Prayers! Sorrows!: A Queen Charlotte Review
What is it about the British monarchy that captivates American audiences?While King Charles III was coronated earlier this month, I retreated to Netflix and watched Shonda Rhimes’ inventive take on the monarchy that American revolutionaries eventually overthrew.Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is a limited-run prequel to the original series. Written by Rhimes, it primarily focuses on young Charlotte’s prominent rise to power and her marriage to King George IIII am not a big Bridgerton fan, despite my love of most things Regency England. The series’ acid, pastel hues, intricate costumes, and meticulous sets are alluring. However, Bridgerton eschews the racial politics that would have been a factor if the show had been historically accurate.In addition, I never found its young protagonists interesting. Instead, my interest has always alighted on the series’ grand dames – Queen Charlotte, Lady Danbury, and Violet, Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton. Relied on as plot pawns and cutting dialogue in the original show, the spin-off finally gives these trio worthy backstories, even as it shifts between their younger and mid-life selves.Below are three takeaways from Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Spoilers ahead.
Marriage is the comma -- maybe
In this fictional account, Charlotte and George meet as she attempts to climb the wall to escape their nuptials.The pair exchange the typical meet-cute dialogue. However, George’s handsomeness and winsome charm convince Charlotte not to escape. She eschews British bridal tradition in favor of her gorgeous, natural hair that frames her luminous face and a stunning, dramatic gown.They marry in a fairytale wedding and reception. Everyone (including me) seems to be panting in anticipation of their wedding night, only for our expectations to be cut short. Charlotte and George will live in separate houses, attended by independent staff, starting immediatelyIf you’ve lived long enough, you begin to suspect that there is no such thing as happily ever after. In too many love stories, marriage is often the comma, not the period. Some love stories don’t include marriage, as we see with the royal couple’s secretaries.Initial physical attraction and chemistry, the main ingredients of historical romances and rom-coms, aren’t enough to sustain long-term relationships. Instead, Charlotte and George must dig deeper within themselves, sacrifice, and trust in their love for each other to endure.
All is not what it seems
The audience sees Charlotte become increasingly frustrated as she finds herself alone during her “honeymoon” with the handsome king.After the first few episodes, I want Charlotte to ditch George and his overbearing mother, return to her hometown, and find a worthy partner. However, the fourth episode changes the game. We learn what George endures to become a suitable husband for Charlotte as she elegantly pouts at the elegant dining table and stomps through the palace halls.The lovely George hides his mental illness battle.Some neurodivergent advocates criticized the show for its mental illness depiction, much like I disparaged Bridgerton’s racial issues. The critics have a point. Love can ease many things but cannot cure crippling mental illness. Those with mental illness need a sturdy support system and consistent and appropriate treatment.Nevertheless, how often have we accused a lover or partner of being careless with our heart without seeing the fragmented plates of hardship or heartbreak they are balancing? Unlike Charlotte, we shouldn’t charge into our partner’s life, demanding they confess their vulnerabilities. However, asking critical, compassionate questions might relieve some burdens while granting reassurance.
Grow your own garden
Violet confesses to Lady Danbury that she seeks sexual companionship after years of widowhood in one of the series’ most delightful and poignant scenes.Lady Danbury meets Violet’s confession with empathy and affirmation while keeping secrets of her own.Women over 50 rarely get complex and textured backstories in Hollywood unless Meryl Streep plays the role. Perhaps, young love, such as Charlotte and George, feeds the human yearning for possibility. Love can still conquer all when one is in their 20s. But how do cis-heterosexual women experience love in a society telling them they should tend to other people’s gardens?Tend your own garden, as Lady Danbury advises VioletI may watch the third season of Bridgerton to see what Violet does next as she accepts her sexual needs and desires.In Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, I felt Rhimes’ deft hand at writing compelling television dramas. The dialogue, plot, and characters danced in the moonlight on the screen and in my imagination. For once, I wanted to be part of their world.