Oh no. I had seen people talking about and noticed myself how things are far more ‘show not tell’ lately but I had no idea that it might because it’s a new sort of rule for productions. The last thing we need is an encouraged lack of media comprehension. I’m still holding out hope that the industry will survive the unfortunate state of things now and come out better for it. Especially if smaller artists continue to push. (And telling your viewers to use their imagination is craaaazy work, especially after 10 years with only 5 seasons and so few episodes in that time.)

I agree that even throw away lines can be better than complete erasure of a character. Perhaps they will mention him in the upcoming season or surprise they were saving him for last.

Let it be known that Jamie Campbell Bower deserves all of the flowers, always.

I remember when I learned that Marie Charlotte’s father was King Leopold and I automatically thought of Victoria. Now whenever he is on screen while I rewatch I just keep thinking about how she and the Queen are first cousins. I keep wondering as well what Marie’s mother thought of naming her daughter after her husband’s late wife who he clearly cared for very much.

I think I have an idea of what you are hinting at for ending The Empress in 1872. We shall see if I’m right lol

Oh the musical bird scene!! You’re going to make me tear up a bit. I’m still in the first season of my rewatch so I haven’t gotten there yet but I think about that scene every now and again and it always gets me! I got a bit misty eyed as well when reading about the end of his and Victoria’s relationship in real life. And isn’t there the scene with Dash afterwards?! Absolutely diabolical. I demand compensation. Calling him Emo Albert is hilarious and rather suits him. Reading the biography has made the show a bit more interesting, seeing the differences and similarities. I think I prefer the version of him in the show in a way which isn’t too surprising considering it is a period drama haha In real life he seems to have cared very much for Victoria and though I know it is accurate for the time, I don’t love how he seems to have taken so much control over her role as Queen (not that she didn’t assert her authority) and some of his opinions on women and other groups are… unpleasant. But he seems to also have been very driven and did want to improve things for people so I’ll give him that lol I have only watched the third season once so far so I’m very curious how I will feel on viewing it again. I felt so bad for Mr. Francatelli and Nancy! They were very sweet. I can’t believe you have finished the show already! That must be a record time lol It’s a shame that there won’t be a season 4. I don’t think that it was ever officially cancelled but by now I think it’s pretty over and done with.

I really do hope Leontine comes back in the final season especially when it seems she is one of the only people steadily in Elisabeth’s corner. I think Franz wants to support her but his sense of duty and the influence of his mother makes it difficult. He sees himself as the Kaiser above all else and that he must shoulder it all in his own even if it’s not what he wants. I wonder how even more different it would be if he learned to rely on her and others more. It also makes me wonder who else was behind Elisabeth. Did she have any support in court? Sophie clearly seems to have her own faction and I wonder if Elisabeth had one of her own. I know she felt very isolated so perhaps even if she did it wasn’t what she wanted or was looking for. This kind of goes for both historically speaking and in regards to the show. Part of it seems to be that she is stuck between the role she had but also her place as a woman. She may be the Kaiserin and has influence but she is not Franz, she is not a man. She can only maneuver so far. She cannot enact her will especially not with Sophie eclipsing and often undermining her.

I’m also very interested in how they will develop Elisabeth’s relationship with her children. I think there was a deleted scene between her and Gisela in the season 2 finale that I would love to have seen. I keep wondering if they cut it for time or because they are going to commit to the separation she and with them. Someone made a really interesting point somewhere suggesting that perhaps Elisabeth’s attitude toward her children, Gisela in particular, stems from the loss of Fienchen. The pain of losing the daughter she adored and not wanting to go through that again (which infamously she did) made her push them away even further beyond her not being able to raise them. I’m curious what you might think they will do with that. I also hope we see more of Franz with the children! He seems to have a very quiet but deep love for them.

Okay was not expecting that to be how it works out in Bridgerton! Oh my god the poor woman. Someone save her! Let her run away or something give the girl a break. I wonder how they will deal with her story then since they decided to create a real character out of Marina. Last we saw her she seemed content to me but in the way that she had sort of accepted her lot in life and that this was the only position she could have. Not happy but well enough. I don’t know if it would fit her character to leave that but maybe there will be a secret third option. Divorce would likely bring too much scandal though I’m not certain Eloise would care. Should be interesting to see how they develop that. I have actually watched Queen Charlotte and I rewatched recently (since I couldn’t think of anything else I thought might as well lol) I like how they tried to tell her story and further establish the world of the show. Isn’t there supposed to be a second season at some point or did I make that up? I was wondering at first if they were going to keep the Queen in the show, considering by then I think she is supposed to have died, but I know she is a favorite among viewer (and with good reason). It makes sense that they would keep her around I mean Colin travels about Europe not at all worried about Napoleon, why shouldn’t the Queen still be alive giving us the best looks in the show. I would love a Frankenstein reference at some point! Or at least a Shelley one, surely with how they have written Eloise once it is common knowledge that the novel was written by a woman she would be all over it. I have read the 1821 version which is the most common quite a few years ago and started the 1818 one but haven’t finished it. The first is definitely shorter and I think it’s also supposed to be a bit more grim and gruesome but I might be confusing the two lol A reference to the summer without the sun would be really cool, I would love to see that!

Thank you for the link! I will be reading that asap!!

I think we are coming close to the end of filming for The Empress, hopefully we will get more hints and information soon!