i’ve seen so many negative reviews of Bridgerton concerning it’s ‘forced diversity’. Which is what one would take away from it if you only watched the first 10 minutesIf you stopped to watch the whole thing, you’d see it’s anything but forced.
Consider our historical context here:
Around the time the story takes place, the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade would’ve been nearing it’s end, with debates over slavery in England reaching their peak. Not to mention, that by this time, India had been colonized.
Many black and brown people began to make their way into English society, and not only the lower factions. While the vast majority of us lived in poverty and cruel conditions, there were some of us who managed to make it out on top. There is documented evidence of our existence in Regency Society. We were simply hidden from the gaze of the world for so long because for so long we have allowed the oppressor to write all of our history.
Not only that, but Queen Charlotte has long been rumored to have been biracial, coming from the Black Branch of the Portuguese Royal Family. Therefore, having a black Queen Charlotte might’ve been more historically accurate than having a paper white one
Therefore, on all counts, the diversity in Bridgerton cannot be considered forced, but rather, long over due. We have always, and always will be, part of your history, whether the delicate sensibilities of white conservatives can handle it or not. And every time a black/brown creative makes it to a place of power, a place like Bridgerton created, we come a little bit further out of the wings and into the limelight. This very sentiment is reflected in arguably one of the most poignant scenes in Bridgerton: (minor spoilers)
When Duke Simon and Lady Danbury are discussing love, Lady Danbury comments on just how they got to their position. She tells Simon that thanks to the love between one of their own, Queen Charlotte, and the King, they were given an opportunity to rise.
(side note: while this is very important historically and plot-wise, it was also very refreshing to witness. very often in stories of romance and drama, the struggles of poc are sidelined in favor of a more frivolous tone. Bridgerton addresses it head on, in a realistic way) But, by having a person who looked, spoke, and lived like them in a place of power, they were able to come that much closer to living a fully realized life as peers of their white counterparts. Bridgerton manages to not only deliver a sharp commentary on the state of historical revisionism and the state of inclusion in society, but also describe their own experience. Bridgerton’s diversity is far from forced, it is historically accurate, it is relevant (both in our world and theirs), and it adds a level of nuance and depth to their world, that I had not expected from it. It immerses you in it’s world further, and it gives me and other black and brown folks like me a world in which I can finally see myself reflected in the way that our ancestors paved the way for. It is exactly what historical representation should be.
In conclusion: WATCH BRIDGERTON IT IS SO FUCKING GOOD
Me, on a budget, buying four Joaquin Phoenix movies in a row:
My bank account:
Mizu arrived in London
Why do you always expect the worst to happen for no reason! Why do you always think badly about yourself! Geez, you’re so difficult! Damn, you idiot!
Don’t call me an idiot…
Dear Neil Gaiman
Thank you for a really wonderful second season believe me when I say any of my imagination could meke this so beautiful as you did, thank you for giving me joy and broke my heart in this season, I hope for the thirt to be like this one and give me the emotion as the first time.
Sincerely thank you.
What if Mo knows that he is gay and just think that He Tian joking around with him?
I doubt that Mo is aware of his sexuality, anon-san. These boys are what, fifteen y.o.? That’s just about the age when teens are discovering their sexuality, and I doubt that Mo can say with 100% certainty that he’s gay or straight or bi or whatever else. “Knowing” that he’s gay would imply that he has experienced attraction to the same sex before, which I doubt is the case. With Mo being a victim of bullying, I think that he probably has troubles feeling drawn to others and developing emotional attachments. That’s just part of how psychological defences might play in his case.
Here’s what he says supposedly about girls that he likes:
And here’s how he reacts to He Tian talking about liking him more and more:
Not to mention his reaction upon seeing that infamous dikpik. Which was pretty vivid, lol.
So, again, I really doubt that Mo is aware of his sexuality or that it is set in stone. Yet.
As for playing around part, that’s spot on. With Mo being suspicious and constantly on his guard, it’s a likely mentality. Victims of bullying quite often develop some form of paranoia and believe that the world is hostile. He certainly believes that He Tian is bugging him out of boredom, and all of his gestures of kindness are but another ploy. Maybe he thinks that HT gets kicks out of making a street kid do his house chores and etc. Hell, he probably believes that all of HT being nice to him is yet another way for HT to use people (like types of She Li did): get close to Mo, get past his defences, and BAM! backstab. I think OX stressed this during the subway scene, where the girl bumped into HT. After that, even HT noted that Mo looked down.
OX used here deliberate framing: we are shown MGS face on purpose. The reason for this is that Momo (against his better judgement) gotten used to HT’s attention, and HT suddenly taking off to chase a girl just reminded him of the fact that he is (in Mo’s perception) just a plaything for a spoiled wealthy brat. That’s why he looks so frustrated and pissed here. I know that a lot of people interpret it as jealousy, but to me, it rather looked like Momo thinking that he’s just a toy. This feeling was exacerbated by the fact that Momo accidentally let it slip that he’ll remember He Tian forever. To someone like Mo, it was akin to showing underbelly.
So yep, he does believe that HT is toying around with him, but it doesn’t necessarily carry romantic/sexual subtext.
I hope this answers the question~
never would i have thought that bill would describe penny so s of t l y....
finding his scary voice in it: chapter II
for my buddy zella on twitter :^)
i have ko-fi if u fancy supporting a starving art queer
his little “boo” 🥺
I get that message from facebook team a lot.
Awwww he’s so cute and fluffy
Oh oh…oh my
OH MY
OH my GOD
oh fuCK
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