Art of the Swoon is the third episode of season one of Bridgerton.
Synopsis[]
After Daphne catches the eye of a royal suitor, she turns to Simon for relationship advice. Lady Featherington tries to browbeat Marina into marriage.
Full Summary[]
Simon and Daphne dance. He pulls off one of her gloves. They lean in for a kiss, but their lips don't touch.
Daphne wakes with a start.
Lady Whistledown reports that Daphne has rejected three proposals in a single week.
Daphne and Simon meet and Daphne says they have to keep up the ruse until she finds a husband. He promises to keep up his part.
Penelope watches out the window. She sees something and runs to do something. She passes Prudence and Philippa on the stairs as they talk about a prince coming to town. Penelope is dismayed to find no mail for Marina. She then reports to Marina that there's nothing. She tries to console Marina, saying it takes time to get letters from the front line. Lady Featherington comes in and ushers Penelope out. Marina says she can't hide her away forever, which is why Lady Featherington is there to tell her she needs to go out at once and find a husband. Marina doesn't want that, but Lady Featherington doesn't care what she wants.
Daphne discusses her suiting options. She's not narrowing herself to the duke, as he has not proposed to her.
Daphne meets Simon at the ball and they enter together. Lord Weaver immediately asks her to dance. Simon loudly asks if he must share her attention with everyone. Daphne tells Simon that was perfect.
Daphne and Lord Weaver dance and she asks if he prefers the city or the country. He struggles to hold a conversation with her as they dance. Her next partner just brags about his real estate. The next one is unusually close with his family, to the point where his mother will live with him and his wife.
Lady Danbury and Lady Bridgerton watch what's happening and discuss Daphne and Simon's pairing. However, Simon has not yet proposed. Lady Danbury however is not worried. She watches Daphne and Simon interact.
Daphne tells Simon she wasn't impressed with the suitors. Just then, a prince said to be from Prussia comes in. Daphne and Simon watch as Cressida Cowper immediately approaches him. Daphne and Simon know exactly what Cressida and the Prince will do and they watch as it plays out exactly as they predict. The queen leads Prince Friedrich over to introduce him to Daphne. Daphne then snorts while she laughs, embarrassing herself, which she blames on Simon's influence. Another suitor comes and takes Daphne for a dance.
Genevieve Delacroix closes the modiste for the night, then hears a noise. She follows it and finds Siena, who came in through the back. She's staying at the shop until she can find another gentleman to put her up somewhere. Siena wants to find a nice, sensible gentleman not at all like Anthony.
The men gamble. Lord Featherington is upset at losing. After handing him his slip, Anthony steps away to talk to Simon. They're getting along better again. Simon says his intentions with Daphne are respectful, though he still has no intention of marrying. Just then, several ladies come in, Siena among them. Anthony spots her and excuses himself. Siena sits down across from Simon and starts to charm him.
Daphne tosses and turns in bed. She eventually gets up. Anthony finds her out of bed, on her way to get some warm milk. She invites him to join her.
They look at the stove. Neither of them knows how to light it. They decide to drink cold milk instead. Daphne asks Anthony why Simon is so opposed to marriage. Anthony hesitates, but then tells Daphne Simon barely knew his father and never knew his mother. He grew up differently from them. He was always alone, but he likes to be alone. Some people just aren't meant to be together, no matter how much they wish otherwise. Daphne excuses herself to go back to bed, thanking Anthony.
Daphne practice her piano while Lady Whistledown talks about Marina re-entering the society scene.
Genevieve fits Marina for a dress and notes her measurements were wrong. Lady Featherington merely says she has a fondness for cake.
Prince Friedrich makes another appearance and has ladies fawning over him.
The Bridgertons arrive and are in awe of the place. Lady Bridgerton speaks of nearby ladies to Anthony. When he resists, she tries with Benedict and then Colin.
Eloise and Penelope talk about a painting on the wall. When Marina passes and mouths to Penelope to help her, Penelope leaves.
Lady Featherington introduces Marina to Lord Middlethorpe. When Penelope interrupts, Lady Featherington tries to pull her away, though Marina insists and rebuffs Lord Middlethorpe. Lady Featherington is angry at her for ruining that shot.
Henry Granville and Lady Danbury look at a painting with Benedict. Benedict is critical of the piece, not realizing it to be Granville's work. When he finds out, he asks Lady Danbury why she didn't stop him.
Prince Friedrich finds Daphne and tells her he was hoping to see her. They chat amiably, but Daphne is distracted when she sees Simon at a distance and excuses herself from the conversation.
Daphne finds Simon in a room by himself. He's enjoying some culture, he says. Daphne is pleased that they're fooling Lady Whistledown. She knows everything about everyone, but they've got her convinced they're madly in love. They look at another painting and Daphne notes it's his and not at all like the others he donated. He says the others were to his father's tastes. This one was his mother's favorite. He never understood why. Daphne talks about what the painting makes her think of. As they stand side by side, their hands move to touch and they entangle their fingers until a sound from outside breaks the spell.
The find a crowd gathered around Cressida, who has swooned. Prince Friedrich caught her and is fanning her. He helps her to her feet, drawing applause.
Simon has his driver take him straight home instead of to the opera.
The stage manager tells Siena he's locking up for the night. No men have lingered for her.
Daphne practices piano.
Cressida walks with Prince Friedrich.
The queen is not amused at Lady Whistledown's newest paper as it's critical of the crown. Friedrich questions where the king is, but the queen brushes it off and reminds him that Daphne is the incomparable, which means no one is better suited for him than her. He thinks she's spoken for, but the queen says it's not a done deal. She tells him to charm her.
Benedict is drawing hands in a sketchbook. He gets frustrated and tears out a page.
Daphne practices her piano until Eloise begs her to stop. Daphne thinks Eloise could use the practice herself, but Eloise would rather listen to Daphne practice than endure that. Daphne suggests that Eloise take her reading outside. Eloise knows Daphne sees no value in her reading as it won't get her a husband, but that's not what Eloise wants. Daphne is upset with Eloise for not understanding her point of view and seeing that Eloise isn't the only one with troubles. After a moment, Eloise sighs, closes her book, and asks Daphne about the piece she's playing. Daphne composed it herself, but it has no name yet. Eloise tells her to practice if she needs, but to come up with a name for it. Daphne starts playing again.
Lady Featherington and Marina step out into the slums of the city. She wants to show Marina her future if she doesn't agree to be married. Marina isn't swayed, saying these are just good, hardworking people who are less fortunate. And Marina has a man who loves her already. He's not there because he's in Spain fighting. He's aware she's with child, but hasn't written back since. Lady Featherington says many men waver when the consequences of their actions confront them.
Lady Danbury and Lady Bridgerton talk about Cressida's relationship with the prince as they chaperone Simon and Daphne.
Simon shares stories of Anthony and his time at school together. Daphne says her mother said to marry her best friend. She wonders if that's what marriage is all about. She asks Simon about it and is shocked at how little Daphne knows about the expectations of a marital bed. Simon says it's not his place to tell her, but she reminds him he's not a real suitor and no one else will tell her. He says what happens between a husband and a wife is a natural continuation of what happens at night. When you touch yourself. Between your legs. She's confused. He tells her she can touch herself anywhere on her body that gives her pleasure and when you find the feeling you particularly enjoy, you can carry on with that until the feeling grows and you reach a release. That should help her. He then walks and tells her to come.
Lady Danbury whacks Simon with her cane and asks if the time he's spent with Daphne is leading anywhere. She warns him that Prince Friedrich is focused on Daphne, which isn't important if he's planning to propose, but if he isn't and yet causes Daphne to lose such a great match, it would be careless of him. She taught him better than to be that cruel.
Eloise is smoking on the swing again when Benedict finds her. They share a cigarette. She saw that he burned some of his drawings. She tells him if he wants something, he should go after it because some people can't do that. For example, Lady Whistledown is a talented writer, but must publish under a fake name. She's a woman, so she has nothing. Still, she writes. He's a man who has everything. So he should do it, be what he wants to be. That way, Eloise can live vicariously through him. Benedict asks Eloise if she's Lady Whistledown. She's always scribbling in her diary and knows everyone else's business. He pledges his support if she is. She says she isn't, but she wouldn't tell him if she were.
Daphne sits up at night. Then she lies back in bed. She thinks of Simon and begins to touch herself.
The next day, Daphne plays the piece to the end, which pleases her mother. Eloise hopes it finally has a name.
Daphne meets Simon outside a tea shop. She has a plan, but he informs her he won't be joining her for the day. Nor tomorrow or any day past that. He tells her she has many suitors, so their arrangement has worked. The ruse needs to end. She asks if she's done something wrong. He says she hasn't, but the prince is the best for her. Her brother was right. He's a rake and she deserves better than that. She says she thought they were friends, but he says they never were and the notion is ridiculous. He says she was a diversion and nothing more. Now his business in town is complete and they both should move on. She'll be happy with her prince. He leaves and she begins to cry.
Simon gives orders to expedite his departure from the city.
Daphne goes up to her room crying. She orders even her maid Rose to leave her be.
Siena performs at the opera. She finishes to applause.
The stage manager tells Siena a gentleman is waiting for her. She's surprised to see Anthony there. She asks what he's avoiding by visiting her. She says she doesn't sit around waiting for his visits. She has her own plans, which aren't his concern. He thinks she's taking advantage of Simon, but she tells him the duke hasn't called on her. She's not consorting with any friend of his, but she's not surprised that he's there because he's jealous. He says he's there because he misses her. He can't think of anyone else and begs her to come back. He starts to kiss her, but she pushes him off. Her position in life hasn't changed and neither has hers. His responsibility is to his title. He's made her promises before and she believed them like a fool. She can't be his fool again.
Penelope goes to check the mail. There's something for Marina and she races to take it to her. Marina opens the letter and is heartbroken. He's disavowing their relationship and the pregnancy. He wants nothing more to do with her or the pregnancy. She cries out.
In a nearby room, Lady Featherington and Mrs. Varley realize their efforts weren't in vain. They copied George's handwriting and faked the letter themselves so convince Marina to marry someone quickly. Lady Featherington believes they've done what's best for her.
Genevieve alters a dress for Daphne. Lady Cowper comes in. She's relieved that Daphne is with Simon as Cressida wouldn't have a hope with the prince if Daphne were in the running.
Daphne tells Rose to put the new dress away. She's wearing a different one to the ball and to do her hair the way she likes. People expect her to look perfect and she will.
Anthony looks at his watch as he works. His mother comes in and asks if he'll be joining them for the ball. She gives him a list of 14 single, eligible ladies to consider. He says he'll consider it. She tells him time is of the essence. He looks at the watch again once she's gone.
Cressida and Prince Friedrich dance together at the ball.
Marina enters and is immediately asked to dance.
Simon tells Lady Danbury he's leaving earlier than expected. He says it's time for him to go. She calls him a fool.
Daphne immediately draws eyes when she enters, including those of Prince Friedrich, who asks for her first dance. She grants it and they dance. As they dance, Simon slips out of the room.
Cast[]
Main Cast[]
- Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury
- Lorraine Ashbourne as Mrs. Varley
- Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton
- Ruby Barker as Marina Thompson
- Sabrina Bartlett as Siena Rosso
- Harriet Cains as Philippa Featherington
- Bessie Carter as Prudence Featherington
- Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington
- Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne Bridgerton
- Ruth Gemmell as Lady Violet Bridgerton
- Florence Hunt as Hyacinth Bridgerton
- Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton
- Ben Miller as Archibald Featherington
- Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton
- Regé-Jean Page as Simon Basset
- Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte
- Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton
- Will Tilston as Gregory Bridgerton
- Polly Walker as Lady Portia Featherington
- Julie Andrews as Lady Whistledown
Guest Stars[]
- Jason Barnett as Jeffries
- Joanna Bobin as Lady Cowper
- Anand Desai-Barochia as Lord Hardy
- Kathryn Drysdale as Genevieve Delacroix
- Paul Hunter as Lord Middlethorpe
- George Kemp as Lord Weaver
- Jessica Madsen as Cressida Cowper
- Molly McGlynn as Maid Rose
- Julian Ovenden as Sir Henry Granville
- Hugh Sachs as Brimsley
- Nicholas Shaw as Lord Thompson
- Freddie Stroma as Prince Friedrich
- Ray MacAllan as Hastings Driver
- Phil Snowden as Stage Manager
- Tosh Wanogho-Maud as Suitor
Music[]
| Song | Performer | Scene |
|---|---|---|
| "Bad Guy" | Vitamin String Quartet (originally by Billie Eilish) |
|
Notes and Trivia[]
Gallery[]
Episode Stills[]
Behind the Scenes[]
Quotes[]
- Portia Featherington: Lord Middlethorpe, you simply must meet Miss Marina Thompson, a distant cousin of my husband’s.
- Lord Middlethorpe: Miss Thompson, the pleasure is mine.
- Marina Thompson: Entirely.
See Also[]
|
A complete overview of this episode's crew can be found here. |
| Season 1 | |||||
| #01 | "Diamond of the First Water" | #04 | "An Affair of Honor" | #07 | "Oceans Apart" |
| #02 | "Shock and Delight" | #05 | "The Duke and I" | #08 | "After the Rain" |
| #03 | "Art of the Swoon" | #06 | "Swish" | ||
| Season 2 >> | |||||