‘Bridgerton’ Season 2: Fans Learn Why Anthony Wasn’t Keen on a Loving Marriage
Lord Anthony Bridgerton was a playboy who had no desire to marry until Bridgerton Season 2. While Lady Bridgerton always pushed her children to marry out of love, Anthony was dead set on doing the opposite. He looks for a bride out of family duty who is well-read and respectable. Love had no place in Anthony’s heart, and fans learn the tragic reason why.
[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Bridgerton Season 2]
Anthony Bridgerton looks to fulfill a role in ‘Bridgerton’ Season 2
After Daphne’s success of marrying the Duke of Hasting in season one, it is time for the eldest Bridgerton to marry begrudgingly. Since the first season, Anthony had a lover and had no real plans of settling down like it was expected of him.
In Bridgerton Season 2, a new season has arrived as Eloise is presented for the marriage market. Anthony also lets his family know he will look for a bride and his mother brazenly announces it at the first ball of the season. He soon sets his eye on the newcomer Edwina Sharma. The diamond of the season
His plans to court her go wrong when Kate Sharma learns of his true intentions for marriage. While speaking with a group of men, he explains love is the last thing he is worried about. He wants a woman with a “pleasing face, an acceptable wit, and genteel manner.”
In episode two, he explains to Benedict it is for the good of his family that he choose a bride with his head and not his heart. But fans soon learn in Bridgerton Season 2 the tragic backstory as to why Anthony turns away from love.
The death of Lord Bridgerton pushed Anthony to not want a love marriage
Fans finally get the backstory to the demise of Lord Bridgerton. In the first season, Anthony is already the viscount, and there are small moments where the characters lament the death of the patriarch. Bridgerton Season 2 explains his death and how it affected Anthony.
In a “Bee in Your Bonnett,” a younger Anthony goes hunting with his father. Lord Bridgerton picks flowers for his wife on their way back to the estate. A bee stings him when he tries to swat it away. Lord Bridgerton has an allergic reaction to the sting and goes into shock. A pregnant Lady Bridgerton runs to his aid, but he dies in her arms.
His father’s death pushes Anthony to become the head of the household while still trying to grieve. When his mother is giving birth, he cannot make any decisions. His mother yells in agony that the decision of who gets to live is only up to her husband. Another flashback reveals how after the birth of the youngest, Lady Bridgerton goes into a depressive state.
Anthony is unable to do anything as she not only grieves the loss of her children’s father but her true love. She even laments her ill thoughts of the baby not killing her so she could be with her husband. “Edmund was the air that I breathed. And now there is no air,” said Lady Bridgerton. The effect the death had on his mother is why Anthony does not want to love.
Does Anthony break his promise and find a happily ever after in ‘Bridgerton’ Season 2?
Understanding what Anthony went through and seeing how his father’s death affected his mother left a mark. It is likely why Anthony wants a marriage where he is not an emotional burden to his wife. When he speaks with his mother at his father’s grave, she tries to convince him to love.
Anthony only wants a pleasant life, “untouched by heartbreak, and the ravages of grief.” It seems Anthony’s deadset ways needed someone to challenge them. Bridgerton Season 2 has Kate play a lustful game with Anthony as they cannot give in to their feelings for each other.
After a tumultuous season and moments of fright, Anthony and Kate decide to no longer care about society’s rules and give in. By the end of the season, Kate becomes his viscountess and Anthony opens his heart to love.
Bridgerton Season 2 is available to stream on Netflix.
