With much going on in the world, sometimes you need a fantasy break and happy endings, right?
For those unfamiliar with the premise, it takes takes place in the early 19th century, from an original very real, very true situation, in which Queen Charlotte - who curiously had darker skin (increasingly painted "whiter" with each royal portrait) and stereotypically African features and hair - married King George the III of England.
Because of these features - particularly her hair - her lineage was, at the time, attributed to everything it likely was not - such as "Portuguese" (once the shipping post for slavery) and "Moorish."
Regardless, theirs was apparently a true love match, with Queen Charlotte being a doting wife, personally responsible for his care, until his death.
With George III's descent into mental illness - believed to be some combination of genetic disorder (porphyria) and bipolar disorder (permanently in mania by 1810 and nothing to treat him with), Queen Charlotte briefly and unofficially ruled and held court in her husband's stead until their son son came of age.
She particularly kept social festivities afloat to both keep morale high and hide the extent of her husband's decline.
The rest of the story is, of course, the fantasy, a "what if" of sorts, in which due to Queen Charlotte, people of all races were then accepted into aristocracy and even royalty (and yet rigid class and gender roles remain).
Each season stays true to the books by Julia Quinn, which focuses on a different Bridgerton child's debut into society and marrietal choices.
It highlights the difficult positions that especially intelligent women were put in, in addition to the delicate balance between social class, family "breeding," and rigid gender roles.
But perhaps more interestingly, there's also lots of sex. Lots and lots of sex!
This season, though Benedict Bridgerton was my least favorite son. he grew on me to perhaps become my favorite.
And yet still, nobody rocks the early 19th century, Beau-Brummel-style cravat, vest, and coat and tails quite like the original Duke!
(Although Anthony Bridgerton is a close second - played by People Magazine's 2025 Sexiest Man Alive, Jonathan Bailey)
Okay, maybe tied with second with King George III in the Bridgerton spinoff "Queen Charlotte"
Want to make a woman swoon?
Wear any of that.
(Minus any late-18th century powdered wigs still hanging around, thank you - which were mostly out of fashion by the early 1800s anyway, except for servants and legislature.)
When a man is dressed like this, even a man in a modern military uniform falls to the wayside, because there is nothing sexier on men!
When men complain of women not wearing dresses much anymore, the perfect response is "Why don't you men wear a neck cravat, high-collared shirt, coat and tails, and boots anymore?
And the answer to both questions is - nobody has the time or money for that daily, anymore, and they're not seasonable, comfortable, or practical!
So when women or men dress for weddings, awards ceremonies or cotillions, savor it, it's a rare treat (and takes hours no one has anymore, especially women)!
Now - I have to admit, in the very first episode of this season, I was like "Oh no, instead of an original story, they're doing Cinderella."
But that actually turned out not to be a bad thing, with a twist.
However, I did say "You're a smart girl, why did you believe your stepmother when she said your father left you nothing?"
I think the answer to that is what an abused child will believe from their abuser for far too long.
We all love it when truth is finally revealed, right?
In fact, speaking of the above, I was reminded of a personal situation, one in which my late friend and spiritual mom's son, used to call me "Cinderella," when living with them during the last recession.
Upon asking why, he said "Because that's your story, in a way - lies over a will meant to erase you from history, mean mom, 2 sisters - the older one is a monster, the younger one is sometimes nice, but still cow-tows to the others - and Cinderella, treated badly for being different. In fact, when that Christian song "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman, came out - which is actually about the father getting one last dance his daughter at her wedding," Mom and I simultaneously thought of you, for some reason. I think that was from God. So just imagine that your Dad is God in that song, and you're good?"
How sweet is that, right?
I teared up and laughed at the same time, which there is no word for, but it's one of the best emotions, right?
I'd never thought of things that way or myself that way, but I got it and appreciated it.
I just said "Yeah, but those were her stepmom and stepsisters, and these are my real mom and sisters, my Dad was no better, and I'm clearly no Cinderella lol.
Then his mom came in and shushed him for telling him that, because she was still semi-friends with my mom and tried very hard to never say anything bad about her directly to me (except one time, not long before she died).
That was Marian and her youngest son - they thought in metaphors. 😢
(Miss you< Marian, every day.)
Thus, I confess, I teared up with that memory and the way this season ended, truth revealed, justice served quietly, and yet no one was truly hurt, despite what they'd done.
If only real life were like any of this, yes?
If the truth ever does come out, never in such grand fashion, and those who told, perpetuated, or believe lies will never admit.
And yet we keep hope alive :)
And let's not forget Queen Charlotte.
How much do we love Queen Charlotte?
What a character! That combination of commanding regality with a quirky laugh, intelligence and petulance, with a dash of a romantic heart ...
And let's not forget her best friend/former Lady in Waiting, Lady Danbury (Adjoa Anjoh), the community glue, who not only can handle the prickly Queen adeptly, but simultaneously solve all her society's problems, and is the show's heart (we will miss her next season).
And last but not least, the most interesting question that remains now is - who is the new secret Lady Whistledown?
My bet is either on Eloise (who's had a slight change of heart towards love/marriage) or Cressida, back in town, who falsely claimed to be her in a desperate grasp to obtain the Queen's "diamond" favor last season (because during her time away, she had become a reader and more of a thinker and slightly humbled, despite still possessing terrible Pepto-Bismol pink taste.)
Of course it could also be the late John's sister, who appeared to leave in the middle of the night, someone we've not yet met - we shall see!
In the meantime, which Bridgerton child or show character are you?
I'd say I'm an Eloise Bridgerton/Penelope Featherington-Bridgerton mix, for sure, with a dash of Daphne Bridgerton. 😊
