Dear reader,
Did you miss us? Bridgerton season 2 is here and we’re back to analyzing of our favorite characters. As we can never get enough of the Bridgerton family, you have already read our reviews from the point of view of a reader, now we ask you to join us in the review from the perspective of a non-reader. It’s time to break down Bridgerton 2×07 “Harmony.” Ready?
Bridgerton 2×07 “Harmony” is about family, love, and what happens when we put ourselves first, despite the consequences.
“WAS I REALLY SO BLIND!?”
At the beginning of Bridgerton 2×07 “Harmony,” the ending of the previous episode continues to reverberate in Kanthony. They can’t stop thinking about that kiss, and this author can’t either. But outside of their dreams, their lives are even harder than they imagined. Edwina doesn’t say a word to Kate, and contempt can be read all over her face.
As for Anthony, he feels like a failure but is determined to play his rightful role as head of the family and pretend his life isn’t shattered, even though it is…and he doesn’t know how to fix it. What’s more, he doesn’t remember a time when his life wasn’t so shattered, it’s just that now he is aware of it.
The Sharmas and the Bridgertons try to pretend nothing happened in Bridgerton 2×07 “Harmony.” Well, except for Edwina, who is still furious and blames herself for not having seen what was happening between her sister and Anthony.
She doesn’t understand how she could be so blind. How did she not see it? Edwina is angry herself, with Anthony…but especially with Kate.
This author must confess that she has the same question. How did Edwina not see what was happening? There were many clues. I mean, everyone noticed, why didn’t she? Bridgerton season 2 would have been so much better if Edwina realized what was going on between Kate and Anthony. I said what I said.
VIOLET, WHAT THE HELL?
Violet’s attitude in Bridgerton 2×07 “Harmony” puzzled and angered this author. Since the season began, Anthony was determined to get married because that was what he had to do. From the beginning, Violet was against it because she wanted something better for Anthony. And that was fine.
However, in this episode, Anthony for the first time rethinks the plan to get married He doesn’t feel able to feign interest in a woman other than Kate. Anthony finally realized that this wasn’t the way. He puts himself first for the first time, thinking about what he wants, what he needs.
But now it’s Violet who hints that he must marry to fulfill his duty, without asking how he feels. What the hell happened? This change, this conversation that Violet has with Anthony doesn’t make any sense to this author because Violet is unrecognizable here.
She was always the first to tell Anthony that he changed too much after his father’s death. Violet was the one who told him that her duty as Viscount didn’t mean he couldn’t have love in his life.
And now that Anthony begins to realize this, Violet is the one who tries to crush his wishes and hopes by mentioning the duty he has as head of the family. Anthony feels too guilty for Violet to decide to stick her finger in his wound.
BENEDICT ONLY TELLS THE TRUTH
After the talk with his mother, Anthony goes looking for Benedict. He’s the second oldest and he can help clear his doubts. Maybe Benedict can take his rightful place, maybe he can afford to follow his heart. Anthony feels trapped, with no way out, and doesn’t know what to do next.
And this author loves the family scenes in Bridgerton 2×07 “Harmony.” Anthony doesn’t find in Benedict exactly what he was looking for, but he does find what he needs. Benedict is the one who cares the least about what society expects of him,
When Benedict realizes that his brother is serious, he becomes serious. Everyone sees how he feels about Kate and it’s time to do something about it. How long does he plan to wallow in his misery?
Anthony was caught between duty and love all season, and lamenting that he couldn’t do anything but choose duty. Even in this moment he just wants to forget Kate without allowing himself to live what they both feel.
It’s time for Anthony to be selfish. The family will be fine and supportive no matter what because that’s what family does, but it’s time to listen to his heart instead of to his head.
Anthony seems to scornfully reject Benedict’s advice, but in reality, he makes the decision to approach Kate. He can’t stop thinking about her… at least the two of them should be able to talk honestly about how they feel.
DISSEMBLE
Arriving at the art gallery is one of the favorite moments for this author of Bridgerton 2×07 “Harmony.” Kate and Anthony are dedicating themselves to playing a role so that the plan their families orchestrated works.
Yet the way Anthony’s eyes don’t leave Kate from the moment she enters the scene, how he looks at her more than necessary, and the way Kate looks at him without him noticing…that’s the truest thing they both do all day.
This author loved the moment when Kate walks into the art gallery and Anthony takes a moment to close his eyes and take in her scent, take her in, and smile. The moment is just perfect because he can no longer pretend that his heart doesn’t beat for her every time she’s around. So Anthony breathes in her scent like a thirsty man drinks water in the desert.
FAIRY TALES
In the gallery, Kanthony must pretend… but Edwina is not willing to do so. She feels like she was faking and playing a role for too long, so she doesn’t care anymore. That’s why she doesn’t hesitate to sharpen her tongue and throw darts in Bridgerton 2×07 “Harmony.” Kate is the main target of these darts.
And this author is bothered that Kate humbles herself before Edwina. Kate was wrong, yes, but if there is something that she amply demonstrated is the love she feels for Edwina, for her family, and how all she ever wanted was for Edwina to be happy. She gave everything for it, literally sacrificing everything she had, what she didn’t have, and what she felt.
Kate knows that she didn’t handle things well and now she’s paying the price for it but Edwina should listen to her, and realize that Kate’s intentions were always pure because they were born of love. But instead of that, Edwina uses any moment to humiliate her.
Edwina’s change seems curious to this author and she is not only talking about the cruel streak that she is showing but about her change in the way she sees life. Edwina was always the closest thing to a princess. She was raised to be, taught to be. And she always believed in the romance novels that she loves to read, she always believed in true love, happy endings, and fairy tales.
But she has now realized that books are not real life and fairy tales have no place there. Now, she denies fairy tales when before she was the princess who hoped to live in one of them.
Kate has also changed a bit in that regard. She always believed in true love because she saw her parents being happy together and sharing the kind of love that makes all sacrifices worthwhile. But she never thought that she was destined to live such a love.
When her father died, she had to stop dreaming. She hid that longing deep inside her so she wouldn’t think about what she lost. However, now she begins to remember it because since she met Anthony, that desire resurfaced with all its strength and when she thinks of true love, she can only think of him.
APOLOGIES AND DISCLOSURES
While this is going on, another conversation catches our attention in Bridgerton 2×07 “Harmony.” Anthony apologizes to Mary for everything. He knows that he didn’t behave well and, although he couldn’t help but feel what he feels for Kate, he wasn’t right to deceive Edwina about it. And Mary surprises this author at this point because she can accept her mistakes.
Kate assumed a role that she shouldn’t have had to. The role of protecting her daughters was hers, and she let Kate take that place because at that moment it was easier to do so. Mary finally realized the damage that her decision did to Kate, the position she put her in and how it wrecked her life—yes, I said it—and that’s great.
Now it’s time to tell Kate. Because she deserves an apology from Mary. Mary chose the easy way out because at the time she was devastated and she just didn’t realize how much damage that was doing to Kate, but now she knows. She made a lot of mistakes…and Kate deserves to know that she saw her pain, that she acknowledged it, and that she is there.
THE ART OF LOVE
Anthony listens carefully to Kate’s story because her story mirrors his. Kate also knows what it’s like to sacrifice everything, including herself, for her family. That reaffirms his idea that he has to talk to her. He finds her…but Kate is determined to end whatever they have.
She can’t build her happiness over her family’s breakup, her sister’s pain… she just can’t. It’s time for her to get away from Anthony. And she does this because it’s the safest thing to do. Because otherwise she would have to name what she feels for him.
Kate would have to jump into the void, and that makes her dizzy. She’s all mixed feelings and fear, so when Anthony approaches her, with a smile, trying to make her understand, lighting the fire between them, she finds what little courage she has left and walks away from him because she knows if she doesn’t do it now, she never will.
BLACKMAIL…
Peneloise hurt like hell in Bridgerton 2×07 “Harmony.” The Queen’s blackmail is deplorable. Is it worth blackmailing a teenage girl for some good press? This author thinks not.
In any case, that’s only the beginning of the problems. Eloise needs to warn Theo, they’re in this together and she thought that he would help her… but he is quite cruel on purpose. It hurt Theo to treat Eloise like that, he didn’t want to do it but he was getting to know her and he knew that if he didn’t hurt her, she wouldn’t walk away, and he needed her to walk away.
Eloise belongs to a world very different from his, Eloise would lose everything for him or leave him to marry someone in her class and he would be devastated. They should end this now that there is still time to do it. He should forget about her, because he could lose everything if he doesn’t.
This author was also deeply hurt by Theo’s words but she understands why he did it. Although secretly this author hopes that they will meet again soon and take risks because what is happening between them is worth it.
DECISIONS
Penelope has to make a horrible decision in Bridgerton 2×07 “Harmony.” Any decision she makes will destroy her. There are only two things she can do: throw Eloise off the bus or turn herself in. Admittedly, the Queen most likely wouldn’t believe that she is the real Lady Whistledown. After all, the whole society considers her insignificant, the Queen will be no different.
But Penelope doesn’t try. Even though it breaks her heart to destroy her best friend’s reputation like this, Lady Whistledown reveals Eloise’s secret.
Penelope made a decision here. One that surely many of us didn’t expect, but why? The most honorable thing would have been to try to convince the Queen of her identity and face the consequences. However, this decision of Penelope is understandable.
Let’s get one thing straight: Penelope is not a bad person for doing this. A bad person wouldn’t feel so bad doing it. She’s just human. Penelope is scared and she took the option that she considered safest.
Eloise has a loving family that will always support her, no matter what. Penelope isn’t that lucky. Penelope’s family hates her. Most of the time they don’t even remember that she exists and when they do it is only to insult and humiliate her. Furthermore, the Bridgertons have more resources and a better chance of recovering from a scandal than the Featheringtons.
If Penelope reveals her true identity, she would be left alone because Eloise would turn her back on her for keeping this secret from her, her family would turn their back on her, and Colin…would never trust her again. Penelope would lose everything, while Eloise would have the support of her family and in a short time, the scandal would be forgotten. So Penelope prioritized herself for the first time in her life.
This doesn’t make Penelope’s decision the right one, but it does make it understandable.
And Penelope feels so bad…she may not have dared to reveal her true identity, but she is willing to pay a price for what she did. She knows that she deserves punishment for her betrayal, so she stops being Lady Whistledown.
Lady Whistledown is the only thing Penelope has that is hers and where she feels free, where she can prove to the world and herself that she is more than just the ugly one at the dance. Lady Whistledown is the only thing that makes Penelope feel safe. But she is ready to leave it. For Eloise.
“OUR RELATIONSHIP IS SO NATURAL…”
Before everything got too dark for her, Penelope feels happy in Bridgerton 2×07 “Harmony” when she sees Colin at her house. She’s overjoyed when Colin asks her to come with him. He wasn’t forced to do it out of politeness, he wanted to spend time in her company, talk to her… and all of this raises her hopes that she and Colin might have a chance.
Colin’s words are so sweet… it’s the first time he talks about his relationship with Penelope. He respects her, not only because he was raised to respect a lady, but he respects her. Everything between them is as natural as breathing, so natural that he just doesn’t think about what’s happening, it just happens and he loves that it does.
She’s always there in some way and he’s beginning to notice that. She’s always there for him, for his sister, for his family. And he loves that even though he doesn’t know exactly why. Penelope is loyal and consistent and you can always count on that because that’s who she is.
And that’s so cute that this author almost melted listening to Colin, but he unknowingly chose the wrong words. She just betrayed her best friend. She feels horrible about it, but she has to pretend in front of Colin that nothing is wrong, even though the bitter taste of bile fills her throat for what she did, for the consequences that this will have for Eloise, for the Bridgertons…and imagining Colin’s hurt look filled with disappointment if he ever found out.
DANCES
The organized dance between the two families arrives and they’re…alone. Lady Whistledown’s publication has already reached the ears of high society. And it’s the best thing that could have happened.
This new failure gives Anthony a break. If no one is there, he doesn’t have to pretend…so he doesn’t. For a moment, he goes back to being the happy-go-lucky, fun-loving man he was before his father’s death. For once, he puts the Viscount façade aside and allows himself to be just Anthony. And this author fell in love with this man, here, at this moment.
Family dancing is cathartic. Everyone needed a moment to enjoy what matters. Throughout this dance, Kate’s gaze never leaves Anthony’s. This dance is just what Kate needed to truly understand who Anthony is and to see how compatible they are. Anthony loves his family the same way she loves hers. In a way that no one else understands.
It’s super nice to see the whole family enjoying themselves like this, but the peace is short-lived in Bridgerton 2×07 “Harmony.” Eloise’s scandal comes to light and you can feel the moment when Anthony puts on the mask of Viscount Bridgerton, the image that he shows to the world.
“DON’T YOU DARE TO TELL ME I’M CRUEL”
Kate approaches Edwina in the middle of the dance and this author gets it. Edwina has a right to be angry. Edwina feels that Kate never cared what she wanted to do because she always made those decisions for her.
And Kate (and her mother) indeed did, albeit with the best of intentions. Kate did it because she does care about Edwina and her happiness. The problem here was never a lack of love from Kate. This author can understand Edwina at that point. But the problem is that Edwina, as in the previous episode, is unnecessarily cruel to Kate.
Kate starts to talk back for once. For once, Bridgerton 2×07 “Harmony” seems to give Kate the voice that the previous episode didn’t give her. But that moment is fleeting and very soon Edwina cuts off what she was going to say.
“Don’t you dare tell me I’m cruel.” Yes, Edwina is being cruel to someone that has only ever loved and tried to protect her, maybe in the wrong way, but still.
Edwina should not judge Kate so harshly, should not despise the bond that unites them. She should listen to Kate and try to understand her, she should try to forgive her because she would have done the same thing if their roles were reversed.
But that’s the kid of the matter: Edwina would never have protected and fought as fiercely for Kate as Kate did for her. And frankly, Edwina never deserved that sacrifice.
LILIES…
After this confrontation in Bridgerton 2×07 “Harmony” Kate has to think about why her sister’s contempt hurts her soo much. Anthony is there. And it all feels so…familiar. The challenge, the battle of wills, rapid breathing …it’s always like that for Kanthony.
She’s always challenging him, forcing him to be better because he’s so arrogant and so sure she’s going to obey him that Kate can’t help it. Kate doesn’t obey anyone and that’s one of the reasons we love her.
Anthony is standing there with that disarming smile on his face and she doesn’t even know how he makes her feel. But Anthony knows. He knows it because it is the same as he feels. Anthony has never met anyone like this, someone who could fearlessly challenge him and drive him mad with a look, someone who consumes his entire being. He can’t even think about anything other than her. And Kate wants the same thing.
The two of them are so close…they’ve been this close before but never like this, with newly admitted feelings hanging in the air, certain that they both want to stop pretending they don’t feel what they feel. The two of them had a plan to fulfill their duty and save their family and now they are here, about to drop into the void. The two always lived for others.. They never did anything that they wanted. It’s the moment.
They kiss and it’s so…intense. If Anthony doesn’t stop now, he won’t be able to stop. But for once, Kate doesn’t want him to. She wants to burn next to him. Thus they let themselves be carried away by passion as they have been wanting to do since the first time they saw each other and this author is screaming.
ACCIDENTS…
The next morning finds Anthony alone, waking up with a smile. How long has it been since Anthony smiled like that? Too long to remember. But with Kate, it’s so easy for him to smile…
Kate reappears in her room in Bridgerton 2×07 “Harmony.” She knows that she should feel sorry but she doesn’t. She doesn’t regret anything. Anthony no longer has any doubts: he wants Kate as his wife. He loves her. It’s time to do what he should have done in the first place. And this author is crying from sheer pride.
However, things don’t go as Anthony expects. Kate had a lot to think about and she went horseback riding. Kate is confused. That night with Anthony was the happiest of her entire life, she loves him madly… but she feels guilty. She needs to clear her head and think.
She doesn’t listen to Anthony when he calls out to her and ends up falling off the horse as Anthony looks at her in horror. He just wants her to be okay… his mind keeps going back to his father and he can’t allow history to repeat itself. Not with her.
Other Stuff In Bridgerton 2×07 “Harmony”
- Lord Featherington is despicable. A piece of garbage.
- Lady Danbury makes sense of what she feels for the first time this season. Now that they’ve come this far (partly thanks to her), the first thing they have to do is damage control.
- Newton gets along with Anthony! But how, when, why? We need explanations!
- Polin glances…my goodness!
- I love the way Penelope cares about what happens to the Bridgertons. The hug she gave Violet… I feel it!
- Penelope is not convinced about Colin doing business with her family because she knows too well what they are capable of. Same, Penelope!
- When I think Jack and Portia can’t sink any lower, they always do.
- Despite everything that’s happened, all of the Bridgertons are ready to joke with Anthony about it. That’s family.
- Edwina doesn’t accept hospitality from Anthony and, although it’s normal, I don’t know why not doing it makes her seem like a girl more than anything else.
- I’m still upset that Bridgerton 2×07 “Harmony” also didn’t give Kate the voice she should have and it was all about Edwina. Kate is the leading lady, for God’s sake!
- Violet hung out with Lady Danbury too much and her nonsense rubbed off on her.
- For Anthony to think that his brothers and his mother secretly hate him hurts me because they love him with everything they have.
- Anthony has a thing for Kate’s scent and I love that.
- The moment Anthony kissed Kate right at the point where the bee stung her doesn’t leave my mind.
- Anthony’s smile at the thought of Kate riding back to the place they met disarms me.
Time to say goodbye, for now, dear reader, stay tuned for tomorrow to enjoy the last edition of our Bridgerton season 2 reviews from the perspective of a non-reader.
Love,
Lady R.
Agree? Disagree? Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts about ”Harmony” with us in the comments below!
Bridgerton Season 2 is available to stream on Netflix.
