r/Bridgerton

i really enjoy the contrast between the working women and the 'ladies' in bridgerton

working women like siena, genevieve, sophie, rae, and varley tend to have more day-to-day autonomy, a clearer sense of purpose through work, and less pressure from the marriage market or constant public scrutiny. they can sometimes exercise more direct choice in relationships, even if class limits them

ofc there are also major downsides like financial insecurity, little social protection, vulnerability to exploitation or scandal, and very limited upward mobility

by contrast, 'ladies' have financial security, status, and protection through family and society, but they are tightly constrained by reputation, marriage expectations, and constant public judgment, often with less real control over their romantic and personal choices

i think penelope is the only character we see who really teeters between both worlds

unlike most 'ladies,' she has hidden labour, income, and authorship, but unlike working women, she still has status, access to balls, and protection through her family name

she kind of traps herself in a different way: if she’s exposed, she risks losing her social safety, but if she fully conforms, she loses her independence

One of the most frustrating things about watching Eloise being so aimless every season is that she has all these great ambitions about wanting to "change the world" and yet the writers are not giving her any chance to do that or to at least show us what she means by that?

How will Eloise change the world in the context of the universe?

My thing is, what she wants to achieve seems so monumental that having it done within her own season isn't going to be enough.

There's already a lot going on in Philoise's story and so to add an entire arc of Eloise "changing the world" as she keeps saying she wants to do every season just seems a bit too "ambitious" of a tall order.

It needs to be told over several seasons not isolated to her own season. There needs to be a foundation to her eventual end goal and purpose in life the same way Benedict found his passions through art since S1 or Penelope finding her passion in writing as Lady Whistledown and eventually as an author.

We were first introduced to Eloise as someone who was eager to learn more and desired to have a university education and equal rights/opportunities for all as well as female empowerment so that's where my head immediately goes to but they've abandoned that after S2.

Do the writers even know what Eloise wants? Do they know what her passion is?

Unless the writers are just spitballing every time they give Eloise this line and really do not intend to give her an arc where she's actively striving for something great then what is the point of this rhetoric?

This is partly why I'm so frustrated with the material they've been giving her because they've written her out to be this character you want to root for and want her to achieve everything she sets her mind to but they are not moving her along.

To shove these great ambitions in her season is just poor writing imo because fundamentally, this is a ROMANCE show, not Downton Abbey where we could actually have a whole season of just Eloise "changing the world" and reshaping society.

So again, I ask, how exactly are they going to have Eloise "change the world"? What does that even look like in a show like Bridgerton?

Is it education? Is it career based? Is it political activism? Is it social reform? Is it business related? What is it?

Or are they simply going to have Eloise just come to the realization that she doesn't want to change the world anymore? ​​​

I want Eloise to achieve everything she sets her heart to.

I want her to find love but I also want her to find a purpose in life. I'm TEAM ELOISE all the way. I just want a clear direction and guidance to where her story is going in this specific avenue.

The talks Portia had with Penelope leading up to her marriage were so cool. They touched on topics like ambition, personal values, Portia marrying for security and it not being provided but it was still worth it because she had her daughters. Honestly it's endlessly rewatchable.

Its okay Not Loving a Ship but stop lyng that they dont have Chemistry.

i just love them

i know the boys are more chaotic, but my girls have never disappointed

the men get so much credit for yearning in this fandom that daphne's "i burn for you" regularly gets attributed to simon even though she's the one who says it

penelope and michaela might be the biggest yearners in the entire series. they spend literal years longing for the people they love from a distance thinking they can never have them. just years and years of quiet devotion

kate is spends an entire season eyefucking anthony from across the room (complimentary). she constantly denies herself what she wants. she's practically the patron saint of yearning

queen charlotte spends decades loving someone she can't always reach because of his illness. lifelong, heartbreaking yearning

francesca's is a quiet, restrained yearning. she internalizes everything, which will inevitably blow up in her face

eloise is our unconventional girlie. she doesn't just yearn romantically (yet) but she yearns for freedom, purpose, independence, and genuine connection

sophie's story is built on yearning. her love with benedict feels impossible because of their different social classes, and beyond that, she yearns for something she's never truly had: a life where she's free, safe, and treated with dignity

Nicola joins Haley Bennett, Marisa Abela, Hayley Atwell, and host Zoe Saldaña promoting Lancôme Paris’ celebration of Absolute Longevity MD at 40.

Emma attended Patrick McDowell trunk show while Adjoa attended the Nexo GP Ball across town.

Gracie, Oli, and Georgina (she played Lady Hollis in S4) attended the National Film Awards where S4 won Best TV Drama.

Victor paid a visit at Wimbledon before heading to Italy for the Italian Global Series Awards.

Phoebe scored an invite to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding in NYC.

Simone shined at Wimbledon and was in good company as she sat with Tom Hiddleston.

And finally, Hannah head to Silverstone for F1’s British GP.

I also hope we get Penelope Crane in the show. It will be even more poignant with Colin and Penelope already naming their son after Eloise.