What Did We Learn from Tudum about the Bridgerverse?
I'll start with the Queen Charlotte scene this was definitely the biggest thing to drop for the Bridgerverse at Tudum, and I couldn't be more thrilled by it. First off, the casting is superb. India Amarteifio is perfect in both looks (she and Golda are dead ringers in a way I think few castings are) and attitude. Young Charlotte feels like a more wide-eyed version of Charlotte, which is perfect for her age, and brings out more of the mischief that's always been the undercurrent of Golda's performance. Corey Mylchreest was also a dang joy. Just from the stills of him I'd seen, I wasn't super feeling it, but in this scene, he absolutely stole my heart. He's extremely handsome, very charming, and the whole exchange got me so excited for the show. I love how they are clearly remembering their romance novel roots and keeping the things we love about those stories. It's a meet-cute, a misunderstanding, a marriage of convenience that will turn to love. Bravo Shondaland -- as far as I can see, they've got another hit on their hands!
The nod to Bridgerton in the wisteria in the QC scene was great, and it makes for a perfect transition to discussing Bridgerton. Obviously we got quite a bit less of actual show content, which is understandable since they've only recently started filming. We got about what I was expecting: a few details and that opening Lady Whistledown speech. I actually thought we might get a snapshot or two, but it's so early in filming I get why they kept it really light.
What we did learn:
Luke discussed his love for the way Colin and Penelope meet in the books. I've seen speculation that we might see a flashback to how they meet in the show as well; I have a feeling it will be under different circumstances, but with the same feeling.
I appreciated Claudia's take on Eloise, that she doesn't see herself as the odd one but instead wonders why others aren't more like her. I have seen some speculation that because of Claudia’s “can’t play a teenager forever” comment, they could be alluding to a time jump for her season.
Honestly, I don’t think they have it planned that far yet. I imagine they’re looking forward to S4 and maybe have some vague ideas about what’s coming if they get more seasons, but I don’t think she was dropping any hints. That said, I do think we will have a time jump at some point, and I am hoping that Eloise isn’t getting married at age 20.
More on Eloise, I like Claudia's take that what upset Eloise about the Lady Whistledown reveal was the lies, but also the humiliation. Absolutely she's hurt that Pen lied to her, but she also doesn't like that she missed this huge thing. It's a blow to both her trust and her ego, making it incredibly difficult to recover from.
And as for the Whistledown speech, well, here is what is said:
"Dearest Gentle Reader,
We have been apart for far too long. At last, London's smart set has made it's return and so too has This Author. As the season begins, the question on everyone's mind is, of course, which newly minted debutante will shine the brightest? The crop this year appears to be rather dazzling indeed. Unfortunately, not every young lady can attract the light."
Firstly, I think this means that Francesca will be the diamond, or at least in the main running for it. Since Pen is the wallflower who is then trying to attract suitors for her own purposes, I think it will make a great foil. Maybe even Francesca won't want the spotlight much, and since there's so much room to play with Frannie's character, it will be exciting to see.
Obviously Whisteldown is nodding to the wallflowers and the overlooked girls as the ones who don't attract the light. It makes me wonder how Whistledown will change this season. I expected her honestly to be more biting; while this is maybe trying to discuss that there are other people of importance than just those society deems the best and brightest, it's still a lot more complimentary than I was expecting. I'm very excited to see where it goes.
