12/2020 09:28

Dire but I watched it all, mainly for the duke.

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 30/12/2020 09:33

Not seen it, & these posts not overly inspiring, but I have been thinking about getting Netflix recently.
I'm watching more TV than I usually do, but can't bear TV with commercials - BBC seems to be rerunning more and more from around 50 years ago.
Is Netflix worthwhile generally?

CodenameVillanelle · 30/12/2020 09:34

YABU! If you expected it to be a classic period drama then you misunderstood. It's cheesy fun.

cocodomingo · 30/12/2020 09:35

Binged it in 2 days and really hope there is a 2nd series. Didn't know there was a book before it...its is sexy, the houses and exteriors are gorgeous. The pp whose dp said "its not for us"...could you be any drier? My eyeballs became parched just reading that

Gooseysgirl · 30/12/2020 09:40

Yes it's utter shite but I bloody loved it 😄 As for the Duke... he can show me around his country estate any time! Although I'd have to fight off my 80 year old mother for him... she normally moans about excess shagging on tv but had nothing but praise for His Grace...

steff13 · 30/12/2020 09:41

I haven't watched, but it's on my list. I'll probably do so if only to ogle the main male character.

SinkGirl · 30/12/2020 09:42

@EveryDayIsADuvetDay

Not seen it, & these posts not overly inspiring, but I have been thinking about getting Netflix recently. I'm watching more TV than I usually do, but can't bear TV with commercials - BBC seems to be rerunning more and more from around 50 years ago. Is Netflix worthwhile generally?
Definitely - there’s so much good stuff to watch. We never watch regular TV any more, rarely use iplayer etc either.
Bearnecessity · 30/12/2020 09:43

I thoroughly enjoyed it....

singsingbluesilver · 30/12/2020 09:49

The books are really good - I think that Julia Quinn is on of the better regency authors, up there with Heyer. I do think she researches thoroughly and that the historical inaccuracies are not as obvious in the books.

I have only watched the first 5 so far - and I am surprised they managed to stretch out another 2 episodes as we are pretty close to the end of the book now. I am hoping that means that there are many more series in planning. Each of the eight siblings has their own book, and I love Colin so I hope he gets his story told, Francesca also has a good story, and Eloise is not half as annoying in the book and I love the way Julia Quinn gets her married off.

I'm currently reading the Bridgerton prequels. I admit I am a bit of a superfan. I have read all of her stuff - I think maybe coming up to 20 books now, so she does not churn them out like some regency authors. I find them witty and not formulaic.

Bitcherama · 30/12/2020 09:51

The books are better and very funny. My mate writes Regency novels. Someone reviewed her stuff as "Monty Python does Jane Austen" but she was happy with that!

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 30/12/2020 09:52

thanks @SinkGirl - will give it a try

coconuttyhead · 30/12/2020 09:53

I love it for the basic plots, flamboyant costumes, characters and scenery, and of course the Duke! Light entertainment as it’s best (which is all I want at the moment).
An intense, historically accurate period drama it is not - it is just brilliantly silly!

WhatIsAWeekday · 30/12/2020 09:55

@Gooseysgirl

Yes it's utter shite but I bloody loved it 😄 As for the Duke... he can show me around his country estate any time! Although I'd have to fight off my 80 year old mother for him... she normally moans about excess shagging on tv but had nothing but praise for His Grace...
😂😂 Oh my...
GoldenLabbie · 30/12/2020 09:57

I think your missing the point, it’s meant to be a parody of period dramas and isn’t supposed to be historically accurate,

RomeoLikedCapuletGirls · 30/12/2020 10:03

I know and agree. I meant 'diversity bunfight' on MN because of this very reason (like posts about 'PC gone mad', 'woke', etc) because I see it all the time about shows with a diverse cast, especially when it's unexpected.

You must be mistaking MN for the comment section of the Daily Fail. “PC gone mad “ is their specialty, not ours.

The diversity is great. Yes, it’s unrealistic but it’s the only way to provide proper acting roles in period dramas to people of colour. I’m willing to sacrifice authenticity for that.

PandemicPavolova · 30/12/2020 10:05

Some of the jerky language, to try and make it sound of its time has put me off.
The male lead is ravishing but the main relationship lacks spark its as dead as anything...

Meowchickameowmeow · 30/12/2020 10:07

I gave up after the first episode, couldn't stand the constant voice-over and the little bitty scenes of nothingness.

Gingerbreadchoc · 30/12/2020 10:09

YABU! It’s like an old fashioned version of Gossip Girl. It’s good entertainment (it’s nothing like Downton or the Crown) but is great for something lighthearted. I have watched the entire season and am half way through watching it again! Wink

pooopypants · 30/12/2020 10:11

The acting leaves a lot to be desired but The Duke makes up for it all - I wouldn't kick him out of bed for dropping biscuit crumbs 🤤

funtimefrank · 30/12/2020 10:23

I was looking forward to this but got a bit bored. I think I managed half way through episode 4. To be honest watching a mostly sex filled episode sounds a bit dull.

I did like the Duke very much though.

Mycatismadeofstringcheese · 30/12/2020 10:26

I loved it as ridiculous fluff and nonsense. The sumptuous fabrics, the daft plots, the bonkers modern dialogue mixed with a few “your grace” curtseys.

The inaccuracy that set my teeth on edge was the pronunciation of Cliveden as “clive-den”. Surely it should be “cliff-den”.

Would watch a second series!

longwayoff · 30/12/2020 10:37

It wasn't that Cliveden, its their own mish mash of country piles. Noticed combinations Castle Howard and Osterley House. And an interior from Strawberry Hill?

QueenoftheAir · 30/12/2020 10:38

Yes, I was really disappointed @Scatterlingsofafrica

I love tosh, but this is utterly awful - not tosh in the fun way. Bad acting, people trying to do RP who have clearly never heard anyone speaking properly. Historical "facts" written as dialogue, hit me over a head with a hammer about women marrying as a career, why don't you?

It's more lower-middle class aspirational than Downton and that was pretty naff.

RollOnForever · 30/12/2020 10:55

I lose the thread of the younger siblings.

Anthony
Benedict
Colin
Let's just say I know who each of them is Wink
Daphne
Eloise

Who comes after that? There's a younger boy and girl but I can never track 3 younger ones...