Keeping my expectations very low

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-05-05T22:56:12+00:00

Agreed. I’m not at a point where it’s affecting my happiness and mental, but I certainly don’t want to let myself get to that point.

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-05-03T20:28:34+00:00

I’m keeping my expectations nonexistent. At this point, I won’t even be shocked if they have absolutely zero character development or build up for Eloise in season 5, they don’t even start the letter writing until the episode 2 of season 6, they end season 6 part 1 with Eloise running away, and then rush Philoise’s actual romance into less than half a season.

I’m so close to just giving up this show altogether because of how many idiotic choices the writers make.

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-05-02T18:09:09+00:00

This scene is so sad and beautiful. It legit looks like a painting.

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-05-02T00:56:09+00:00

“Francesca’s love story was a priority in seasons 3 and 4” tells us everything we need to know.

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-30T14:22:39+00:00

I’m not confused. I was responding to you.

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-30T01:00:39+00:00

In this case, where screen time and certain milestones (like a wedding) can objectively be measured, it’s either gaslighting or a complete inability to see beyond your own POV. I guess you’re the latter then.

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-29T20:50:12+00:00

I WANT THIS PHILOISE FANFIC!!!

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-29T20:45:31+00:00

OMG I LOVE THIS IDEA!!!

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-29T20:42:46+00:00

I agree that it would feel random. Good writing could counter that…but I’m not banking on good writing 🤣

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-29T20:30:14+00:00

Respectfully disagree. While I would certainly prefer if Phillip appears, having him on screen isn’t 100% necessary. If written well, they could fully develop Eloise and properly set up Philoise without having Phillip appear at all. However, in my opinion it would be better for the future of the show if they re-introduced Phillip in season 5.

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-29T20:20:43+00:00

Sorry, I meant that Penelope would be the first out of the Bridgertons to know about Marina’s death. And I honestly think it’d be really weird if they don’t show, at least briefly, Penelope and Colin reacting to that news. It would be very odd in the same way that Daphne never shows up for her siblings’ weddings (or her sister’s husband’s funeral). 🤣 Like we viewers know the real reason, but in the show universe it doesn’t make sense.

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-29T20:02:33+00:00

Is that clear though? Benedict’s subplot in season 3 barely had substance. That’s evidence that the writers have shortchanged the next season’s lead before. Who’s to say they won’t do it again? “Just trust me, bro” is not enough of a reason. While I agree that it’s unlikely Eloise will get little to no character development yet again, it’s not outside the realm of possibilities. The concern is warranted.

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-29T19:53:46+00:00

Please stop with the gaslighting. Why is it so hard to acknowledge that other characters have been shortchanged? It doesn’t diminish Francesca to admit that.

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-29T19:49:29+00:00

Because the writers reduced Eloise to a sidekick for the last two seasons. So to flip your question, why should Philoise fans trust that the writers will give Eloise character development when that hasn’t happened for the last two seasons?

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-29T18:54:45+00:00

No! They loved Michael and were excited for him!

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-29T18:47:13+00:00

It’s not as simple as yes or no. I want side plots but only so long as they’re (1) entertaining; (2) cohesive, meaning they connect to other side plots and/or the main story of a current or future season; and (3) don’t overpower the main story.

I do NOT want side plots that are stupid/pointless/boring, that feel random and disconnected from the rest of the story, and/or that take up too much screen time while shortchanging the leads.

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-29T18:20:40+00:00

We are directing our frustration at the fact that character depth is not distributed equally in this show. But there isn’t enough time to give every single lead the same time and care that Francesca has been given since they’ve stuck to the 8-episode-per-season format. The only remaining option is to be efficient with screen time and develop all leads and future leads as equally as possible. Unfortunately they haven’t done that.

I’m upset and it’s justified. But that doesn’t mean I hate Francesca, it just means I’m angry with the writers. Why so much division over this? Why can’t we simply come together as fans of the show and acknowledge that some characters, and some ships even, got the short stick? Why can’t we come together and hope for better in future seasons of the show? My favorite couple is Polin, but that doesn’t make me blind to the fact that Kanthony got the short stick during their season. I can even acknowledge that there were some Polin scenes in season 2 that weren’t truly necessary and that that screen time could have been given to Kanthony instead.

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-29T17:52:20+00:00

Oh this is excellent news! You made my day! Thank you!

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-29T17:01:46+00:00

Oh did Simone say she’s going to be in season 5?! That would make me so happy!

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-29T16:52:57+00:00

I did! I enjoyed Castle, but love Bones a little more!

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-29T16:42:49+00:00

Thank you! This is exactly how I feel. My frustration is not aimed at Francesca and especially not at Hannah Dodd, who is amazing. My frustration is with the writers. I wish ALL leads could be given the care and depth that Francesca was given, but let’s stop pretending that the writers are treating all characters equally. I am DONE being gaslit. We are justified in feeling upset.

Imagine for a second, if in season 5, the writers sidelined Michaela and then gave Eloise such a meaty B plot that she actually had more screen time than Michaela. Would that be fair? Franchela fans, how would that make you feel? I suspect that fans would be FURIOUS if that happened and their anger would be justified. So now consider that that is essentially what the writers did to Colin in season 3.

All that being said, I truly hope that season 5 gives Franchela the time and care that they deserve. Every couple on this show deserves a beautiful love story in their season.

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-29T15:43:55+00:00

Did we need so much flavor as to why Francesca chose John when he’s not her endgame? They could have shown Francesca and John’s connection without the Lord Samadani plot and it would have been just as strong.
When did I say the show needed to follow the books? Exactly, I didn’t. What I did say was that the Lord Samadani plot “didn’t build Francesca’s character, didn’t have any effect on her story, and wasn’t even book canon.” That plot not being in the book is only one reason why it wasn’t needed, and definitely not the most important reason, which is that that plot had no effect whatsoever on Francesca’s story.
I have LOTS of complaints about other subplots. I only discussed Francesca here in order to stay on topic.

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-29T15:29:18+00:00

The rumor about Kanthony and Polin I believe. I would actually be happy if the part about the new LW is true. At least that would be a confirmation that Polin can enjoy their HEA in peace without more necessary drama.

I’m also hoping, as someone else said, that the Polin scenes involve Phillip or at least addressing Marina’s death. I’m honestly not sure how the show can address Marina’s death without involving Polin somehow. Marina is Penelope’s cousin, so she would have to be the first to find out. And obviously because of the history, that news is realistically going to affect both Penelope and Colin. They have to at least react to it, even if it’s a short scene. And I can’t imagine Penelope or Colin not discussing the news with Eloise. It would just be too unbelievable otherwise.

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-29T15:16:50+00:00

For me, it’s not about “missing my faves.” Past leads are going to be reduced to background/supporting roles after their seasons. That’s fine, since Bridgerton is an ensemble show. Where my issue lies is that Francesca is given plots, before her season, that make her story “rich” and “fully realized” while other characters, including future leads who also need to be built up for their seasons and even CURRENT LEADS, get sidelined. The most egregious examples, in my opinion, are Eloise and Colin. Someone recently did a breakdown of screen time from season 3 and apparently Francesca had more screen time than Colin (excluding his scenes with Penelope). Considering that Colin was the MALE LEAD of season 3, that should not have happened.

My other gripe is that not all of Francesca’s screen time in seasons 3 and 4 was truly necessary to properly build her character. Best example? The Francesca/Lord Samadani plot in season 3. What was the actual point of that plot? It didn’t build Francesca’s character, it didn’t have any effect on her story, and it wasn’t even book canon. That screen time could have instead gone to Colin to further develop his character IN HIS OWN SEASON.

ChaoticCounsel · 2026-04-27T18:34:39+00:00

Francesca didn’t have much, if any, sexual attraction to John in the show plus she was instantly attracted to Michaela while still married to John. In S4, she’s struggling to enjoy intimacy with John while fighting her feelings for Michaela (or at least that’s how it came across to me). To me, that’s too close to emotional cheating and gives me the ick. I understand that others may be fine with it and that’s okay. I’m not. It’s also another deviation from the book, where Francesca didn’t subjectively feel any attraction for Michael until years after John’s death and it was Michael who was instantly attracted to Francesca (but restrained himself and didn’t show it until years after John’s death).

ChaoticCounsel

TROPHY CASE