There’s a responsibility that comes from storytelling and how you honor characters. When taking on a series like Bridgerton, that’s centered around a close-knit family, you have to commit to the detail that these characters will be in each other’s lives, whether they’re married or not. And if, for whatever reason, you cannot secure previous actors to return for milestone events like weddings and funerals, you have to deliver a worthy explanation, on-screen, clear as day. But the way Bridgerton Season 4 addresses Anthony and Kate’s absence at John Stirling’s funeral is, quite frankly, insulting. The same goes for Simon and Daphne.
In a sense, I’m not surprised, considering the series thought it was smart to send a pregnant woman on a four-month voyage to India. I can suspend belief to a certain degree if I’m watching a fantasy, but not with a historical romance. I can accept modern-day covers and the idea that, sure, these characters will be safe from certain diseases that were all too common at the time, but it’s hard not to draw the line where character dynamics are concerned.
Bridgerton’s “The Beyond” is a mostly incredible episode that explores the aftermath of grief and all that comes with heartbreak beautifully, but the throwaway line about Anthony and Kate sending lilies, along with one from Mrs. Stirling about their family in Scotland not being able to make it either, isn’t enough. Funerals at the time had to happen quickly, I understand as much, but Kent isn’t that far from Bridgerton House. And are you telling me that if John’s mother wasn’t already in London at the time, they would’ve just had the funeral without her? The burial, maybe, but they’d gather later to at least celebrate and honor John. (Which they do, per Michaela’s request to have a celebration.) They wouldn’t just let it pass. In this case, reason matters. Weather delays, sick children, anything matters because this isn’t a topic the audience should debate. Some viewers might be aware of customs of the time, but others aren’t. A majority of the general audience isn’t, and to them, it’s strange that such a close-knit family would miss milestone events.
The Bridgertons aren’t like the Featheringtons—the siblings are friends with each other as much as they’re blood-related. Anthony Bridgerton is also the viscount—he’s the head of the house, and he’s a member of parliament. Again, forcing your audience to suspend disbelief is one thing, but this isn’t one of those scenarios where it works. It’s jarring, both to eagle-eyed viewers and casual ones, too.
More importantly, the Anthony Bridgerton we know—the one who’s still haunted by his father’s death and fears death—would move mountains to be beside his sister in her grief. Again, Aubrey Hall and Bridgerton House aren’t that far, and if the production company couldn’t work with Jonathan Bailey’s understandably busy schedule, then it’s up to the screenplay to provide a legitimate reason. Road closures and dangerous weather, for starters. (Also, we can’t even make the excuse that they weren’t made aware on time because of how slowly news travels, because how else did they know to send flowers? How was the order placed? The math isn’t mathing.) They’ve all come down with an illness they don’t want to spread. Literally anything but a quick remark about how they sent flowers.
I would’ve even taken body doubles at this point. Because flowers aren’t enough. This isn’t an engagement or a small family gathering; it’s death. Viewers are rarely owed explanations, and we should be able to read between the lines during some matters, but a hugely significant episode like this isn’t one of those scenarios.
This is the scene that requires an explanation and exposition. Production companies are adamant to spoonfeed us exposition because they’re aware that some viewers are scrolling through their phones, but the one time where it’s necessary, they just…don’t? It doesn’t sit well with me at all knowing how much these characters love each other, and they’d do everything in their power to be beside each other in this time of need. The scenes we get with Francesca and Benedict are gorgeous for the season we’re in, but the rest of the siblings should’ve been there, too. It’s disrespectful not to include them, and it’s completely out of character, which is the worst part.
Bridgerton Season 4 is now streaming on Netflix.
First Featured Image Credit: ©LIAM DANIEL/Netflix