A Deep Dive Into Bridgerton: "Off to the Races" (S2, Ep. 2)
The second episode of season two gives us several different juicy storylines to follow.
Welcome back, dear readers, to your deep dive into the glittering, delicious world of Bridgerton. Today, I’m going to talk about the second episode of the second season, “Off to the Races,” in which the courtship between Anthony and Edwina takes some fascinating turns, Eloise comes closer to finding out the truth about Lady Whistledown, and Penelope reunites with Colin, even as Lady Featherington has to contend with the arrival of the new heir and Kate finds herself ever more drawn to Anthony, despite her reservations.
Let’s start with my favorite character, Lady Featherington. She is, as the saying goes, a side character with main character energy, and I continue to be in awe of Polly Walker’s ability to wring the most out of each and every line she’s given. What is especially striking about this character is how she can be so bitingly cruel–particularly to Penelope–yet so deeply sympathetic. It’s hard not to feel at least some measure of pity for a woman who has had her world ripped out from beneath her and now has to suffer the indignity of a new heir taking over her house and potentially leaving her daughters unprovided-for.
And of those daughters, Penelope continues to be the most enchanting. Nicola Coughlan is a true gem of an actress–she plays Penelope with just the right mix of ingenuousness and ruthlessness–and this season she is allowing us to see just how complicated her life really is. Obviously, being Lady Whisteldown gives her a tremendous amount of power, since the scandal-sheet she publishes sets trends at court and has even managed to impress the notoriously-fickle Queen Charlotte. At the same time, it also threatens to unravel her precious friendship with Eloise, who simply will not stop until she discovers the true identity of the gossip-monger-in-chief.
It’s Penelope’s pining for Colin Bridgerton, however, that is absolutely essential to her character. One can’t help but feel sorry for during almost all of their conversations, because she so clearly pines for him and he looks at her as nothing more than a friend. Though I continue to hold out hope for their eventual romance, I have to admit it doesn’t look especially promising this season.
Which brings us to Anthony and Kate and Edwina. By now it’s clear just how much Anthony and Kate feel for one another, even if neither of them is ready to admit it. The moment at the soiree in which Kate seemingly feels herself pierced by–dare I say it–love, is one of the most affecting in the season so far. You can actually see how much she suddenly comes to feel for him, which helps to explain why she flees the soiree for the relative comfort of her own chambers. Try as she might, she knows on some level that she can’t escape the power of Cupid’s arrow.
For his part, Anthony continues to be as brittle and caustic as always. In less capable hands than Bailey’s, this character would be frustrating and almost unwatchably irritating, but fortunately for all of us he has charm in spades and matinee good looks designed to melt even the hardest heart. Like the Duke before him, he seems to have internalized some sense of being unlovable, which would go a long way toward explaining why he remains so steadfastly opposed to a union based on romantic love rather than purely pragmatic (not to say mercenary) considerations. If anyone can get past his defenses, however, it will surely be Kate, who is more than willing to read him the right act when he’s acted the fool.
Given the fierce connection between Kate and Anthony, it’s not entirely surprising that Edwina rather falls by the wayside. She continues to be a charming character, but she has yet to live up to the expectations incumbent on being named the season’s diamond by Queen Charlotte. Let’s hope the rest of the season gives her something more interesting to do than acting as an accessory to Kate.
Speaking of Queen Charlotte…I could honestly watch an entire show devoted exclusively to her and to Lady Danbury (a prequel series has already been announced). The two of them clearly have an extraordinary bond, one forged in part by their status as outsiders who have become powerful women in their own rights. There’s just the faintest edge to their conversations with one another, and you get the sense they enjoy being just this side of being frenemies.
For my money, however, it was the conversation between Lady Danbury and Kate which really stole the spotlight this episode. It’s one of the few moments where we get some insight into the workings of Danbury’s mind, and it’s clear she sees much of herself in Kate. However, whereas she has lived a full life and can now do as she pleases, she makes a point of urging the younger woman not to give up her life before she’s even begun to lead it yet. I have no doubt Lady Danbury can see the passion bubbling up between Lord Bridgerton and Kate and, in typical fashion, she’s no doubt going to make sure the two of them get together.
As is always the case, I found myself drawn into this episode from the first moment to the last. There’s just so much to enjoy about it, from the lushness of its production values to its undeniably crisp performances. Each of these actors manages to capture their characters to perfection, allowing us to see them in all of their perfect imperfections. Unlike the first season, where almost all of the interesting action focused on Daphne and Simon, this one gives us far more to draw us in, and I think this will be seen as one of its greatest strengths.
What is especially fascinating about Bridgerton, however, is how a series that is designed for streaming nevertheless continues to yield up its secrets to sustained and in-depth critical attention. And that, my dears, is what keeps me coming back.
Stay tuned for my analysis of episode three, coming soon. In the meantime, don’t forget to subscribe to Omnivorous to get more of my takes on all things juicy and delicious about popular culture.