Viewpoint: It's a relief that 'Bridgerton' Season isn't lacking in sensual encounters.
Bridgerton, a popular Netflix adaptation of author Julia Quinn's Regency-era romance novels, experienced a phenomenal debut in its first season. However, its second season held back on the steaminess that made audiences fall in love with it. Season three, focusing on the character Penelope Featherington aka the series' mysterious gossip columnist narrator, Lady Whistledown, brings back the sexiness.
The romance unfolds gradually as Penelope's long-time crush, Colin Bridgerton, played by Luke Newton, returns to society after supposedly learning some flirting skills. He wants to mend his relationship with Penelope after she overheard his unkind words about her in the previous season, ending any hope of a courtship. Nicola Coughlan's performance keeps things fresh, even in this well-worn rom-com plot of struggling wallflowers and loving friends.
Colin, like his alter ego in the earlier seasons, Regé-Jean Page's Simon Basset and Jonathan Bailey's Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, is subject to the show's objectification. He nails the Mr. Darcy vibe - complete with the ripped physique and charming mannerisms. But it's also an opportunity to explore Colin's sexual journey, and not just fleeting glances, which has been glaringly absent in the series.
The show seems to have finally realized that sex is a crucial component for many viewers who enjoy the series, along with the genre of love stories as a whole. Women writers, reveling in the long-standing feminine genre, continue to create successful books despite facing prejudice. For example, Nathaniel Hawthorne, in 1855, ridiculed the increasing popularity of female writers and their novels, calling them "trash." But the genre remains a profitable segment of the publishing industry, with the recent surge in romantic content.
In the last few years, there's been a shift in the way these stories are perceived, with women owning their sexuality. BookTok, a platform dominated by young female readers, helped popularize the genre. The current times, riddled with stress and chaos, have driven many towards comfort reading, and sexual desires are less stigmatized now. Publishers are responding to this change in mindset by releasing more diverse and inclusive titles that fulfill the diverse tastes across the spectrum of romance readers.
The recent reemergence of sexual content in movies is also worth mentioning. Luca Guadagnino's Challengers and Emerald Fennell's Saltburn are examples. The New York Times article praised the sensual tone found in these films, compared to the PG-13 movies of the recent past. Even actors, like Glen Powell of upcoming film Hit Man, miss the charm of well-executed romantic scenes. He fondly recalled the 'intense' moments from 1981's Body Heat.
While Bridgerton's third season doesn't reach the level of Kathleen Turner and William Hurt's iconic romance in Body Heat, it does delve into the characters' intimate moments. We've seen four episodes out of eight, featuring steamy teaser scenes and sensual encounters. We're left anticipating what's yet to come in the second half, which will air on June 13. And it's heartening to see the subversive portrayal of the bookworm-makeover trope - Penelope undergoes a transformation not through physical changes, but through Penelope’s supposed beauty revealed to Colin.
In conclusion, "Bridgerton" returns to its steamy roots in season three, with interesting developments in Penelope and Colin's romantic relationship. This shift aligns with the current trend of sexual content making a comeback in pop culture, and the unfolding romance promises more in the upcoming episodes.
Kudos to Coughlan, who seems to have spearheaded the decision to strip down for at least one of the sexiest scenes this season. According to an interview, she advocated for it as a middle finger to those who shamed her after the show premiered. "Fools inquire mindlessly, 'So, how does it feel to know anyone can stream Netlifx and watch you naked?' and my response is I feel fantastic about it, knowing that not only did I okay it but I pushed for it," she said. "The reason this program has become a sensation: it's all about women owning their sexuality, experiencing desire, and taking control in these encounters, rather than being a man's affection object."
We've witnessed similar success with erotic romance stories, not only on the big screen but also on small screens and in print. You might've come across the hype surrounding Rebecca Yarros' adult-fantasy series "Fourth Wing" or Sarah Maas' "A Court of Thorns and Roses."
Colleen Hoover's heart-gripping thriller romances are also earning massive support. In a pandemic analysis, it was noted, "In trying times, individuals search for a diversion. Romance novels provide the escape and relief people crave when the world seems to be splintering—or, in this instance, when 'togetherness' takes on more complexity than a love triangle."
If "Bridgerton's" pleasure is beginning to feel commonplace, it remains as captivating as ever, and it's especially refreshing in a year when we're filled with anxious energy. Diving into the colorful, racially mixed, unrelentingly horny world of Mayfair is arguably the ideal balm for a weary 2024 psyche.
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The recent discussion about the increased sexual content in Bridgerton's third season has sparked various opinions among viewers. Some appreciate the return to the show's original sensuality, while others argue that it's becoming too explicit.
Despite the mixed opinions, it's clear that the portrayal of sexuality in Bridgerton and other popular romance stories is resonating with audiences who are seeking representation and embracing their desires.
Source: edition.cnn.com
