We come out hot, talking about what made us cover this Netflix phenomenon, what this show did to us, how it divided us, and the one thing we can both agree on: Rege-Jean Page stole the show as Simon, The Duke of Hastings!

** Complicated Woman - Daphne Bridgerton. While we see Daphne’s inner conflict in the first few episodes, the limited circumstances of her time, and her ambition in trying to steer her marriage, ultimately we ask whether she is complicated in ways that are harmful for the innovation of women characters. (07:38)

** Complicated Supporting Women. Bridgerton presents a group of women who demonstrate that there is no one correct way to be a strong female character, but did they do enough with these supporting women? We examine Lady Danbury, the Queen, Eloise Bridgerton, Penelope Featherington, Lady Whistledown and Siena. (14:25)

** Favorite Scenes. It’s no surprise that many of our scenes involve the Duke...Simon’s backstory (23:45), that infamous and sexy spoon scene that has Twitter buzzing as much as Connell’s necklace in Normal People (27:04), and the Duke’s big speech to the Queen about his friendship and love for Daphne (28:37). We then turn up the heat and discuss that “I burn for you” scene between Simon and Daphne on their honeymoon that has inspired TikTok musicals (32:53), Siena generating her own heat on stage and with Anthony (35:05), and Daphne’s big speech to the Duke in the finale has one of us swooning and the other one rolling their eyes (41:04). 

** Controversial Scenes. Bridgerton is not without controversy. We discuss the sex scene that raises serious issues of consent and the scene where Lady Danbury explains how race was intentionally worked into this, but was it enough? (46:05) 

** What’s Your Damage, Heather? Phoebe Waller-Bridge set the standard for damage and Bridgerton left us wanting more vulnerability from Daphne. (56:44)

** What She Said - Julia Quinn. An Ivy League educated, incredibly prolific Capricorn, Julia Quinn has written 18 consecutive NYT bestsellers and we’re inspired by the moment she is having right now! Kate discusses Julia’s real life romantic marriage and Carinn shares a quote about how far the conversations around women, consent and power have come in the twenty years since she wrote the first book in the Bridgerton series. (57:40)

** Who Won The Show? We both are all about the look and sound of this visually stunning show! (64:29)

** Takeaways. Kate’s takeaway is that Shonda Rhimes is a genius for knowing what sells, for knowing what will be a hit, and in this particular case, for knowing that love and romance sell. Carinn faces her obsession with Daphne and realizes that no character has provoked such a reaction in her since Amy Dunne from Gone Girl. Their discussion explores the concepts of heroes and villains, true love and being trapped, and turns them upside down. MAJOR SPOILERS for Gone Girl. (66:30)

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