E01.05: The Duke and I

[gingerella]

On 1/16/2021 at 2:48 PM, shoetingstar said:

The previous set-up was: 1-There hands were forced into a quick marriage: So he may need some time to get his bearings.

This is where they lost me (actually there were more places where I went 'huh?!', but that's besides the point). The Prince was portrayed as a very kind and understanding young man who was genuinely interested in Daphne. All she had to say to him privately was, "I was walking in the garden and ran into the Duke, and because Miss Jealous saw us chatting, she is going to spread rumors that we were doing more..." The Prince seemed like the sort who would be fine with her explanation and would have stood by her anyway and defended her if need be. So this whole 'OMG, we was found out! Oh noooo, now we have to marry!' just seems like it's a very flimsy pretense. But then again, this whole story is playing with old school Georgian societial norms vs. updated modern social norms so...not surprised I guess.

[shoetingstar]

On 2/7/2021 at 9:15 AM, DanaMB said:

IIRC, in the book

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He is concerned about passing his stutter on to his children  it isn’t the main reason he doesn’t want kids, but it’s something addressed there that isn’t really addressed in this series  

 

THANK you! This make sense when you account for the superstitions of that time and just normal human reaction to being rejected by a Parent. I wish they had put this in show because it makes him look less petty, and dare I say, immature.

6 hours ago, gingerella said:

This is where they lost me (actually there were more places where I went 'huh?!', but that's besides the point). The Prince was portrayed as a very kind and understanding young man who was genuinely interested in Daphne. All she had to say to him privately was, "I was walking in the garden and ran into the Duke, and because Miss Jealous saw us chatting, she is going to spread rumors that we were doing more..." The Prince seemed like the sort who would be fine with her explanation and would have stood by her anyway and defended her if need be. So this whole 'OMG, we was found out! Oh noooo, now we have to marry!' just seems like it's a very flimsy pretense. But then again, this whole story is playing with old school Georgian societial norms vs. updated modern social norms so...not surprised I guess.

I totally agree. I really hate when characters do things because the script tells them to vs. Seeming like real people making choices for better or worse. Somethings I was able to just ignore and go with the flow...Years or rom-com grooming. But they really should have upped the stakes to make the Wedding rush even more understandable. There were alternatives, Daphne could threatened Miss Jealous with her own family's dirt, to keep her quiet, as they all had some.

Edited February 14, 2021 by shoetingstar

[TaurusRose]

4 hours ago, shoetingstar said:

THANK you! This make sense when you account for the superstitions of that time and just normal human reaction to being rejected by a Parent. I wish they had put this in show because it makes him look less petty, and dare I say, immature.

Might seem petty and immature to you, but the damage an abusive parent can do to one's psyche is real and carries on to this day.  Hatred and revenge are poison and don't have to make sense to people on the outside looking in.  I think some of this criticism is harsh and does not consider the  the values and mores of the time, the whole institution of nobility and honor codes, gender roles for the period, or taking vows seriously.  As a former romance novel reader (ions ago) I see Simon's obstinance for what it is, and never had any doubt that his feelings for Daphne would win the day.  

[shoetingstar]

43 minutes ago, TaurusRose said:

Might seem petty and immature to you, but the damage an abusive parent can do to one's psyche is real and carries on to this day.  Hatred and revenge are poison and don't have to make sense to people on the outside looking in.  I think some of this criticism is harsh and does not consider the  the values and mores of the time, the whole institution of nobility and honor codes, gender roles for the period, or taking vows seriously.  As a former romance novel reader (ions ago) I see Simon's obstinance for what it is, and never had any doubt that his feelings for Daphne would win the day.  

You are right, I misspoke and was not trying to demean anyone who suffered abuse. My point was that we make vows of revenge, but as one gets older they can reevaluate and make a more healthy choice. Either way, as someone who suffered verbal abuse as a child and emotional abuse later, I was not intending to dismiss the long-term effects. My frustration was that he would see keeping that vow was hurting him, more than his father. As it held him back from the happiness he wanted. Ultimately, I suspect like many abuse sufferers, he did not feel worthy to be a "husband" or "father". Basically, there were more facets to this I wish had been explored in the WRITING for Simon. Perhaps, I expected too much from this show.

(Either way, recovery from these experiences take unpacking, and I wish everyone could have good counseling/therapy to help.)

[Katsullivan]

13 hours ago, TaurusRose said:

Might seem petty and immature to you, but the damage an abusive parent can do to one's psyche is real and carries on to this day.  Hatred and revenge are poison and don't have to make sense to people on the outside looking in.  I think some of this criticism is harsh and does not consider the  the values and mores of the time, the whole institution of nobility and honor codes, gender roles for the period, or taking vows seriously.  As a former romance novel reader (ions ago) I see Simon's obstinance for what it is, and never had any doubt that his feelings for Daphne would win the day.  

You managed to put into words something that has niggled at me for a while but I've been unable to articulate: while Daphne's actions tend to be rationalised by her inexperience and the time period she exists in, criticism of Simon's actions are viewed by modern lores, and downplay his trauma.

Edited February 14, 2021 by Katsullivan

[Macbeth]

I loved Wilson's reaction to Violet when she was told a wedding would be taking place in 3 days.  The look of horror on her face was priceless.  And very appropriate since it would be all on the staff to get it done.

[Macbeth]

On 1/13/2021 at 8:52 PM, Growsonwalls said:

How did Charlotte give birth to 16 kids? Even keeping in mind that time period that seems like a lot of childbearing.

Not unusual during those times.  The miracle is that she only had 2 that died as children. With no antibiotics around - having children survive to adulthood was much harder.

 

[iwantcookies]

On 2/3/2021 at 11:14 PM, snickers said:

Okay, I know I am in the minority here, but I am hoping I can get some help here....

 

I made it to Episode 5 of this show and for the love of God, what is the appeal????

 

This show is boring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So boring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I thought it showed promise when the Prince entered the picture and I thought that might get dragged out, but no, Daphne and the Duke are already married????

 

And the press was saying that this show had the "steamiest" and most "racy" sex scenes for Netflix! Please! these sex scenes are rated PG-13! This show is child's play compared to what is on HBO or even other shows on Netflix!

 

I just don't get how this show is their biggest success over shows like the Umbrella Academy, The Crown, Ozark, and heck, even Stranger Things!

 

The costume design and set design is beautiful, so I will give it that...like the diversity of the cast....but the story itself......MEH!

 

Can someone please explain to me the appeal? Help me see what I am missing??? I am not hard to please when it comes to TV 😅

 

 

I read first 3 books. They were boring. The show is much more interesting/different than the books. Is it the best show I have seen? no. But it’s easy/fluffy. 

It’s okay to not like it. 

[dubbel zout]

10 hours ago, Macbeth said:

On 1/13/2021 at 8:52 PM, Growsonwalls said:

How did Charlotte give birth to 16 kids? Even keeping in mind that time period that seems like a lot of childbearing.

Not unusual during those times.  The miracle is that she only had 2 that died as children. With no antibiotics around - having children survive to adulthood was much harder.

Women were basically pregnant all the time.

[GaT]

Ah, I'm re-watching this episode & something that confused me seems clearer now. When the Prince is saying goodbye to the Queen, a servant comes in and said "the King" to which the Queen replies "is dead". I thought it was a statement the first time I saw this, but now I think it's a question, which makes a lot more sense.

Edited:  I just watched the wedding night talk between Violet & Daphne, & I must have missed this part the first time. Violet mentions how much she ate at her reception & went to her wedding night full & doesn't recommend doing that & I snorted I laughed so hard. Some things never change.

Edited March 31, 2021 by GaT

[CountryGirl]

I found the series enjoyable enough for the first four episodes, especially with the very pretty people (prettiest of all is the Duke), but it was this episode that really sealed the deal (pardon the obvious bad pun) for me being all in with the show.

One obvious highlight was the Duke's speech to The Queen and I love the look on Daphne's face as she realized the unthinkable has happened (the Duke is more than just in lust with her but has truly fallen):

Another is his speech to Daphne on their wedding night and her response.

Speaking of the wedding night, it was so well done. The right amount of heat and romance and him being mindful of it being Daphne's first time. Her comment afterwards that it was "wonderful" was just sweet. 

I mean, he managed to make even removing her glove before placing the wedding ring upon her finger look sexy...

He did the same for a spoon in a previous episode (lucky, lucky Daphne).

I'm hoping to finish the rest of the season in the next few weeks (I'm trying not to binge too much since I know it will be a bit before S2).

[Camera One]

Although I liked the scenes with Daphne and the Duke in the first three episodes, I can't say I found this episode that satisfying. 

I thought the flashbacks of the Duke were well-done in Episode 2, but I found it difficult not to think ill of him for making the engagement and wedding a totally negative experience for Daphne.  She clearly wanted to be with him (reciprocating the kiss) in the garden, so I don't buy the misunderstanding that he thought she felt trapped into marrying him.  

Even if he felt bad for her marrying him when he couldn't give her children, he could've manned up and tried to make it up to her by giving her an engagement/ceremony/reception to remember.  He also got drunk publicly, which could have resulted in even more rumors.  

But I guess it's all okay because he's so hot and so great in bed?  I found the wedding night scene a bit uncomfortable to watch since she looked so young.  Is she going to be just as understanding when she eventually finds out that he's deceiving her about not being "able" to have children?

Not sure where the subplot with Benedict is going since he was clearly up for a threesome.  Is Colin supposed to be much younger?  Has he also slept around?

Mrs. Bridgerton's "talk" with Daphne about the wedding night was so vague that no talk would have sufficed.

I liked the scene with the Queen and her husband.  

[Llywela]

8 hours ago, Camera One said:

Is Colin supposed to be much younger?  Has he also slept around?

He looks much younger than the other brothers, doesn't he? But he is the third child, older than Daphne (C comes before D, after all). Daphne is 'out', so at least 18, so Colin has to be around 20, perhaps? And he's a guy, so...yeah, he's sowed his share of wild oats. Maybe not as much as Anthony or Benedict, but he'll have had his flings. Guys were expected to. It was only the girls had to worry about keeping themselves 'pure'. 🙄

Edited October 7, 2021 by Llywela

[GaT]

17 hours ago, Camera One said:

Mrs. Bridgerton's "talk" with Daphne about the wedding night was so vague that no talk would have sufficed.

Back then there were actually cases of brides throwing themselves out of windows & killing themselves when they found out what was expected on the wedding night, so the vagueness is more than some brides got IRL.