With his years of experience, Rotten Tomatoes-certified TV critic and Film Critics Guild member Akhil Arora assesses and ranks all 26 episodes of the Netflix series, including the three seasons, and the spin-off Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
Upon its debut on Christmas Day in 2020, Bridgerton shot up the charts and quickly became Netflix’s most-watched original series ever. No wonder then that the show was renewed for three additional seasons in the following months. The Regency era series about London’s upper class competing to find a partner during the social season is still one of Netflix’s most popular original series of all time. In fact, the first two seasons have a place in the top 10 most popular titles, with over 113 million and nearly 94 million views, respectively, in the first 91 days after release. The prequel spin-off miniseries—Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story—did quite well too with 81.3 million. Shonda Rhimes has made good on the hundreds of millions of dollars Netflix is paying her.
Since the beginning, Bridgerton has driven a lot of chatter even if you set aside the romantic happenings and scandals. Its racially integrated setting differentiates it from Julia Quinn’s series of books it’s based on. The approach has been curious, to say the least, but it’s ensured a diverse cast and that the world of Bridgerton isn’t solely populated by hundreds of white actors. And then there are the deliberate anachronistic song choices—from Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” to Nirvana’s “Stay Away”, and from BTS’ “Dynamite” to Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball”—given an appropriate classical instrumental do-over. It has definitely set the show apart.
That Regency setting, and the associated repression, are crucial. After all, in today’s world, a lot of what the Bridgerton characters do would be minor issues at best. A man and woman alone in a garden at night? No biggie. The bride learns that the husband-to-be is more interested in her sister? The plot of dozens of sitcoms and rom-com movies. The reason its setting works is because Bridgerton is about what’s forbidden, what’s looked down upon, what good society does not deem worthy, how these characters navigate that world, and how they find a path to freedom, fulfilment, and happiness.
Bridgerton season 3 cast — the full list
Along with an updated family tree so you can follow who’s who in Bridgerton.
Just like the Queen and the mamas rank the debutantes and the lords by their eligibility in the marriage mart every season, I’ve taken up the task of scoring every Bridgerton episode ever. I debated whether to include Queen Charlotte—it is admittedly a very different show, in many respects—but ultimately decided to. It’s still a Bridgerton story (hehe). With that, here’s my ranking of all 26 Bridgerton episodes, spanning all three seasons and the spin-off, including the four episodes part of season 3 released this week.
Of course, there are spoilers ahead. But that goes without saying.
Season 1, Episode 6 “Swish”
Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, are inseparable in what is essentially the honeymoon episode. Half the episode is sex scenes in a bunch of different places. The other half is Daphne trying to learn her duties and how to be a good duchess. The Crown was much better at the latter. The honeymoon period shatters after Daphne learns the truth about Simon’s pull-out method. He was deceiving her—he can have children, but he doesn’t want to. As vengeance, she holds him down as he climaxes the next time. Um, isn’t this problematic?
Elsewhere, Colin Bridgerton creates a new scandal in the ton after he makes his engagement to Marina Thompson public. I swear Penelope Featherington’s only job in the first season is to sulk and be jealous of what’s going on. It’s not a great look.
She might be even worse as Lady Whistledown. Through her, Bridgerton seems to imply that Daphne might have used the situation as an opportunity, with the voiceover noting that “the end does not justify the means”. That reads quite off to me. Sure, Daphne did deceive him but it’s not like Simon is a saint in this situation. Just mediocre writing all around.
Season 2, Episode 7 “Harmony”
The contrived and melodramatic ending—Kate Sharma falling off her horse to her potential death—is a further knack on what feels like a placeholder episode between the season’s strongest flourish and the season finale. Following Anthony Bridgerton and Edwina Sharma’s failed wedding, this is the episode where the Sharmas and Bridgertons promenade like nothing has happened and host a ball that no one attends. The family dance is quite harmonious, shall I say.
After the ball night, Kate and Anthony—who have always put their families in front of their happiness—give in to their feelings. (After eyeing one another all season, to the point that Edwina couldn’t stand it any longer and walked off.) Bridgerton is admittedly quite good at the steamy sex stuff in how it builds and displays passion. Even if its world seems entirely too bothered with love and all its associated matters. The whole show rests on the marriage season—hosting balls, going to parties, it’s the lives of rich-beyond-measure hoity-toity English.
Season 3, Episode 2 “How Bright the Moon”
The episode where Colin imparts lessons to Penelope ends with an altogether artificial moment. She asks him to kiss her because she’s never been kissed before. (This is on the back of being embarrassed in front of everyone after the truth about Colin coaching her is made public.) It feels unnatural and doesn’t belong in a show like Bridgerton. The earlier moment, in the Bridgerton drawing room, where Penelope pays Colin a very direct compliment and he’s unable to say anything and just has a glass of water, is much more fitting.
Meanwhile, Portia Featherington discovers why a baby isn’t on the way. Prudence doesn’t enjoy sex and Philippa isn’t even having any. Her husband was merely soiling his breeches. If Lady Featherington is so bothered about a male child, maybe she ought to have imparted some sex education before she married them off. The daughters don’t seem to much care for a baby either—they are more interested in how they are going to change the house.
Season 1, Episode 4 “An Affair of Honor”
There’s a lot of drama in what I dub the hangover episode. Daphne is clearly hung up on Simon but pretends to be okay and entertains Prince Friedrich—the Queen’s nephew—who’s happy to court her. She tries to rub it in Simon’s face at the boxing match. It works, too, for Simon says he’s going to leave London but at the last minute goes to the ball and kisses Daphne in the garden. Scandal!
After finding the two together, Anthony says he’ll duel Simon. The night before the duel, Anthony reunites with his opera singer lover Siena Rosso who readily gets into bed with him as they may never see each other again. In the morning, Daphne almost dies as she tries to stop Simon and Anthony. Seeing the men’s inflated egos, she gives up on her dream of children to stop the madness of the duel. Sacrifice!
Queen Charlotte Episode 2 “Honeymoon Bliss”
With King George wanting nothing to do with her, 17-year-old Charlotte spends her days changing outfits and having three meals a day. Fed up, she visits him and finds out he’s been living out of his purpose-built observatory. Later in the episode, the marriage is (finally) consummated and in a conversation with his mother, Princess Augusta, we get our first peek at George’s frustrations and mental struggles.
The episode is much stronger elsewhere. The racism is apparent amongst Augusta and the advisors as they discuss handing out titles to those “who look like Queen Charlotte” as part of The Great Experiment. Augusta invites Agatha Danbury to tea to spill the tea on her meeting with Charlotte. She uses it as leverage to get visibility amongst the ton—clever! Later, she allows her husband Lord Danbury to feel better about himself rather than let him know it was her who got them the land.
Season 1, Episode 5 “The Duke and I”
In what is arguably the Simon–Daphne wedding planning episode, there’s an awkward silence and discomfort throughout as the to-be couple feel they have trapped the other one and aren’t speaking to each other. Simon doesn’t want the marriage because he doesn’t want children and Daphne feels Simon is only doing it because she made him agree to it at the duel.
The episode is also a showcase of how underprepared women were for marriage—and what comes with it. Daphne’s mother, Violet Bridgerton, has given her daughter no concrete information. So, when the wedding night ends in sex, Daphne has no clue that Simon just tried the pull-out method. This foreshadows the reveal that happens later in the season.
The high point is Simon pleading the couple’s case in front of the Queen. He’s being honest about what they went through and it’s touching especially for Daphne. The low point is Marina Thompson and Colin Bridgerton’s engagement, which seems forced and sped up for narrative purposes.
Season 3, Episode 3 “Forces of Nature”
Eloise’s half-apology to Penelope is the most touching moment of an episode that’s otherwise largely about Cressida and Penelope competing with one another to prove to Lord Debling who loves nature more. (Stuck between the trio, Eloise’s expressions of discomfort are plain to see.)
Neither of them has any actual care for nature. Cressida says she loves a good fur—hilarious!—with Eloise telling her to keep that fact to herself. Penelope eventually admits the truth to Debling, which works out quite well for her.
That courting is setting Colin off. Following the manufactured kiss in the previous episode, he seems to be drawn to Penelope now. But he can’t gather the courage to ask what he wants before she goes to dance with Debling.
The episode is also busy with several subplots. Francesca is taking the easy route whenever she can. Benedict gets cozy with a Lady Tilley Arnold who lost her husband seasons ago. She adores new ideas and brute strength. And we get the first glimpse of Violet’s story from Queen Charlotte continuing as Lady Danbury’s brother Marcus Anderson enters the picture.
Season 3, Episode 4 “Old Friends”
Colin and Penelope’s courtship is essentially skipped over as we go from Lord Debling nearly proposing to Colin fingering Penelope in her carriage and proposing once he’s done. It’s a sign of how #Polin isn’t really central to the third season. You wouldn’t wrap up the primary tale halfway into the season.
The other half of the episode is devoted to Francesca. She’s being courted by the Marquis Samadani who’s been handpicked by Queen Charlotte, but she’s more interested in the quiet John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin. It’s funny to see the two simply sit in silence and even when the Marquis shows up, the quiet Francesca only has eyes for the Earl. Samadani isn’t doing so well to impress any of the Bridgerton siblings—Eloise nearly rolls her eyes at his “book collecting” remark and Francesca gives him a distracted reply.
Kilmartin isn’t great at conversation either. When Francesca sees him in the street, he’s only able to make small talk about the music in the background. After Francesca offers a note-perfect critique, Kilmartin just leaves instead of trying to learn more about her. Turns out, he went off to get the song composed the way she would like. At the ball, he offers Francesca a sheet of music and she’s very happy to go home and play it to herself. Kilmartin may not have the words to offer but he’s better with gestures. Violet is bemused but smiles upon seeing her daughter’s happiness. The Queen? Not so much.
Season 3, Episode 1 “Out of the Shadows”
With her two sisters competing to see who can deliver an heir first, Penelope has a newfound charge to take a husband as she has no interest in living under either of their thumbs once they become the new lady of the Featherington household. Cue a glow-up for Penelope—a new style of dress, hair, and make-up. Funnily enough, it works too, as no one can keep their eyes off her at the first ball. But Penelope butchers it the moment she opens her mouth.
She finds some comfort in Francesca Bridgerton who also lacks confidence. Meanwhile, Colin tries to fix their friendship—after the things he said last season that Penelope overheard—by offering to help Penelope find a husband. But she’s also pushing herself into a corner by attacking Colin (and questioning his new personality) in her next Lady Whistledown edition. That’s the second Bridgerton she has annoyed—for she’s already lost the affections of Eloise. It’s ice-cold awkwardness between the two.
We get an intriguing conversation between Eloise and Colin (who’s being eyed by every lady) about their new selves. Eloise has found an unexpected new friend in Cressida Cowper of all people. After two seasons of keeping her one note, Bridgerton is finally expanding on Cressida. After she’s mean to Penelope at the ball and tears her dress, Eloise lets her know she didn’t like what she did. The two find common ground in how the season pits young ladies against each other, offering our first glimpse at how Cressida became who she is.
Season 1, Episode 1 “Diamond of the First Water”
Bridgerton’s first-ever episode is a bit bloated but that’s to be expected of a series premiere with an ensemble cast. Daphne is the focus, but she feels too vanilla. The Queen is largely aloof, Anthony is too controlling, and Lady Whistledown is given too much attention. Even as characters disparage what she says, her writings are the show’s centrepiece and source of humour.
Two bits that stood out to me—the physical comedy of the Featheringtons and a nice feminist touch when Daphne is cornered by Lord Nigel Berbrooke. She doesn’t need a man to rescue her, as she plants a punch right in his face.
Season 1, Episode 7 “Oceans Apart”
Marital bliss has dissolved into marital animosity in the penultimate episode of the season. Simon displays peak toxic masculinity as he says, “Separate households won’t be suffered until we know whether or not you’re with child,” implying that Daphne might sleep with others if he isn’t around.
Daphne finds parallels between her own marriage and potential child with what’s transpired between Colin and Marina. She’s completely heartbroken by the time the episode wraps up—getting her period means no baby. Realising how much he’s been hurting her, Simon wells up, suggesting that he might finally be able to overcome his hatred for his father.
Queen Charlotte Episode 1 “Queen to Be”
A young Charlotte goes through a whirlwind of emotions and a rollercoaster journey in the series premiere. Without her consent, she’s plucked from a small town in Germany and married to King George whom she’s never even seen. As she thinks of escaping before the marriage, we get a cute meeting with the young King.
But that happiness dies quickly after marriage as she learns that George has no intention of being in the same house as him. Why is that, though? The fact that the British Empire picked Charlotte signals their desperation. Not only is she a nobody but she’s also not white. George’s mother, Princess Augusta, notes as much, calling her very brown. It’s why she also invites rich black and brown families in a bid to “unite the ton”.
Season 2, Episode 1 “Capital R Rake”
In the sophomore premiere, new entrant Kate Sharma—who’s considered too old for marriage and is the daughter of an Indian clerk who ran off with an English lady—catches Anthony’s eye both on and off the ballroom floor. Kate is as headstrong as the Bridgerton lord and is used to running the affairs of her family. It’s why she clashes with Lady Danbury (over their knowledge and controlling nature) but then finds common ground over how Kate is simply trying to eclipse what someone else deemed of her life.
Elsewhere, now that the audience knows Penelope is Lady Whistledown, her best friend Eloise Bridgerton’s remarks about the gossipmonger hit much more personally. She inspires Penelope to be more than a gossip rag and advocate for a change in how women are valued in society—ha, fanciful! Whistledown doesn’t need to be anything more. Her readers wait with bated breath for every instalment and the anticipation has everyone running around. Heck, the Queen leaves halfway through the debutante presentation because of it.
Bridgerton is in on the joke. It knows that its characters (and by extension, its audience) love to consume gossip. But there’s a lack of bite in having your cake and eating it too.
Season 2, Episode 4 “Victory”
With the courting process stalling, Edwina pushes Kate and Anthony to like one another because she believes it will help with the proposal. But the innocent child doesn’t realise she’s helping them bond. And it’s not like they need help. They already shared a moment earlier after Anthony found a bee hovering over Kate and got scared for her because that’s how his father died. (So filmy!) Since then, they’ve stolen glances, spent some quiet time in the woods, and almost kissed late at night in the library.
Almost is the keyword. They are so bound to their sense of duty that Kate is still determined to leave for India the moment Edwina weds. And in response, a distraught Anthony suppresses love—so he doesn’t cause hurt to anyone like his mother suffered after his dad’s passing—and proposes to Edwina. Cue a hollow victory for all involved. Well, except Edwina, who’s still in the dark about it all miraculously.
Season 1, Episode 2 “Shock and Delight”
Much more dramatic than the pilot, the follow-up clues us in on Simon’s birth and expands on his abusive upbringing. His wish to never marry isn’t some teenage boy’s desire—it is a vow, a vengeance rooted in his hatred for his father. That gives it gravitas.
The episode also notes how most women had no voice, power, future, career, authority, or life outside of finding a husband in the 19th century. Eloise might be the unorthodox one amongst the Bridgerton sisters—she would like to go to university—but it’s not as if it bears fruit. She’s trapped all the same because she’s a woman.
Elsewhere, there are juvenile and uninformed discussions of how women get pregnant. Plus, there’s a subplot that revolves around how women are great at spreading gossip. I can’t tell if this is reducing the women to stereotypes or upending that with the women using it to their advantage.
Season 2, Episode 2 “Off to the Races”
The clash between Kate and Anthony continues in this episode. His advances towards Edwina are rebuffed as Kate keeps getting in the way. Still, Anthony keeps injecting himself into every possible situation. (Kate’s eye rolls are glorious.) She might have pegged him as someone who wants a wife to be genteel and breed children—from the conversation she overheard—but Anthony does his best here to be frank and admit, in public, that poetry isn’t for him. He’s being real.
The episode also provides us with the first blush of Eloise being confronted with ground reality. She’s always going on about women’s rights but it’s all talk. In her second bid to find Lady Whistledown, she runs into a lad who works at the printing shop and is put in her place. It’s a call for Eloise to get out of her lofty society and come down to the street.
Queen Charlotte Episode 6 “Crown Jewels”
It might have been the series finale for Their Majesties but the episode’s strongest moment, for me, was between Princess Augusta and Lady Danbury. As the former, Michelle Fairley is terrific all season but particularly good in the scene when the latter lost composure and broke down. Though she’s giving Agatha a reprimanding in name, she’s actually building her courage and resolve in telling her to endure and acknowledging how much she relishes their vocal battles.
As for the young King George and Queen Charlotte, while she may have been unsuccessful in preparing him for Parliament, she figures out how to be there for him and the wavelengths he can operate in. George is much better when Charlotte is around when he’s just focusing on the two of them and not distracted by all the noise around him. Hence, a dinner at their estate that brings the public to them. Or drowning it all out by hiding under the bed, a tactic that binds them through the present day.
It’s a touching end and a strength of the Queen’s character. Despite their struggles, they did have a life (of sorts) together, as Brimsley and Reynolds—the Queen and King’s footmen—had hoped for. However, we never learn what happened to Reynolds and their lifetime.
Season 2, Episode 8 “The Viscount Who Loved Me”
The contrived accident allows for some easy resolutions in the season finale. Still, it’s nice to see Edwina push Kate to live for herself. Anthony spends a big portion of the episode blaming himself but allows himself to overcome it at the Featheringon ball. After a dance that’s sure to raise the heartbeat—it’s very well done, mind you, especially the build-up to it with the classical rendition of the song—Anthony bares his heart and Kate finally gives in. Cue the fireworks (correctly this time)!
It’s not all happy. Bitter words are shared between Eloise and Penelope after the former discovers her best friend is Lady Whistledown. The two go at each other fiercely. It falls to the next season to handle the fallout. For now, we can relish in the comfort—and fierce sibling rivalry—that is pall-mall. It’s where the season was at its most entertaining and I’m happy to return to it.
Queen Charlotte Episode 3 “Even Days”
The episode cemented that this was a very different show from Bridgerton (which is usually light, fluffy, and full of gossip). In it, Charlotte witnesses George’s illness for the first time and finds a way to calm him down. That said, the episode did have some typical flourishes—the King and Queen may not be interacting much, but they are also weirdly smitten physically. I mean, they have sex in the dining room, with their footmen having to usher out the servants. (The excitement and attraction are portrayed quite well—it’s both funny and heated.)
They make time for some socialising too. The King and Queen’s presence makes the Danburys’ first ball a success. Every lord and lady were avoiding it (because racism) but that changed after Lady Danbury made a pointed impression to the Queen who’s been secluded in her bubble. As white and black couples dance with one another, The Great Experiment takes a step forward. And back home, the King is overjoyed with what Charlotte has achieved in one night. (The show is a little deluded and fantastical, mind you.)
A couple of other touching moments in this episode, too. One conversation about birthday hats that Violet’s dad used to make for her. And later, the older Lady Danbury expands on why she considers Violet fortunate. She loved her husband whereas Agatha loathed hers. His death—also in this episode in a funny manner—freed her. While Violet lives her life in sweet memory, Agatha lives hers in seething anger, with every act of hers a vengeance.
Season 1, Episode 8 “After the Rain”
In what is the episode of discoveries and resolutions, Daphne learns about Simon’s childhood and the Duke of Hastings begins his path to healing. Love is a choice, Daphne tells him. Simon chooses her over the vows and hate he harbours for his father. (Does it feel a tad too simple or convenient? Maybe.) The episode ends with a nine-month forward jump as Daphne delivers a baby boy.
Elsewhere, it’s heartbreak for Anthony who must learn to let Siena go. Lord Featherington believes he’s saved himself and his family (by fixing a boxing match) but they are ruined later. Marina learns that her former lover died in battle and agrees to the honourable marriage offer presented by his brother after learning that she’s still pregnant.
And there’s a fun conversation between Eloise and the modiste, Madame Delacroix, about doing the right thing and not getting axed by the Queen.
Queen Charlotte Episode 5 “Gardens in Bloom”
This is the lonely woman episode that explores how women’s worlds are so constricted. What are their lives without the men?
Because of George’s condition, Charlotte has been alone most of her life. She has a husband but only in name. She may have 15 children, but she lacks companionship.
Post her husband’s death, Lady Danbury doesn’t have an identity of her own. She was promised as his wife when she was three. So, she never developed any tastes, desires, or wants of her own. When she sits down with her solicitor, he offers blunt advice: “Why, what all impoverished widows do—seek a male relative or remarry.”
In the present day, Violet’s “garden” is in bloom, having gone quiet for years after the death of her husband. This is the funniest, least composed, and most embarrassed we’ve seen her ever.
What makes the episode a joy is that in the loneliness of these women, Queen Charlotte tackles very straightforwardly what Bridgerton never touches upon: the desires of mature women. Agatha and Violet, in their advanced age, crave companionship just as much as others.
Season 1, Episode 3 “Art of the Swoon”
This episode is like a rom-com movie in a microcosm. Daphne and Simon go from laughing and bonding at Prince Friedrich to a “breakup” of sorts as Simon is left feeling jealous after Daphne has the Prince spinning around her finger.
There’s light flirty fun peppered throughout. Daphne learns of masturbation from Simon and that “release” gives Daphne the drive to overcome her artist’s block and finish her pianoforte composition.
We also get a 19th-century version of speed dating. Some cannot hold a conversation, some are boastful of the lands they hold, and some are mama’s boys who fail to see the person in front of them. It’s quite funny. I guess some things never change even 200 years later.
Season 2, Episode 5 “An Unthinkable Fate”
There’s still a will they won’t they going on between Kate and Anthony in this episode. He maintains he’s a gentleman and will marry Edwina. Despite what she wants, Kate advises Anthony to continue with the wedding. (It’s a touching moment.) They are so bound by duty, honour, and doing the right thing. A heated argument descends into passion, but both do their utmost to keep apart. The scene is quite well handled—you can feel the intensity, the heat of the moment through the screen.
But Kate’s dedication to her family—and the silence she’s maintained over the deal with the Sheffields, which involves getting Edwina married to an English nobleman to be bestowed their fortune—spectacularly blows up in her face at dinner with the entire family. The Sharmas and the Bridgertons learn the truth and, naturally, they are not happy with the deception. (Still, Anthony’s defence of the Sharmas at the moment is admirable.) I mean, Kate had to know that the bigots were not going to keep quiet, right?
Season 2, Episode 3 “A Bee in Your Bonnet”
It’s lovely to see all the youngsters—the Bridgerton siblings and the Sharma sisters—and their banter in this pall-mall episode. (Except for Edwina who’s quite reserved and not as competitive.) Their true selves are emerging, so it’s quite fun to witness. Anthony and Kate are clearly made for each other. Not only are there parallels, given the protective role they play as the elder sibling, but there’s respect and attraction. Daphne sees it too in the glance she offers.
Complementing the fun we have the heavy backstory—also the only flashback in the second season. We learn how Edmund Bridgerton died a decade before the events of the show and how it broke Violet and forever changed Anthony’s personality. Violet has been a peripheral figure who’s always pestering her children or prodding them into something she deems fit. But this episode afforded her more room while also reflecting on the responsibilities Anthony had to suddenly burden.
Queen Charlotte Episode 4 “Holding the King”
The King George episode of the Queen Charlotte series shifts how you view what the show has been until now. It’s very well done.
As the events of the first three episodes are replayed from George’s perspective, we get an insight into how he’s been, why he avoided marriage, why he’s avoided Charlotte ever since, and acted all aloof and only interested in science and agriculture. It helps us understand why George has been behaving the way he was behaving. He was afraid of Charlotte finding out, felt she deserved better, and that she would run away if she found out. He was protecting himself and shielding her from the ugly reality.
He might appear as a bad husband—the lack of communication doesn’t help his cause. But he’s more a tragic figure. He’s a man stuck in an era where he can’t get the help he needs. A man of science in a world where science doesn’t have all the answers. George does want to be with Charlotte. But he’s scared and that’s why he tries to ease things in. From his perspective, it’s a gesture, then a bigger step, and then maybe more. But for Charlotte, who has had nothing, the puppy has no significance, and a meal looks like a token.
It doesn’t help that he has the added stress of being the king. A certain kind of life is expected of him. That pushes him beyond the edge. The episode ends poignantly and brings home who the episode is about. As George stands outside the door and listens to his wife and mother argue about the truth that was kept from her, he shatters. Not knowing what to do, he returns to the one guy—the doctor—who claims to have the answers.
Season 2, Episode 6 “The Choice”
The wedding-that-never-was episode is full of really good conversations. There’s one between Daphne and Anthony pre-wedding, Anthony and Kate after Edwina runs from the altar, and Kate and Edwina quavering at the truth.
The first one is my favourite. Anthony carries both pride and guilt in his role as head of the Bridgerton household. He’s duty-bound to be a certain way because he must place the family ahead of everything, including himself. He’s punishing himself, reminding everyone that he’s doing it for them, and in a sense resenting them because they have it easier, and then ending up in a place that does not give him happiness but a feeling of self-righteousness.
On top of that, a bunch of nice touches elsewhere—Lady Danbury and Lady Bridgerton nervously laughing because they can’t find a solution to the Anthony–Edwina marriage dilemma. Edwina is the most composed one when loony King George runs into the room where there are four adults: her mother, the Queen, Lady Danbury, and Lady Bridgerton. (In fact, the entire episode is about Edwina finding herself and her voice—it’s wonderful to witness.)
And the haldi scene between the Sharmas cut in parallel to the Bridgerton brothers drinking, all scored to a classical instrumental rendition of the Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham theme song. I’ve no love for the movie but this scene is a winner. Top marks!
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What do you think?