Scandalously Scintillating Alternative to Pride and Prejudice

** Spoiler Alert ** This contains light spoilers **

Twenty-one years ago, my Nan introduced me to the world of Jane Austen. Elizabeth Bennet's wit immediately captivated my attention, and I wanted to be like her. I still have the copy of the Penguin Classics Pride and Prejudice that she gave me, and it is well-loved.

Then in the summer of two thousand, my Nan introduced me to the nineteen ninety-five BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. It was six hours of pure bliss for me, and I have watched it countless times since. Colin Firth will always be Mr Darcy to me, and Jennifer Ehle was flawless as Elizabeth Bennet. They are so compatible on-screen and if you love the book as much as me getting to see it live is a treat. Growing up, my cousin and I congregated every summer and watched this version together. When one tape ended, we would race to get the next one in, and I gifted her a Bluray version as a wedding gift. We plan to watch it together again as soon as we can.

I hold regency/gregorian period books, shows, and movies up to my first love Jane Austen. Over the years, I've seen several versions, including the terrible nineteen forty's version. None did it for me, not even the two thousand and five version.

When Netflix came out with the first season of Bridgerton, I watched it the first day and then once a day for the next week. Loosely based on Julia Quinn's novel The Duke and I, it is the first in the nine-book series. It's witty and so scandalous with its gratuitous sex scenes you see Anthony and Siena doing it three minutes into the first episode. Anthony is the oldest son in the Bridgerton family, and Siena is an opera singer who had a clandestine relationship with Anthony.

This show is about Daphne Bridgerton's debut season in London Society. She is presented to the Queen and receives the highest compliment, meanwhile, Simon, the Duke of Hastings, returns to town. They meet at Lady Danbury's ball because Daphne was trying to escape the witless Nigel Berbrooke. Lord Berbrooke causes more trouble in the show for the Bridgerton's than in the book, but the series needed a villain. As the diamond of the season, you'd think Daphne would have many suitors, but Anthony saw to her unpopular reputation. It wasn't until she and Simon planned a ruse to fool Lady Whistledown that the suitors lined up.

As we continue our journey with the characters, their personalities grow and reveal their true natures. Trust me when I say you'll find Eloise as one of the smartest and funniest characters on this show. Anthony may not start as your favourite character, but he turns into a caring older brother. Benedict and Colin also have their side stories. Can you believe one of them almost elopes to Gretna Green? Even Simon learns to open up about his rough childhood and trusts Daphne enough to bear his heart to her. You will laugh with them and cry as all of Daphne's hopes are dashed in a split second.

This show is not for children, and I happen to know that many new babies have been created because of it. Although it's not porn, there is some mild nudity, much to the pleasure of many who think Regé-Jean Page is handsome. Shonda Rhimes did a fantastic job detailing a diverse cast, and I look forward to watching the second season.

I have gone back and forth between this show and Pride and Prejudice so many times, and I know I'm not the only one. It's comforting to have something familiar to watch, something you love.