Not me watching girly things…
I have avoided watching romantic sagas unfold in front of me because I am a ghoulish troll who has been jaded by love, whose eyes magnetically veer into a roll when I see the slightest ounce of warmth and affection between two fools who are still hopelessly obsessed with eye flutters and hand holding. I scoff so violently at every “babe” uttered by doofus men that I often get blessed for my NOT sneeze. I can brazenly and unabashedly stand up and walk away from two cuddle bugs with one hand in each other’s back pockets faster than you can say, “aww.”
With that being said, I am revoltingly immersed in Bridgerton right now and no one hates me more than I hate me and my swoony moony doe eyes as I behold the romantic gestures of not one, not two but three male leads. I am convinced women are the only reliable authors of romantic male characters, which makes me sad because men can’t even conceptualize behaving like these characters let alone writing about them. Shonda Rhimes does not disappoint with her interpretation of how women want to be yearned for, fought for, and properly courted. Neither did Jane Austen with Mr. Darcy, or Emily Bronte and Heathcliff. Maybe its just my taste in men, but the prouder, moodier, and more uptight “British-y”…the better. So, Bridgerton… first off, balls and ballgowns are ‘whatever’ but courting with dance?? Let us bring that back please.
Unfortunately in 2025, straight men are my cup of tea and the dancing in this era leaves much to be desired. But in the 18th century, every man was a fancy lad, with buckles and heels and a little pep in his step, I absolutely would have hoisted my breasts beneath my chin and donned a demure but sensual smile to a gentleman who proposed to me after two dances. ESPECIALLY if he came from money. The show has everything a modern girl wants, tall British men with money who can waltz. Never mind the disregard for women’s rights and that whole dowry/expectation to breed and produce at least seven future lords and ladies. But the courting? The jacked men and fat change purses though? Ugh yes please.
I will skirt past my whole Anglophilic obsession with the monarchy and Tom Hardy for now. But I will encourage even the hardest and coldest of lady hearts to give the Netflix series a chance, if just to support female writers and producers.
