Anyone else watching Bridgerton?

[Merryoldgoat]

I discovered it today and I can’t stop.

I know it’s drivel but it’s beyond fun and exactly what I needed.

I mainly want men to dress like that ride horses and be gallant and all that jazz but also have the feminism and equal rights of today. And the necklaces. All the necklaces. And over the top hair styles. It’s not much to ask is it?

I'd also like the ostrich feathers, please and I'd rather ride the Duke than the horses

@AlohaLola

I found out today that the main girl (Daphne) her mum in real life is sally webster from Corrie! And now I can’t unsee the resemblance!

I came on here to say that!

And also Sally Webster is married to Tim nice but dim. In real life Sally (because that's her real name too) is married to Tim (who is/was in Emmerdale apparently). At least she won't have to worry about getting anyones name wrong

Anyway. I've watched episode 1. Total escapism. I love it! I've never read Georgette Heyer. Should I?

Rege whatshisface is gorgeous! He was in Waterloo Road (although it took a bit of googling to find that, as was Sally Websters daughter). Maybe this will come up in a zoom pub quiz one day. Or Sally Webster can be my mastermind subject

Still loving it here! DD18 and I arguing about which of the dresses we would have and particularly coveting the beautiful velvet cloaks!

Only 1 episode left to go - worried what I will do without this frothy prettiness to make life seem better and brighter!

@Aberforthsgoat

I mainly want men to dress like that ride horses and be gallant and all that jazz but also have the feminism and equal rights of today. And the necklaces. All the necklaces. And over the top hair styles. It’s not much to ask is it?

This seems perfectly reasonable.

Everyone asking if they should read Georgette Heyer - yes! Her knowledge of the period, her wit and humour, her often larger than life supporting characters, her standard of English, are all head and shoulders above anything else in the genre (which she invented, in fact.) And there's nothing in Heyer that's unsuitable for young girls - the action always very definitely stops at the bedroom door. But girls will probably appreciate them more from about 13-14yo.

Everyone has their favourites, but Venetia, The Grand Sophy and Friday's Child are often in the top five. Some of her romances also have a bit of mystery, and she wrote some which are more historical than romance. And she also wrote contemporary whodunnits set in the 1930s-1950s.

@tribpot

Tbf If they follow the books then Marina is plot relevant further on just not yet so I think they decided to show her story now rather than just the remember this scandal no one mentioned before that they could get away with in the books.

@PlayingGrownUp ah yes I saw an article yesterday comparing the series to the book and it also mentioned that Marina's plotline had been brought forward.

Cotillion by Georgette Heyer was my gateway book to regency romance. I love all of her novels, they are so clever and well written.

Alice Chetwynd Ley (on kindle unlimited) is another author who writes amazingly.

I do recommend the books. Each of the Bridgerton siblings has their own. I am impressed they stretched Daphne's story out for the whole series, and that they managed to give us a little teaser into the others too. Francesca was mentioned very briefly in the 3rd episode, and she is away in most of the first book too.

I love Julia Quinn. She has written maybe 20 books? I am just on her prequel to Bridgerton now. I recommend the books if you enjoyed the series - she is one of the best of the modern regency writers I think.

Still looking forward to Colin's story - he is my favourite in the books. I am only up to the end of episode 5 at the moment.

I've only seen one episode so haven't read the rest of the thread in case of spoilers.
I thought it was a little boring to start with but when Hastings was introduced it started to get a lot more interesting and I'll certainly be watching more

Didn't think I would make it past the first two episodes.....it's about as much a period drama as Life of Brian is to the bible. It's a modern American soap, complete with modern American vocab and outlook, it's just filmed in a Regency-esque style. Once I realised that, I enjoyed it more and watched to the end although it was predictable and boring in parts....but great for an afternoon on the sofa.

@Richgamebirdwithmorels

Didn't think I would make it past the first two episodes.....it's about as much a period drama as Life of Brian is to the bible. It's a modern American soap, complete with modern American vocab and outlook, it's just filmed in a Regency-esque style. Once I realised that, I enjoyed it more and watched to the end although it was predictable and boring in parts....but great for an afternoon on the sofa.

Yes - it’s Gossip Girl in fancy frocks.

Another win as Gossip Girl is a work of utter genius. In the loosest sense of the word. 🤣

I offer Frederica and False Colours as my Georgette Heyer recommendations. I've just found Cotillion on audible, so that's my afternoon sorted

I’d recommend Frederica, Cotillion and, naturally, Friday’s Child as Peak Heyer for newcomers.

The Grand Sophie is 98% excellent but the other 2% contains an undeniably antisemitic caricature so I can’t really recommend it.

I love Jane Austen and I absolutely loved Bridgerton.

The Duke, OMG the Duke!! It was fantastic escapism. Bring on season 2.

Thanks for the Georgette Heyer recommendation. I have just downloaded this set of BBC full cast dramatisations of 4 of her stories from Audible as a taster before trying a whole unabridged novel.

Georgette Heyer BBC Radio Drama Collection

On episode 6 now and it's getting ridiculous. The Duke jizzing into a tissue rather than get Daphne pregnant?

He does know how to wear a collar though, does the Duke

@grassisjeweled

On episode 6 now and it's getting ridiculous. The Duke jizzing into a tissue rather than get Daphne pregnant?

Oh it’s unbelievable nonsense. Utter tripe.

But that can’t detract from the enjoyment of the lovely frothy loveliness.

A would say a glorious, rollicking romp. And utter tripe. Def wildly historically inaccurate so best to watch with no expectations and just enjoy escaping 2020 for a while.

The costumes and jewels and houses are fabulous. Some slightly quirky modern touches like the music being played by the orchestra at the Balls is all modern. And the brothers all have Joe Jonas Hair which made telling them apart difficult in the beginning.
And the Duke...

DD (20) and I started last night and have saved last 2 for tonight!

@grassisjeweled

On episode 6 now and it's getting ridiculous. The Duke jizzing into a tissue rather than get Daphne pregnant?

🤣

I am enjoying it, I almost didn't stick with it but glad I did. I've 2 more episodes to go. The Duke....

I’ve just binge watched it all, stayed up well past my bedtime, then resumed at 6.30am this morning.

It popped up on Netflix, I didn’t know anything about it. I was very confused with the mixed race castings for a good while.

I loved it. The costumes, the drama. It was just what I needed.

It is a feast for the eyes. I thought Caroline Quentin was perfectly cast as the annoying mother of the annoying bloke too.