A Deep Dive Into Bridgerton: "Harmony" (S2, Ep. 7)

The penultimate episode of the second season sees our main characters finally giving in to their desires.

Hello, gentle readers. We’re drawing ever closer to the finale of our beloved sitcom, Bridgerton, and thus to the end of these little missives. However, we’ve got a little way to go before we get there, so let’s dive right into today’s episode, “Harmony.”

Of course, most of the episode focuses on the Bridgertons and their efforts to salvage their reputation in the face of the ton’s profound disapproval in the aftermath of the botched wedding. Matters get even worse when Queen Charlotte, convinced that Eloise is really Lady Whistledown, tries to strongarm her into admitting the truth by threatening her family, which in turn prompts Penelope to desperate action. And, most notably, the series marks the moment at which Anthony and Kate finally consummate their love in the boudoir (or, in this case, an outdoor gazebo), even though she later grievously injures herself with a fall from her horse. 

In many respects, this episode is the ideal follow-up to the one that preceded it, allowing us to see the full extent of the consequences of the main trio of Edwina, Anthony, and Kate. In the world in which they live, it’s impossible to escape the scorn of the ton, and the episode makes it abundantly clear just how far from grace the Bridgertons have fallen. Given the extent to which they have always stood atop the hierarchy, seemingly untouchable by scandal (and very aware of their superiority), is it any wonder that Lady Featherington takes the opportunity to deliver a couple of well-aimed barbs at their expense? However, we can’t help but feel sorry for them, especially Lady Bridgerton, who has done more than anyone else to try to keep the family together. 

However, the Bridgertons aren’t the type of family to let anything get them down, not even the almost universal disapprobation of their peers. Thus, when their invitations to a ball at their home go largely unanswered, they decide to celebrate in their own fashion, with a lively dance. It’s a touching scene, I think, particularly since it’s one of the rare moments when we get to see the family simply enjoying themselves rather than fretting at one another over one issue or another. There’s an undeniable chemistry among the actors chosen to play the Bridgertons, and it is very much on display here.

However, this episode is most notable for finally giving Kate and Anthony the chance to physically consummate their love. Unsurprisingly, the sex scene is as hot as I would have expected. As I’ve remarked before, the two leads have an extraordinary chemistry, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who was absolutely rapturous at seeing the two of them finally give into their desires. I want to emphasize, however, that these moments aren’t merely titillating (though it would be fine if they were) but are, instead, the natural endpoint for their evolution. We’ve known from the beginning that they were fated to be with one another, and so to see them come together is tremendously satisfying on multiple levels: emotional, visceral, and narrative. Unfortunately, it’s punctured when Anthony awakens to find Kate gone and rain pouring down, a truly melancholy moment if ever there was one. 

As important as the consummation of their love is, however, a significant amount of the episode’s emotional energy is invested in the brewing conflict between Eloise and Penelope. By this point, it’s become abundantly clear that the latter’s shadowy second life as Lady Whistledown has put a strain on her friendship just as much as, if not more than, Eloise’s flirtation with political radicals, one young man in particular. I particularly appreciated the way this episode allowed us to see the extent to which Penelope has allowed her own jealousy over Eloise’s divided attention to influence her role as Lady Whistledown. When she reveals Eloise’s indiscretion in her most recent newsletter, it’s ambiguous as to whether she does so out of a genuine desire to save Eloise from the punishment Queen Charlotte has in mind for her or whether she does it in a moment of jealous pique at her friend’s wandering attention and affection. I continue to be in awe of Nicola Coughlan’s ability to capture the many shades of Penelope’s character, always keeping us guessing as to her true motivations and loyalties, particularly as her dual roles continue to come into greater conflict. 

And how about that ending? One of the things I’ve always enjoyed about Bridgerton is just how willing it is to lean into the schmaltz. It knows that it’s a melodrama, and it embraces that aspect of its generic identity. How else to explain an episode that ends with the heroine taking a terrible tumble from her horse to lie, bruised and possibly greatly injured, in the rain, while her beloved desperately rides to try to save her? In a series far less skilled than Bridgerton, this would be almost laughably cliche, but I personally found myself rather moved by the whole affair, and I think a lot of this has to do with Jonathan Bailey’s performance. He really allows us to see just how complex Anthony really is, how beneath that brittle and haughty exterior there’s a frightened and uncertain young man trying to do right by his family and also find some measure of happiness for himself. 

All in all, I found this to be a very satisfying episode, further testament to just how skilled Bridgerton has become. While I very much enjoyed the first season, I really do think the writing and the pacing shows more sophistication this time around, such that each episode functions both very well on its own and as part of the greater whole. This episode, for example, manages to show the consequences of the previous one while also setting us up for the frenzied climax that’s sure to come. 

So, that’s all I have for you on this entry, dear readers. Worry not. I’ll be back with you shortly to bring you my concluding thoughts on both the finale and Bridgerton as a whole!