Bridgerton season 2, episode 1 recap: Capital R Rake

The time has come dear viewers! Bridgerton season 2 has aired on Netflix and the first episode did not disappoint. We have a lot to cover and look forward to, so let us make haste and begin!

Bridgerton Season 2 Episode 1 recap – Anthony’s Quest

The episode begins with the Bridgerton children, including Daphne, waiting outside Eloise’s room. She is dressed and ready to present herself to Queen Charlotte; an event that she is not looking to in the slightest.

As all of the eligible young ladies are arriving, Penelope Featherington is at home with her family, anxiously looking out a window at the street below. When it is Eloise’s turn to meet Queen Charlotte the event comes to a halt as the latest Lady Whistledown gossip has arrived!

Something Queen Charlotte has been awaiting! As promised, the eldest Bridgerton child, Anthony Bridgerton is going to find himself a wife this season but by what means?

Well, being the more serious type, he compiles a list of all of the eligible women and conducts interviews. When he is not conducting interviews, he is handling the family affairs and spending nights with prostitutes.

He repeats this cycle for days, becoming increasingly more stressed, until one early morning he spots a female rider without a chaperone. He catches up to her and the two share witty banter before she leaves without providing her name.

Little does Anthony know; he will be meeting her again very soon. What he does know is that by the end of the episode, he has moved on from his previous lover, Siena from season one.

Bridgerton Season 2 Episode 1 recap – Kate and Edwina Sharma

The lady Anthony met was Kate Sharma. She, her mother, and little sister Edwina arrived from India and will be Lady Danbury’s guests for the season. Let’s not forget Kate’s Corgi Newton whom already Lady Danbury loathes.

Kate is twenty six years old and considered a spinster whereas Edwina is at the right age to find herself a husband. Their arrival to London was quite unexpected as was their departure to India as Queen Charlotte later points out.

Already we can see that Edwina is young, sweet, and intelligent for her age. Kate is caring but overprotective and somewhat abrasive.

Perhaps she has had her heart broken once before? It seems Kate’s mission in life is to find Edwina the perfect, loving husband.

During Lady Danbury’s soiree, Eloise finds herself officially meeting Queen Charlotte. While nervous she amuses the Queen and begins to wonder if she is a potential candidate for Diamond of the First Water.

Since Anthony has not had any luck finding a wife as of yet, he decides that he will marry whomever the Queen chooses to be the Diamond of the First Water. While he’s surrounded by the eligible ladies, Kate observes him from across the room, already quite taken with him.

Her dreams of Anthony are shattered when she overhears him speaking to other gentlemen outside about how he doesn’t wish to marry for love. When he finds Kate moments later, she is deeply angered and disgusted by him.

To make matters worse for her, Edwina is named Diamond of the First Water. Anthony will do anything to marry Edwina, but Kate will undoubtedly make it as difficult as possible for him.

Later that evening Lady Danbury demands that Kate tell her the truth as to why they returned to London. Turns out, Kate and Edwina are half-sisters.

Edwina’s mother married Kate’s father, who wasn’t wealthy. Her father has passed away and the trio spend the last of their money coming to London so that Edwina could marry someone their mother’s family would approve of.

If she does, they will pay her dowry.

Bridgerton Season 2 Episode 1 recap – The Featherington Heir

As we recall from last season, Penelope Featherington is Lady Whistledown and has obtained quite a bit of money from the printers where her pamphlet is printed. She poses as a young woman working for Lady Whistledown, complete with an Irish accent.

However, her quest to find the latest gossip might be in jeopardy as Eloise will now be attending the same parties. The two share their honest thoughts about their lives.

Eloise feels she cannot live up to everyone’s expectations of her due to Daphne’s success last season and Penelope while struggling as a wall flower actually enjoys it as she notices things no one else does. Penelope does take Eloise’s advice and decides to write more than just gossip.

The next time everyone is reading Lady Whistledown’s words, they are remarkable. They suggest that the Diamond of the First Water should do more than just sparkle.

Something Queen Charlotte finds particularly interesting. But there is more going on in the Featherington household.

The heir, who they assumed to be old, ugly and cruel has arrived and he is far different from any of the rumors. While the three Featherington daughters, Prudence, Philippa and Penelope, seem to like him, their mother Portia isn’t sure just yet.

But perhaps now Philippa and Albion Finch can get married as her dowry has yet to be paid to his family. As they so “kindly” remind Portia.

Bridgerton Season 2 Episode 1 review

Bridgerton season 2 returns without missing a gracious step. It was quite hilarious to see Anthony take such a cold and mechanical stance to finding a wife.

There is more behind his behavior that I’m sure the season will explain but for now, anytime Anthony is acting as himself, I have to facepalm in response. Already, the chemistry between himself, Kate and Edwina is very natural and believable.

Both Kate and Edwina are likable characters, and we can see how Anthony will be a problem regarding their close-knit relationship. If Kate never overheard Anthony’s true intentions, would she still be pursuing him in secret?

If Edwina wasn’t announced Diamond of the First Water, would she even notice Anthony? Would he notice her?

There are so many what-ifs and while this all a fictional romance, we can see the great cruelty of love. But will it remain as such, or will it become a thing of great beauty for all three by the end of season 2?

What did you think of Bridgerton season 2, episode 1? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.