Viewers were instantly catapulted back into the pandemonium of the marriage market, with Anthony Bridgerton\u2019s hunt for a wife taking centre stage following Daphne\u2019s marriage to the Duke of Hastings, with his predicament proving to be every bit as complicated as his sister\u2019s was.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, fan favourite Eloise, the witty Bridgerton sister, was once again on hand to provide some much-needed comedic relief from the intensity bubbling elsewhere. She\u2019s also totally (and refreshingly) uninterested in the trappings of the ton, instead focused on broadening her intellect and unmasking Lady Whistledown \u2013 she admires the gossip monger\u2019s enterprising spirit and laments the fact that she\u2019s forced to remain hidden in the shadows due to her status as a woman.<\/p>\n
With Daphne and then Anthony stealing most of the limelight across the two seasons, it\u2019s all too easy to dismiss her as the rebellious younger sister or a distraction from the love story at the heart of the narrative, and nothing more. But in season 2, her unruly streak plays an important role.<\/p>
Eloise\u2019s musings on what it truly means to be a woman during the 1810-1820s, such as the lack of opportunities available to her compared with her brothers, gain greater momentum.<\/p>\n
She receives a pamphlet from Theo Sharpe which leads her to a gathering of like-minded people who are passionate about dismantling the patriarchy, with Eloise continuing to pursue what she believes in, despite her restrictive position.<\/p>\n
She also makes it clear that her rebellion is not just a phase or \u201csome party dress\u201d she dons to \u201cplay a part\u201d \u2013 a nod to how feminist activism can fall short, saying a little but doing very little.<\/p>\n
Eloise adds a much-needed feminist lens to the world of Bridgerton, which is by and large wrapped up in marriage and propriety, allowing the series to remain entertaining while also tackling the social struggles of the time.<\/p>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/03\/BRIDGERTON_206_Unit_04117R-cf51a31.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>The Eloise we all enjoyed in Bridgerton\u2019s debut season is still present, but her sense of adventure \u2013 her finest attribute \u2013 is expanded further, placing increased focus on important aspects of regency culture that were only briefly acknowledged in season 1.<\/p>\n
Alongside the convention, she visits the printing house multiple times to converse with Theo and continue her investigation into Lady Whistledown. Through her wanderings of London, away from the gold-enamelled, shimmering world of the ton, we get a glimpse into the less gaudy, grittier part of town that was the more common reality.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s there that we see the social polarisation and are reminded that not all were frequenting Madame Delacroix\u2019s emporium to sample this season\u2019s must-haves.<\/p>\n
Eloise\u2019s friendship-cum-relationship with Theo also extends beyond what we typically get from the other romances explored in the series.<\/p>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/04\/Eloise-and-Theo-in-Bridgerton-season-2-8541281.jpg?quality=90&crop=14px%2C0px%2C3480px%2C2318px&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>With most of the action taking place within the wealthy, aristocratic ranks, this subplot emphasises that there is a world beyond balls and viscounts. In the first season, issues of class are touched upon during Daphne\u2019s interactions with her dukedom, Anthony\u2019s relationship with Siena, and Simon\u2019s exchanges with boxer Will Mondrich and his partner Alice. But through Eloise in particular in the show\u2019s latest outing, we witness the full extent of the struggle to surmount social barriers.<\/p>\n
On meeting, Eloise and Theo strike up a rapport immediately, quickly becoming friends \u2013 possibly more \u2013 and begin furiously working together to reveal Lady Whistledown\u2019s true identity.<\/p>\n
When Penelope learns of their scheme, she shares her \u201cconcerns\u201d with her best friend \u2013 which stem from her desire to protect herself from being exposed \u2013 highlighting the class divide between Eloise and Theo by playing on the fears that her friend has about the gulf between them and what it forbids outright, threatening all-out ruin for those who dare try to surmount it. In the end, Eloise is so alarmed that she feels she has no choice but to cut ties with Theo.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s disappointing to see a character who is usually so strong-willed succumb to the constrictions dictated by class, but it\u2019s also entirely unsurprising given the iron grip that social norms hold over all civilians.<\/p>\n
Even Eloise, who knows her own mind more than most and questions everything that so many of her peers readily accept, is hamstrung by the environment in which she was born into, which speaks volumes about the social divisions at the time and the power they exude.<\/p>\n
While Eloise is a revelation is so many ways, even she cannot fully untether herself from those bonds. If she can\u2019t, who on earth can?<\/p>\n
- Read More: Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh promises \u201cnew spin\u201d in season 3<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Read More: Where was Bridgerton filmed?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Reasd More: Bridgerton boss \u201cabsolutely\u201d wants to explore Benedict\u2019s sexual fluidity<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Read More: Bridgerton\u2019s Jonathan Bailey reveals \u201ccomplication\u201d with tight costume<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
Bridgerton is streaming now on\u00a0Netflix<\/a>. You can buy the\u00a0original Julia Quinn books<\/a>\u00a0including\u00a0The Viscount Who Loved Me<\/a>\u00a0on Amazon.\u00a0Looking for something else to watch? Check out our guide to the\u00a0best series on Netflix<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0best movies on Netflix<\/a>, or visit our\u00a0TV Guide<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n
The latest issue of Radio Times is on sale now \u2013\u00a0subscribe now<\/a>\u00a0to get each issue delivered to your door. For more from the biggest stars in TV, l<\/strong>isten to the\u00a0Radio Times podcast<\/a>\u00a0with Jane Garvey.<\/strong><\/h4><\/body><\/html>\n
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- Read More: Where was Bridgerton filmed?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n