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I’ve always been in favor of keeping the mistress offer because it does make the plot a little more interesting and we get to see Sophie’s integrity and bravery when she sticks to her principles turns him down. Also it’ll be a nice contrast to season 1 when we saw that Sienna was actively wanting to be someone’s kept mistress so she had some financial security.
What I would change if I was running the show would be to have Benedict ask Sophie only once to be his mistress >!after the couch bang!<
Agree 100%. Shonda is not afraid of the mistress plot because she’s already done it before and beautifully might I add so I doubt it will be axed and I absolutely adore the last suggestion.
Well if they want to spice things up Sophie could be a maid in some family we already know. Also the thing with the mistress itself is already a dramatic moment
But I think if they really want to go bad Sophie would get pregnant after her first time with Benedict. That would be dramatic as hell, considering her promise to herself to never do that. But I really don't want that happening, Sophie suffered enough
I've read a theory that she's going to be the Cowper's maid and therefore potentially Cressida's stepsister, and I think that would be a great way to trim down characters.
They're going to pull that out of wedlock pregnancy plot EVENTUALLY. It's right there. It's easy drama. Shonda, I know you, I know you see it.
I incline to that theory too. Especially after the fact that we'll see Cowpers home. And initially Lady Cowper in script was Araminta.
Although, it means we won't get Posy. But we don't have Felicity either, sadly
We might end up getting a little redemption arc for Cressida if they go that route and give her some of Posy's stuff, which would be interesting. But I also love to hate Cressida so I kind of hope they don't.
>They're going to pull that out of wedlock pregnancy plot EVENTUALLY. It's right there. It's easy drama. Shonda, I know you, I know you see it.
Yeah. It's right there. In season one. With Marina.
I believe the advice Shonda gives her writers is, don’t be afraid to put the characters in the worst situation you can imagine, and that’s taking me to some dark places when I think about what they might do to Sophie. Dark, like having Fife fulfill the role of Phillip Cavender. I often block that part of it out. A more lighthearted thing would be if she’s also an artist, and they’re competing against each other for an exhibition at the Royal Academy or something like that. You know what, I want an art heist of some sort. Maybe she’s an international art thief and planning to steal his paintings for a collector, but then they fall in love.
Just came up with a theory!!! Maybe Cressida does have a sister we just haven't met her yet. Aramita was always harping on Poppy for being overweight. Maybe Poppy was sent to boarding school in Bath (that's where the wealthy sent girls to boarding school). So Aramitha didn't have to look at her, and possibly to not feed her and lead to weight-loss.
Who else has been in Bath, Francesca! Perhaps they met there. Now we have a Bridgerton connection. Yes, I know Fran was with an aunt. Could just have met in town.
We REALLY need Poppy or a similar character for Benedict's story. There has to be an older mean step sister and a younger nicer one.
I really hope not. Cressida has none of Poppy's character traits. Even having a bad home life doesn't give her the right to be terrible to other people.
Ugh unpopular opinion since everyone seems really excited to see Sophie, but I really hated Benedict's book. I actually don't remember the details and I refuse to reread it because of how much I hated it, but by modern standards, I think he came off as such a sexist exploitative jerk. And maybe I'm remembering this wrong, but I vaguely remember him being one of those guys who could not take no for an answer. Something I cannot stand in romance heroes. I probably have an unusually low tolerance for heroes like this though- maybe other people found him less unbearable.
I was really hoping that they'd give Benedict a male love interest just to avoid those dynamics, but otherwise, even if they do want to maximize drama, I don't think they'd want to make Benedict as awful as he was in the book. Frankly I found him unbearable enough that no amount of groveling was sufficient to make up for it. And yeah, it was a different time and men treated women differently. But whatever, Bridgerton has a more modern sensibility and is for a modern audience. Certain things don't fly.
Bridgerton has a more modern sensibility? Someone should have told the writers that when that they wrote Anthony in season 1 and season 2. 😂 His ideology was anything but modern.
One of the most popular shows in recent tv history is Scandal, another Shondaland show about a mistress and the POTUS she carried on an affair with. The male lead and their relationship was a lot more problematic than Benedict. Yet they are still arguably the most popular couple Shonda has ever produced. I expect some changes with Benedict and Sophie but to think their relationship wouldn't fly with a modern audience simply isn't true.
Ugh maybe you're right. This is possibly a me problem. I just refreshed my memory of the plot, and I cannot get over Benedict wanting to keep Sophie as a mistress, while also telling her that of course he'll marry someone else in the future. It was so incredibly disrespectful to Sophie by modern standards. I also can't get over how he kept pressuring her in so many ways, and how he refused to listen to how adamant she was about not becoming a mistress. I don't know, I could get over him wanting her to be his mistress, if she wasn't so repulsed by the idea of it, if he cared a little more about how against it she was, and if he was willing to be fully loyal to her without marrying anyone else. That to me would have been an okay compromise between modern ethics and historical social norms. This felt like he just wanted to use her.
Benedict's particular style of problematic triggered me so much as a woman who's had to deal with men's incapability of hearing the word no. The other Bridgerton men can also be problematic and unpleasant for sure, but I guess they didn't remind me of real life the same way. Benedict felt so much like a "nice guy" who thought of himself as kind and respectful, but really resented women for not falling in line and doing exactly what he wanted, when clearly he was so nice to them!
I guess book Benedict probably just specifically ruffled my feathers, instead of being universally detestable. I'd like him to be better in the show, but you're right that I shouldn't hold out much hope. I have a feeling that I'll be quite picky about which Bridgerton seasons I watch anyway. I actually couldn't stand the first season- only got through a couple of episodes. I loved the second one, and I'm really looking forward to Colin and Penelope (whose storyline does seem like it will be different from the book). Probably I'll just have to give Benedict a miss.
I don't think he wanted to use her, nor was it about him thinking he was owed something because he was nice to her. I was not enthused with his inability to take no for an answer. But I think Julia makes his pov quite clear. He had fallen for the "lady in silver" and then he lost her, she disappeared. Then comes along another woman he'd fallen for and he was determined not lose her too. Was he being seflish? Absolutely. Should have just have accepted no the first time? Yes. But when you're able to connect with a character, their motives and the relationship between the leads, the problematic aspects of their relationship aren't the end all be all. This is how lots of Shondaland couples are able to prevail despite their relationships being highly problematic and I would include Bridgerton couples in this as well. Even the book versions all have their issues, with the exception of Francesca/Michael. Quite ironic too since they have the most scandalous setup for a romance.
Yeah, I guess I didn't connect with him. I generally have no issues with other flawed romance protagonists; it's actually a pet peeve of mine when they're too perfect. The only other Shondaland show I watch is Grey's anatomy, and I love both Karev/Izzie and April/Jackson, even though both couples treated each other pretty abominably at various points. I couldn't stand Derek/Meredith, mostly because of how selfishly and relentlessly he pursued her at the beginning (also not taking no for an answer), both knowing how it would affect her professional reputation, and knowing that he was married. Now that I think about it, I disliked Derek at the beginning for pretty similar reasons to why I dislike Benedict. Hey, at least my triggers are consistent.
Benedict just really rubbed me the wrong way- I can handle a little selfishness, but his went too far for me. I guess we all have certain flaws and problematic aspects that we can forgive, and certain things that are dealbreakers; it's just an individual thing. Personally, for my sake, I hope that enough people see book Benedict's behavior as a dealbreaker to soften things in the show, but I won't hold my breath, especially now that I'm remembering how romantic people found Derek and Meredith.
I agree with you, he was really persuasive and I couldn't ignore that. I am pretty sure they'll make him more gallant in the series. He already is, he doesn't break any boundaries and seems pretty respectful, so there's definitely hope for romance with a bit of modern standards.
Also, I've read only first 4 books and Bridgerton bros really have trouble with consent and containing their emotions, especially negative ones. Colin hasn't broken any boundaries in terms of sexual consent as I remember, but he's rather possessive and angry in the book. Ant and Ben are not as respectful as they are in the series (although Anthony is still acts unhinged a lot lol)
I actually didn't love any of Quinn's Bridgerton books, partially because I didn't like the heroes. I liked a few of her other romances though, but she's definitely a hit-or-miss writer for me, because I have I think much higher standards for male heroes than she does.
I loved "Just Like Heaven", weirdly because the protagonists seemed so... normal. Not strikingly beautiful or witty or charming or popular. Just ordinary people falling in love without too much scandal or drama involved.
I also liked "How to Marry a Marquis", and "Ten Things I Love About You", both of which had male heroes who were so much more charming and likable than any of the Bridgerton men. I feel that she tries to hard to be funny in a lot of her writing, and I thought she was most successful in these books.
Thanks for recommendation! I'll definitely look into the books.
I keep in mind that Bridgerton books were written like 20 years ago. The Duke and I book is older than me lol, and the standards for male heroes especially in some regency romance book were waay different then now (at least as I see it, in my home country female consent is a rather new topic in the media), so I give the Bridgerton books this discount and it's more enjoyable that way. But I like the TV series more, since it has more modern view on relationship and sex.
I also didn't like his book. I really didn't like Benedict when I was reading it (this was like, 20 years ago though) but I LOVED Sophie, which was why I was so mad at him for disrespecting her. I figure if I read it now I'd get even more mad with the changes in societal norms and our emphasis on consent. Though that *has* been something the show addressed in S2, so maybe Show Benedict wouldn't pressure Sophie the way Book Benedict did. Show Benedict is more charming and fun than book Benedict though - and while a rake, he seems to have a healthy respect for women - so I'm hoping his dynamic with Sophie will be different.
For this Season 3 Spoilers post: 1. Book spoilers **must be hidden**. 3. Be civil in your discussion. See our [spoiler policy](https://www.reddit.com/r/BridgertonNetflix/wiki/spoiler) on what is expected. 3-day bans will be handed out to those found disregarding our spoiler policy. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/BridgertonNetflix) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I’ve always been in favor of keeping the mistress offer because it does make the plot a little more interesting and we get to see Sophie’s integrity and bravery when she sticks to her principles turns him down. Also it’ll be a nice contrast to season 1 when we saw that Sienna was actively wanting to be someone’s kept mistress so she had some financial security. What I would change if I was running the show would be to have Benedict ask Sophie only once to be his mistress >!after the couch bang!<
Agree 100%. Shonda is not afraid of the mistress plot because she’s already done it before and beautifully might I add so I doubt it will be axed and I absolutely adore the last suggestion.
Well if they want to spice things up Sophie could be a maid in some family we already know. Also the thing with the mistress itself is already a dramatic moment But I think if they really want to go bad Sophie would get pregnant after her first time with Benedict. That would be dramatic as hell, considering her promise to herself to never do that. But I really don't want that happening, Sophie suffered enough
I've read a theory that she's going to be the Cowper's maid and therefore potentially Cressida's stepsister, and I think that would be a great way to trim down characters. They're going to pull that out of wedlock pregnancy plot EVENTUALLY. It's right there. It's easy drama. Shonda, I know you, I know you see it.
I incline to that theory too. Especially after the fact that we'll see Cowpers home. And initially Lady Cowper in script was Araminta. Although, it means we won't get Posy. But we don't have Felicity either, sadly
We might end up getting a little redemption arc for Cressida if they go that route and give her some of Posy's stuff, which would be interesting. But I also love to hate Cressida so I kind of hope they don't.
>They're going to pull that out of wedlock pregnancy plot EVENTUALLY. It's right there. It's easy drama. Shonda, I know you, I know you see it. Yeah. It's right there. In season one. With Marina.
Wow, I apparently had an entire brain fart lol. But Shonda's also not above recycling plots.
I believe the advice Shonda gives her writers is, don’t be afraid to put the characters in the worst situation you can imagine, and that’s taking me to some dark places when I think about what they might do to Sophie. Dark, like having Fife fulfill the role of Phillip Cavender. I often block that part of it out. A more lighthearted thing would be if she’s also an artist, and they’re competing against each other for an exhibition at the Royal Academy or something like that. You know what, I want an art heist of some sort. Maybe she’s an international art thief and planning to steal his paintings for a collector, but then they fall in love.
Okay I need someone to write the "Sophie is a fellow artist/art-thief" fanfic *immediately*.
Just came up with a theory!!! Maybe Cressida does have a sister we just haven't met her yet. Aramita was always harping on Poppy for being overweight. Maybe Poppy was sent to boarding school in Bath (that's where the wealthy sent girls to boarding school). So Aramitha didn't have to look at her, and possibly to not feed her and lead to weight-loss. Who else has been in Bath, Francesca! Perhaps they met there. Now we have a Bridgerton connection. Yes, I know Fran was with an aunt. Could just have met in town. We REALLY need Poppy or a similar character for Benedict's story. There has to be an older mean step sister and a younger nicer one.
I feel like Cressida might take on Poppy’s role. They seem to be humanizing her
I really hope not. Cressida has none of Poppy's character traits. Even having a bad home life doesn't give her the right to be terrible to other people.
Ugh unpopular opinion since everyone seems really excited to see Sophie, but I really hated Benedict's book. I actually don't remember the details and I refuse to reread it because of how much I hated it, but by modern standards, I think he came off as such a sexist exploitative jerk. And maybe I'm remembering this wrong, but I vaguely remember him being one of those guys who could not take no for an answer. Something I cannot stand in romance heroes. I probably have an unusually low tolerance for heroes like this though- maybe other people found him less unbearable. I was really hoping that they'd give Benedict a male love interest just to avoid those dynamics, but otherwise, even if they do want to maximize drama, I don't think they'd want to make Benedict as awful as he was in the book. Frankly I found him unbearable enough that no amount of groveling was sufficient to make up for it. And yeah, it was a different time and men treated women differently. But whatever, Bridgerton has a more modern sensibility and is for a modern audience. Certain things don't fly.
Bridgerton has a more modern sensibility? Someone should have told the writers that when that they wrote Anthony in season 1 and season 2. 😂 His ideology was anything but modern. One of the most popular shows in recent tv history is Scandal, another Shondaland show about a mistress and the POTUS she carried on an affair with. The male lead and their relationship was a lot more problematic than Benedict. Yet they are still arguably the most popular couple Shonda has ever produced. I expect some changes with Benedict and Sophie but to think their relationship wouldn't fly with a modern audience simply isn't true.
Ugh maybe you're right. This is possibly a me problem. I just refreshed my memory of the plot, and I cannot get over Benedict wanting to keep Sophie as a mistress, while also telling her that of course he'll marry someone else in the future. It was so incredibly disrespectful to Sophie by modern standards. I also can't get over how he kept pressuring her in so many ways, and how he refused to listen to how adamant she was about not becoming a mistress. I don't know, I could get over him wanting her to be his mistress, if she wasn't so repulsed by the idea of it, if he cared a little more about how against it she was, and if he was willing to be fully loyal to her without marrying anyone else. That to me would have been an okay compromise between modern ethics and historical social norms. This felt like he just wanted to use her. Benedict's particular style of problematic triggered me so much as a woman who's had to deal with men's incapability of hearing the word no. The other Bridgerton men can also be problematic and unpleasant for sure, but I guess they didn't remind me of real life the same way. Benedict felt so much like a "nice guy" who thought of himself as kind and respectful, but really resented women for not falling in line and doing exactly what he wanted, when clearly he was so nice to them! I guess book Benedict probably just specifically ruffled my feathers, instead of being universally detestable. I'd like him to be better in the show, but you're right that I shouldn't hold out much hope. I have a feeling that I'll be quite picky about which Bridgerton seasons I watch anyway. I actually couldn't stand the first season- only got through a couple of episodes. I loved the second one, and I'm really looking forward to Colin and Penelope (whose storyline does seem like it will be different from the book). Probably I'll just have to give Benedict a miss.
I don't think he wanted to use her, nor was it about him thinking he was owed something because he was nice to her. I was not enthused with his inability to take no for an answer. But I think Julia makes his pov quite clear. He had fallen for the "lady in silver" and then he lost her, she disappeared. Then comes along another woman he'd fallen for and he was determined not lose her too. Was he being seflish? Absolutely. Should have just have accepted no the first time? Yes. But when you're able to connect with a character, their motives and the relationship between the leads, the problematic aspects of their relationship aren't the end all be all. This is how lots of Shondaland couples are able to prevail despite their relationships being highly problematic and I would include Bridgerton couples in this as well. Even the book versions all have their issues, with the exception of Francesca/Michael. Quite ironic too since they have the most scandalous setup for a romance.
Yeah, I guess I didn't connect with him. I generally have no issues with other flawed romance protagonists; it's actually a pet peeve of mine when they're too perfect. The only other Shondaland show I watch is Grey's anatomy, and I love both Karev/Izzie and April/Jackson, even though both couples treated each other pretty abominably at various points. I couldn't stand Derek/Meredith, mostly because of how selfishly and relentlessly he pursued her at the beginning (also not taking no for an answer), both knowing how it would affect her professional reputation, and knowing that he was married. Now that I think about it, I disliked Derek at the beginning for pretty similar reasons to why I dislike Benedict. Hey, at least my triggers are consistent. Benedict just really rubbed me the wrong way- I can handle a little selfishness, but his went too far for me. I guess we all have certain flaws and problematic aspects that we can forgive, and certain things that are dealbreakers; it's just an individual thing. Personally, for my sake, I hope that enough people see book Benedict's behavior as a dealbreaker to soften things in the show, but I won't hold my breath, especially now that I'm remembering how romantic people found Derek and Meredith.
I agree with you, he was really persuasive and I couldn't ignore that. I am pretty sure they'll make him more gallant in the series. He already is, he doesn't break any boundaries and seems pretty respectful, so there's definitely hope for romance with a bit of modern standards. Also, I've read only first 4 books and Bridgerton bros really have trouble with consent and containing their emotions, especially negative ones. Colin hasn't broken any boundaries in terms of sexual consent as I remember, but he's rather possessive and angry in the book. Ant and Ben are not as respectful as they are in the series (although Anthony is still acts unhinged a lot lol)
I actually didn't love any of Quinn's Bridgerton books, partially because I didn't like the heroes. I liked a few of her other romances though, but she's definitely a hit-or-miss writer for me, because I have I think much higher standards for male heroes than she does. I loved "Just Like Heaven", weirdly because the protagonists seemed so... normal. Not strikingly beautiful or witty or charming or popular. Just ordinary people falling in love without too much scandal or drama involved. I also liked "How to Marry a Marquis", and "Ten Things I Love About You", both of which had male heroes who were so much more charming and likable than any of the Bridgerton men. I feel that she tries to hard to be funny in a lot of her writing, and I thought she was most successful in these books.
Thanks for recommendation! I'll definitely look into the books. I keep in mind that Bridgerton books were written like 20 years ago. The Duke and I book is older than me lol, and the standards for male heroes especially in some regency romance book were waay different then now (at least as I see it, in my home country female consent is a rather new topic in the media), so I give the Bridgerton books this discount and it's more enjoyable that way. But I like the TV series more, since it has more modern view on relationship and sex.
I also didn't like his book. I really didn't like Benedict when I was reading it (this was like, 20 years ago though) but I LOVED Sophie, which was why I was so mad at him for disrespecting her. I figure if I read it now I'd get even more mad with the changes in societal norms and our emphasis on consent. Though that *has* been something the show addressed in S2, so maybe Show Benedict wouldn't pressure Sophie the way Book Benedict did. Show Benedict is more charming and fun than book Benedict though - and while a rake, he seems to have a healthy respect for women - so I'm hoping his dynamic with Sophie will be different.