‘The Bridgertons’: Kate and Anthony’s sex scene is more daring than it seems

Spoilers for season 2 of ‘The Bridgertons’

Barely a week after ‘The Bridgertons’ returned to our screens, leads Anthony and Kathani ‘Kate’ Sharma have already won over viewers with their romance, turning from enemies to lovers.

Though possibly through fewer sex scenes than in season 1, their relationship slowly but surely builds into a beautifully frustrating game that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. (Courtesy of Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley performances, of course.)

In the second season of the Shondaland series, the bond of the central characters is based on both jokes and moments charged with intimacy, with the touch of fingers appearing much more frequently than direct and raunchy sequences.

Comparisons to the racier first part, centered on Daphne’s (Phoebe Dynevor) sexual awakening, seem almost inevitable, but the second season isn’t as prudish as it may first appear. It’s perhaps sexier, though Kate and Anthony’s sexual tension isn’t fully released until around 50 minutes into episode seven. Significantly, this long-awaited sequence exceeds expectations with its accurate portrayal of female pleasure.

‘Harmony’ treats fans to one of the most daring sequences in the entire series and, more importantly, it’s told from Kate’s point of view. This takes place shortly after her first secret kiss with Anthony, and the conclusion of a rather disappointing triangular story with her sister Edwina (Charithra Chandran), who departs from her in part of the Julia Quinn novels. .

A chance encounter in the garden leads to a steamy sequence as Kate and Anthony’s bickering bring them closer. A self-proclaimed knight, the viscount is hesitant, but it is Kate who leads the game and tells him not to stop. Her attitude defies the misconception that women are delicate creatures who may not enjoy or want sex as much (or more) than men, as the conduct books for young ladies at the time seemed to suggest.

Once again, the series upends the narrative of convention as the female lead takes control of her own desire. As a string rendition of ‘How Deep Is Your Love’ plays in the background, she gives Anthony her enthusiastic consent and they tangle in a scene focused on her pleasure.

Crucially, the scene challenges the supposed centrality of penis-in-vagina (PIV) sex. It is a universally recognized truth that women and people with vaginas do not reach orgasm through penetration alone, yet television and movies rarely portray clitoral stimulation realistically.

‘The Bridgertons’ makes sure to understand that good things take time and no, Kate is not expected to have an orgasm as soon as she is touched. The montage we get to see implies that Kate and Anthony’s encounter lasts longer than is shown, as opposed to the brevity of the male-centric three-way sex scene we’ve seen countless times on screen.

Visually, the camera stays on Kate’s face brimming with pleasure as Anthony takes her on, the focus shifting from the partner who gives to the partner who receives.

Interestingly, the most sensual element of this sex scene might be the memory of Kate the next morning. After sneaking away from Anthony in his sleep, Kate returns to her room.

Alone, she is immersed in flashbacks of her adventure in the garden: it is her feminine gaze joining sensual morsels, culminating in an image of Anthony’s face between her legs.

This scene also offers a different perspective on premarital sex. Kate and Anthony are not married (not even engaged) and are out in the open, risking being caught at any moment. An element that adds to the spice of everything, but can also damage his reputation, particularly Kate’s.

Viewers know that in the cut-throat London marriage market where the series takes place, few things are more scandalous for a young woman than being seen unaccompanied in the company of a man.

This is what happened to Daphne and the Duke (Regé-Jean Page) in the first season when they were forced to marry after being seen kissing.

At that time, the notions of chastity and abstinence were inevitably connected to status. While upper-class ladies were not expected to engage in or enjoy sexual activities, men did have a number of encounters with lovers from various walks of life.

Anthony is no exception, not only with his relationship with Siena (Sabrina Bartlett) in the first season, but also with casual encounters with sex workers in the second season.

Still taboo in some cultures and religions, premarital sex was not uncommon for working-class women of the Regency era. Those from lower social classes had sexual relationships, sometimes within monogamous relationships outside of marriage.

In light of this, it would make sense for Kate, who is committed to supporting herself as a governess in India, to rule out sex tied to marriage. Her enjoyment of her moment despite social rules is a testament to her fresh and modern approach to sex, as well as her curious and pragmatic personality.

Later, when Anthony wants to patch things up and asks her to marry him, Kate refuses, still determined to leave London. The series has its own happy ending with the couple getting married off-screen, but it differs from the book in one crucial respect. In the novels, Kate and Anthony are caught in a compromising circumstance together, much like Daphne and Simon in the first season, and are forced to marry to avoid a scandal.

Repeating that narrative would not only have felt uninspired, it would have done a disservice to Kate and her rebellious and headstrong nature. Instead, Bridgerton has chosen to pave the way for more progressive storylines, proving that she can elevate the source material and spark exciting things for her female characters.

Season 2 of ‘The Bridgertons’ is now available on Netflix.