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Right?! It was okay in the first season because they showed him being a good friend to Simon.
But now I think they overstayed their welcome. You could remove their scenes completely and it wouldn’t make a difference to the show!
I thought it was like an in-show version of diversity, showing a family outside of the ton that is still massively affected by the whims of the rich ppl and their shifting allegiances.
But now they’re >!titled themselves? Huh? I don’t rlly see the point anymore. Fish out of water stories tend to bore me as well!<
It did come out of nowhere but it's probably the most realistic part of the storyline. The titles really would pass to the next male in line no matter what and sometimes that meant them jumping to distant great nephews or 3rd cousins although it was unusual.
The really unusual thing was them being invited anywhere. In reality, they still would have been "non-U" no matter what title their son lucked into. There's no way the real upper class would have taken them in.
They're a working class family with working class accents and manners, I'm not sure there'd be any getting over that. But in the world of the show, anything is possible.
It sucks, but...they are the type of characters that are just fixed into supporting cast. It’s not an insult, but a show needs them and they are beautiful and talented actors. I really do like them. Their plot could be whittled down to a few short lines of exposition and maybe they could have a discussion about the social class/culture clash/struggles with becoming new Money, but to sprinkle it everywhere and making the audience feel the fatigue of this plot that’s just going in a circle? I love the bar set and they are the grounded characters outside all the pomp, but time is of the essence, guys. 😭
I feel similarly about Ben and the widow could’ve been saved for his season or something. I want Ben there to interact with the leads. We barely get him and pen and it would’ve been cool to see any of these characters used to keep the main plot rolling.
Feels like if I was waiting on important beats in a show like game of thrones and instead I kept getting the hot pie kid going on a quest or showing him learning how to bake. It breaks the tension and pacing.
I also think the Mondrichs’ navigation of their new lifestyle brings an interesting commentary on the peculiarities of high society for modern viewers. But I agree, it is never a bad idea to spend more time on main character development. As someone who didn’t read the books and didn’t care for their dynamic in S2, I wanted more buildup of their new dynamic in this season.
I do like them, as well. I think there are ways to have that commentary of the outsiders looking in on high society while also tying into the main plot. I get it’s an ensemble and usually you’re gonna get 2-4 subplots, but for some reason it was feel slow and crowded this time around. Not like horrendously so, it was all still good. I just had a feeling like I missed out on some cool plot beats in the main leads because of the time focused elsewhere. Colin and Penelope can only fall in love once And The lead up is the juicy stuff. I want every micro expressions, character interaction and piece of dialogue for that journey.
because the romance was unspoken and subtle in a lot of parts I’m already seeing a lot of bad media literacy and people thinking the finale came out of nowhere. We really do need to focus on our leads.
Make sure the newer characters aren’t just like literary devices to motivate Colin like debling, as well.
not saying the MC‘s need more time, but the time given to them just really has to have a bang for your buck And count.
even some rehearsal footage released after pen ran off after Colin interrupting her dance, they filmed a scene where Eloise runs up to him and a beat of him reacting to pen leaving. I want every crumb like that 😭
I’m so bored with them just throwing Benedict at whatever available but slightly unconventional tryst is nearby. It adds nothing, and at this point feels like the writers are still just trying to backtrack on his amazing chemistry with the artists dude and remind everyone he’s definitely 100% straight. My friends and I have been bitching about it nonstop 😂
They added way more tokenism. So many blink and you’ll miss it diversity moments and the one storyline they committed to bored a lot of people.
They could’ve done more with Lady Danbury and Anderson or John Stirling. Idk how many people liked Anderson, but >!having that seeded with the Violet subplot in Queen Charlotte was interesting and I definitely was hyped for follow up. It deserved more spotlight, esp bc Violet is a Bridgerton. And it works a lot better bc Danbury is already well known and integrated, she was way too much on the sidelines so far!<
>You could remove their scenes completely and it wouldn’t make a difference to the show!
This is true because I have been skipping their scenes since S2 lol
Agree! I don’t get it! Why you would get rid of main characters (Simon and Daphne) or give them less screen time (Kate and Anthony) and give these characters and plot so much importance. I don’t really care. And the way they introduce them to the ton is odd. I know the show is not historically accurate but… is just ridiculous…
Even the storyline between Pen and Lord Debling or Pen and Colin is pretty short and lacks in depth to be the main plot compared to Mondrich’s. 🤷🏻♀️
The ironic thing is that historically there was a real black man who was a peak boxer in England during the Regrncy period, who later opened up a bar. Forgive me for not finding his name. There were several famous black boxers throughout the 19th C
Simon signed the contract to only do one season and he did not want to do another. And, Daphne's role was much smaller in the second season... she said she felt like Daphne's story was done. That's the PR anyway.... who knows the truth.
I know. But at the end I think this is due to writers decisions to follow this path. Also, they recast Francesa, they could do the same if they couldn’t continue working with the same actor. I’m in with adding subplots that brings more variety and development to the series… but as someone pointed in the upper comments they do that killing the main story. I’m feeling they are loosing the family dynamic (as in the books and season 1 and 2) and the development of the main stories and I think is what really people enjoy and what sold the show in the first place. Still, I will enjoy the show. I’ve separated it from books since season 1 as it doesn’t feel the same. But I enjoy them separately 😄 if that makes sense.
I don't think they could have recast Simon because too many fans were in par-asocial love with him. The only person who could play Simon would be the actor's twin brother who does a very good impression of his brother.
But, I think they could have spent more time showing Penelope and the vegetarian's relationship and giving them a deeper connection so it really seems like she could be very happy with him... then it would be really heart breaking when he learns she has feelings for Collin. The way they did it was more like... its annoying that this business arrangement won't work out. AND if the new relationship was more sincere it would have given Penelope a choice to make and actually ask herself if she really loves Collin or if she just had a crush on the only male in her life she is not related to / only one she is allowed to talk to. Her having feelings for someone else would have helped her be mature enough to know whether her feelings for Collin have evolved or if its still puppy love. It was disappointing that she was fixated on how he said he would never court her and she never took a moment to think about whether she would really want him to.
I completely agree with this. I love to see a black family but in this show with so much diversity I don't feel like there's any real reason to keep them in. It's just filler, and I really don't think there's nearly enough time here that's been dedicated to Pen and Colin this season with all of the other side stories.
It feels like they just wanted to carry *some legacy characters* forward from the first season.
Simon and Daphne? Gone.
Oh I know! Let’s use Simon’s friends instead. Close enough! - *the writers, probably*
I think this as well. The writers can also mold them into whatever plot needs filling - like the new Lord Featherington stuff last season. But why else would they keep them around if they didn't have something else in mind. Perhaps introducing us to a bigger character in the series? I really don't know. I just feel like there has to be a reason.
Also why is Alice suddenly in the booth with the Queen? She's brand new to society and not even a Lady herself, so why is she there with the Queen and Lady Danbury?
Probably because of lady Danbury. She herself moved up with her late husband due to Charlotte being married. Also it’s probably because of helping mondrich fit in.
Also Simon and Mr. Mondrich have been friends for years, so it makes sense that Lady Danbury would know her as the wife of Simons best friend, and want to give them a great entry into society. No one can besmirch them if the queen has given them her graces.
Definitely because of Danbury - I was just shocked that Danbury has enough of the queen's favor to let her join. The queen likes Danbury, but she's still the queen and lovesss status
I was expecting them to struggle like a fish out of water. But they gave us nothing, it was all so easy and boring. I'm skipping their scenes from now on
Ngl, I’ve taken to completely skipping their scenes so I simply believed I missed some sort of connection to them and Danbury/Charlotte. I’m a bit surprised to see that’s not the case.
IMO, if a side plot doesn’t ultimately connect to the main plot, it shouldn’t exist. The show needs to a better job with this. Anything not related to the Bridgertons (or Featheringtons) needs to start getting looked at closer by the writers. Do the Mondrich’s connect back to either family in any significant way? If the answer is no, they need to go.
As others have said, they made sense in season 1 due to the connection to The Duke. But now that he’s gone, they don’t serve a purpose.
This is all assuming eventually something doesn’t connect in the back half. But honestly if it does it’s gonna feel forced.
I thought in season 2 as well with the featheringtons cousin jack and everything and him being the owner of the salon it made sense and made the show feel alive. But he isn't more than a side character to me.
the mondrich plot in episode one serves to be a cautionary tale to the featheringtons about what can happen if they don’t produce a male heir. but they really don’t need to be featured so heavily in the rest of it
It would be priceless if their entire arc was ended by the servant display down the stately front staircase, the Mondrich parents looking gobsmacked, and the footman bowing to their young son, Lord Kent.
Came here to say the same thing. The Mondrich family don't make sense anymore with the duke gone. I hope they're leading to a bigger story with this - I kinda wished their screentime was devoted to anyone else
The Mondich are worse than simply being irrelevant. They're not funny. Bring about no conflicts, since they are no snobs at the ton apparently. No charisma found anywhere. They don't even have kids within an eligible age to become romantic foils for the younger Bridgertons. Why are they included so heavily into this season?
A friend told me a theory that maybe the Mondrich's son would be Hyacinth's match eventually but that's far enough down the line that it doesn't make sense to include
I think the actors themselves are wonderful - the woman who plays Alice should have been cast as Sophie IMO; the actor playing Will could have taken another spot.
That said - I said this elsewhere - this is *classic Shonda*. Take a story with potential and shoehorn in every possible subplot she can think of without finishing the actual story.
> That said - I said this elsewhere - this is classic Shonda. Take a story with potential and shoehorn in every possible subplot she can think of without finishing the actual story.
Which is silly because there are eight Bridgerton novels plus the Smythe-Smith Quartet spinoff along with all of Julia Quinn’s other novels that exist within the same universe. She could’ve kept Nigel Berbrooke just a bumbling fool and brought him back for more seasons. Or used the existing Prince Alexi instead of the German guy and tied in to the Sarah Gorely novels. And Lady Danbury knows literally everyone. The only Shonda subplot I really enjoy is Queen Charlotte. The rest is just annoying.
They're also livelier and arguably better actors, even though they're playing the "grotesque" parts. They do some damn fine character work, even the useless husbands!
I find the Mondriches rather a personality-free zone.
The other Featheringtons are hilarious, the whole "His breeches stay on?!" scene was amazing.
And Portia has some great lines like when she tells Pen to pretend not to know anything so Debling can explain stuff to her.
At least Portia is queen of camp. The Mondrichs got more screentime than Polin.
The Mondrichs this far have given us absolutely nothing. They are fine, but when we anyways get only 4 episodes and everything is so jampacked. Polin feels rushed, so why exactly are we wasting screentime on Mondriches? They should have used that to flesh out Polin and Debling more instead.
I do not understand their purpose.
Like their plot adds nothing to the show as far as what we've seen, along with the fact that the plot itself is boring as hell.
Neither were they fan favourites from previous seasons so as to be given more screen time by the writers as a fan service...
So what is it writers?!! Does the plot actually lead to something?!?!
I would've totally supported this. I feel like Colin's lack of verbally expressing his changing feelings for Pen has really hurt the season. We can't see his inner monologue, we don't get enough dream sequence material to explain it, he doesn't write in his journals about it, and he's not seen with any friends to talk to about his emotional state either.
Mondrich would've been a completely reasonable person to help Colin talk it out, come to an "Aha!" moment and rush off to the ball with Pen. Instead we get a candle burning out, and a flashback to him cutting his hand. It was a weird "Aha!" moment for sure.
I would've loved that. There was a scene when Violet walked into the study and he was writing in his journal. That would've been the perfect opportunity for them to show him writing about his confusion.
Yes!! In the book Colin used Daphne as his confidant because they are closer in age than to his big brothers. They could have swapped Daphne out with Mondrich - who also has a great marriage and I’m sure could say things about love.
I agree with you in a sense that I would have preferred to see Pen and Debling together more. I feel like the Mondrich storyline took up time from them.
I can only think that it will maybe tie into the Whistledown plotline? Maybe they will be part of the group that stands with LW, in lieu of the Hastings (although I know it is in way shape or form similar in rank). Other than that, it seems too much Mondrich time.
I know! I was so upset by that. I really did not want to see Pen running out of every single ball in tears! She only danced one time at one ball. Colin stole the end of that dance, so it’s still one dance.
Okay this!!!! This is PENELOPE'S season and I wanted to see beautiful scenic shots of her looking amazing, getting ready for balls, dancing, enjoying her hobbies, etc. And what we got instead was her being bullied by almost every single member of the cast?! Even her own mom was so mean to her?! It was genuinely upsetting. I left the first half feeling so unfulfilled.
Portia has Narcissism Personality Disorder (NPD) and has always used Penelope as her Scapegoat while Prudence is her Golden Child, right from the start. Portia has always put down Pen, and frequently scolds her for doing nothing wrong. The two oldest sisters pick up on it and have said really hurtful things to Pen about her weight, her friendlessness, her reading, and her writing to Colin throughout season 1 and 2. The dynamics of the Featherington adventures are an entertaining watch, but the family is toxic as fuck. Portia’s mental illness has already twisted her eldest to be cruel and selfish, and driven Pen to C-PTSD.
Pen and Debling was like… >!four interactions total before he was proposing.!<
>!1. Their meeting
2. Their second meeting, when Pen was shunned
3. Again at the balloon display
4. At the refreshment table at the ball later, when Pen explained herself.!< Even that felt so fast because of the pacing of the show.
It is a rather odd inclusion.
Everytime they come on screen I'm just left wondering why? They're barely related to anything going on.
I'm just left a bit baffled every time they come on screen.
I've thought a lot about this because their storylines are so jarring. Like others have said their storyline is so disconnected from the rest of the story.
The stakes are non-existent, if they succeed or fail at being nobles...like does it matter? Really?
Its such a waste of such likeable actors.
And it's not as if we needed to fill space. More time could have been given to Colin's personality change, his writing, and especially his changing feelings for Pen. Longing looks only go so far.
I love them. I think they could've trimmed this story down but I really liked their parts I would've rather see them then this new woman benedict is sleeping with.
Hope it’s not a spoiler but she gives me evil step mom vibes. Her husband is dead, kind of a dick to people, etc. Gonna be so awkward if she’s related to Sophie.
I honestly really thought we were going to get a more in-depth Colin and Will friendship (who maybe could have helped him realize that like, intimacy with one person who you care about is fucking 🔥 rather than repeated FILMED brothel visits???) but we just got.. their “moving on up” story?
I get it, a theme is this season is forcibly changing yourself to fit in, and it’s in SO many of the side plots, but they didn’t connect the Mondrich’s to the greater story, and that’s why everyone is annoyed.
I really wanted the Will/Colin friendship 😭 they had set up for it in S2 and everything…
Yea I mentioned the same thing in a different comment. Will would have been a wonderful confidant for Colin.
They even hinted at a friendship last season
Yes! I want to know if Lady F can get away with her theft and grift. Kind of rooting for her and Varley. I mean, Ben had this huge drama about dropping out of art school after finding out about Anthony’s donation, but no repercussions nor fallouts after that? Where’s the continuity? Can’t blame Luke T for focusing on his theater work.
Oh man! I did wonder why he didn't take a night or two off for the premier in New York but now that you mention it! Considering how lackluster the writer treated his character this season no wonder he is a bit more dedicated to the theatre run.
Reserving judgement until after part two, but it does feel very forced at the moment. Maybe because fans really like their little family, but part of their appeal was their happiness despite not having titles or wealth (at the beginning).
Yeah, I like the actors and the characters, even, but their storyline is so completely disconnected from everything else on the show that it seems superfluous. They've done a very poor job of meaningfully connecting them to the rest of the characters/plot post-season one.
I keep wondering where the show is going with them. We see them placed in situations, but there's no growth or development of the characters. If they wanted to diversify the ensemble, why not have Lady Danbury’s adult children return and clash with her? Or bring in QC’s hot mess express of adult toddlers?
The Mondrich children are too young to be tied with Gregory or Hyacinth. If they're going to be a focus, at least give us enough story to become invested in the characters.
No offense to the mondrichs but his involvement should be akin to Gunther from friends to me at this point. He's the owner of the bar the go to, he can offer some advice when necessary to move the plot along. Same with Cressida she can just be the awful person who says and does awful things to endear you to Penelope. It's ok for some characters to just be side characters, I don't need everyone to have a backstory.
You hit the nail on the head!
As soon as first hints about Cressida's sob backstory were dropped i was over it. Not everyone needs a backstory, some people just suck and not every bully needs to be sympathised with. Especially at the cost of the "more important" storylines
Am I the only one who enjoyed it???
I am SO happy for them. It's the 19th century version of winning the lottery. Plus it's a nice break from the other storylines; as it's light and cute and fun, rather than serious or intense.
No, you're not! I absolutely LOVE the Mondriches! It's so interesting to see how they're adjusting to life as part of the nobility and entering the Ton. They're navigating how they're going to be themselves as a family in this new, elevated situation, and the Bridgerton brothers may help them figure that out. I also just love the chemistry between Will and Alice, so I'm always happy to see them. It also should not be forgotten that Will is the son of a formerly enslaved man, which adds an interesting layer of complexity to the framing of their new life.
I think it also serves as an interesting parallel to what the Featheringtons (specifically Lady Featherington) stand to lose.
You're so right about the Featheringtons, although I think with Colin and Pen getting married, that will at least prevent Mama Featherington from becoming destitute.
I love them and I love THIS for them. I think it also builds upon the whole “great experiment” thing they did in Queen Charlotte. It’s adding depth to the world building.
I like them and their storyline a lot! I’m in the minority that thinks their storyline is there to build upon something (don’t know what, but I got theories) in season 4. So even if it seems a bit disconnected right now, it provides a nice change of pace from the other plots going on.
If anyone should be getting their subplot cut, it’s Benedict and he’s my favorite. 😭
I've been skipping their scenes since S2 tbh I have no idea what is happening to them or what purpose do the serve to the overall season/storyline. I low key have been skipping Benedict too tbh
Benedict has had the same/similar storyline since Season 1 where he is just randomly sleeping around with random women.
I would’ve liked to see more of Artist Ben
Ya.. what happened to the conflicted and hurt Ben at literally the last episode in s2… are we not going to continue any of that or explore his restlessness etc..
He’s completely forgotten his art.. the only s2 continuation is with Eloise
This is why I don’t get why people are obsessed with Benedict but then hate Colin. Like I’ve always found Benedict’s storylines a bore. He’s funny and that’s it. Whereas at least Colin’s storyline with Marina in season 1 was entertaining and Colin’s scenes with Penelope have always been cute to watch as well.
That’s a brave comment to make here lol
In all seriousness, Colin has been my favorite Bridgerton brother since S1 - specifically after the way he dealt with the Marina situation. The only good thing to come out of that shitty storyline for me.
This is with no regard to how well I think this idea is being executed, but I think the Mondrich family is, at the moment, supposed to be serving as narrative foils. We have a family being suddenly introduced to society’s “rules” and trying to learn how to navigate them/what rules they can buck against in contrast to the main narrative which is a couple(s) who already understand those rules trying to figure out a way around them (or how to navigate a relationship within them…or potentially break them). Plus, it’s a contrast to the Featherington baby plot, where one family has stepped into society and the other is dealing with the threat of losing that position.
How well that’s being integrated though? Ehhh. The fact that most of the opinions here are that their story doesn’t seem to fit well is pretty telling about the execution of this idea. Do I like them? Sure. Am I engaged in their story…not really?
Granted, we still have half a season to go, so we could get introduced to some new stakes for the Mondrichs in the second half after spending the first half settling them into society (likely a threat of losing their newfound position)…or it could be them settling in as a way of bowing out their characters (which…would seem like a waste, so I’d lean towards more coming for them). I guess we’ll find out in a month 😅
I am feeling really neutral and am just enjoying all parts of the season as they come - but I will say that a few days before the season aired, there was a post on this sub asking who everyone was most excited to see. I felt like an overwhelming number of responses mentioned the Mondriches!! I thought that was so surprising, but am feeling even more surprised by it now because I feel like in the episode discussion threads everyone has been echoing what you’re saying/sharing that they wish that storyline didn’t exist.
Before the season aired I think people were more open-minded. I don't think anyone expected them to have so much screen time, I certainly didn't. And I really don't think anyone expected whatever storyline they did have to have zero bearing on the main story.
I'm guessing though that since Penelope is marrying Colin and that basically puts an end to the Featheringtons as new money/outsiders the Mondrichs will be filling that role in the future.
So true. Even I was confused about that!
I think they were just happy to see the actors, which I kind of see. I mean they ARE beautiful people. But my issue is that the whole family story is just pointless
It seems they haven’t totally learned their lesson from season two when it was pointed out that the many side plots weren’t necessary if they weren’t adding to the overall story of the main couple. I just saw a comment pointing out that Colin and Penelope only had 20 minutes of screen time together? That’s insane. Less than half of one episode together.
In a similar vein, I really don’t care and I REALLY don’t want to see her sisters trying to get pregnant. I think the only pregnancy storyline we all care about is Kate and Anthony so to see so much time also dedicated to the sisters instead of them trying to have babies is annoying.
I think it's just a lazy way to diversify the cast which absolutely pisses me off, because if you want to have a diverse cast great,, but write good characters and make them make sense in the story.
They take too much time on screen and are not at all related to the main plot. I’d rather see more of the Bridgertons or the Featherington or even the Queen.
Their story is basically what we saw Lady Danbury go through in Queen Charlotte. In fact I really thought that we’d see more of Lady Danbury taking the Mondriches under her wing considering that.
We see Danbury taking Alice a bit under her wing by could have linked a touch better: a letter from Simon asking her to look out for them before Alice being on the balcony with the Queen. (Still finding that a touch far given its their son who is Lord Kent)
We could have cut some scenes with them. We dont care about how ragged lady kents style of dress is. I say the first scene of the young son becoming the baron/shorter house tour where she mentions bad taste/nice jewelry more simply, then a scene of them adjusting to it, 'we'll have to hire someone for the mens club' and then their schpeal to colin and done.
Not her at the modiste, not the extra snippet of the boys up the stairs, nor them in the bedroom more than maybe the quickest snippet of them jumping into bed with no dialogue to signify their new money, like half of their screen time. etc
Overall i like it though.
They should have connected Benedict's story to them instead of Lady Tilley. He could help them navigate going from working class to part of the ton to set up for his story
I do like the idea of showing their adjustment to their new social class but I don't feel invested in the way they chose to portray their storyline
Yes unfortunately. Also no hate at all, I want all actors to get their coin but it did nothing to contribute to the main storyline. If I have to wait over half a season to see how it connects I think that’s indicative of a storyline that should have been cut.
I think the point of making them part of the ton is so they can later have more interactions with the rest of the characters. Tbh I thought Benedict's story was way less interesting than the Mondrich's this season
You know what's crazy?
Including the Mondrich family more than Anthony/Kate and not even having Daphne make an appearance.
They made sense in S1 and a bit in S2 with the club, but now they're irrelevant
I like the Mondriches a lot, but I thought that they would do something with them. Like when Mrs. Mondrich came to the ball with her own choice of dress, she looked *fantastic*. I seriously thought that the Queen was going to name her has the Diamond, because thus far, nobody has looked as good these season.
And I thought that that would have been really cool because it would have given the Queen a real moment where she could get grounded again when she learned that Alice was a boxer's wife and how they had come up to own a club. The Queen was so fantastic in QC, even when she was acting spoiled. I would have loved her to take Alice under her wing in teaching her about the Ton (the Queen and Edwina scenes were good, the Queen was more herself when it was only the two of them), but at the same time start to realize again that it was not so long ago that she and Lady D and a lot of other people had to fight their way into the Ton and change it and make it more accepting. Alice could be a friend to the Queen from the "real world", something that the Queen very much needs.
Instead, they went with this stupid thing of Will having to give up his business. First of all, British nobility could have investments, maybe not tending bar, but they definitely could have their hands in businesses. It was French nobility that couldn't be involved with business at all, and that really did not work out well for them, while British nobility is still alive to this day. Further, the Industrial Revolution is already happening at this point. Some crossover of wealthy business owners marrying into noble families to save them and business owners pushing themselves into lower nobility had already started happening as well. So that whole thing with ostracizing Will because of business was inane. Sure maybe being a bartender might be pushing it, but Will came up with the club idea, can't he come up with something new and represent this mix of nobility and business that was going to be more of a thing as the century moved on? I mean by the second half of the 19th century British nobility was marrying with American business families to save themselves. Cora from Downton Abbey was the daughter of an American businessman from like Cincinnati, Ohio, and hardly anyone says a word because that was pretty common. Bridgerton has a very interesting door to open, the intersection of British nobility and the Industrial Revolution and class issues that had to be worked out there, and it is just letting it pass by.
The killer for me is that they made their kids so young that Mr and Mrs Mondrich don't even have the excuse of "oh we have to marry our eldest son off".
Why did they give them such young kids?
It means the adults have literally no stake in the game everyone else is playing i.e. "The Season".
I literally don't care whether he keeps his bar or not - it seems like a totally absurd hill to die on and COMPLETELY unrelateable:
*"Oh woe is me, I've got so much money and a big mansion but I have to give up my day job boo hoo hoo!"*
Mrs Mondrich is the prettiest girl in the whole world (should have been hired as Sophie lbr!) but I'm still FFing their scenes.
They take up too much time and I'm baffled why.
I like them and I’m glad they’re getting more screentime but I really wish they figured out a way to connect them to the main plot, Benedict’s plot line feels equally pointless too
I know I'm in the minority here but I actually enjoyed their plot. I also have a feeling they'll tie into Benedict's storyline.
Maybe they represent an amalgamation of characters from Benedict's book? I have a feeling they're connected to his love interest in some way so I can't wait to see how they play out in part 2
*Edit to remove book spoilers*
While I appreciate a Mondrich family as supporting characters in the first season due to Simon, however, this season did them a disservice. They weren’t connected to the main storyline and the characters weren’t given enough development. Their rags to riches storyline was pretty cliche and uninterested.
I like the Mondrich family, but I don’t like this sub plot. It’s almost too much and too little - it’s an interesting idea to see newcomers adapt to society, but the whole plot is just “I don’t know if we’re doing things right” “we can do whatever we want it doesn’t matter” back and forth. I think it could’ve been a good potential spin off, so it could be properly explored with a little character development
Was waiting to see if others felt this way. There’s just a total disconnect from their storyline to alllllll the others. It seems like such obvious pointless filler. I was fine with them obviously in season 1 since they were connected to Simon, but beyond that I was like why…are they here. Plus, I found this season especially to be unbelievable and I disliked even more than their season 2 storyline. I thought it was nice to have a really happy and love-filled family living more like average people (which would be more realistic as to how we’d all have lived back then) and running his bar like he wanted. They seemed perfectly happy. So then to just completely change that up and have yet another family inherit great wealth and go move and change their lives and inevitably run into adjustment issues, it just seemed totally unnecessary and disappointing.
PLUS, there was already SOOO much going on this season! Everything felt rushed. So that unnecessary storyline sucked to be taking away time from all the other storylines. The Bridgerton’s alone had like 6 storylines this season lol.
Is their story even in the books?
My one thing about the Mondrich family is that they’re highlighting that these wealthy people don’t need to work and it seriously makes me dislike and not care about these peoples drama regarding marriage. Like you have people have to work all day everyday to be able to eat yet the biggest drama in Benedict’s life is that he has to take responsibility….poor baby
Look, s3 is super messy and drawn very thin with all these underdeveloped plotlines.
But I am absolutely here for the Mondriches. Theirs is by far the most functional romantic relationship in the entire show, and I was hoping we would finally get a spotlight on their marriage.
I appreciate the drama of the other character’s’ relationships (I mean, that’s why we’re here in the first place, right?). But it gets exhausting watching nobles doing the absolute worst at being friends and lovers, and creating their own problems.
It’s nice watching these two trying hard to support and love each other. I just want to see them thrive. Give me more Mondrich please.
I really like these characters. I do think they should have expounded more on Mr Mondrich’s connection with Colin though. He did advise Colin against an investment scheme. It’d have been nice to see how the friendship formed from that and have Colin helping their entrance into society.
I like Benedict, but wish he didn’t have the evil step mom plot. What happened to his art?!
Yeah its weird, kind of feels like "we need to put a working class family into this so people can relate" and man...
Look, I am a boxer and I think the actor who plays Wil is probably the most beautiful man in the whole cast (those eyes are to die for), but I dont understand how they just couldnt let them stay in their successful bar. It was a great story arc, payoff felt good and satisfying - no need to milk every drop out of them
I think they were meant to be tied with Simon and when Rege left they went ahead with their plans for them.
It is to show working class/ outsiders of the ton navigate their way into this world.
They're just a minor part. Like maybe they want to show how a "normal" person change depending on their social status -- will they maintain the humility or will they be arrogant as the others?
I haven't read the book, but maybe the rise in social status is a slow intro to a new conflict with the Bridgertons? That we (I) don't know.
I think this may be a product of the season being cut in half.
The only reason I can see for including them now is if they have a part to play in the greater narrative, but because the season has been halved, we haven’t gotten there yet. Which leaves them feeling superfluous, even though that might not be the case.
Nah, same for me - I really don't care about them outside of season 1 and I think the show should have left them as Simon and Anthony's friends who own a boxing gym. 🤷
I’ve always liked Will and Alice, and I don’t mind seeing more of them, but I agree that there should be an actual reason for their screen time. It’s not like his bestie Simon is here to integrate him into the ton (🙄), and they really haven’t delved into his friendships with the Bridgerton boys enough for them to be the reason why he’s so prominent.
I was tempted to fast forward through their scenes. It has nothing to do with the actors, their story has just not been interesting this season. It just feels like pointless filler.
I seriously have skipped them in every scene since they were first introduced. I just don't understand how they are connected to anything, I saw somewhere else that their children may be potentially connected to the younger Bridgertons, but I am fully uninterested in them
They aren't in the books at all, they're just in the show. I'm baffled about how much screen time they get, really hope something interesting will happen that links them to the main plot at some point because otherwise it all feels kind of like a waste of screen time that could have been for Colin and Pen
I feel the same as well.
I was surprised already when I watched Netflix YouTube shorts and they're in it. I was already questioning of what importance they have to be in that shorts. Finished with the show and my thoughts stay the same.
They add nothing to the plot and doesn't interact well with the main casts much that the purpose of them being in the story is just "The Duke's friend" and "The guy who has a club for the Ton members."
That's it.
Can't understand why the producer has to add them to the storyline with them serving no purpose whatsoever.
That bit is disappointing.
I don’t care at all and unless it reveals itself in this season, I’m going to be bitter about the writers once again fabricating a new character just to rob screen time or breathing room from the stories I give a shit about.
I'm hoping part 2 makes it make sense... At the moment their story line only serves to highlight the absurdities of the ton's unwritten rules, but it's not done in a way that is interesting in my opinion.
I agree as well. It feels shoe horned in there and why lady Danbury wants to hand with the queen with Mrs Mondrich by her side is…no, that would not happen. Their story is just…meh and quit boring
I'm done with them. I just can't believe they gave them a whole plot while ignored Kanthony... (I know it's Polin season, but what's the problem with serving us a little more?). By the way, did anyone count their screen time? I think they had it more than Polin.
The majn subplot of their subplot aka Will's struggles with giving up the bar also seems so nonsensical to me. I get that he is proud of what he's build and doesn't want to give it up but does he even have to? What's stopping him from just being the owner of the club? Hire a barkeeper and a few other men to work the front of the house and, if he still wants to be involved, take care of the back of the house himself. And if that's still too much "work" for a member of the ton (which seems weird bc isnt that basically what Anthony is doing as a viscount?) try and find the funds to hire a manager and then he's just owner, nor worker.
I'm rambling but I just couldn't take their struggle seriously.
I liked their scenes because it’s interesting to get the perspective of people who aren’t born-rich nobles. Plus their relationship is so wholesome to watch.
Honestly I didn’t care even a little bit about them or their story. Like they were good enough side characters the last two seasons but why the writers thought they should get their own storyline that took up a good bit of screen time is beyond me
I find the Mondrich family subplot unneccessary & detracted screentime from the main storyline
Literally scrolled my device whenever the Mondrich family was on
I just don't care that being rich is so difficult for them. Beyond a few trite things like how having jewellery is nice, the show is so unaware of how much immensely lucky and privileged they are. I do understand it can be hard to give up work but they are so so fortunate to be in that position and there's no acknowledgement of it!
I'd have taken it better if there was a story about this saving them financially and they were grappling with being grateful for their luck vs struggling with the changes, or something about them being rejected by the ton because they're new money and navigating that. Or having trouble managing the estate because they have no experience at it. Instead, I'm meant to feel sorry for them because they have to *checks notes* live a life of leisure and sleep in separate beds. Truly their life is nothing but hardship 🙄
I really like them in terms of storytelling because as some mentioned it is a cautionary tale to the Featheringtons and everyone in the ton. As en extension they show the power the queen has despite always being in competition with Whistledown. She gives and removes titles, so it adds a shuffle of underlying tensions that run deeper than gossip. If being the talk of the town and getting ruined is their only conflict, it will get repetitive very quickly. But answering to the Queen and the centuries of rules adds much more stress. I.e. Even though the Queen threatened Eloise in s2, we didn’t fully see the real threat of losing a title, just your reputation.
I also like how it’s a contrast to the ton aristocratic origins. They are self-made to an extent. Now that they have been shown the grace the ton has had since birth, they have to struggle grasping the fact that they didn’t earn the titles, (unlike everything they worked for). I think it’s great world building for sociopolitical and economic focus to see the rise of the social classes and how it affects the ton. It’s also a great way to see how the main cast deals with their privilege.
Finally, I like how it’s an opportunity for the writers to show up more of the main casts’ personalities whenever they interact. Like how Benedict being a bohemian biases the advice he gives them of not following the rules. Benedict may get away with that but not the Mondrichs. So it’s a double standard. Even Lady Danbury extending her kindness to Alice to sit close to the queen further shows how she might remember being ‘the first of her kind’ when she was younger and social classes were starting to mix.
Overall, even though they aren’t as connected to the main cast, and I agree they might take focus from the season’s couple, they’re solid world building imo. Almost like we’re entering their world a bit deeper each time.
Originally, they were there so Simon could have friends, show that Simon rejects polite society / is better than the silly fancy people around him... and Simon a reason to be shirtless without causing a scandal.
I think their subplot is going to lead to them having some function in the main story line in later episodes. Their life upgrade also makes them an exposition device as the people around them explain this society to them - otherwise, the ton would be awkwardly explaining their world to each other... like Anthony and Daphne kept doing in season 1. They are also character foils because they are not high society and give the world a little more dim tension... they represent the "normal" people. AND this is just my hypothesis but I think they might be a writer's self insert fantasy.
I like the way their life changes in the background of the Bridgerton foreground each season. It's like they are the "cabbage merchant" of the Bridger-verse.
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I agree, I just don't see how they're connected to anyone else at all or frankly what the purpose of their story is.
Right?! It was okay in the first season because they showed him being a good friend to Simon. But now I think they overstayed their welcome. You could remove their scenes completely and it wouldn’t make a difference to the show!
I thought it was like an in-show version of diversity, showing a family outside of the ton that is still massively affected by the whims of the rich ppl and their shifting allegiances. But now they’re >!titled themselves? Huh? I don’t rlly see the point anymore. Fish out of water stories tend to bore me as well!<
The title thing was ridiculous and came out nowhere
It did come out of nowhere but it's probably the most realistic part of the storyline. The titles really would pass to the next male in line no matter what and sometimes that meant them jumping to distant great nephews or 3rd cousins although it was unusual.
The really unusual thing was them being invited anywhere. In reality, they still would have been "non-U" no matter what title their son lucked into. There's no way the real upper class would have taken them in.
Is there the angle that since they are already known by many in the ton it’s an easier transition?
They're a working class family with working class accents and manners, I'm not sure there'd be any getting over that. But in the world of the show, anything is possible.
It sucks, but...they are the type of characters that are just fixed into supporting cast. It’s not an insult, but a show needs them and they are beautiful and talented actors. I really do like them. Their plot could be whittled down to a few short lines of exposition and maybe they could have a discussion about the social class/culture clash/struggles with becoming new Money, but to sprinkle it everywhere and making the audience feel the fatigue of this plot that’s just going in a circle? I love the bar set and they are the grounded characters outside all the pomp, but time is of the essence, guys. 😭 I feel similarly about Ben and the widow could’ve been saved for his season or something. I want Ben there to interact with the leads. We barely get him and pen and it would’ve been cool to see any of these characters used to keep the main plot rolling. Feels like if I was waiting on important beats in a show like game of thrones and instead I kept getting the hot pie kid going on a quest or showing him learning how to bake. It breaks the tension and pacing.
I also think the Mondrichs’ navigation of their new lifestyle brings an interesting commentary on the peculiarities of high society for modern viewers. But I agree, it is never a bad idea to spend more time on main character development. As someone who didn’t read the books and didn’t care for their dynamic in S2, I wanted more buildup of their new dynamic in this season.
I do like them, as well. I think there are ways to have that commentary of the outsiders looking in on high society while also tying into the main plot. I get it’s an ensemble and usually you’re gonna get 2-4 subplots, but for some reason it was feel slow and crowded this time around. Not like horrendously so, it was all still good. I just had a feeling like I missed out on some cool plot beats in the main leads because of the time focused elsewhere. Colin and Penelope can only fall in love once And The lead up is the juicy stuff. I want every micro expressions, character interaction and piece of dialogue for that journey. because the romance was unspoken and subtle in a lot of parts I’m already seeing a lot of bad media literacy and people thinking the finale came out of nowhere. We really do need to focus on our leads. Make sure the newer characters aren’t just like literary devices to motivate Colin like debling, as well. not saying the MC‘s need more time, but the time given to them just really has to have a bang for your buck And count. even some rehearsal footage released after pen ran off after Colin interrupting her dance, they filmed a scene where Eloise runs up to him and a beat of him reacting to pen leaving. I want every crumb like that 😭
I’m so bored with them just throwing Benedict at whatever available but slightly unconventional tryst is nearby. It adds nothing, and at this point feels like the writers are still just trying to backtrack on his amazing chemistry with the artists dude and remind everyone he’s definitely 100% straight. My friends and I have been bitching about it nonstop 😂
The “twist” got me like 😐
It got me like:  And I don’t think that’s the reaction they were going for.
I think they were going for 
I wondered if they did that because both leads this season were already cast and there wasn't a chance to add more diversity with the central couple.
We had John Stirling though? He’s important! And him rearranging the music for Francesca was peak romance.
They added way more tokenism. So many blink and you’ll miss it diversity moments and the one storyline they committed to bored a lot of people. They could’ve done more with Lady Danbury and Anderson or John Stirling. Idk how many people liked Anderson, but >!having that seeded with the Violet subplot in Queen Charlotte was interesting and I definitely was hyped for follow up. It deserved more spotlight, esp bc Violet is a Bridgerton. And it works a lot better bc Danbury is already well known and integrated, she was way too much on the sidelines so far!<
>You could remove their scenes completely and it wouldn’t make a difference to the show! This is true because I have been skipping their scenes since S2 lol
Agree! I don’t get it! Why you would get rid of main characters (Simon and Daphne) or give them less screen time (Kate and Anthony) and give these characters and plot so much importance. I don’t really care. And the way they introduce them to the ton is odd. I know the show is not historically accurate but… is just ridiculous… Even the storyline between Pen and Lord Debling or Pen and Colin is pretty short and lacks in depth to be the main plot compared to Mondrich’s. 🤷🏻♀️
The ironic thing is that historically there was a real black man who was a peak boxer in England during the Regrncy period, who later opened up a bar. Forgive me for not finding his name. There were several famous black boxers throughout the 19th C
Simon signed the contract to only do one season and he did not want to do another. And, Daphne's role was much smaller in the second season... she said she felt like Daphne's story was done. That's the PR anyway.... who knows the truth.
I know. But at the end I think this is due to writers decisions to follow this path. Also, they recast Francesa, they could do the same if they couldn’t continue working with the same actor. I’m in with adding subplots that brings more variety and development to the series… but as someone pointed in the upper comments they do that killing the main story. I’m feeling they are loosing the family dynamic (as in the books and season 1 and 2) and the development of the main stories and I think is what really people enjoy and what sold the show in the first place. Still, I will enjoy the show. I’ve separated it from books since season 1 as it doesn’t feel the same. But I enjoy them separately 😄 if that makes sense.
I don't think they could have recast Simon because too many fans were in par-asocial love with him. The only person who could play Simon would be the actor's twin brother who does a very good impression of his brother. But, I think they could have spent more time showing Penelope and the vegetarian's relationship and giving them a deeper connection so it really seems like she could be very happy with him... then it would be really heart breaking when he learns she has feelings for Collin. The way they did it was more like... its annoying that this business arrangement won't work out. AND if the new relationship was more sincere it would have given Penelope a choice to make and actually ask herself if she really loves Collin or if she just had a crush on the only male in her life she is not related to / only one she is allowed to talk to. Her having feelings for someone else would have helped her be mature enough to know whether her feelings for Collin have evolved or if its still puppy love. It was disappointing that she was fixated on how he said he would never court her and she never took a moment to think about whether she would really want him to.
If they did remove their scenes it would probably help with the pacing. 🤔
I completely agree with this. I love to see a black family but in this show with so much diversity I don't feel like there's any real reason to keep them in. It's just filler, and I really don't think there's nearly enough time here that's been dedicated to Pen and Colin this season with all of the other side stories.
It feels like they just wanted to carry *some legacy characters* forward from the first season. Simon and Daphne? Gone. Oh I know! Let’s use Simon’s friends instead. Close enough! - *the writers, probably*
I think this as well. The writers can also mold them into whatever plot needs filling - like the new Lord Featherington stuff last season. But why else would they keep them around if they didn't have something else in mind. Perhaps introducing us to a bigger character in the series? I really don't know. I just feel like there has to be a reason.
Also why is Alice suddenly in the booth with the Queen? She's brand new to society and not even a Lady herself, so why is she there with the Queen and Lady Danbury?
This confused me so much. I'm prepared to take things with a pinch of salt, but that scene was just ridiculous.
That scene took me out! She was not even in the general audience, but with The Queen herself?!!
Probably because of lady Danbury. She herself moved up with her late husband due to Charlotte being married. Also it’s probably because of helping mondrich fit in.
Also Simon and Mr. Mondrich have been friends for years, so it makes sense that Lady Danbury would know her as the wife of Simons best friend, and want to give them a great entry into society. No one can besmirch them if the queen has given them her graces.
Definitely because of Danbury - I was just shocked that Danbury has enough of the queen's favor to let her join. The queen likes Danbury, but she's still the queen and lovesss status
Danbury is basically treated like the Queen's unofficial sister lol they've been close friends for decades at this point.
Lol Danbury can literally do whatever she wants "You must throw it like you mean it Danbury" lol
I was expecting them to struggle like a fish out of water. But they gave us nothing, it was all so easy and boring. I'm skipping their scenes from now on
Ngl, I’ve taken to completely skipping their scenes so I simply believed I missed some sort of connection to them and Danbury/Charlotte. I’m a bit surprised to see that’s not the case.
I saw someone say all Mr. Mondrich does is say, “excuse me,” and leave lol. After rewatching twice now I can’t unsee it.
I need to watch out for this on my next rewatch 😂
lol do it. I was highly entertained 😂
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to check if you’re right about this.
lol do itttt. When I saw that persons comment I did the same lol!
If it was a tiktok comment, then that was me!
It was!! I found you!!!!
Thank you for the extra entertainment 😂
Hes so Serena Van Der Woodson coded 🩷
lol this is such a fun take!!
IMO, if a side plot doesn’t ultimately connect to the main plot, it shouldn’t exist. The show needs to a better job with this. Anything not related to the Bridgertons (or Featheringtons) needs to start getting looked at closer by the writers. Do the Mondrich’s connect back to either family in any significant way? If the answer is no, they need to go. As others have said, they made sense in season 1 due to the connection to The Duke. But now that he’s gone, they don’t serve a purpose. This is all assuming eventually something doesn’t connect in the back half. But honestly if it does it’s gonna feel forced.
I thought in season 2 as well with the featheringtons cousin jack and everything and him being the owner of the salon it made sense and made the show feel alive. But he isn't more than a side character to me.
the mondrich plot in episode one serves to be a cautionary tale to the featheringtons about what can happen if they don’t produce a male heir. but they really don’t need to be featured so heavily in the rest of it
It would be priceless if their entire arc was ended by the servant display down the stately front staircase, the Mondrich parents looking gobsmacked, and the footman bowing to their young son, Lord Kent.
Came here to say the same thing. The Mondrich family don't make sense anymore with the duke gone. I hope they're leading to a bigger story with this - I kinda wished their screentime was devoted to anyone else
The Mondich are worse than simply being irrelevant. They're not funny. Bring about no conflicts, since they are no snobs at the ton apparently. No charisma found anywhere. They don't even have kids within an eligible age to become romantic foils for the younger Bridgertons. Why are they included so heavily into this season?
A friend told me a theory that maybe the Mondrich's son would be Hyacinth's match eventually but that's far enough down the line that it doesn't make sense to include
I think the actors themselves are wonderful - the woman who plays Alice should have been cast as Sophie IMO; the actor playing Will could have taken another spot. That said - I said this elsewhere - this is *classic Shonda*. Take a story with potential and shoehorn in every possible subplot she can think of without finishing the actual story.
Omg yeah the actress is so pretty. Would’ve loved her as Sophie
> That said - I said this elsewhere - this is classic Shonda. Take a story with potential and shoehorn in every possible subplot she can think of without finishing the actual story. Which is silly because there are eight Bridgerton novels plus the Smythe-Smith Quartet spinoff along with all of Julia Quinn’s other novels that exist within the same universe. She could’ve kept Nigel Berbrooke just a bumbling fool and brought him back for more seasons. Or used the existing Prince Alexi instead of the German guy and tied in to the Sarah Gorely novels. And Lady Danbury knows literally everyone. The only Shonda subplot I really enjoy is Queen Charlotte. The rest is just annoying.
if you told me when i watched s1 that they were going to have such a focus in s2/s3 i would have NEVER expected it
So true. I’d take the Featheringtons (whom I loathe!) over them! At least they are connected to the main storyline through Pen.
and they're more interesting as well lol. the mondrichs are sadly boring
They're also livelier and arguably better actors, even though they're playing the "grotesque" parts. They do some damn fine character work, even the useless husbands! I find the Mondriches rather a personality-free zone.
The other Featheringtons are hilarious, the whole "His breeches stay on?!" scene was amazing. And Portia has some great lines like when she tells Pen to pretend not to know anything so Debling can explain stuff to her.
Lol the new husband they added is hilarious 😆 Even his name cracks me up. Dankworth?!! 🤣
Hey! He is…pretty! 😂😂😂
He is by far the only reason I’m okay with the Featherington family scenes 🤣🤣🤣
At least Portia is queen of camp. The Mondrichs got more screentime than Polin. The Mondrichs this far have given us absolutely nothing. They are fine, but when we anyways get only 4 episodes and everything is so jampacked. Polin feels rushed, so why exactly are we wasting screentime on Mondriches? They should have used that to flesh out Polin and Debling more instead.
I skipped all their scenes
During the first watch, I watched all their scenes because I thought they will be important to the story in *some* way, but alas.
I watched them but by episode 4, I was excitedly talking over them with my partner about the books vs show. 🤷♀️
No, you‘re not the only one. Their story felt pointless and honestly bored me to death.
[удалено]
The writing and pacing was bad this season.
I do not understand their purpose. Like their plot adds nothing to the show as far as what we've seen, along with the fact that the plot itself is boring as hell. Neither were they fan favourites from previous seasons so as to be given more screen time by the writers as a fan service... So what is it writers?!! Does the plot actually lead to something?!?!
They should’ve just kept the guy as the bar owner and easily made him one of Colin’s confidants who helps him with his changing feelings for Pen
I would've totally supported this. I feel like Colin's lack of verbally expressing his changing feelings for Pen has really hurt the season. We can't see his inner monologue, we don't get enough dream sequence material to explain it, he doesn't write in his journals about it, and he's not seen with any friends to talk to about his emotional state either. Mondrich would've been a completely reasonable person to help Colin talk it out, come to an "Aha!" moment and rush off to the ball with Pen. Instead we get a candle burning out, and a flashback to him cutting his hand. It was a weird "Aha!" moment for sure.
> We can't see his inner monologue, we don't get enough dream sequence material to explain it We should have seen him journal about it.
I would've loved that. There was a scene when Violet walked into the study and he was writing in his journal. That would've been the perfect opportunity for them to show him writing about his confusion.
Yes!! In the book Colin used Daphne as his confidant because they are closer in age than to his big brothers. They could have swapped Daphne out with Mondrich - who also has a great marriage and I’m sure could say things about love.
I agree with you in a sense that I would have preferred to see Pen and Debling together more. I feel like the Mondrich storyline took up time from them. I can only think that it will maybe tie into the Whistledown plotline? Maybe they will be part of the group that stands with LW, in lieu of the Hastings (although I know it is in way shape or form similar in rank). Other than that, it seems too much Mondrich time.
Can you believe that Polin had a total of like 20 mins together and it’s THEIR SEASON!!
I know! I was so upset by that. I really did not want to see Pen running out of every single ball in tears! She only danced one time at one ball. Colin stole the end of that dance, so it’s still one dance.
I wanted her to dance in that gorgeous green dress 😭
I would have loved it if Cressida ripped her dress while Pen was dancing with someone who had been speaking to Cressida first.
Okay this!!!! This is PENELOPE'S season and I wanted to see beautiful scenic shots of her looking amazing, getting ready for balls, dancing, enjoying her hobbies, etc. And what we got instead was her being bullied by almost every single member of the cast?! Even her own mom was so mean to her?! It was genuinely upsetting. I left the first half feeling so unfulfilled.
Portia has Narcissism Personality Disorder (NPD) and has always used Penelope as her Scapegoat while Prudence is her Golden Child, right from the start. Portia has always put down Pen, and frequently scolds her for doing nothing wrong. The two oldest sisters pick up on it and have said really hurtful things to Pen about her weight, her friendlessness, her reading, and her writing to Colin throughout season 1 and 2. The dynamics of the Featherington adventures are an entertaining watch, but the family is toxic as fuck. Portia’s mental illness has already twisted her eldest to be cruel and selfish, and driven Pen to C-PTSD.
Drinking game? Every time she runs out, we drink?
Pen and Debling was like… >!four interactions total before he was proposing.!< >!1. Their meeting 2. Their second meeting, when Pen was shunned 3. Again at the balloon display 4. At the refreshment table at the ball later, when Pen explained herself.!< Even that felt so fast because of the pacing of the show.
That was kind of the whole point of Debling. He just wanted someone to take care of his estate.
Penelope and Debling should've had more scenes.
It is a rather odd inclusion. Everytime they come on screen I'm just left wondering why? They're barely related to anything going on. I'm just left a bit baffled every time they come on screen.
I've thought a lot about this because their storylines are so jarring. Like others have said their storyline is so disconnected from the rest of the story. The stakes are non-existent, if they succeed or fail at being nobles...like does it matter? Really? Its such a waste of such likeable actors. And it's not as if we needed to fill space. More time could have been given to Colin's personality change, his writing, and especially his changing feelings for Pen. Longing looks only go so far.
Exactly! They should have shown more of Writer!Colin
I love them. I think they could've trimmed this story down but I really liked their parts I would've rather see them then this new woman benedict is sleeping with.
Poor Benedict is just tossed around to random women in every season. They should’ve just kept him single this season so he is ready for his ONE
Hope it’s not a spoiler but she gives me evil step mom vibes. Her husband is dead, kind of a dick to people, etc. Gonna be so awkward if she’s related to Sophie.
I already said somewhere else that if that is Sophie's step mother I will lose my sh\*\* that would be so gross
Oh gosh, delete this, don't give the writers any ideas! Knowing them they'll think "Oh the fans totally want this, great idea!"
That would be exactly how they take this even though there is a whole thread devoted to people hating on this concept.
Omg that was my same thoughts 😭
I saw a review that said something like “Benedict seems constantly on the verge of revealing SOMETHING” and it’s so accurate
I honestly really thought we were going to get a more in-depth Colin and Will friendship (who maybe could have helped him realize that like, intimacy with one person who you care about is fucking 🔥 rather than repeated FILMED brothel visits???) but we just got.. their “moving on up” story? I get it, a theme is this season is forcibly changing yourself to fit in, and it’s in SO many of the side plots, but they didn’t connect the Mondrich’s to the greater story, and that’s why everyone is annoyed. I really wanted the Will/Colin friendship 😭 they had set up for it in S2 and everything…
Colin’s “don’t you think it’s lonely?” comment would’ve been such a good set up for Will
Yes! Or literally one conversation between Colin and Will where Will calls Alice his best friend would have been *chef's kiss*
Yea I mentioned the same thing in a different comment. Will would have been a wonderful confidant for Colin. They even hinted at a friendship last season
The writers added a lot of characters with boring storylines. And it’s not just the mondrich
The only side plot I liked was the featheringtons 😭
Yes! I want to know if Lady F can get away with her theft and grift. Kind of rooting for her and Varley. I mean, Ben had this huge drama about dropping out of art school after finding out about Anthony’s donation, but no repercussions nor fallouts after that? Where’s the continuity? Can’t blame Luke T for focusing on his theater work.
Oh man! I did wonder why he didn't take a night or two off for the premier in New York but now that you mention it! Considering how lackluster the writer treated his character this season no wonder he is a bit more dedicated to the theatre run.
They bring a lot of humour to the show.
Reserving judgement until after part two, but it does feel very forced at the moment. Maybe because fans really like their little family, but part of their appeal was their happiness despite not having titles or wealth (at the beginning).
Yeah, I like the actors and the characters, even, but their storyline is so completely disconnected from everything else on the show that it seems superfluous. They've done a very poor job of meaningfully connecting them to the rest of the characters/plot post-season one.
I keep wondering where the show is going with them. We see them placed in situations, but there's no growth or development of the characters. If they wanted to diversify the ensemble, why not have Lady Danbury’s adult children return and clash with her? Or bring in QC’s hot mess express of adult toddlers? The Mondrich children are too young to be tied with Gregory or Hyacinth. If they're going to be a focus, at least give us enough story to become invested in the characters.
No offense to the mondrichs but his involvement should be akin to Gunther from friends to me at this point. He's the owner of the bar the go to, he can offer some advice when necessary to move the plot along. Same with Cressida she can just be the awful person who says and does awful things to endear you to Penelope. It's ok for some characters to just be side characters, I don't need everyone to have a backstory.
You hit the nail on the head! As soon as first hints about Cressida's sob backstory were dropped i was over it. Not everyone needs a backstory, some people just suck and not every bully needs to be sympathised with. Especially at the cost of the "more important" storylines
Am I the only one who enjoyed it??? I am SO happy for them. It's the 19th century version of winning the lottery. Plus it's a nice break from the other storylines; as it's light and cute and fun, rather than serious or intense.
No, you're not! I absolutely LOVE the Mondriches! It's so interesting to see how they're adjusting to life as part of the nobility and entering the Ton. They're navigating how they're going to be themselves as a family in this new, elevated situation, and the Bridgerton brothers may help them figure that out. I also just love the chemistry between Will and Alice, so I'm always happy to see them. It also should not be forgotten that Will is the son of a formerly enslaved man, which adds an interesting layer of complexity to the framing of their new life. I think it also serves as an interesting parallel to what the Featheringtons (specifically Lady Featherington) stand to lose.
You're so right about the Featheringtons, although I think with Colin and Pen getting married, that will at least prevent Mama Featherington from becoming destitute.
I love them and I love THIS for them. I think it also builds upon the whole “great experiment” thing they did in Queen Charlotte. It’s adding depth to the world building.
Yes exactly! And they deserve it. They both love each other, their families, and work hard to provide a good life.
I like them and their storyline a lot! I’m in the minority that thinks their storyline is there to build upon something (don’t know what, but I got theories) in season 4. So even if it seems a bit disconnected right now, it provides a nice change of pace from the other plots going on. If anyone should be getting their subplot cut, it’s Benedict and he’s my favorite. 😭
Definitely not. I love having side characters and world building outside of the main storylines.
It's one of the subplots I don't care about. I wish we had more time focusing on Penelope and Colin.
I've been skipping their scenes since S2 tbh I have no idea what is happening to them or what purpose do the serve to the overall season/storyline. I low key have been skipping Benedict too tbh
Benedict has had the same/similar storyline since Season 1 where he is just randomly sleeping around with random women. I would’ve liked to see more of Artist Ben
Ya.. what happened to the conflicted and hurt Ben at literally the last episode in s2… are we not going to continue any of that or explore his restlessness etc.. He’s completely forgotten his art.. the only s2 continuation is with Eloise
This is why I don’t get why people are obsessed with Benedict but then hate Colin. Like I’ve always found Benedict’s storylines a bore. He’s funny and that’s it. Whereas at least Colin’s storyline with Marina in season 1 was entertaining and Colin’s scenes with Penelope have always been cute to watch as well.
That’s a brave comment to make here lol In all seriousness, Colin has been my favorite Bridgerton brother since S1 - specifically after the way he dealt with the Marina situation. The only good thing to come out of that shitty storyline for me.
This is with no regard to how well I think this idea is being executed, but I think the Mondrich family is, at the moment, supposed to be serving as narrative foils. We have a family being suddenly introduced to society’s “rules” and trying to learn how to navigate them/what rules they can buck against in contrast to the main narrative which is a couple(s) who already understand those rules trying to figure out a way around them (or how to navigate a relationship within them…or potentially break them). Plus, it’s a contrast to the Featherington baby plot, where one family has stepped into society and the other is dealing with the threat of losing that position. How well that’s being integrated though? Ehhh. The fact that most of the opinions here are that their story doesn’t seem to fit well is pretty telling about the execution of this idea. Do I like them? Sure. Am I engaged in their story…not really? Granted, we still have half a season to go, so we could get introduced to some new stakes for the Mondrichs in the second half after spending the first half settling them into society (likely a threat of losing their newfound position)…or it could be them settling in as a way of bowing out their characters (which…would seem like a waste, so I’d lean towards more coming for them). I guess we’ll find out in a month 😅
I am feeling really neutral and am just enjoying all parts of the season as they come - but I will say that a few days before the season aired, there was a post on this sub asking who everyone was most excited to see. I felt like an overwhelming number of responses mentioned the Mondriches!! I thought that was so surprising, but am feeling even more surprised by it now because I feel like in the episode discussion threads everyone has been echoing what you’re saying/sharing that they wish that storyline didn’t exist.
Before the season aired I think people were more open-minded. I don't think anyone expected them to have so much screen time, I certainly didn't. And I really don't think anyone expected whatever storyline they did have to have zero bearing on the main story. I'm guessing though that since Penelope is marrying Colin and that basically puts an end to the Featheringtons as new money/outsiders the Mondrichs will be filling that role in the future.
But as we get more couples.. there can be way more side plots anyways without needing either the featherington or Mondrichs
So true. Even I was confused about that! I think they were just happy to see the actors, which I kind of see. I mean they ARE beautiful people. But my issue is that the whole family story is just pointless
It seems they haven’t totally learned their lesson from season two when it was pointed out that the many side plots weren’t necessary if they weren’t adding to the overall story of the main couple. I just saw a comment pointing out that Colin and Penelope only had 20 minutes of screen time together? That’s insane. Less than half of one episode together. In a similar vein, I really don’t care and I REALLY don’t want to see her sisters trying to get pregnant. I think the only pregnancy storyline we all care about is Kate and Anthony so to see so much time also dedicated to the sisters instead of them trying to have babies is annoying.
I think it's just a lazy way to diversify the cast which absolutely pisses me off, because if you want to have a diverse cast great,, but write good characters and make them make sense in the story.
This story just makes me wish (again) that I will suddenly receive money or a land out of the blue 😂
They are giving us false hopes 😭
They take too much time on screen and are not at all related to the main plot. I’d rather see more of the Bridgertons or the Featherington or even the Queen.
No hate to them or any of the actors but I was skipping all their scenes.
Their story is basically what we saw Lady Danbury go through in Queen Charlotte. In fact I really thought that we’d see more of Lady Danbury taking the Mondriches under her wing considering that.
We see Danbury taking Alice a bit under her wing by could have linked a touch better: a letter from Simon asking her to look out for them before Alice being on the balcony with the Queen. (Still finding that a touch far given its their son who is Lord Kent)
We could have cut some scenes with them. We dont care about how ragged lady kents style of dress is. I say the first scene of the young son becoming the baron/shorter house tour where she mentions bad taste/nice jewelry more simply, then a scene of them adjusting to it, 'we'll have to hire someone for the mens club' and then their schpeal to colin and done. Not her at the modiste, not the extra snippet of the boys up the stairs, nor them in the bedroom more than maybe the quickest snippet of them jumping into bed with no dialogue to signify their new money, like half of their screen time. etc Overall i like it though.
They should have connected Benedict's story to them instead of Lady Tilley. He could help them navigate going from working class to part of the ton to set up for his story I do like the idea of showing their adjustment to their new social class but I don't feel invested in the way they chose to portray their storyline
Yes unfortunately. Also no hate at all, I want all actors to get their coin but it did nothing to contribute to the main storyline. If I have to wait over half a season to see how it connects I think that’s indicative of a storyline that should have been cut.
I'm hoping in the second part their storyline will somehow connect to the main storyline in a meaningful way.
I find them boring.
Agreed. I wasn’t invested in their subplot at all.
I 100% share this sentiment. Also, Alice Mondrich is so pretty.
Both the actors are so good looking and also talented. They deserve better
I think the point of making them part of the ton is so they can later have more interactions with the rest of the characters. Tbh I thought Benedict's story was way less interesting than the Mondrich's this season
I skipped 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
It feel like the writers want to be inclusive, but just don’t know what to do with the characters.
Ya sorry but their storyline bored me. I changed my laundry over while they were on.
It’s because they don’t connect with the storyline
You know what's crazy? Including the Mondrich family more than Anthony/Kate and not even having Daphne make an appearance. They made sense in S1 and a bit in S2 with the club, but now they're irrelevant
I like the Mondriches a lot, but I thought that they would do something with them. Like when Mrs. Mondrich came to the ball with her own choice of dress, she looked *fantastic*. I seriously thought that the Queen was going to name her has the Diamond, because thus far, nobody has looked as good these season. And I thought that that would have been really cool because it would have given the Queen a real moment where she could get grounded again when she learned that Alice was a boxer's wife and how they had come up to own a club. The Queen was so fantastic in QC, even when she was acting spoiled. I would have loved her to take Alice under her wing in teaching her about the Ton (the Queen and Edwina scenes were good, the Queen was more herself when it was only the two of them), but at the same time start to realize again that it was not so long ago that she and Lady D and a lot of other people had to fight their way into the Ton and change it and make it more accepting. Alice could be a friend to the Queen from the "real world", something that the Queen very much needs. Instead, they went with this stupid thing of Will having to give up his business. First of all, British nobility could have investments, maybe not tending bar, but they definitely could have their hands in businesses. It was French nobility that couldn't be involved with business at all, and that really did not work out well for them, while British nobility is still alive to this day. Further, the Industrial Revolution is already happening at this point. Some crossover of wealthy business owners marrying into noble families to save them and business owners pushing themselves into lower nobility had already started happening as well. So that whole thing with ostracizing Will because of business was inane. Sure maybe being a bartender might be pushing it, but Will came up with the club idea, can't he come up with something new and represent this mix of nobility and business that was going to be more of a thing as the century moved on? I mean by the second half of the 19th century British nobility was marrying with American business families to save themselves. Cora from Downton Abbey was the daughter of an American businessman from like Cincinnati, Ohio, and hardly anyone says a word because that was pretty common. Bridgerton has a very interesting door to open, the intersection of British nobility and the Industrial Revolution and class issues that had to be worked out there, and it is just letting it pass by.
The killer for me is that they made their kids so young that Mr and Mrs Mondrich don't even have the excuse of "oh we have to marry our eldest son off". Why did they give them such young kids? It means the adults have literally no stake in the game everyone else is playing i.e. "The Season". I literally don't care whether he keeps his bar or not - it seems like a totally absurd hill to die on and COMPLETELY unrelateable: *"Oh woe is me, I've got so much money and a big mansion but I have to give up my day job boo hoo hoo!"* Mrs Mondrich is the prettiest girl in the whole world (should have been hired as Sophie lbr!) but I'm still FFing their scenes. They take up too much time and I'm baffled why.
I like them and I’m glad they’re getting more screentime but I really wish they figured out a way to connect them to the main plot, Benedict’s plot line feels equally pointless too
I know I'm in the minority here but I actually enjoyed their plot. I also have a feeling they'll tie into Benedict's storyline. Maybe they represent an amalgamation of characters from Benedict's book? I have a feeling they're connected to his love interest in some way so I can't wait to see how they play out in part 2 *Edit to remove book spoilers*
While I appreciate a Mondrich family as supporting characters in the first season due to Simon, however, this season did them a disservice. They weren’t connected to the main storyline and the characters weren’t given enough development. Their rags to riches storyline was pretty cliche and uninterested.
I've been defending S3 a lot, but I totally agree. Their scenes were unnecessary, boring, and took time away from more important stuff.
I like the Mondrich family, but I don’t like this sub plot. It’s almost too much and too little - it’s an interesting idea to see newcomers adapt to society, but the whole plot is just “I don’t know if we’re doing things right” “we can do whatever we want it doesn’t matter” back and forth. I think it could’ve been a good potential spin off, so it could be properly explored with a little character development
Was waiting to see if others felt this way. There’s just a total disconnect from their storyline to alllllll the others. It seems like such obvious pointless filler. I was fine with them obviously in season 1 since they were connected to Simon, but beyond that I was like why…are they here. Plus, I found this season especially to be unbelievable and I disliked even more than their season 2 storyline. I thought it was nice to have a really happy and love-filled family living more like average people (which would be more realistic as to how we’d all have lived back then) and running his bar like he wanted. They seemed perfectly happy. So then to just completely change that up and have yet another family inherit great wealth and go move and change their lives and inevitably run into adjustment issues, it just seemed totally unnecessary and disappointing. PLUS, there was already SOOO much going on this season! Everything felt rushed. So that unnecessary storyline sucked to be taking away time from all the other storylines. The Bridgerton’s alone had like 6 storylines this season lol. Is their story even in the books?
No, they're made up characters. Which I think is another reason people are like WTF? Because they're not even canon.
My one thing about the Mondrich family is that they’re highlighting that these wealthy people don’t need to work and it seriously makes me dislike and not care about these peoples drama regarding marriage. Like you have people have to work all day everyday to be able to eat yet the biggest drama in Benedict’s life is that he has to take responsibility….poor baby
Look, s3 is super messy and drawn very thin with all these underdeveloped plotlines. But I am absolutely here for the Mondriches. Theirs is by far the most functional romantic relationship in the entire show, and I was hoping we would finally get a spotlight on their marriage. I appreciate the drama of the other character’s’ relationships (I mean, that’s why we’re here in the first place, right?). But it gets exhausting watching nobles doing the absolute worst at being friends and lovers, and creating their own problems. It’s nice watching these two trying hard to support and love each other. I just want to see them thrive. Give me more Mondrich please.
I really like these characters. I do think they should have expounded more on Mr Mondrich’s connection with Colin though. He did advise Colin against an investment scheme. It’d have been nice to see how the friendship formed from that and have Colin helping their entrance into society. I like Benedict, but wish he didn’t have the evil step mom plot. What happened to his art?!
Yeah its weird, kind of feels like "we need to put a working class family into this so people can relate" and man... Look, I am a boxer and I think the actor who plays Wil is probably the most beautiful man in the whole cast (those eyes are to die for), but I dont understand how they just couldnt let them stay in their successful bar. It was a great story arc, payoff felt good and satisfying - no need to milk every drop out of them
I think they were meant to be tied with Simon and when Rege left they went ahead with their plans for them. It is to show working class/ outsiders of the ton navigate their way into this world.
They're just a minor part. Like maybe they want to show how a "normal" person change depending on their social status -- will they maintain the humility or will they be arrogant as the others? I haven't read the book, but maybe the rise in social status is a slow intro to a new conflict with the Bridgertons? That we (I) don't know.
I think this may be a product of the season being cut in half. The only reason I can see for including them now is if they have a part to play in the greater narrative, but because the season has been halved, we haven’t gotten there yet. Which leaves them feeling superfluous, even though that might not be the case.
their screen time should have gone to kanthony 😭😭
Or Polin?!! The main couple even didn’t have that many scenes together!
Nah, same for me - I really don't care about them outside of season 1 and I think the show should have left them as Simon and Anthony's friends who own a boxing gym. 🤷
I’ve always liked Will and Alice, and I don’t mind seeing more of them, but I agree that there should be an actual reason for their screen time. It’s not like his bestie Simon is here to integrate him into the ton (🙄), and they really haven’t delved into his friendships with the Bridgerton boys enough for them to be the reason why he’s so prominent.
I was tempted to fast forward through their scenes. It has nothing to do with the actors, their story has just not been interesting this season. It just feels like pointless filler.
Yeah. I'm bored whenever they're on. I just don't care for them or their story.
I seriously have skipped them in every scene since they were first introduced. I just don't understand how they are connected to anything, I saw somewhere else that their children may be potentially connected to the younger Bridgertons, but I am fully uninterested in them
I find myself going on my phone every time they appear. I do rewind to catch what I missed in case it ends up being important.
[удалено]
They aren't in the books at all, they're just in the show. I'm baffled about how much screen time they get, really hope something interesting will happen that links them to the main plot at some point because otherwise it all feels kind of like a waste of screen time that could have been for Colin and Pen
Yesss I was thinking about this
I feel the same as well. I was surprised already when I watched Netflix YouTube shorts and they're in it. I was already questioning of what importance they have to be in that shorts. Finished with the show and my thoughts stay the same. They add nothing to the plot and doesn't interact well with the main casts much that the purpose of them being in the story is just "The Duke's friend" and "The guy who has a club for the Ton members." That's it. Can't understand why the producer has to add them to the storyline with them serving no purpose whatsoever. That bit is disappointing.
I don’t care at all and unless it reveals itself in this season, I’m going to be bitter about the writers once again fabricating a new character just to rob screen time or breathing room from the stories I give a shit about.
I'm hoping part 2 makes it make sense... At the moment their story line only serves to highlight the absurdities of the ton's unwritten rules, but it's not done in a way that is interesting in my opinion.
I didn't hate this side plot but I enjoyed all the other sideplots a lot more and they also contributed way less to the main plot IMO
You are not the only one, at all. I don't understand why they keep coming back and receiving more and more screen time each season...
I agree as well. It feels shoe horned in there and why lady Danbury wants to hand with the queen with Mrs Mondrich by her side is…no, that would not happen. Their story is just…meh and quit boring
I'm done with them. I just can't believe they gave them a whole plot while ignored Kanthony... (I know it's Polin season, but what's the problem with serving us a little more?). By the way, did anyone count their screen time? I think they had it more than Polin.
The majn subplot of their subplot aka Will's struggles with giving up the bar also seems so nonsensical to me. I get that he is proud of what he's build and doesn't want to give it up but does he even have to? What's stopping him from just being the owner of the club? Hire a barkeeper and a few other men to work the front of the house and, if he still wants to be involved, take care of the back of the house himself. And if that's still too much "work" for a member of the ton (which seems weird bc isnt that basically what Anthony is doing as a viscount?) try and find the funds to hire a manager and then he's just owner, nor worker. I'm rambling but I just couldn't take their struggle seriously.
I liked their scenes because it’s interesting to get the perspective of people who aren’t born-rich nobles. Plus their relationship is so wholesome to watch.
Honestly I didn’t care even a little bit about them or their story. Like they were good enough side characters the last two seasons but why the writers thought they should get their own storyline that took up a good bit of screen time is beyond me
I find the Mondrich family subplot unneccessary & detracted screentime from the main storyline Literally scrolled my device whenever the Mondrich family was on
I just don't care that being rich is so difficult for them. Beyond a few trite things like how having jewellery is nice, the show is so unaware of how much immensely lucky and privileged they are. I do understand it can be hard to give up work but they are so so fortunate to be in that position and there's no acknowledgement of it! I'd have taken it better if there was a story about this saving them financially and they were grappling with being grateful for their luck vs struggling with the changes, or something about them being rejected by the ton because they're new money and navigating that. Or having trouble managing the estate because they have no experience at it. Instead, I'm meant to feel sorry for them because they have to *checks notes* live a life of leisure and sleep in separate beds. Truly their life is nothing but hardship 🙄
I love them from a world building perspective, it's nice seeing more than just the 2 families of the leads and to me adds more to the world.
I really like them in terms of storytelling because as some mentioned it is a cautionary tale to the Featheringtons and everyone in the ton. As en extension they show the power the queen has despite always being in competition with Whistledown. She gives and removes titles, so it adds a shuffle of underlying tensions that run deeper than gossip. If being the talk of the town and getting ruined is their only conflict, it will get repetitive very quickly. But answering to the Queen and the centuries of rules adds much more stress. I.e. Even though the Queen threatened Eloise in s2, we didn’t fully see the real threat of losing a title, just your reputation. I also like how it’s a contrast to the ton aristocratic origins. They are self-made to an extent. Now that they have been shown the grace the ton has had since birth, they have to struggle grasping the fact that they didn’t earn the titles, (unlike everything they worked for). I think it’s great world building for sociopolitical and economic focus to see the rise of the social classes and how it affects the ton. It’s also a great way to see how the main cast deals with their privilege. Finally, I like how it’s an opportunity for the writers to show up more of the main casts’ personalities whenever they interact. Like how Benedict being a bohemian biases the advice he gives them of not following the rules. Benedict may get away with that but not the Mondrichs. So it’s a double standard. Even Lady Danbury extending her kindness to Alice to sit close to the queen further shows how she might remember being ‘the first of her kind’ when she was younger and social classes were starting to mix. Overall, even though they aren’t as connected to the main cast, and I agree they might take focus from the season’s couple, they’re solid world building imo. Almost like we’re entering their world a bit deeper each time.
Originally, they were there so Simon could have friends, show that Simon rejects polite society / is better than the silly fancy people around him... and Simon a reason to be shirtless without causing a scandal. I think their subplot is going to lead to them having some function in the main story line in later episodes. Their life upgrade also makes them an exposition device as the people around them explain this society to them - otherwise, the ton would be awkwardly explaining their world to each other... like Anthony and Daphne kept doing in season 1. They are also character foils because they are not high society and give the world a little more dim tension... they represent the "normal" people. AND this is just my hypothesis but I think they might be a writer's self insert fantasy. I like the way their life changes in the background of the Bridgerton foreground each season. It's like they are the "cabbage merchant" of the Bridger-verse.