TV Review: “Bridgerton: After the Rain”

And so we come at last to the finale of Bridgerton, and what a finale it is! At long last, Simon and Daphne find a way to get past their mutual recriminations to find true love; Marina ends up in a match with the brother of her beloved (who has been killed on the field of battle); and the Featheringtons must contend with the death of their patriarch after he manipulates a victory in a boxing match. And, at the very end, we finally discover the identity of the gossip-monger Whistledown: Penelope Featherington herself.

Let’s begin with the romance between Simon and Daphne. When we left them last episode, they were prepared to go their separate ways, since Simon simply couldn’t bring himself to subject her to his own brokenness. It’s only when she uncovers the stash of unopened and unread letters that Simon sent to his brooding and distant father that she comes to realize why he is the way that he is. In a beautifully shot — and exquisitely acted — sequence that takes place in the rain, Daphne finally tells him just how very much he loves him, in the hopes that doing so will finally convince him that he is not broken and that he does, in fact, deserve to be happy. I’ve loved Phoebe Dynevor’s performance as Daphne from the very first scene, and she gives this moment her all.

As much as I enjoyed Daphne’s reconciliation with Simon, for me Lady…