Episode 6 of Season 2 of "Bridgerton" kicks off with Queen Charlotte adamantly determined to make this wedding an absolute triumph. Part of her resolve stems from her determination to trap our author and unmask the mysterious Lady Whistledown.
As the eve of the wedding approaches, Anthony's haste to push forward the ceremony is palpable. One can sense his eagerness to "just get it done," already slipping into bitter regret. His resolve is further tested by the fact that Benedict and Colin are free to pursue their own romantic interests, while Anthony feels bound by familial duty.
Meanwhile, Madame Delacroix arrives with news for Penelope, revealing that Theo Sharpe is the man from the printing company and the one Eloise was secretly meeting in the previous episode. Penelope is deeply concerned, fearing that Lady Whistledown's identity is in jeopardy of being fully exposed. Eloise, however, insists that she's only seeing Theo for his "friendship," though Penelope remains unconvinced.
The morning of the wedding arrives, and everyone bustles about, pretending that all is well. However, Daphne knows better than most the hollowness of pretending to be in love. She confronts Anthony in private, acknowledging his changed behavior and urging him to prioritize his happiness rather than solely fulfilling his familial obligations. She warns him that the family pities his choices, knowing how much they pain him.
With these words echoing in his mind, Anthony arrives at the church, ready to be betrothed to Edwina. Kate appears first, and Anthony watches her with a mixture of anticipation and resignation. The scene is charged with emotion, as everyone gathers to witness what is meant to be a joyous occasion, but which, for Anthony, feels like a burden he must bear.As the ceremony unfolded, Anthony's gaze involuntarily drifted towards Kate, envisioning her in the wedding dress instead of Edwina. Suddenly, the bracelet on Kate's wrist snapped, prompting Anthony to bend down and offer assistance. The lingering look they shared, however, triggered a reaction in Edwina, who fled the room abruptly.
Edwina sensed the purity of their mutual affection, and with the entire room in chaos, Kate hurriedly pursued her sister. In a private moment, Kate was questioned about her feelings for Anthony, and Edwina sensed her love, albeit hidden beneath the surface.
Everything seemed to be unraveling, as Violet realized that Daphne was keeping a secret revelation from them. Moreover, the Queen blamed Lady Danbury for the mess surrounding the marriage, fearing that Whistledown would write about the wedding and criticize her choice of diamond. Nevertheless, her plan to uncover Whistledown's identity persisted.
Meanwhile, Anthony confronted Edwina and left the decision of whether to proceed with the marriage or not entirely up to her. Their union was devoid of love, instead, it was bound by commitment and necessity. Kate also reassured Edwina, emphasizing that the marriage was her destiny, meant to unite their two families.
However, Edwina refused to be swayed, reassuring Kate that if she chose to go through with the marriage, it would be for her own happiness and not because of any pressure from Kate.
Amidst the scandals brewing, Lady Featherington persisted in her attempts to pair Jack with Prudence. Unexpectedly, Jack ended up flirting with Lady Featherington in private. Another promising match-up was brewing between Pen and Colin, as the latter finally began to grasp the truth behind Mariana's words about Penelope from several episodes ago.
Edwina stands poised before the esteemed royals, ready to voice her thoughts, yet suddenly, George bursts into the chamber, eager for more fireworks. With deft diplomacy, Edwina soothes his excitement while introducing the profound theme of love. She argues that every individual deserves the autonomy to make their own choices, even amidst trying times, leaving her with a profoundly challenging decision to make.
A letter, filled with urgency, wings its way to both Kate and Anthony, inviting them to a clandestine meeting in the chapel. Edwina's intention is clear: she desires to cancel the wedding. She cannot wed Anthony solely for the sake of duty or familial honor. Instead, she longs for what Anthony and Kate share - a bond that can only be forged by calling off the nuptials entirely.
As Edwina departs, Kate and Anthony finally allow themselves to embrace the emotions that have been simmering beneath the surface throughout the season. They surrender to their feelings and share a passionate kiss, a triumphant moment in their unfolding romance.
