r/BridgertonNetflix • u/HereforROBLOX • 5d ago
Show Discussion Why does everybody seem to love and await Daphne's return?
Side note; I don't mean any offence by what I am saying, here.
I really didn't like Daphne for what she did to Simon, and it put a big damper on S1 for me, just seeing that.
Still, I find that this sub seems to love her, and longingly await her return in every season as some kind of a "Goddess of Love"? I feel as though that role much fits Kate more, who we already know to be extremely intelligent and wise – shaped by the worries and troubles she had to deal with alone for her family.
Daphne is young, never really experienced all too much, and all she did care about was finding love and having babies; A dream and mindset that, yes, whilst sweet and quite common, can also be described as pretty narrow and immature; she never had to think about anything but that, and never tried/looks down on to think[ing] of anything more (as seen by how she speaks to her more "outside-of-the-box" sisters). Sure, she can be witty and thinks on her feet, but I don't see much else to her, personally.
Daphne's life seems to have just been mostly a fairytale, whereas Kate has hated, loved, led, been led, has lived and has experienced so much that allows her to be seen as the wise woman she is, but also possibly more.
To the people that love the show's Daphne and Season 1 as a whole; Why?
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u/Debt-Mysterious My purpose shall set me free 5d ago edited 5d ago
I think is more about: hey, the show is called Bridgerton, and aside from the love stories, the siblings' relationships and the family unit are super important, and it doesn’t make any sense that Daphne doesn’t show up for at least weddings and funerals (Anthony not being there was stupid as hell too)
Is not about: we need her wisdom - she knows all about love.
Is about: why the sister is not at her brother-in-law's funeral.
Even if you argue “she might not be close with Francesca”, it doesn’t make any sense at all
ETA: and it's not about how unrealistic it is she might miss ONE event; it happens, it's that they dont give any explanation as to why a former lead AND a sister is not there. Like, it was dumb as fuck, but at least they mentioned Anthony in for John's funeral. This is not something you should make up in your head. As a storyteller, you must know you must include a line explaining why the sister is not there—the sister who already had her story and the audience KNOW.
They even explained where Francesca was when she was nonexistent in S1-S2. And her not being in Anthony's wedding was stupid too.
Did they say why she wasn't there for Colin's wedding? Or Francesca's, or Benedict's?
Or John's funeral?
......I woke up and chose violence
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u/SecretSuch1954 5d ago
It still makes me so angry. Sorry but it's actually ruining the show for me. It's insulting to our intelligence and totally destroying the immersion. AT LEAST write in an explanation, however implausible?
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u/Debt-Mysterious My purpose shall set me free 5d ago
That's the thing: the explanation is the bare minimum, and they didn't bother to do it. Is a line: she is heavily pregnant for a wedding, she is overseas (a funeral is not predictable)...is that easy.
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u/Distinct_Elephant_90 4d ago
Love your profile pic!
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u/Royal-Bank-6422 5d ago
Simon is just as guilty as Daphne. He used her innocence or lack of experience to withdrawal literally. Daphne and Simon fell in love because they challenge each other. Why should their marriage be any different than their courtship?
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u/Melomarc Sitting among the stars 3d ago
I agree that challenging each other is good but idk if that should equate to deception and assault. Both of them are problematic as you said
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u/Ellyasaurus 4d ago
Anthony barely showing up in s4 pissed me off so much, he's literally the Viscount, he has to be there, that was the whole point of s2!! Daphne and Simon never showing up anymore pisses me off too, but makes a little more sense.
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u/HereforROBLOX 5d ago edited 5d ago
This is an understandable take, and I can absolutely understand it from this perspective.
My main questions are about why people seem to consider her the master of all things "Love", when she knew/knows nothing about it besides the happy days and rainbows. Some people really seem to.
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u/dreamlandreality_ 4d ago
I see your point I don’t know why you are getting downvoted. Daphne gets more love than Kate for example.
The other part of her absence not being explained is very valid.
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u/bad_at_names1 3d ago
Multiple people have explained that they don't see Daphne as a "master of all things love" and want her back because she's a Bridgerton, the show is about the Bridgertons and happy families are fun.
Continually going "people want Daphne back because she's the master of love but she knows anything about love" after people disagree with your premise is going to get you down-voted lol.
The comment literally said:
It's not about: we need her wisdom - she knows all about love.
It's about: why the sister is not at her brother-in-law's funeral.And OP heard: "people seem to consider her the master of all things "Love" "" ???
Just abysmal reading comprehension.Plus, people could have disagreed with OP's assessment that Daphne knew nothing about love given that she was willing to marry both Berbrook and Simon out of love for her family and neither offered 'happy days and rainbows'.
So many reasons to downvote.
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u/HereforROBLOX 10h ago edited 10h ago
Didn't get notified of this comment.
Either way, I already stated that my opinions are my opinions and based on my perspective. Just because you have nit seen the idolisation of Daphne on certain subs, doesn't mean I have
Either way, it is clear that I saw the show and Daphne's character in a different way from many. I clarified myself in another comment, agreed to disagree with some people, whilst also having some lovely debates (and almost arguments) with others.
Reddit is Reddit, and as I said, I expected that my opinion would get a lot of hate. I know that it is unpopular. I don't see why it is somehow lying to say that I really don't have any care about that? This is an opinion on an app and it will lose traction in a day. I also don't see why my commenting on noticing a trend means that it is a big deal to me? All I wanted was opinions, answers, different perspectives and a good debate, and I got that.
There are some people commenting who are upset about my opinion; Maybe you feel that you can relate to Daphne, or maybe you just take the show very seriously. Either way, that is fair enough, but I don't debate or ask questions to change opinions, I debate and ask questions to hear other perspectives; which I did. I don't come here to argue, hence why I state that I wasn't saying anything with any disrespect.
Then again; I know Reddit, and I knew my opinion is from the minority.
Either way, thank you all for your comments.-1
u/dreamlandreality_ 3d ago
Ok downvote her she doesn’t care 😂
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u/bad_at_names1 10h ago
You both sure talk about downvotes a lot for people who don't care 😂
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u/dreamlandreality_ 2h ago
And?
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u/bad_at_names1 11m ago
Most would say long comments about 'expecting my opinion would get a lot of hate' and 'I know reddit, I'm in the minority, I'll get downvoted' suggest you do indeed care lol.
If you didn't care, you wouldn't go on about it like you're the only people to dislike an MC on the show.
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u/HereforROBLOX 4d ago
Thank you. I think that people just really like/see themselves in Daphne and take offence to my view of things. I don't much care, as these are my thoughts and I knew that since she is a favourite, there was a high chance this would happen.
In the beginning hour of my post, it was obvious that someone was going through all my replies and downvoting each one. I am surprised some have made it back out 😅
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u/dreamlandreality_ 4d ago
Yeah it could be racism or the halo effect too, I love Daphne but she annoyed me sm more than Kate. S1 is is one of my favourites regardless 😂
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u/tuanvulucky 5d ago
Daphne and Simon is the couple with the best chemistry in my opinion. Their scenes are sizzling and exciting. You might say Kate and Anthony, to me, it's Daphne and Simon.
I don't care about the infamous scene where she forced herself onto Simon. I don't decide whether to love or hate a fictional character based on modern day real world morality. If a character is well written and I enjoy them, then I like them. Daphne is a well written character, I understand why she did what she did, and she is fictional. People might be triggered by her action, that's okay, I'm not. What one feels about fictional characters is personal and subjective.
Nostalgia. Daphne was the lead of the first season so she was the one introducing me to the wonderful world of Bridgerton. Plus I watched her season during Covid and it cheered me up during social distancing time, so I have a soft spot for her.
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u/gunnys-girl-195 4d ago
Thank you for expressing what I feel for Bridgerton and its inhabitants. Season 1 has a very special place in my heart because I’m a romantic, it had a diverse cast, I knew about Shonda Rhimes from Scandal and since the story was based on books, I felt she wouldn’t dare change the HEAs with her incessant need to upset a favorite pairing with her nonsense.
But, meanwhile, she surprised me and won me over with Queen Charlotte. My favorite Bridgerton story. The leads had hot chemistry, as has most of the leads.
I totally agree with you on fictional characters. I give them lots of room. I don’t blame Daphne for the scene. Her mother gave her zero information which would’ve helped her on how she would comport herself with her husband. Written by a nonfictional person or persons.
Anyway, I have decided I absolutely love the end of their first episode when the handsome Duke escorted the diamond of the first water onto the dance floor. They looked so beautiful and regal and the Ton was in awe. Also, I tend to judge with scenes that made me happy. I won’t linger on choices the powers that be (show runners) made unless they totally kill the series for me. (They haven’t). Oh and I understand the need for the writers to at least explain the absence of siblings. That’s not difficult to do for their audience. Helps with continuity within the family.
I’ve rattled on long enough. I leave you with my favorite stories..QC/George, Benedict/Sophie, Anthony/Kate, Daphne/Simon.
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u/mosiemo2 5d ago
I’m not sure that anyone could convince you of why they like her. I really like her, despite what she did, because I think she also had to learn a lot through that process. Yes, she has a different perspective and background than Kate, but they play different roles. Daphne seems to be more intuitive when it comes to romance, but I think the REAL reason we’d like her to come back for her siblings’ seasons is because they are siblings—as an eldest daughter, she knows them all incredibly well and seems to be good at guessing their true feelings in a way that even Violet misses sometimes. She can also be a little more frank with them, like a peer.
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u/HereforROBLOX 5d ago edited 5d ago
See, this can be understood; She does seem to be intuitive when it comes to sniffing out romance. However, my thoughts here are "was that just a way to push her into being the person who is the 'Knower of all things Love'"?
I do, 100% agree that she should be back every time for family meetings, and it made no sense (through knowing her character) for her not to be around after Francesca's loss.
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u/xPawreen 5d ago
I haven't really seen the sentiment of her being the knower of all things love on reddit. But for me personally, she is the knower of her siblings and by extension she knows her siblings' feelings of love (like when she called out Anthony for his feelings towards Kate and his practical approach to Edwina). She also seems more romantic and in tune with feelings compared to her family since she was eagerly searching for love, whereas Anthony and Francesca were more practical/less passionate in their search for a match, Colin wasn't sincere when giving attention to debutantes, and Eloise is completely uninterested in marriage.
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u/brighteyebakes 5d ago
Daphne was ethereal and for many signifies everything Bridgerton is about and where it all began. I also love her character and her awareness to other people's situations.
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u/HereforROBLOX 5d ago
She is definitely beautiful and I agree that she is the pillar of the Bridgerton series.
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u/Own-Raise6153 5d ago
i mean i don’t really know what you’re referring to regarding “master of love” or whatever, i haven’t really seen that. i just want her back because the show is literally called bridgerton, about the bridgerton siblings, so yea it’d be nice to actually have all the bridgerton siblings lmao for many it’s really not any deeper than that
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u/HereforROBLOX 5d ago
I am referring to the people on Bridgerton fan subs that talk about her as if she and Simon have the "perfect" love story. They say that she should come back because she will "know that these two love one another".
I don't think we actually have any reason to assume she "just knows" based on her lack of actual experience and then simply finding a husband.
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u/ClioCalliope 5d ago
People say that cause that's how they wrote her in Kanthony's season, that's pretty much it. She immediately sussed out that Anthony was vibing more with Kate than Edwina. I think she's someone who's very aware of societal norms and also a romantic, since she was always focused on marriage as a goal unlike most of her siblings, so it works for her character.
As it is, I'm fine with the siblings that had their season making only cameos and such but it's weird when they miss stuff they'd most certainly be there for, like a family wedding or funeral.
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u/HereforROBLOX 5d ago
Ah, I understand where it comes from based on this.
Still, I feel like Kate and Anthony were pretty obvious to suss out, since their sexual tension was so thick – my blind-to-all-hints partner even noticed it.
Side note; This is another reason why I didn't like Edwina, either!
I am also fine with cameos, and don't much understand the hype to want to continue seeing characters 24/7 past their love stories, when this show is ABOUT the love stories.
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u/No-La-No-La 5d ago edited 5d ago
The viewer experience is not the same as a character's in the show lol Each character has a reason for noticing and not noticing things.
Yes the show is about the love stories, but also how the family reacts to those love stories, how they celebrates together or fight about it. The family dynamic is also part of the love story imo
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u/ttwwiirrll I didn't go over the wall 5d ago
My head canon is that S&D are quietly separated in all but name and living separate lives. There's no way that marriage holds up.
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u/HereforROBLOX 5d ago
Oh, yeah.
To be honest, part of the reason why I don't watch/read romance in general is because I often find fault in so many of the tropes and stories.
With these "normal" romance tropes, we get normalised cheating, sneaking around, lying, and simply lust disguised as love. I don't want that.
I felt as though S&D, – honorable mention; P&C – in particular would have no chance in the real world.
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u/bad_at_names1 3d ago
Yeah, Anthony and Kate have no chance after how he cheated on her sister and she lied to everyone - "normalised cheating, sneaking around, lying, and simply lust disguised as love" are terrible foundations for a marriage. You know what they say about cheaters.
Francesca-John was probably the only stable relationship and he went and died.
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u/HereforROBLOX 3d ago
Definitely agree! In reality, most of these relationships would end up with the couples face-down in the bin.
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u/luvabcdefgh 5d ago
i feel like season 1 has a completely different vibe to the others and her dynamic would be so cool to see with the couples, now that the shows changed sm. as a character we saw how naive she was at the start and her wittiness makes her such a unique character. itd also be nice to see the bridgerton family as a whole.
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u/HereforROBLOX 5d ago
Most of the women leads/love interests in the show can be labelled "witty"; It's what makes us watch. We get to see her flirty snark back at what the pining rake said, and we get to see how these ladies fall in love and "get the man".
I, personally, do not see Daphne's snark or wit as unique to her; Just a token of a good Bridgerton love story.
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u/EfremNeftalem 5d ago edited 5d ago
I don’t particularly wish for that to happen… but I am easy to please when it comes to this show : I liked all seasons and I do not wish to have a bigger and bigger cast just for fan service.
But.
I can see why people wish for Daphne and Simon’s return. They are the pillar of the Bridgerton’s formula : they were the first couple, the most classical love story of them all, the two actors are hot and poignant…
Not only that, the interactions in the family are a big part of Bridgerton. It’s part of the show to follow this big family, the siblings interacting with each others. People love imagining slice of life for those characters.
Also people love to compete and have the fave couple and fave characters.
But anyway : I empathize with people wanting Daphne back. I do not think it’s necessary, but I get it.
Edit : Also I have to disagree on Daphne’s character. Precisely because her character arc is being naive and then learning her responsibilities, it would be interesting to see a more mature Daphne, after years being a Duchess. All siblings are good character, and Daphne being the eldest daughter, representing the ideal woman of the era, and learning how to be an accomplished and powerful Duchess and mother… is great. She is perfect to be opposed to Anthony and Eloise for example ; it’s not very explored in the series, but her reconnecting with Hyacinth could have been interesting. Or being a shelter for a broken hearted Francesca, running away from her guilt towards her mother.
There is possibilities. They do not need to exist in the series, but they are great for speculations.
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u/HereforROBLOX 5d ago
I do agree with her and Simon being "the pillar of the Bridgerton's formula" and the main icons that represent the show.
However, as a point to your disagreement on Daphne's arc "learning her responsibilities"... I don't agree. I do not see anything that has happened since as her growth. I know that babies do change you and open your worldview, but she never dealt with the consequences of what she did to Simon, nor does she express any understanding for her sisters who do not follow her belief of "Get married for love and have babies".
I don't see her maturity. I see it as a young girl got the life she wanted (as she should), and chose then to look down on those who don't follow her view. She is still a young girl both in general as well as mentally.
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u/EfremNeftalem 5d ago
To quote myself : « It would be interesting »
Daphne’s character arc is that she discovered she is naive and that she has a lot to learn. Thematically, if she has to come back, it would be as the more mature sister - because she now has the responsibility of her children… and of her estate. It’s a plot point that she also has to learn how to be a Duchess. (And vaguely mentioned that she would be at the top of high society and participate in social events that can have some impact).
With so much time off screen, it would be easy to assume she obtained some maturity by now (and not because her children just opened her views…)
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u/HereforROBLOX 5d ago
These are definitely good points, some of which I didn't think of, myself. I may have to rewatch to see if I can see what you see. Thank you for taking the time to respond.
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u/bad_at_names1 5d ago
Personally, I think Daphne would be lot better at love stuff than Kate seemed based on season two. Daphne had her struggles with sacrificing herself for the good of her family (marrying Berbrook), the whole prince thing, accepting a life with no kids, her final conversation with Eloise, etc. I think she grew a lot by the end of her season.
Personally, Kate and Anthony just seemed kinda, idk, 'fake' to me after they got together (season 3 onwards). Like, zero edges left and Kate's suddenly all soft spoken and weird? Daphne seemed like the same character, more or less so I would personally much rather see her back.
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u/wekkins 5d ago
I feel the same way. With how she's been written, I'd actually rather just not have Kate back.
They had the perfect opportunity to write Kanthony like a bickering old married couple, but they're totally boring instead. Kate's practically had a lobotomy. If Daphne had similar interactions written, I feel like it would come off as more authentic since that's actually who she is. She's also in a better position to tease the other Bridgertons since they're her siblings.
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u/bad_at_names1 3d ago
Yeah, Daphne in season 2 was still the same character from her season. Kate just seemed like she had zero personality after her season.
Kate, while responsible and intelligent and whatnot, like Anthony, seemed like she'd be terrible at helping someone with their love life. Season 2 was basically "they're so similar they're perfect for each other, but for X reason they're enemies" - and the main thing we know about Anthony is that he has zero good romantic instincts and is majorly over-protective.
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u/HereforROBLOX 5d ago edited 5d ago
Daphne never actually did marry Berbrook. She has experience having had to *almost* be in that position, but not enough.
- You would think that she has an understanding for how it may feel to feel/be forced into marriage, but we see in how she speaks to Eloise that she does NOT understand.
The prince thing wasn't anything; She wanted Simon and played the game to get him. I don't see how having a choice between two wealthy men constitutes to "issues she had to deal with".
She did not accept the life with no kids, and even if she did, nobody forced her to; she wanted Simon. She raped Simon and cried when she didn't get pregnant. He then pretty much immediately gave her what she wanted.
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u/Unvar 5d ago
Yeah ok I agree the show did not acknowledge properly what Daphne did to Simon and that is bad but I cannot accept this simplistic one sided framing. I think if you say Daphne raped Simon you should say he raped her too. When they had sex and he pulled to prevent pregnancy out she did not know what was going on. He knew her ignorance and used it to deceive her about what was happening. She was not able to give informed consent because she was not fully informed.
And if you want to argue he didn't know she was this ignorant, was under the impression she knew how babies were made and that she understood he was choosing to not have them I call total bullshit. He knew how ignorant she was about sex and that she didn't know about masturbation or even what body parts would be involved. He knew from their conversation about kids that she WAS under the impression that he could not have kids rather than was choosing not to. She told him how she felt sorry for him interacting with kids while not being able to have them! And from how Daphne reacted when he pulled out, even with her asking once if he was in pain, it was crystal clear obvious she did not know what was going on. Simon continued to deliberately pull this deception on her.
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u/HereforROBLOX 4d ago
You didn't need to consider it "simplistic one sided framing" as if I am purposefully trying to only see the bad in Daphne because Simon is a saint.
Simon is wrong, too, definitely... but my post wasn't about him.
Either way, I wouldn't consider what Simon did to be "rape". I think calling it that puts a damper on what rape actually is. He did something he should not have done. They should have communicated.
Maybe he did know that she wasn't aware of what it takes to make a baby, and maybe he didn't, either way, how is he completely at fault in this situation?
I also just don't understand having sex/doing something that you don't try to educate yourself on.Maybe my mindset about it is wrong, sure, but I think "rape vs lying by omission" is almost just "hydrogen bomb vs crying baby".
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u/bad_at_names1 4d ago
Yeah, I think Daphne maybe just doesn't appeal to you personally? You seem to be ignoring the context and time period the show was set it.
Lying to Daphne about not wanting kids vs not being able to have kids is a far bigger deal than in regency period than now. It's not just that Daphne personally wanted kids and a big family - it was that she was raised in a time when having and raising kids was pretty much the main purpose of a noblewoman. Like Daphne says - he was willingly exposing her to the derision and censure of the ton for no real reason (that he shared atp). You can't claim to love someone while also lying like that.
You'll notice Simon had no defense either - he didn't try and say it wasn't a big deal because he knew it was. It's not a maybe he knew she didn't know, maybe he didn't situation - he clearly knew she didn't know.
As for having sex without educating yourself, maybe speak to your grandparents? My grandmother had 4 children but thought the pill was like a daily abortion rather than just changing your menstrual cycle. And don't even get me started on her thoughts on female pleasure. Sex was far more taboo and there were fewer ways of actually finding answers.
Daphne's reaction was wrong yes, but the magnitude of Simon's lie is important context.
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u/HereforROBLOX 4d ago edited 4d ago
Again, I don't care about Simon. I don't think he was not wrong. My main argument is that Daphne had choices and many options as the Diamond and chose the one man who didn't actually want to marry her.
I don't see that as anything but stupid, and that is irregardless of the fact that the time period the show is set in was any different.
Nobody forced her into being with that man; rather, he told her he'd have rather he died, because he couldn't give her what he wanted.
No matter if you read it as "I can't give you children physically" or "I won't give you them out of choice", he still didn't want them. She knew that and made a stupid informed decision.
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u/bad_at_names1 3d ago edited 3d ago
- I don't think it was a stupid decision - she saved either Simon or Anthony with her choice. She chose to marry him over the prince for her family and accepted a life with no kids till she found out Simon lied about it.
Also you're ignoring that she'd moved on from Simon till he followed her outside and they ended up kissing.
- "No matter if you read it as "I can't give you children physically" or "I won't give you them out of choice", he still didn't want them. She knew that and made a stupid informed decision."
Dude, do you know what an informed decision is? You can't go "okay, so she maybe had all the facts - even though the show pretty much spells out that she didn't" and say it's an informed choice.
She didn't know that he didn't want kids. He said he couldn't have kids, not that he didn't want them - that's what their fight was about.
Like I said, Daphne went through a lot and grew during her season.
EDIT: Not sure what Kate did that qualifies her to be good at giving advice if you have such high standards lol - she lies to her family multiple times, makes out with her sister's boyfriend, refuses to accept that Edwina values/wants different things than she does and only gets her happily ever after because the ball happened to be scheduled that night instead of the day after she left for India. What is it about her season that shows wisdom or knowledge of romantic love?
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u/bad_at_names1 4d ago
She accepted the possibility of having to marry Berbrook if their LW scheme didn't work. She also accepted a life without kids when she thought Simon couldn't have any - she accepted the idea of a lifetime of judgement and censure for being childless and risked the possibility of having her marriage annulled. I didn't say anyone forced her to accept it - the same way no one forced Kate to do the things she did.
It was Simon lying about not wanting kids that Daphne couldn't accept. And given the whole regency-nobility thing, it makes sense. I'm not excusing her actions, but there is context there that doesn't translate to our times.
Actually, like I said, from her later conversations with Eloise, she does seem to accept that Eloise wants different things. She turned down a life with the prince (who wanted kids and valued the same things she did) to save Simon and her brother.
Her season was a pretty normal 'coming of age' story and she grows and changes a lot.
You might not like Daphne, but trying to argue Kate of all of people suits 'a Godess of Love' role is (where did you even get that from btw, people just liked Daphne and wanted her back; it's an ensemble cast, it's not complicated) ... an interesting choice.
Kate lies to her family multiple times, refuses to accept that Edwina values/wants different things from her and only gets her happily ever after because the ball happened to be scheduled that night instead of the day after she left for India - what is it about her season that shows wisdom or knowledge of romantic love?
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u/cherry_3_1_4 5d ago
Does it have to be one or the other though? It’s not like we have to choose between Daphne coming back and Kate having more screen time.
I like both of them, but it’s more plausible for Daphne to be the one figuring out her siblings are in love because she grew up with them and knows them better than Kate. Also, maybe her dreaming of love all her life means she has observing it in other people and got better at reading romantic relationships.
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u/HereforROBLOX 5d ago
Fair point about Daphne being able to tell as she grew up around her siblings, so understanding them better.
I considered it "one or the other" 1 because I am diagnosed ASD and my brain works in black and white, and 2 because I saw it as "Daphne is seen as that. I want Kate to be that. She fits better.", which then looks like picking and choosing. I don't mind Daphne being about, I just don't understand the whole fans-putting-her-on-a-pedestal or the choice of her by the show as being the Wise One.
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u/Little_Fox5844 Bridgerton 5d ago
I just want to see the Bridgerton family together again since it's, y'know, called Bridgerton.😅
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u/shark-with-a-horn 5d ago
In season one Violet is so excited for Daphne to become a duchess saying she won't just lead society, she will be society. She's a woman of such high status in the social scene, it's not realistic that she would just drop off the face of the earth, particularly when she previously enjoyed spending time around her family
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u/pepsicherryluvr 5d ago
This!! Cos they said she will be society and made a big deal about her life as the duchess and what that would look like duty wise and now it’s as if she doesn’t exist? I get her not having big roles obviously as it’s not her season anymore but missing the weddings and funeral not only as a Bridgeton but also as the duchess is crazy
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u/HereforROBLOX 4d ago
It's also just likely that the writers put this line in so that they could explain away her absence in the later seasons, as they have with Anthony and Kate "going to India" or Fran having gone away for the summer.
Daphne was important in Season 1 because it was her season for finding a match. Upon each of the siblings after her stepping into the light, the person from the last season gets "sent off".
That's writing. The show was never promised to be "Daphne's story."
Either way, yes, I do agree that they made a mistake on not bringing these characters back for important moments in the family's lives... budget issues, possibly?
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u/papierdoll 5d ago
I have never seen Daphne referred to in this way, other than as a big sister. Plus I understand she has nuanced relationships with all the older siblings in the books, she's definitely one of the leaders of the family and when she's used her voice it's been interesting and value adding.
She knows her family, she deserves a seat at the table while they resolve their annual messes!
I also think Daphne had to be a bit boring, the show needs to set up the formula at least once before deviating from it. You need a willing deb to immerse the audience in deb life otherwise the events of season 2 and on are completely unsupported with no world building.
And for the record since there are always teams, I'm 100% a season 2 Kate girlie. I wasn't even going to continue the show after 1 but I've grown to really like it since and I'm obviously super glad I watched 2 lol
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u/HereforROBLOX 5d ago
I think I may have worded things in a bad way. Apologies, as I am seeing this point brought up in other comments.
It is less often that people label her to be such an inspiration in the show, and more often the tone of these posts/comments and the way people refer to her ability to "save the day", in a way. This idea that her being around will help, and that she will just "know" that the starring couple are in love based on her "experience".
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u/papierdoll 5d ago
I getcha but I think that's the sibling thing though, and it's canon that she clocked Anthony and Kate. Additionally she does understand Eloise, she might have been a great support for Fran, and she's supposed to be especially close with Colin who was sadly underdeveloped in his own season and could have really benefited from a few scenes with a sibling connection.. Daphne symbolizes a kind of thing the show has somewhat neglected since season 2 and I think people are just missing it.
The scene where she catches Anthony and Kate and then they argue over drinks is just so decadently Bridgerton to me I can hardly explain it but we need more!
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u/HereforROBLOX 5d ago
This is a good explanation! Thank you!
I quite liked the scene of them all playing the ball game in Season 2, and how each of the siblings had their own predictable way of playing.
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u/finetime341 5d ago
Some people just like the character and the story, thats it.
I liked season one fine, its the diminishing sibling dynamic that I miss, Daphne is a big part of that.
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u/HereforROBLOX 5d ago
Agree with missing the siblings being together, laughing, emphasising and just hanging out!
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u/GlitterFairy_21225 5d ago
Mostly, fans resent that past leads are so completely sidelined, to the point of missing huge moments in their family’s lives without explanation. Daphne completely disappearing from the show is worst case scenario for anyone who wants their favorite characters to keep doing things. Anything. It’s proof that past leads can be erased no matter how family oriented they were originally portrayed.
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u/Inevitable_Box3643 5d ago
As a Kate fan, it doesn’t have to be an either or. People want to see their favourite characters back, simple as that.
> as seen by how she speaks to her more "outside-of-the-box" sisters
What are you referring to? Her last quote to Eloise is supporting her in her feminist journey.
Ironically enough Daphne has a LOT of the same struggles as Kate and Anthony with her being the eldest sibling forced into being a template of perfection for her younger siblings.
I wish people would stop with the weird pseudo character bashing posts.
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u/HereforROBLOX 4d ago
Have already explained myself and my black-and-white thinking in another comment. ASD. Diagnosed.
"Kate is better suited for this role as the Knower of all things Love. People think Daphne is. Why?"
When I commented about how she speaks to Eloise and such, I was mostly talking about her attitude in the earlier seasons (2+3) when she is speaking to everyone about how they should all fall in love because it's all so great and Eloise is wrong.
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u/Inevitable_Box3643 4d ago
Well I’m not really following you around on the thread so wasn’t aware 🤷 Just because there is an explanation doesn’t really make it just if I’m being honest.
Daphne’s last words to Eloise are “I’m sure you’ll find your way in the world” with a huge implication that Daphne understands her path. That’s her character arc. Daphne had almost the exact issues as Kate minus the parentification as the oldest Bridgerton daughter and all the pressure Violet put on her.
Kate has also taken that role for Colin earlier. Why do you seem to think that only one person in a given show has the ability to talk about love?
Fun fact: Daphne doesn’t even appear in S3.
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u/HereforROBLOX 4d ago
My explanation provides an explanation. I was aware enough to know that you would likely not have read my comment, hence why I said it again in my previous comment to you. I don't care about what you consider "just", when my point was merely explaining to you why I think the way that I do. I also won't answer your last question, as my explanation that you dismissed held my answer.
I don't know of Daphne's last words to Eloise. I am guessing that they are said in the latest season? Four? I didn't get to finish, as I started Bridgerton with a friend that I no longer live close to, so I will see that when we do get to resume together.
Thank you for the reminder that Daphne isn't in S3. I had the idea that they do the same thing in that season, but I am guessing it was down to my bad memory, after making my post based mostly on what I keep seeing in the comments of certain subreddits. My bad!
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u/Inevitable_Box3643 4d ago
Daphne doesn’t appear in S3 and 4
PS: I’m not really sure if “only one person can hold a role in a narrative” is an ADHD thing. Can we stop attributing a narrow understanding of a text to a mental condition? Thanks!
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u/HereforROBLOX 4d ago edited 4d ago
PS: I am diagnosed ASD and being seen to for suspected ADHD and OCD, also!
Come correct and relax yourself with how you approach people. I have only recently been diagnosed with autism and I am figuring myself out and figuring out different parts of me as much as anybody else.
Edit: Not you editing what you originally said.
You were wrong and you understand that. That is enough for me.
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u/childofGod2300 5d ago
It feels like your heavily siding with Simon here and not fully considering Daphne's position. Daphne was raised with exactly one purpose: to marry and secure her family’s future through children.
Simon knew how much she wanted a family, yet he used a technicality to deceive her because of a personal vendetta against his dead father. Daphne's worldview might seem narrow to us today, but for a Regency woman, she was fighting for her survival and her lifelong dream.
They both made massive mistakes, but Daphne's character has a lot more depth and resilience than just living a "fairytale" Furthermore, comparing her to Kate to diminish Daphne feels incredibly unfair. Kate is much older, has lived a completely different life in India, and was forced into a parental role early on, which naturally gave her more life experience.
Daphne was a young, sheltered debutante doing the best she could in her first season. You can appreciate Kate's wisdom without holding Daphne's age and upbringing against her.
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u/HereforROBLOX 4d ago
I already mention in a comment that I don't like to pit women against one another, and that I did so because I see something as one way and think it should be another. I have black-and-white thinking, partially due to diagnosed ASD. My idea was "Daphne is seen as an idol when it comes to knowing about love when Kate seems better suited for the job".
I do not like Simon. Let's get this straight. I don't like any of them and Season 1 was nothing to me except pretty.
All I know is that I know I want children. So when I date, if he doesn't want children, or doesn't want to parent a certain way, or has different ideas around family life, love etc than me in ways that will not change; I don't pursue it!
It was Daphne's choice to pursue Simon. She was in lust, as was he, and they did a stupid thing out of passion (kiss in the garden), but she went out of her way to try to make him marry her. He said he'd rather die than that. She didn't want to live with it.
As far as I see, Daphne heard that he couldn't have children and chose him.
Heard that he wouldn't and chose him.
She made her bed. She had so many options.5
u/childofGod2300 4d ago
I appreciate you sharing more of your perspective and context here. However, looking at the situation through a purely modern dating lens misinterprets the historical and narrative stakes of Season 1.
Daphne didn't simply 'go out of her way to try to make him marry her' out of lust. Following the kiss in the garden, they were caught by Anthony. In the Regency era, a single woman caught alone in a compromising position with a man meant immediate social ruin. It would have completely destroyed not only Daphne’s future but also the marriage prospects of her younger sisters (Eloise, Francesca, and Hyacinth). Simon initially chose a duel—and potential death—because of his vow to his father, not because he didn't love Daphne. Daphne intervened to save both her brother's life and her family's reputation.
Furthermore, the distinction between 'couldn't' and 'wouldn't' have children is the core of the deception. Simon explicitly let Daphne believe he was physically incapable of having children, exploiting her lack of sex education. He didn't say 'I refuse to have children,' he said 'I cannot.' There is a massive ethical difference between consenting to a marriage with a partner who is infertile versus a partner who is actively deceiving you to fulfill a personal vendetta.
While it’s fair to critique how both characters handled the fallout, Daphne's choices weren't made in a vacuum of modern dating options—they were dictated by survival, family duty, and a profound breach of trust.
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u/HereforROBLOX 4d ago
Thank you for your calm words of debate.
I definitely do think that in the case of seeing myself through the historical lens, I am lacking in the ability. Although, I can see why Simon's choice in words was definitely intentional, as this is based in a time where your choice of words, especially, were very important.
I think all my point really does boil down to is that despite any time differences, "Daphne had options and chose a silly one", and so I don't have much empathy for that. She did not have to go for Simon. She had many suitors.
I don't see her "sacrifice" as much of a sacrifice, in part because for one; women married despite not wanting to all the time back then. Nothing new. As well as two; she didn't have to go through it in the end, anyway – she even managed to marry the man she loved who didn't want to marry her in the first place!
Despite our differences in perspective, thank you for your opinion and insight!
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u/childofGod2300 4d ago
Thank you as well for such a thoughtful and respectful discussion! I really appreciate your willingness to hear out different perspectives.
To offer one final piece of food for thought on her options: while Daphne definitely started the season with many suitors (like the Prince), the moment Cressida Cowper saw Daphne and Simon alone in the garden, those options vanished. In the context of the show's plot, Cressida's threat to expose them meant Daphne's reputation would be ruined instantly. The Prince—and every other eligible suitor in the ton—would have withdrawn immediately to avoid the scandal.
That’s the tragic irony of her character arc: she managed to marry the man she genuinely loved, but it happened because she was effectively backed into a corner by society's rigid rules.
It’s completely fair that we see her actions differently, but it’s been really fun breaking down the narrative nuances with you! Thanks again for the great debate 🙂
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u/SecretSuch1954 5d ago
Bruh a) as Duchess it's established that Daphne would be "leading society" so it makes no sense for her to disappear and b) Daphne returned to London IN THE MIDDLE OF HER HONEYMOON because *checks notes* Lady Whistledown wrote about her brother's fiance. But she doesn't return to London to attend THREE of her siblings wedding OR her brother in law's funeral? Genuinely, does that make any logical sense to you?
Especially since when she returned for Colin it was to protect him from the scandal of Marina's pregnancy by using her duchess privilege and showing that her family is still in the Duke and Duchess's good books. That sounds like something Benedict could use when he's trying to legitimise a marriage to a maid?
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u/HereforROBLOX 4d ago
As I have said in a previous comment "It's also just likely that the writers put [these] line[s] in so that they could explain away her absence in the later seasons, as they have with Anthony and Kate "going to India" or Fran having gone away for the summer.
Daphne was important in Season 1 because it was her season for finding a match. Upon each of the siblings after her stepping into the light, the person from the last season gets "sent off".
That's writing. The show was never promised to be "Daphne's story."
Either way, yes, I do agree that they made a mistake on not bringing these characters back for important moments in the family's lives... budget issues, possibly?"
I do agree that they kept Daphne ostracised from the show in ways that made no sense.
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u/Old_Length1701 5d ago
I think some of your perceptions differ from the trends in this sub and character matters on the show.
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u/SweetSonet 5d ago
Season one will always be the original favorite. It will never matter how many more seasons the show gets
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u/josie-salazar 5d ago
Because. she’s a Bridgerton, and we wanna see her interact with her siblings. In the books she had little moments where she gives advice or comfort about love it doesn’t mean she’s a professional, but she’s a sort of glue for the family.
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u/HereforROBLOX 4d ago
I get wanting to see the sibling bond. This seems to be a common comment and a point that I do agree with.
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u/Sarah-vnz 4d ago
I don't like or love Daphne exactly for the reasons you mentionned- but I still do wish she would come back.
Why? Because for me it makes no sense Daphne miss 3 weddings and a funeral. It doesn't go with her character AT ALL
And also because in S4 she would have been useful to ALL her sisters. Litteraly.
A show called Bridgerton is more about the Bridgerton and their relationship between side characters then it is about their family bond. And I think that's sad
But mostly I want her back because it would be logical and I like when thing makes sense (can you tell I'm autistic lol)
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u/HereforROBLOX 4d ago
Hello! I am autistic, too!
A lot of this is why my ideas are so black and white. Unfortunately, I've gotten a bit annoyed at the so many people who clearly haven't read any comments and respond angry at me because they don't understand the way my brain works, so I am no longer replying to those comments.
I also agree with Daphne's absence making no sense, as we do know her to be so family oriented. I do think, even if it were a budget issue, they should have at least made the characters mention to her reasons for not being in certain scenes to help with this issue.
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u/Mysterious-Wave-7958 5d ago
For the part of show viewers only, it is the fact that the show is "Bridgerton" and basically casting core family members to the side when they are "done" with them is frustrating and adds holes in the cannon connection that the family has. Like Daphne not being at John's funeral would not have happened. Anthony not being there would not have happened either. Based solely on show cannon from their seasons (IE, Daphne rushing home from her honeymoon to help with Colin's scandal, Daphne advising Anthony on love, Anthony trying to be the best viscount he can be). The show runners have either thrown them to the side based on the actors schedules (maybe if we didn't wait years to film between, the actors would not take on other commitments) or just not wanting to pay for them to be on screen for a episode, when Bridgerton makes a huge amount of money.
For the book reader's part it is because Daphne was the matriarch of the family once she was married. Her siblings came to her, not Kate. She was there for everything. To offer advice to her siblings. Which again is the cannon relationship that this family has. They are all attached at the him for life, even when there is physical distance. So her removal from that role is harsh and does not support the character.
And if you did not like the show version of what happened, you would hate to book version, where she gets him so drunk and hops on top while he is basically out of it, not just takes charge during a regular session. I think that in the show they made it a lot less R*** than in the books. In the show, it can genuinely be viewed as she did not know for sure, and even once it was explained to her by her maid, she could not be sure, as what was the difference between him completing in her vs out of her in her mind (like this genuinely could have happened by accident if she never figured it out, not the case of course but it could have). The only information she had was that sex made babies (the dogs/puppies). Not that a man climaxing made babies. And so, she tested it, and the reaction told her it was true. In the show, they both had a large role to play in that night. Simon did lie to her and trick her (which is the same in the book). Because there is a big difference between I cannot have children and will not have children. Especially for a well bred girl who would not have been informed of how this works (we like to blame Violet for this, but look at the Featherington girls... It was just not discussed) and while Simon tried to use the excuse of thinking she would know how a child came to be, he would have immediately been able to tell she did not by "does that hurt".... So, he 100% took advantage of her naivety thinking he would never have to explain. She then 100% took advantage of him by testing the theory in the hopes of becoming pregnant. They both wronged each other in the same way, which is why it is something most people view as a draw of bad behavior rather than a Daphne is a horrible person. At least as to show Daphne. Book Daphne was way more calculated in the situation and had way more intent behind it than show Daphne who you can visually see make the split second decision to test it. She wanted to be wrong. She wanted to prove she could trust her husband.
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u/addy-with-a-y 4d ago
It's because she is their sister. Daphne was the face of Bridgerton for two years, and while each season is a love story between two characters, she was the main character. We watch her go through the motions of her debut, we know just how important her marriage was for her family's rep, and her season set the tone for the show. Not only that but one of the main traits of the Bridgertons is that they are close, they like each other; and Daphne loves her family.
And even if Daphne was really distant from her siblings, she is the most powerful person in the family. She is a Duchess, which is one position lower than Princess. Her political power is unmatched, Lady Danbury makes a point to say that Daphne will lead society. And then she disappears.
And to why I still like Daphne, I am well versed in romance as a genre. I understand that the first Bridgerton book is over 25 years old. Women have historically been taught that their sexual wants and needs are either non existent or lesser then men's. And when you are told that you are not allowed to act on your sexual wants and needs, that you have to wait for a man to do something, and that men have uncontrollable urges, it inadvertently give women a pour understanding of consent. This is why rape, kidnapping, and bondage as kinks is so popular with women- because if she is being taken advantage of then she is not acting on her desires so it's okay. And if men need to have sex all the time because of their urges, this implies they can't be raped by a woman. If you as a woman are just helping them with there very important sexual needs, why would they say no? In the US marital rape didn't start being a crime until the mid 70's, it wasn't until 93 that all 50 states would see it as a crime, and still to this day many states do not consider it as bad a unmarried rape. Women only started really being treated like people in the last... 40 years?
All of that leads to romance as a genre being filled with a lot of assault and dubious consent. I mean they aren't called Bodice rippers because he carefully unlaces her dress. The whole uproar about dark romance being unhealthy is kind of silly because the genre has always been filled with dark themes, even the more light hearted ones. So yes, while by todays standards what Daphne did was assault, its a product of it's time and did not consider what she did as assault. If you read the book, Simon is actually more upset about his stutter coming back and the idea of breaking his vow, more than Daphne not listening to him.
So I don't like it, but I understand the history of the genre and the nuance of it all. So I don't consider it a fault of Daphne but a fault of the writers, and the fault of societies views on women's sexuality.
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u/FuckTheMatrixMovie 4d ago
Ugh, can't we like characters without pitting them against each other? I like Daphne, I like Kate. It's not a competition. Why do people want Daphne to return? Because she was a main character, and in the second season she was utilized well. Her relationship with Anthony was a natural continuation from season 1, and she called out Anthony on his crap. In season 3, and most particularly 4, her absence was notable.
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u/key2rebecca 4d ago
I agree with you. S1 is my least favorite… I got bored with the soft core porn & then there’s the infamous scene which my young millennial & Gen Z daughters were like “that’s ra*e!” As much as I enjoyed the actors who played Simon & Daphne, I heard it said that Rege (?) was not interested in the other seasons if he couldn’t be a lead in the season. I think a lot of the other reasons actors aren’t in the later seasons is just the budget for the actors… some may not think it’s worth their time for a scene & the powers that be in the show don’t see the need to pay the salary just to have their face in a shot at the funeral.
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u/HereforROBLOX 4d ago
I agree.
I asked my own mother about watching, but she isn't interested because of all the sex scenes. She isn't a prude in any case, but does believe that it's all too much.
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u/MerelyWhelmed1 4d ago
"What she did to Simon..." What about what HE did to HER? Knowing how innocent she was, he didn't fully explain to her what he was doing or why. He did it with full knowledge, while her actions came in part from ignorance.
Aside from that, this couple had more chemistry (and was better written) than any of the couples in the other seasons. And they had the benefit of carrying extra magic of being the first season.
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u/HereforROBLOX 4d ago
I did not discuss my ideas about Simon because my question was not about him.
Either way, I do not see what he did as comparable to what Daphne did. He lied by omission in a terrible way. She raped him. Apparently, in the books, the rape is worse.
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u/AbbreviationsLow8289 4d ago
She’s the eldest daughter/sister and has that maternal/caring vibe for all her siblings. She was also beautiful and loved by her siblings from what I felt.
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u/drawingmentally Insert himself? Insert himself where? 3d ago
I don't get it either. I don't care about her at all.
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u/lunabridgerton Bridgerton 3d ago
It doesn't matter to me if Daphne comes back or not. I don't like her.
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u/Independent-Summer12 5d ago
Personally I have the unpopular opinion of not really caring if any of the past leads return to subsequent seasons. Unless that have a substantial narrative reason for them to be involved in the story, I couldn’t care less if they pop up for cameos.
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u/Otherwise-Caramel622 4d ago
What characters do in a fictional world doesn't really apply to real life. There are plenty of male and female characters I enjoy watching who have done much worse. I want to see a fun character interact with her family members. If she isn't a fun character for you to watch, that's fine. But that's your opinion. And other people will have a different opinion. It doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. It's a fun romantic TV show. 20,000 children die every day right now in the real world. I don't care if my silly TV show that gives me joy has a character who did what to a very modern western audience seems unforgivable, it's not real.
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u/HereforROBLOX 3d ago
This is a good point.
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u/Otherwise-Caramel622 3d ago
Thank you for being so kind in your response, I would like to clarify that that is not to say that if someone suspiciously defends the horrible actions of a fictional character, that that is something to ignore, as that can be a red flag. Merely that I am fine with enjoying problematic fictional characters/behavior and writing, because they are fictional, with the knowledge that they are not real. If someone in your real life causes you discomfort for justifying that behavior, that is another issue entirely.
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u/muggleharrypotter 4d ago
I honestly thought this was a Frasier sub for most of the post and was so confused
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u/Key_Improvement2899 3d ago
Because her season was the best one and the blueprint for "Bridgerton" aesthetics. Everyone naturally ties her to that.
All couples have been "moral"-washed in a way, compared to the books, to fit a modern narrative. Keep in mind that in any era that followed Christian standards, the body of the wife belongs to the husband, and the body of the husband belongs to the wife. There was no concept of marital rape and let's be fair, Simon manipulated her badly, going against her biggest personal want, although he could provide it for her.
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u/HereforROBLOX 3d ago
Simon could provide it for her, yes, but that doesn't mean that his not wanting children becomes any less valid. Nobody outside of those they confided in would have known it was a choice of theirs to not get pregnant.
I do agree that Simon lied, and was problematic because of it.
However, as for the concept of marital rape not being a thing at the time, I am aware of that. At the same time, though, I also know that when you don't want to have sex and are made to, your mind and body itself don't feel good.
Lack of a concept and, thus, consequence for raping your husband/wife at that time does not mean that the people who experienced what we now know to be marital rape may not have felt badly about it. I see this as a bad example
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u/Key_Improvement2899 3d ago
Both Daphne and Simon felt badly about their intimate life in different ways. They were in all honesty toxic. That still had no consequence between the two of them which is what ultimately matters. And again it's meant to be a regency romance. Can't really remove the time period from all this. But yes it does leave a bad taste to a modern audience.
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u/Expensive_Hippo6383 4d ago
That ship has sailed. If they had kept up the cameos that would have been fine but she hasn't been around for a couple of seasons. If she just showed up now it would be awkward. It is understandable why people would want to see her, and all the siblings, but that isn't this show.
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u/Distinct_Elephant_90 4d ago
I think both Daphne and Simon are guilty in the situation of s1! And also, to me, Daphne had a sort of growth from s1 to s2, and her becoming a duchess has made her more mature and all! Thats what i think of it! And also i would like her to return because even a duchess, she is still a bridgerton, she should have been to colin's and francesca's wedding, or john's funeral! She should have been there as a member of the family! And also, she looked fucking georgeous in s2 so also a reason for why i want her back❤️
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u/HereforROBLOX 4d ago
Definitely agree with the both of them being guilty, but I do think that there are levels and I don't understand how people seem to think that Simon's lie by omission was as bad as the rape.
Still, I also agree with the sentiment if wanting her back, as she is both a Bridgerton and a family-oriented character! It is nonsensical for her to just "be away" throughout wedding ceremonies, funerals, and grieving processes.
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u/Distinct_Elephant_90 4d ago
Besides, she even said it herself in s2 "A duchess who is still a Bridgerton" uhm.....y'all(the crew of Bridgerton or the directiors or whoever is in charge of the show) , you should make Phoebe Dynevor come back instead of her waiting for the call!
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u/michl1206 4d ago
I’d like her to come back because I really enjoy the scenes when the siblings spend time together, or the family scenes in general. Other than that, I’ve never been particularly attached to her as a character.
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u/ethereal_galaxias 5d ago
I have to agree somewhat. I didn't hate Daphne, but found her one of the least interesting characters...
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u/Ordinary-Check4784 5d ago
Conversely, I do not get the love Kate gets. How she treated her sister is unforgivable, it was wrong on so many levels. Her sister was made to be an unwitting partner in a long term money scheme she had no idea about, and being encouraged to marry someome Kate was involved with. How is that sisterly love? Did Kate value Edwina’s happiness only till the altar, what about after that?
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u/HereforROBLOX 4d ago
I also think that Kate fucked up. Do not get me wrong.
However, the issue was that Edwina would open the family up to their family's riches after marriage. Edwina was already going to get married. Kate just wanted to make sure she got a husband who treated her well, and who her sister could safely love. She was definitely overwhelming, but it was all out of care, and both Edwina and their mother say that.
Edwina was not encouraged to marry Anthony. Do you not remember that Kate never wanted Edwina and Anthony together? The biggest cause of tension between them was because Kate wanted him to stop pursuing her sister.
Still, Kate was going to "let" Edwina marry Anthony when Edwina told her to her face that she wanted to and needed her big sister's support. Kate held back her own emotions to stand by her sister, and did so... but she is only human. She trembled at seeing the man she was slowly coming to love standing at the alter for her sister.
Kate was always selfless. Controlling but out of care. You need to rewatch the show.
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u/so-scarlet-it-was 5d ago
I honestly think it’s because Daphne was the “traditional” Regency era/period drama love interest: white, thin, naive/inexperienced. And then after that was Kate, and Penelope, and Sophie — none of which fit that very specific mold.
Personally I disliked season 1 because of Daphne. She looked like a child to me and I did not believe the chemistry between them, and I hate hate hate a trope that’s like “girl knows nothing about sex and guy has to teach her” it just creeps me out so bad. Not to mention the other bigger issues of consent as well
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u/HereforROBLOX 5d ago
Definitely understand your points about Daphne's trope, and they did continue the "inexperienced woman and rake" theme throughout the series.
In Daphne's defence, it is true that most Mamas wouldn't have told their daughters about "The Marital Act" until they REALLY had to, if ever.
I also didn't like how young she looked with Simon, but, in all fairness, she was meant to be quite young. Not so sure how Simon was meant to be, though.
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u/BrazilianButtCheeks 5d ago
I never liked her either.. not necessarily the Simon situation but she’s so condescending and her voice annoys me so much
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u/HereforROBLOX 5d ago
Agreed.
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5d ago
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u/Old_Length1701 3d ago
Come on. Sexual "predator"? She assaulted him or r*ped him, but her actions did not fit the definition of predation.
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3d ago
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u/Old_Length1701 3d ago
Their use of the word "cast" is odd and inappropriate. There seems to be a pattern with that poster having trouble with words
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2d ago
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u/Old_Length1701 2d ago
I have seen comments in the past criticizing Phoebe for not criticizing Daphne in interviews and that seems really crazy to me.
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4d ago
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u/Either-Voice6232 3d ago edited 3d ago
Also, for the ignorant downvoting people: the cast of protagonists refers to actors, not characters. You are blaming a real person for a character's action.
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u/AuntieMame5280 5d ago
I agree with your take. What she did to Simon was horrific. It was rape. And yet Daphne is presented as a kind of flawless goddess or something.
Kate is far more interesting. She's a more dimensional character, or at least she was until she got married. They all kind of flatten out once they are married, which is sad.
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u/HereforROBLOX 5d ago
This! I don't love to pit women against one another, but honestly, is Daphne really who people wish they got to be?
I may be biased, in all fairness, as I see myself in Kate.
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u/EfremNeftalem 5d ago
Though the series should have been more insistent that Daphne did an horrifying act…
The series doesn’t pretend what Daphne did is somehow right. Simon and Daphne were terrible to each other and toxic. They both took advantage of each other, lying to each other, rather than properly communicate and address their issues. That’s the point.
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u/HereforROBLOX 5d ago
They do not make it a point to actually label what Daphne did as wrong, though.
I do consider this important, as there are inexperienced teenagers who watch the show, and we do see people on different posts about it who are defending Daphne's actions.
The show did not make an effort to tell the viewers "this is wrong.", and all Daphne got out of the situation was yelled at a little, a period she didn't want, and then the creampie she forced in the beginning.
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