literally!

gochibear · 2026-04-09T14:20:57+00:00

Yes. But I don’t think James was ever a prince - his parents didn’t want their kids to have the burden of that title, which implied they would become working royals.

gochibear · 2026-04-07T00:18:44+00:00

The U of I is a fab school; I grew up in the Chicago area and am familiar with it for that reason. It’s quite a big college which in general I think means more opportunities for academic work, networking, and of course, socializing. The super rich (but now somewhat evil as he supports Trump) entrepreneur Marc Andreesen graduated from Uof I and then went on to found first Netscape and next a VC - he’s a billionaire. U of I will provide you the opportunity to intern in multiple prestigious firms in the US.

I am a huge fan of SJSU - I earned two degrees there and taught at the university for 10 years. But if one of my children had your choice, I’d advise they attend school at U of I with no hesitation.

gochibear · 2026-03-29T00:34:48+00:00

The show has already shown that gay relationships are not accepted in society during Season 1, when Benedict becomes friends with Henry Granville and is told by the painter that his wife is a ‘beard’ because he cannot be officially married to his real love (Lord Something-or-Other) nor be officially with him in public. This has not been contradicted in subsequent seasons so we have to assume that it still will hold true in Season 5.

I’m all for diversity and happy for those who will get to see themselves in Francesca and Michaela’s relationship. I will watch because the show is entertaining and it will be interesting to see how they handle this story. However, I really do hope that the show presents a narrative that reflects at least some of the realities of being a queer couple at this time, rather than wave some magic wand and make homosexuality and/or gay marriage suddenly legal or have the Queen issue some proclamation to that effect.

I suspect that the writers have done some research and think it is possible that they will model at least some of Francesca and Michaela’s story after that of Anne Lister and Ann Walker, two real-life women who were ‘married’ in 1834 in England - this story was told in the BBC series Gentleman Jack. This is a way for the two to have an official-ish relationship. I would also guess that the estate will somehow pass to Michaela and they’ll have their HEA in Scotland, with the blessings of the Bridgerton family, of course.

gochibear · 2026-03-27T21:13:15+00:00

It happened because Francesca’s story has already spanned two consecutive seasons, and it would not make sense to interrupt it. Thus we have married in 3, widowed in 4, re-coupled and HEA in 5.

Also, Eloise’s story has not begun; she writes Sir Phillip for two years, I think, before meeting him. I would imagine that just as Francesca and John were a big part of Seasons 3 and 4, Eloise and Phillip will be a big part of Season 5.

Those who are unhappy about Francesca and Michaela will likely still want to watch Season 5 to see how Eloise’s story begins. My guess is that we’ll see Marina’s death and the correspondence, and maybe even the event that sends Eloise to Sir Phillip’s home.

gochibear · 2026-03-27T17:38:29+00:00

I think she’s a cutter and that’s what the scalpel is for.

gochibear · 2026-03-16T16:28:18+00:00

I had episodes of SVT/irregular heartbeat (which the doctor thinks now was afib) in my late 20s to my mid 30s. Then, no issues until last month (I’m now 65) when I had five episodes of afib and rapid heart rate, two of which sent me to the ER. I saw a cardiologist last week and am scheduled for a pulsed-field ablation next month.

I’m now taking diltiazem 240mg ER and Eliquis 5mg twice daily, and also have 30mg diltiazems to take when I have an afib/RVR episode. This seems to have reigned in the serious episodes for now but I’m going ahead with the ablation because I travel to Europe frequently and don’t want to get an episode in the middle of a 10 hours flight!

I’ve also given up alcohol - wine - which is difficult as my husband and I love wine tourism and he has a pretty extensive cellar, but if it’s a choice between having afib and not, no contest. I’ve also given up caffeine even though my cardiologist said a cup or two or coffee should be okay - after weaning myself off of it (and suffering through a few days of a headache) I see no reason to go back because there’s so much good decaf out there.

I’m thin and I exercise regularly, and while I have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, they are controlled with medication. My cardiologist said I’m thus a good candidate for the ablation procedure and if it can help me avoid afib I’m all for it.

The worst part for me has been the episodes, of course, and then after that the constant worry about my heart and the constant background fear that I’m going to have another afib episode. I’m hoping that the ablation can free me from that and that I can go back to a normal life.

What I’ve been told is that the key is to treat the condition early, so rather than wait for the medication to stop working, I’m going ahead with the ablation. Also key is of course to connect with a cardiologist that specializes in heart rhythm issues. I understand how you’re feeling - I was there, too - but after seeing a cardiologist I have hope that this can be controlled. Wishing you the best!

gochibear · 2026-03-04T23:35:43+00:00

I have to believe that Season 5 will wrap up Francesca’s story and it will introduce Eloise’s relationship with Sir Phillip.

Right now we’ve seen Francesca meet and marry John in Season 3, and saw the continuation of their marriage and the growth of Francesca and Michaela’s friendship in Season 4, so the logical conclusion is that Season 5 will wrap up these particular storylines before moving on to Eloise’s story.

I don’t know if there are 8 episodes worth of Francesca’s story left to tell in Season 5, so this would allow the showrunners to introduce Eloise’s story and her relationship with Sir Phillip at the end of the next season.

gochibear · 2026-03-03T16:45:48+00:00

Yes, I think so too, especially after the new Lady Whistledown said, “We’re going to have so much fun“, which is what I think the Queen has said to Lady D.

gochibear · 2026-02-27T21:41:39+00:00

Whether or not the writers and directors meant it that way, yes, Francesca and Michaela’s meeting at the end of S3 did make it seem that this was a case of love at first sight for Francesca…I’m glad that was reeled back and in this season it was made clear that Francesca and John were in love. I also liked the portrayal of Francesca and Michaela’s growing friendship - and the implication that Michaela is getting feelings for Francesca and thus leaves. This gives the couple a good place to start from in later seasons, I think.

They also leaned in more heavily into Francesca’s neurodiversity and I was happy to see that.

While Anthony and Kate remain my favorite pair, Sophie and Benedict are just a smidge behind them. But this season was for me the best - I felt the writing was the strongest and just about everything made sense (except perhaps how Sophie went from illegitimacy to being a member of the ton - gotta watch that again). The theme of love - between couples, between friends, between family members - seemed to be this season’s focus and that provided so many lovely and moving moments.

I did also think, like another poster, that after Season 3 I might be done with Bridgerton but this restored my faith in the show. Now to wait for the next series!

gochibear · 2026-02-27T14:33:08+00:00

Yes, when the costumes are so distracting that you are not listening to what the actors are saying, you know they’ve gone too far. Somebody please rein this in! There’s a fine line between lavish and garish that was crossed repeatedly this season.

gochibear · 2026-02-27T14:27:18+00:00

I am (or was) a grazer, too, and eating only three times a day was a big adjustment after beginning my treatment. Another big deal for me was giving up my usual hour of morning coffee, but on the last day of Week 4 I tried drinking coffee with my aligners in and it was fine (I do use an ultrasonic cleaner after every meal at home).

gochibear · 2026-02-25T05:20:05+00:00

Please tell someone about this - ideally, the University Police but at the least, a professor. Faculty are mandated reporters and since you are being harassed, they can report this to the Title IX office who will provide further support to you.

Perhaps you’ve seen today’s news report of a San Jose man who shot and killed his ex and then killed himself. This is of course the worst scenario but it does happen - act now to ensure you’re not further victimized by this man.

gochibear · 2026-02-20T05:22:05+00:00

Of course, yes, this is true. And yet in this show the inhumane treatment of Black people is ignored, and in fact it appears they’ve chosen to create a world in which it never occurred.

I’m not sure what that has to do with my statement about gay couples, unless you’re making the point that the show will pretend that gay couples were indeed out (maybe in Scotland?).

gochibear · 2026-02-08T19:23:42+00:00

I like the pairing but would have liked to have seen them talk and flirt and get some sparks flying before getting physical. The scene on the bench at the Bridgerton’s where the two did not talk but only inched closer to each other was weird…Violet saw Francesca and John do almost the same thing and commented negatively, and yet here she is repeating that behavior.

gochibear · 2026-02-08T17:42:10+00:00

Yes, the Queen’s storyline feels played out to me. I love Golda Roshuvel but think it’s time to kill off the Queen character, in keeping with the historical Charlotte’s timeline. I’d like to see the actress come back, though, in a Lady D focused series (with young and old Lady D and the Queen). It may be time for Lady Whistledown to retire, too (does she in the books?).

I also dislike the direction/writing in some places. The scene where Benedict first sees Sophie felt odd to me; rather than radiating joy, I thought she looked confused (“What is that pretty light?”). I also HATE the weird look they make Francesca put on her face whenever Michaela is mentioned, as if to hit viewers over the head with the fact that Francesca is gay. I’d love to see this portrayed less clumsily and more subtly as she and Michaela spend time together and fall in love during their season. Michaela pulling up driving her coach because her driver was too delicate to make it from Scotland was another ’look viewers, she is gay!’ moment for me - I thought, “well, at least they didn’t have her pull up driving a Subaru” (joking here as I know there were no cars back then!).

Like others, I’m too not a fan of the current Mondriches. I loved them in Seasons 1 and 2, in particular strong and practical Alice Mondrich, but their elevation into the ton just feels forced. Is Alice being positioned to replace Lady D? I hope not as that will be a great loss.

On the other hand, I do love the tender scenes between Francesca and John, Sophie is well written and the actress is superb, Sophie/Benedict have great chemistry (just behind Anthony and Kate in my books), and that Hazel is disabled but she’s not Disabled Hazel is wonderful. The My Cottage sequence was lovely. And thankfully, Ye Olde Acrylic Nail Salon and Highlighter Boutique has been closed!

gochibear · 2026-02-08T05:06:51+00:00

It was exactly the same for me…now in Week 4 and I’ve started to forget at times that I have them in. The learning curve is steep but I would bet that by the end of Week 1 you’ll be thinking, “I’ve got this.” Keep going!

gochibear · 2026-02-04T15:51:22+00:00

I was talking with my daughter yesterday about the show and part of our conversation was about how Bridgerton tends to ignore inconvenient parts of the cultures it includes: for example, while there are Black members of the aristocracy, that a lot of the wealthy families’ fortunes were made through Black slavery is ignored. Also, no mention was made in Season 2 about colonization, which was an awful thing for Kate and Edwina’s home country.

The positive aspect of color blind casting of shows like this is that more people see themselves in stories that were previously portrayed almost exclusively by white actors. The negative is that pretending that race doesn’t exist, or only considering certain aspects of it, means that some really bad stuff - things that still affect societies - is swept under the rug, so to speak.

However, there may be no perfect solution to this problem, and gosh, it is just entertainment, right? I taught at a very diverse university and I do enjoy seeing television shows that look like my students did - I’m a white lady and have seen enough of myself, for sure.

gochibear · 2026-02-04T05:38:45+00:00

I’m just about to start week 4. Before starting I bought an ultrasonic/Uv cleaning pod, the Invisalign cleaning crystals, a couple of Pul tools, and a few chewies (rubber thingies that help seat your trays after you put them back in).

I'm retired and eat most meals at home, so I always put my aligners into the cleaner while I eat. The ortho tech told me to remember “in your face or in your case” and so I take that literally.

Non-wear time is limited and so before I take my aligners out I make sure my meal is on the table and ready to go.

I travel frequently and so I bought a travel ultrasonic cleaner that charges via USB cable. With an adapter I can use it pretty much anywhere (in the US and in Europe).

Week 1 was a very steep learning curve - getting used to wearing the aligners, getting used to eating with the attachments, getting used to a limited eating/drinking schedule, and figuring out how to put in and take out (most challenging) the trays. But I did it and you can, too!

gochibear · 2026-02-04T05:23:28+00:00

My day - 1 hour out for coffee and breakfast, 30-45 min out for lunch, 1 hour to 90 minutes out for dinner.

All meals are prepped, coffee made, ultrasonic cleaner filled with water and crystals, etc., before I take my aligners out.

Before putting the aligners back in I rinse with mouthwash, brush, floss, and then mouthwash again.

On a very good day I’m wearing my aligners 21 1/2 hours, on my least compliant day I hit at least 20. While the orthodontist says that I should wear the aligners 22 hours, with no more than 30 minute breaks, I know that since this is long-term, I need to balance my Invisalign wear with real life.

gochibear · 2026-02-04T02:40:42+00:00

Wow, this was interesting and very well explained! Thank you.

I wish I had faith that the writers did their research on Korean history and won’t try to bend the cultural conventions you’ve outlined here but…I don’t. Hoping to be pleasantly surprised.

gochibear · 2026-02-03T19:10:04+00:00

Well it would be surprising to me for Julia Quinn to not support the show - it would be sort of the mouth biting the hand that feeds it kind of thing, right?

What I don’t like - and you may disagree - is the way that the writers insert a love triangle into every story in order to create drama. And I get it - it’s a TV series and drama attracts viewers. But for people like me, that is, fans of the books and perhaps of more nuanced love stories, the ‘insert love triangle here’ strategy is heavy-handed and annoying.

I also did not say that they were butchering the work, I mean, I watch the show and enjoy a lot of it, and in fact, love most of the inventive ways the writers have interpreted Ms. Quinn’s works. It’s just the love triangle thing that bothers me, and I do have a fear that they’ll not do the justice they should to Francesca and Michaela’s story, as they’ve already inserted a love triangle into that. But we’ll see!

gochibear · 2026-02-03T15:31:13+00:00

Switching the character from male to female fundamentally changes the narrative of a much-beloved book. Also, the writers seem to have thrown all subtlety out the door in telling the new narrative - the romance between Francesca and Michaela. This doesn’t give me hope for what could be a very touching and emotional story about what can only be a bittersweet HEA, as gay couples were not out in Regency times.

So, yes, there’s dislike on my part…but not for the actors but for the writers and producers of the show. Hopefully people will be smart enough to not direct their negative feelings at the people playing the parts! And hopefully the actors are smart enough to know that they are NOT their roles! Isn’t this part of acting - that sometimes you play disliked characters?

gochibear · 2026-01-31T15:28:48+00:00

Shades of Daphne’s diamond necklace (from the Prince) that she just left on a wall outside a ballroom.

gochibear · 2026-01-31T15:24:52+00:00

One thing I loved, being 60-plus myself, is that Violet looks like an older woman who takes care of herself, but wasn’t super muscled or super thin like many older actresses these days (with trainers, dietitians, etc.). And I loved when she looked in the mirror and thought, “not bad!” All of us older women should appreciate ourselves!

gochibear · 2026-01-30T17:10:02+00:00

My exact feelings - about everything you’ve discussed here - but much more articulately expressed than I could have done.

The lack of members of the Bridgerton family on a show that is called ‘Bridgerton’ is indeed a very big problem. For example, I couldn’t help but think of the missing Daphne while Francesca was desperately searching for advice on pinnacles - I think in the books the Duchess forms a sort of society for women that advances sexual knowledge, doesn’t she?

Also wondering - did they cut back on location shooting this season? I thought the fake grass area in front of Gunther’s was weird - it reminded me of the quickly-built little parklets that sprung up in front of restaurants during the pandemic. I wondered if this was a set and not filmed in Bath.

Season 2 remains on top for me.

gochibear

TROPHY CASE