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| Kate smelling flowers of Bridgerton writer BS. DP: Diana Olifirova. |
Bridgerton season three, part one has finally dropped after a hiatus of over two years. Unfortunately, the most alarming detail is that the popular pairing of Anthony and Kathani Sharma-Bridgerton and their pet Newton have an extremely shortened presence despite Duchess Daphne Bridgerton-Hastings (absent here) having five solo appearances during their season.
Thus, the unequal attention to Kanthony’s romance continues to reveal itself in nonsensical ways.
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| Kate (Simone Ashley) and Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) are ready for Francesca’s presentation to the Queen in Out of the Shadows written by new showrunner Jess Brownell and directed by Tricia Brock. DP: Diana Olifirova. |
It was always a problem that the writers underdeveloped Kate, giving her no flashbacks, no in-depth backstory, much less a satisfying relationship arc with both younger sister Edwina and her stepmother Mary.
Bridgerton’s underwhelming, lackluster third season does little to mend those errors.
Kate and Anthony appear only in the first episode Out of the Shadows— criminal. After Violet expresses that she will find a dowager house soon, Kate has the idea for her and Anthony to extend their honeymoon— which at the end of season two was a six-month tenure. We have no reflections regarding that honeymoon either, let alone a glimpse into what their wedding had been. This lazy plot device removes Kate and Anthony onscreen at an attempt to get their fans to lean into other less satisfactory pairings— pairings that don’t have that fiery charisma carried by talented actors whose very body language has the same momentum as any dialogue the team has neglected to pen.
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| Violet (Ruth Gemmell) and Kate (Simone Ashley) have a lovely conversation in the garden. DP: Diana Olifirova. |
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| Newton (Austen) has a cameo scene, but does not interact with his mom and dad. DP: Diana Olifirova. |
At least we see that married life did not slow down love’s momentum.
No longer traumatized older siblings taking on parental responsible ties too early and putting societal duties first, Anthony and Kate are saturated in pure bliss, constantly holding hands and stealing alone time whenever possible, crying tears of pleasure as opposed to tears of pain and sorrow. Their intimate bond has grown and strengthened, a testament to every obstacle thrown in their direction. Although the limited writing still does not offer them deeper, lengthier conversations with each other, their utmost devotion—showing a unified grace— is beautifully depicted primarily due to Simone Ashley and Jonathan’s Bailey’s commitment to portraying believable characters.
As stated in a previous
essay, the happily ever after shouldn’t necessarily end at marriage. There are plentiful scenarios to create for Kanthony— beyond pregnancy too.
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| Viscount duties? Where? Anthony doting on his irresistible wife because nothing else matters more to him. DP: Diana Olifirova. |
As Bridgerton continues to suffer from too many side plots— as it happened in season two— and lessens the amount centered on the titled family, the series crumbles, especially when muting one of the best pairings in a streaming series. There should have been more interactions between Kate and her new world— a season three highlight included her talk with Violet. It was nice seeing her become less an outsider and more a vital part, as the pall mall game had demonstrated that she belonged. Kate and Eloise scenes were missed, plus she could have been a friend to Penelope. Kate deserves more Bechdel in general— where is her family anyway? Where do she and Edwina and Mary stand currently? The writers act as though it’s difficult to give her more than two lines.
Moreover, Anthony’s scenes with his siblings are another joy— Anthony/Gregory, Anthony/Benedict, and Anthony/Hyacinth are some of the most poignant familial bonds in the series. He has been extremely instrumental in the first two seasons, decreasing his role was not the wisest decision.
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| Kanthony’s sole dance sequence— featuring the kiss heard from around the world— was exquisitely done! DP: Diana Olifirova. |
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| Kate continues to have the most beautiful intimacy apparel. DP: Diana Olifirova. |
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| Kate’s study scene was beautifully shot. The first image alone is perfect for a romance novel cover. DP: Diana Olifirova. |
Overall, the eight minutes of Kate and Anthony were simply not enough. How the writers, producers, and the editors greenlit this catastrophic treatment to devoted fans is beyond the pale! The dishonest promotion— having them everywhere— sold an impressionable dream that wasn’t even fully realized. Why would anyone suggest, “oh, let’s waste this rare chemistry and see if it can be mimicked by our stacked cast?” If you have an ensemble, you have to highlight its strongest components— not make the colossal mistake of purposely omitting them to center weaker legs. As Bridgerton pairings experience promotion from season one to Queen Charlotte to the latest coupled actors, we will never forget that eventual movie star Simone Ashley and future Emmy nominee Jonathan Bailey (watch Fellow Travelers!) were never granted similar photo shoot campaigns.
The behind-the-scenes travesties show up onscreen and it’s just not a pretty sight going into next month’s part two.
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