Bridgerton season 2, episode 8 recap: The Viscount Who Loved Me

The Bridgerton season 2 finale has arrived dear viewers. While I was both delighted and sad to see it end, it leaves me with the hope that there will be more to come.

For a season that was solely focused on Anthony and Kate finding love, we thankfully got to experience the triumphs and hardships of other characters from the previous season. Season 2 episode 8 was appropriately titled “The Viscount Who Loved Me” as Anthony and Kate finally become a couple but others aren’t so fortunate as they suffer heartbreak and betrayal.

Bridgerton Season 2 Episode 8 recap – Kate Awakens

Without missing a heartbeat from the episode prior, we see Anthony carry an unconscious Kate into Lady Danbury’s home and immediately the doctors begin their work. The scene brings back horrible memories for Anthony as both Edwina and Lady Mary Sheffield Sharma look over Kate in tears.

While Kate recovers Anthony is unable to visit her, focusing on his work and duty to the family. Realizing all responsibility is still thrust upon him he confronts Benedict, reminding him of his place.

But Benedict is having problems of his own. He discovers that Anthony made a generous donation to the Royal Academy of the Arts.

Feeling as though his artwork was not enough to be accepted, he debates leaving the Academy. By the end of the episode, we watch him packing his art supplies.

Thankfully after some time Kate does awaken. She remembers what happened leading to her fall and asks if Anthony had come to visit her.

When she was told he hadn’t, she gets visibly upset. When Anthony receives word that Kate was awake he rushes to see her.

However, their reunion isn’t nearly as sweet as it should have been. Kate doesn’t wish to see him even after he hastily proposes to her.

Kate declines his proposal, but Anthony isn’t ready to give up on her just yet. She, instead, is more determined than ever to return to India while Edwina and her mother remain in England with Lady Danbury.

She confesses how she’s feeling to her mother but takes her advice and attends the Featherington party that evening.

Bridgerton Season 2 Episode 8 recap – Penelope’s Heartbreak

The Featheringtons throw a grand party indeed and all of the ton is there! While attending the party Eloise tells Penelope that she’s given up on trying to figure out who Lady Whistledown is and ended her friendship with Theo.

This delights Penelope who tries to cheer her up by relaying some gossip she just heard. This would be her biggest mistake.

As the night continues, Colin hastily pulls Penelope away from the party. He reveals to her that the jewelry Cousin Jack has been showing off are fakes.

Colin had snatched the necklace Cressida Cowper was wearing as evidence. Before Penelope could even question him further her mother, Lady Portia Featherington and Cousin Jack find them without a chaperone.

Colin quickly explains how the gems are fakes and suggests that Portia keep herself and her daughters away from Cousin Jack. He demands that Cousin Jack return all the money he invested.

Colin later rewards Mr. Mondrich for his warnings about Cousin Jack by telling all the gentlemen about his gentlemen’s club. It looks like Mr. Mondrich will be open for business for some time now.

Colin leads Penelope out of the room and back to the party. He promises he will always look after her.

Feeling genuine happiness for the first time Penelope retires to her room later that evening finding it in complete disarray. Eloise had been tearing it apart, finding Penelope’s stash of money and demanding to know what is going on.

In one of the best scenes of the entire season, Penelope confesses to being Lady Whistledown. She explains how she had no choice but to write those horrible things about her and how it broke her heart to do so.

Eloise doesn’t believe her and promises that she never see her again. After their fight Penelope desperately tries to find Eloise but no one knows where she went.

To add to her misery, she overhears Colin talking with other gentlemen. When they ask him what is going on between him and Penelope, seeing as they had danced together, Colin mentions she is still just a friend in his eyes.

This causes Penelope to run off crying. Portia Featherington sheds tears of her own when she has to break her heart and Cousin Jack’s by betraying him.

She orders him to go to America, forged his signature so that the Featherington heir will be whichever daughter has a son first, and that she took a share of the money to support her family. Debate her actions all you want, but her words are true, she is a mother, and she will do what she has to for her daughters.

By the end of the episode it appears as though Eloise and Penelope did not apologize to one another. What’s more is Penelope will continue to write as Lady Whistledown.

Bridgerton Season 2 Episode 8 recap – Viscountess Bridgerton

Kate and Edwina dance playfully together at the party when Anthony spots them. Hesitant at first, Anthony and Kate ultimately decide to take the plunge and dance before the ton.

As they dance in perfect rhythm as they had once before, they become the only couple on the dance floor as the rest of the ton watches with judgmental eyes. Rumors instantly begin to swirl, insinuating that Kate is the reason why the wedding was canceled.

Defending both families, Queen Charlotte immediately interjects and reveals that she changed her mind about the wedding. It was she who didn’t agree to Anthony and Edwina’s wedding.

Edwina agrees and believes Anthony and Kate make a lovely couple. Queen Charlotte flexes her power some more suggesting that her nephew, the prince, would make an excellent match for Edwina.

The gossiping women immediately become embarrassed and jealous. Queen Charlotte then scolds them for not dancing thus more couples join the dance floor with haste.

When the song finishes, Kate attempts to kiss Anthony but he pulls away. Lady Portia Featherington calls all the guests to come outside to enjoy the fireworks.

Anthony and Kate get separated but he’s able to find her alone. The two confess that they love each other and kiss.

Some time has passed and the two did marry. They try to enjoy a lazy morning basking in each other’s presence, but the Bridgertons are waiting for them outside.

The two reluctantly get ready and begin an intense game of Pall Mall.

Bridgerton Season 2 Episode 8 review

As so, dear viewers, season 2 has come to a satisfying close. Yes, it was no surprise that Anthony and Kate would be together, but the journey took many turns I did not see coming.

As far as love triangles go, this would have to be the only one I actually enjoyed watching unfold without rolling my eyes in boredom or annoyance. Yes, there were times where I did berate Anthony for being, well for being himself, but overall, the progression makes sense for the story and the time period.

Let’s not forget many people would not be as lucky to marry someone they actually loved. They could grow into love, a statement I’ve heard in plenty of romance films and TV series.

But the fact is their love needed to happen at the right moment. When it did, it was all worth it for them and their families. I’m glad the season diverted a bit to the Featheringtons and the rest of the Bridgerton family.

We’ve come to know, love, and possibly despise them since season 1 and it would have been a shame to not see where lives are taking them. Especially considering Benedict may be the next Bridgerton to get married.

True, season 2 could have solely focused on Anthony and Kate but that’s not what season 1 did either. Simon and Daphne were the core story, but we got to see Anthony’s romance troubles, Penelope’s longing for Colin and the heartbreaking drama with Marina.

What will season 3 bring? I have my theories and until then I will gladly get my fill of Bridgerton-related content.

What did you think of Bridgerton season 2, episode 8? What are your thoughts on season 2 as a whole? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.