Dearest gentle reader,
Social media has been a buzz with talk of the new “Bridgerton” season five teaser, expressing their uninterest in the season focusing more so on Francesca Bridgerton over Eloise Bridgerton. With all that being said, now it is time for Francesca’s story to be the center focus.
Last week, Netflix released a sneak peak into the upcoming season. The trailer revealed that season five will continue Franchesca Bridgerton’s story with Michaela Stirling. This choice stirred controversy within the fandom because many fans believed that it was going to be Eloise Bridgerton’s turn to be courted. People are testily saying that the creators are just shoving a queer story line into the show. Others are foolishly complaining that Francesca’s husband just died, and it is odd that she is “switching teams.” Some fans even say that Francesca and Sterling’s match up departs from the books. These complaints are baseless and coated in bitterness and hypocrisy.
“Bridgerton” has not been book accurate since season one. Of course the show adaptation is not going to follow the books to the letter. Like any adaptation, the producers and writers edit the story, so it is not a carbon copy of the source material. This includes adding scenes that never happened, altering character traits, changing the gender of a character and exploring their sexuality.
Having a queer character in the world of “Bridgerton” is not uncommon. Benedict Bridgerton is a confirmed bisexual and even admits it in season four. The side story of Brimsley, the Queen’s Footman, with his love interest Reynolds in “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story,” another representation of a queer character. Being okay with male characters establishing their sexual preference but not the female leads is a double standard. If Benedict and Brinsley can embrace their sexuality in their respective shows, so should Francesca.
To address the concern for Francesca’s late husband just passing, no worries, his body will be stone cold when season five comes out. Francesca’s season is going to take place two years after season five, meaning she would have had time to grieve for her husband. She will not be running from her husband to his cousin a month after his death. It is not switching teams; it is her finding solace in someone who is going through a similar pain.
Each season of “Bridgerton” focuses on one Bridgerton sibling and features side stories to the other kin. Francesca Bridgerton has yet to have the rest of her story told. Eloise Bridgerton’s book can wait. Francesca’s still needs to be unveiled.
