Anonymous wrote:I've only watched the first two of the last four episodes, but totally agree that so far it's lackluster. I thought the scene where Benedict and Sophie finally do it was so boring, and that Benedict in particular came off as whiny and boring.
In theory, the social conflict of Benedict not being allowed to marry a maid due to social convention, and Sophie being unable to accept being his mistress because of what happened with her mom and her own experience growing up illegitimate, is interesting to me. But the way it's portrayed is so dull. It's too much standing around explaining the unfairness of the situation to each other, not enough action.
I also thought it was very unrealistic when Benedict tells Sophie he's had relationships with men, and she takes like zero beats to be like "sure, yeah, I get that -- what a dumb social convention and I have absorbed and moved on from your bisexuality easily." I'm not saying she needed to object to it, I like the idea of her being open about it. I just think it's incredibly unrealistic that it would be like a side note for these characters. I agree with the PP who said it would have been more interesting to see a transformation in Sophie, where she goes from super restrained (out of necessity) to being willing to buck social rules in pursuit of her own freedom and happiness. The bisexual storyline could have been part of that, but instead I'm supposed to believe that a woman who is freaking out at the idea of being a mistress would be like "oh yeah, sex with men, cool" and then move right along? In Regency England? Sorry, but no. It makes no sense.
Anonymous wrote:I really liked this season and the episode just before the break (the staircase scene, etc) but I thought this second half was so disappointing. The chemistry wasn't there, the jail and courtroom scenes were ridiculous, neither lead was appealing (Benedict is like an overgrown teenager and mopey, Sophie has zero personality). Sigh. I had high hopes.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Well, it’s over. It was an ok season. But I really, really miss the fire of Jonathan Bailey’s “And it is not far enough!” monologue. We need more unhinged yearning like that! Benedict yearned, but like….politely? Not sure how to say it. It was cute, but not fiery.
Agree. But I enjoyed their chemistry. The only thing I was distracted by was how young she appeared in relation to him; he’s very manly and she’s very girlish and during the first few episodes of the first half I just wasn’t feeling it but the acting was very good and I was eventually immersed.
I always found the actress who plays Francesca a bit wooden (maybe by design?) but her acting was great in the second half. I honestly love Lady Danbury, she’s my absolute favorite, with Violet a close second; I cannot keep my eyes away from them when they are on the screen. And I honestly find them sexier than any of the young leads over all the seasons, male or female (I’m a woman).
Lady Danbury is sexy?! I think NOT. lol.
PP here. Or maybe just…electric. The actress is amazing. I will google her - would not be surprised to see a theater (stage) background
I read in the Post that the actress is going to be at the Folgers Shakespeare library for a few events in April. Apparently she's a well known Shakespearean actor.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Well, it’s over. It was an ok season. But I really, really miss the fire of Jonathan Bailey’s “And it is not far enough!” monologue. We need more unhinged yearning like that! Benedict yearned, but like….politely? Not sure how to say it. It was cute, but not fiery.
Agree. But I enjoyed their chemistry. The only thing I was distracted by was how young she appeared in relation to him; he’s very manly and she’s very girlish and during the first few episodes of the first half I just wasn’t feeling it but the acting was very good and I was eventually immersed.
I always found the actress who plays Francesca a bit wooden (maybe by design?) but her acting was great in the second half. I honestly love Lady Danbury, she’s my absolute favorite, with Violet a close second; I cannot keep my eyes away from them when they are on the screen. And I honestly find them sexier than any of the young leads over all the seasons, male or female (I’m a woman).
Lady Danbury is sexy?! I think NOT. lol.
PP here. Or maybe just…electric. The actress is amazing. I will google her - would not be surprised to see a theater (stage) background
Anonymous wrote:Heated Rivalry has ruined me for other sex scenes! The chemistry between the leads, the lighting, the music (or not), the breathing, the slapping noises…perfection. Everybody else needs to step it up. Take notes, Bridgerton!Anonymous wrote:Maybe I've watched Heated Rivalry but the sex scenes (2) in part 2 had zero heat despite having plenty of nudity. It really comes down to the chemistry of the actors and IMO these two had none. Plus he's a lazy dope and she's rigid and boring. Such a disappointment.
And the idea that they're so "in love" just isn't believable. He wanted her because she was off limits (as she wasn't a prostitute or a lady throwing herself at him). I give the marriage about a year before he's back at the opium den, shagging random guys.
Heated Rivalry has ruined me for other sex scenes! The chemistry between the leads, the lighting, the music (or not), the breathing, the slapping noises…perfection. Everybody else needs to step it up. Take notes, Bridgerton!Anonymous wrote:Maybe I've watched Heated Rivalry but the sex scenes (2) in part 2 had zero heat despite having plenty of nudity. It really comes down to the chemistry of the actors and IMO these two had none. Plus he's a lazy dope and she's rigid and boring. Such a disappointment.
And the idea that they're so "in love" just isn't believable. He wanted her because she was off limits (as she wasn't a prostitute or a lady throwing herself at him). I give the marriage about a year before he's back at the opium den, shagging random guys.
Anonymous wrote:I really liked this season and the episode just before the break (the staircase scene, etc) but I thought this second half was so disappointing. The chemistry wasn't there, the jail and courtroom scenes were ridiculous, neither lead was appealing (Benedict is like an overgrown teenager and mopey, Sophie has zero personality). Sigh. I had high hopes.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Well, it’s over. It was an ok season. But I really, really miss the fire of Jonathan Bailey’s “And it is not far enough!” monologue. We need more unhinged yearning like that! Benedict yearned, but like….politely? Not sure how to say it. It was cute, but not fiery.
Agree. But I enjoyed their chemistry. The only thing I was distracted by was how young she appeared in relation to him; he’s very manly and she’s very girlish and during the first few episodes of the first half I just wasn’t feeling it but the acting was very good and I was eventually immersed.
I always found the actress who plays Francesca a bit wooden (maybe by design?) but her acting was great in the second half. I honestly love Lady Danbury, she’s my absolute favorite, with Violet a close second; I cannot keep my eyes away from them when they are on the screen. And I honestly find them sexier than any of the young leads over all the seasons, male or female (I’m a woman).
Lady Danbury is sexy?! I think NOT. lol.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Well, it’s over. It was an ok season. But I really, really miss the fire of Jonathan Bailey’s “And it is not far enough!” monologue. We need more unhinged yearning like that! Benedict yearned, but like….politely? Not sure how to say it. It was cute, but not fiery.
Agree. But I enjoyed their chemistry. The only thing I was distracted by was how young she appeared in relation to him; he’s very manly and she’s very girlish and during the first few episodes of the first half I just wasn’t feeling it but the acting was very good and I was eventually immersed.
I always found the actress who plays Francesca a bit wooden (maybe by design?) but her acting was great in the second half. I honestly love Lady Danbury, she’s my absolute favorite, with Violet a close second; I cannot keep my eyes away from them when they are on the screen. And I honestly find them sexier than any of the young leads over all the seasons, male or female (I’m a woman).