Bridgerton Series Review

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Typically, this time of year is award season, for films and series. Due to last year’s restrictions on producing those films and series, all award shows are currently pushed farther out.

I realized today how few movies I watched last year, perhaps the lowest number in my entire life. My local movie theater closed last March and has not opened again. Thankfully there are streaming services, offering a variety of wonderful movies, documentaries and series.

For some reason, I’ve gravitated toward more series than films during this strange time. As nominations come in for awards, my viewing patterns will shift. Today, however, allow me to share a review of one of my favorite series…so far…currently available on Netflix. I enjoyed the eight episodes so much that I did a rare thing. I watched the entire series for a second time and loved it as much.

Check out my Bridgerton series review.

Bridgerton Review title meme

Bridgerton Cast

This opulent, Netflix Original Series features a large ensemble cast. Actors include Phoebe Dynevor, Regé-Jean Page, Nicola Coughlan, Jonathan Bailey, Harriet Cains, Bessie Carter, Ruth Gemmell, Florence Hunt, Claudia Jessie, Luke Newton, Luke Thompson, Will Tilston, Ruby Barker, Ben Miller, Adjoa Andoh, Polly Walker, Golda Rosheuvel, Ruby Stokes, Freddie Stroma and Julie Andrews (voice only).

Directors for the series include Julie Anne Robinson, Sheree Folkson, Alrick Riley and Tom Verica. Chris Van Dusen created the series, based on the books by Julia Quinn.

Each of the eight episodes runs an hour and carries an Ma for mature rating.

Bridgerton Review the fam
Bridgerton Series Review – the family, minus daughter Fran

Meet the Bridgertons

The title of the series comes from the family bearing the same name. The tagline sets the tone for what unfolds during the eight episodes: “Wealth, lust and betrayal set against the backdrop of Regency Era England, as seen through the eyes of the powerful Bridgerton Family.

Lady Violet Bridgerton (Gemmell) raises her large family of eight children alone, after the death of her husband. For convenience, the couple used names beginning with A – H for their offspring: Anthony (Bailey), Benedict (Thompson), Colin (Newton), Daphne (Dynevor), Eloise (Jessie), Francesca (Stokes), Gregory (Tilston) and Hyacinth (Hunt). That trick helps the viewer keep the children straight as well!

The story focuses on Daphne Bridgerton, fourth born child and eldest daughter, at the beginning of the London Season. Every unmarried young woman…and her anxious mama…are out and on the hunt for a suitable husband.

Bridgerton Review daphne
Bridgerton Series Review – Daphne

The London Season

Daphne debuts and sets the bar high, as Queen Charlotte (Rosheuvel) notices her during the presentation of the debutantes. The mysterious writer of the high society gossip sheet, Lady Whistledown (voiced by Andrews), creates a stir with her scathing commentary on London’s elite. Although no one knows who she is (including the viewers), she seems to know everything about everyone.

When London’s most eligible bachelor, Simon the Duke of Hasting (Page), arrives in town, he and Daphne strike an unusual deal. Daphne wants to marry for love, in spite of her brother Anthony’s intention to make a quick match for her. And Simon never wants to marry at all. The two decide to create a pretend courtship. The ruse keeps mothers and their single daughters away from him. And Daphne can take her time finding a suitor to fall in love with.

Bridgerton Review duke and duchess
Bridgerton Series Review – less a match, more an agreement

London Atwitter

It turns out Lady Whistledown has much to write about.

Neighbors of the Bridgertons, the Featheringtons, gain a niece for the Season, much to Lady Featherington’s (Walker) dismay.  She already has three unmarried daughters to find husbands for: Philipa (Cains), Prudence (Carter) and Penelope (Coughlan). And Lord Featherington’s (Miller) niece, Marina (Barker), possesses beauty, charm and a sharp wit. She immediately attracts many would-be suitors, including Colin Bridgerton.

When Queen Charlotte’s nephew, Prince Friedrich (Stroma) arrives, and strives to win Daphne’ heart, all of London watches to see who ends up with the “diamond of the season”.

Bridgerton Review queen charlottes court
Bridgerton Series Review – Queen Charlotte’s court

Mysteries, Secrets and Scandals

While courtships form or falter and love blossoms or dies, the undercurrent in London becomes more complex. Eloise and Penelope form a partnership to uncover the identity of the mysterious Lady Whistledown.

Marina hides a secret that makes her desperate to marry quickly. And Daphne must choose between a prince and the man who vows he will never marry, but who has captured her heart nonetheless. Simon is not immune to Daphne’s charms however a difficult relationship with his father hardened his heart toward marriage and siring children.

Presiding over all these stories…of joy, desire and heartbreak…and over all the balls and society gatherings, is the queen and Lady Danbury (Andoh). This feisty, fierce, yet kind woman knows more about Simon and matters of the heart than anyone else.

Bridgerton Review simon and lady danbury
Bridgerton Series Review – Lady Danbury and Simon

My Thoughts on Bridgerton

I loved this series. First of all, because it’s a lavishly depicted historical piece. The costumes and settings astound with their beauty. And I find British shows especially fun to watch.

Secondly, I enjoyed the multiple story lines. A few characters, like Pen’s sisters, have minor roles. That’s understandable with a cast this large. Most characters though develop nicely as the series progresses. I came to adore Eloise Bridgerton, who follows curiosity and never hesitates to speak her mind. And Penelope is a joy to watch as she learns to carve out her own unique space apart from her mother and sisters.

And finally, I appreciate the casting of the characters. Everyone is simply, or complexly, who they are, regardless of race or skin color. They are people with complicated, intriguing stories and lives, period. Although set in the past, Bridgerton shows what’s possible when we accept each other as we are.

Bridgerton Review behind the scenes
Bridgerton Series Review – fun behind the scenes moment

Second Season Picked Up

The good news is, for those of us who watched Bridgerton and immediately craved more, a second season is on the way. I’m so excited!

There are eight books in the series, and Netflix intends to create eight seasons. Each book focuses on a different Bridgerton child. The series intends to follow the same format. That means I have seven more seasons to look forward to. In the meantime, I’m now reading the books.

Have you seen Bridgerton? If so, I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments. If not, know this. The series is intended for mature audiences. Due to some nudity and quite a lot of sexual content, this series is not for children. Savor the show after the kids go to bed, with a glass of wine or a mug of hot tea. But do savor it. It’s a visual and emotional treat.

Bridgerton Review Anthony
Bridgerton Series Review – season two focuses on the eldest Bridgerton child, Anthony

Pick up the Bridgerton books from Amazon:

 


 

And if you enjoyed this series review, check out this one:

Yellowstone Series Review

 

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Series Review: The Twilight Zone

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details

Tonight CBS All Access rolled out their newest series, which is a reboot actually. The original Twilight Zone premiered in 1959. Hosted by Rod Serling, the series built its seasons and its popularity on a very basic and powerful human emotion…fear.

Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone explored our fears of nuclear annihilation, space travel and what might lurk out there, inanimate objects that moved and talked, war and technology that ran amok.

At its core, however, Twilight Zone exposed human nature, with all its frailties and sometimes its strengths. The series delved into collective fears and also pulled back the curtain on our single greatest fear: that we are each of us alone in the situation we find ourselves in, and our words and thoughts are not believed.

Series Review: The Twilight Zone

You Are Now Entering the Twilight Zone

Twilight Zone scared me as a young child. I missed the deeper messages initially. The talking doll and the evil ventriloquist dummy birthed more nightmares into my already fear soaked little life. Years later, watching reruns, I realized Serling’s stories sought to reveal rather than terrorize. And if the unexpected twists and turns created goosebumps, that was an added perk.

I came to appreciate the bold and creative story-telling of Rod Serling. I’ll never forget the classic episode “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” featuring a young William Shatner. His character, with an intense fear of flying, is not just terrified by a monster on the wing of the plane. He is terrified because no one else can see it. He alone bears the crushing burden of knowing the plane is doomed by a menace only he can see.

Tonight CBS All Access released episodes one and two of The Twilight Zone, created for a new generation and narrated perfectly by Jordan Peele, who is also the executive producer.

Series Review The Twilight Zone

Episode One: The Comedian

The premier episode stars Tracy Morgan, Kumail Nanjiani, Diarra Kilpatrick and Amara Karran. Owen Harris directs The Comedian, which has a run time of 1 hour. The fantasy/drama carries a TV-14 rating, for very strong language. This episode, at least, is not suitable for young children.

Samir Wassan (Nanjiani) struggles to get the laughs as a stand up comic in a nightclub. His colleague and competitor, DiDi (Kilpatrick), brings the house down with her routine. However Samir, who wants to reveal truths while making people laugh, bombs night after night. His long suffering girlfriend Rena (Karran), a successful lawyer, provides for both of them financially.

After a particularly dull performance one night, Samir meets legendary comedian JC Wheeler (Morgan). He tells Samir that no one wants to hear him make political points. Wheeler challenges him instead to tap into his only true resource, his own personal life.

When Wheeler asks what Samir most wants, the younger comedian realizes that beyond making a difference in the world, he wants the fame, the fortune…and the laughs. Wheeler warns Samir that once he offers from his own life, and the audience connects with it, the material will be gone forever.

In this “be careful what you wish for” story, Samir discovers the high cost of fame.

Series Review: The Twilight Zone

My Thoughts on The Twilight Zone

I appreciated this first episode. Having only seen a brief trailer for the series in general, I kept expectations in check and didn’t read up on the premise before watching The Comedian. Interestingly, in reality I dislike watching stand up comedy. It troubles me and creates low level anxiety if the comedian doesn’t get the laughs.

So how bizarre that this first episode features a comic who isn’t funny. And yet he longs to be, more than he longs for anything else in the world. The whole situation created tension for me, adding an unsettling element while watching the story unfold.

I loved Jordan Peele’s opening and closing narrations, so reminiscent of Serling’s. And while the plot proved a bit predictable…perhaps because I’ve seen so many episodes of the old Twilight Zone…the characteristic twists at the end brought a smile. And I confess, I experienced a bit of a creepy chill in the closing moments . I so enjoy when that “oh wow” surprise sneaks up on me.

A Promising Twilight Zone

I look forward to watching episode two later this week. Called “Nightmare at 30,000 Feet”, this episode offers nods to the famous William Shatner tale. I’m willing to enter into this new Twilight Zone experience…and see what truths I can discover there.

The Twilight Zone airs on Thursday evenings, when it returns April 11, exclusively on CBS All Access. You can sign up for a free 7 day trial by clicking the link below. If you are an Amazon Prime member, you can add this streaming service for an additional monthly fee. Start a free Amazon Prime Video Channels Subscription trial HERE.

All Access airs CBS programing and original shows, including my favorite, Star Trek Discovery.

Series Review The Twilight Zone

 

CBS All Access: Full seasons of classic CBS shows, ad-free. Try it now.

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