Bridgerton, a 2020 Netflix series set in the Regency era, has certainly gained attention since the moment of its release. Telling an alternate story of the era, the series focuses on the prominent Bridgerton family, showing the chaotic lives of the eight siblings, all named in alphabetical order. Despite the fan-favorite show not being historically accurate, it still contains all the elements that captivate the viewers’ hearts: love, scandal, and elegance.

While dearest viewers of the Bridgerton story impatiently await the release of the new season, I am taking a moment to revisit the best moments from the existing seasons. Although the fourth season promises to be just as exciting and scandalous, we must not forget the most iconic moments that made us all fall in love with the show.

The deal that started it all (Season 1, Episode 2)

Daphne, the eldest daughter of the Bridgerton family and the “diamond of the season,” makes her debut to find a husband. However, her older brother Anthony, also the head of the house, presents himself as rather strict and demanding, scaring off most of his sister’s potential suitors.

While their mother, Violet Bridgerton, proposed Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, as a possible match, Anthony disapproved, suggesting Nigel Berbrooke instead. Disappointed and upset, Daphne flees to the garden, where Nigel follows and asks for her hand in marriage. Daphne refuses and punches Lord Berbrooke after he makes an attempt to dishonor her.

Simon arrives just at the moment and makes a new proposal to Daphne instead. If they appeared madly in love to the ton, Daphne would be seen as “desirable” and attract more suitors. At the same time, their deal will make Simon appear “unavailable,” sparing him from the constant attack of the noble mothers.

They both agree to the deal, since they do not wish to marry each other, and it seems like a perfect solution. Until, of course, it isn’t. While the scene does not involve drama or scandal, it acts as a catalyst for the relationship between Daphne and Simon. It is the deal that pushes them to spend time together and eventually fall for each other. Or shall I say, burn?

“I burn for you” (Season 1, Episode 5)

After Daphne and Simon were caught kissing in the garden by Anthony, the duke was forced to marry her to protect her honor. He refuses at first, not wanting to destroy Daphne’s dream of having a family, knowing he is unable to give her one.

Misunderstanding the intention behind Simon’s refusal, Daphne assumes he does not have feelings for her and is left heartbroken. Later, after Daphne stops the duel between Anthony and Simon, they eventually agree to get married. The wedding reception passes with a quiet awkwardness, with both Daphne and the Duke unaware of each other’s feelings.

Since Simon’s estate was far, he decided they would stay at an inn, reserving them two separate rooms. However, later, Simon comes into her room, and after a heated argument, he confesses his feelings, believing them to be one-sided. He tells Daphne that he “burns for her,” marking the line as one of the most beautiful ways of confessing one’s love for another.

Touched by his passionate confession, Daphne also admits her feelings, echoing “I burn for you” to him in response. The phrase immediately became a symbol of the first season, setting the bar high for the episodes to come.

The bee sting (Season 2, Episode 3)

After the second season introduced the viewers to the new diamond of the season, Edwina Sharma, the Viscount Bridgerton immediately started courting her. Despite his antagonistic feelings towards her older sister, Kate, Anthony invites the entire Sharma family to spend the weekend at the Aubrey Hall.

Not a second goes by without Anthony and Kate arguing with each other, but the Viscount continues to make efforts in order to earn Edwina’s heart. However, while making a toast at dinner, Anthony fails to propose to Edwina, disappointing her. The next morning, Kate and Anthony run into each other after her morning ride, and he tells her he still plans to propose.

Kate grows upset over his excuses, and they start arguing again when a bee lands on Kate. Anthony immediately panics, and after the bee stings Kate, he starts hyperventilating, remembering his father’s death after a bee sting. Worried by his panic, Kate grabs his hand and places his hand on her chest, showing she was alright and trying to calm him.

The scene is very intense and intimate, bringing the two characters closer than they had ever been before, both physically and emotionally. It makes them question their own feelings, creating just enough tension for the future scenes to build onto. Despite the many heated moments between Kate and Anthony, it is the “bee scene” that started it all and became pivotal for the development of their romance.

“You are the bane of my existence” (Season 2, Episode 5)

Lady Danbury invites the Sheffields, Mary Sharma’s parents who disowned her, for dinner in honor of Anthony and Edwina’s engagement. What was supposed to be a lovely dinner turns into a heated argument when the Sheffields repeatedly insult their daughter for marrying beneath her status and belittle Kate.

While Mary and Kate engage in the conflict, the Sheffields reveal the secret behind Edwina’s dowry, something Kate hid from both her mother and sister. They admit that they agreed to pay off Edwina’s dowry, but only under the condition that she marry into a high-ranking English family.

Despite his shock, Anthony fiercely defends the Sharma family and tells the Sheffields they need to leave. When Anthony and his mother are leaving, Kate stops them, asking to explain herself to Anthony in private.

They talk in the library, where Kate apologizes and tells Anthony Edwina was unaware of the deal. Anthony believes her but still suggests calling off the wedding to avoid scandal. Kate is upset by his suggestion, and they start arguing when she reveals she is leaving for India once everything settles. This makes Anthony confess.

He tells Kate she is the “bane of his existence and the object of all his desires,” implying that even if he marries Edwina, he would still continue wanting her. They both share a close, intimate moment, which almost leads to a kiss until Anthony pulls away. This scene marks a defining moment in the conflicting relationship between Kate and Anthony, making them face their own feelings for each other. It is a fan favorite for a reason, and personally for me, the best scene in the entirety of the show.

Forbidden love (Season 2, Episode 6)

In her attempts to uncover Lady Whistledown’s real identity, Eloise meets Theo Sharpe, a worker from a print shop where the scribe prints her infamous pamphlets. After engaging in heated discussions regarding women’s rights and other ideas, Theo and Eloise had grown close, and she started visiting him regularly. She begins to anticipate their meetings, enjoying the way she could share her thoughts freely with him. As someone who criticized marriage and love, Eloise started questioning whether she herself developed feelings for Theo.

During Anthony and Edwina’s wedding, Eloise talks to Penelope, sharing her feelings and asking Penelope how would she know if Theo felt the same way about her too. She hated the idea of not knowing and, despite Penelope’s warnings, ran from the event to see Theo again.

There she awkwardly tells him that she thinks about him when she reads things, wishing to share her thoughts with him. She inquires whether he thinks of her as well. While Theo does not state his feelings outright, he brings out a stack of books, saying that he set them aside for her to read so that they could discuss them.

While Eloise and Theo did not share explicitly romantic moments, the couple soon grew on the viewers due to its “forbidden love” trope. Not only was it intriguing to observe someone like Eloise explore love, but it also added depth and development to her character. Her connection with Theo was effortless and beautiful, a breath of fresh air amidst the typical high-society drama and scandal. Despite them not being the main couple, I, as well as other viewers, secretly foster hope that they would be endgame.

A rainy rescue (Season 2, Episode 7)

After the failed marriage between Edwina and Anthony, Violet Bridgerton hosts a ball to salvage their reputation. However, when no guests show up, Anthony suggests they all still dance, and eventually the Bridgertons, Sharmas, and Lady Danbury have a great time. After the event quiets down, Kate steps out in the garden to have some air.

There, she stumbles upon Anthony, and they have a fight again, amidst which both implicitly admit their feelings. In the heat of the moment, they kiss and eventually make love.

In the morning, Anthony wakes up to see Kate already gone and rushes to Lady Danbury’s estate to talk to her. Kate, overwhelmed with her emotions, takes her horse for a run, despite the heavy rain. The weather seemed to perfectly reflect the emotions of both characters.

Anthony finds Kate and witnesses her fall from the horse, immediately rushing to her side. Kate is unconscious as Anthony covers her with his coat, asking her to wake up. Shaken, he lifts her up and carries her home. When inside, he immediately calls for the doctor as he lays her down, barking orders in a state of panic and worry.

This is one of the most emotionally charged scenes of the season, since it shows Anthony’s usual walls crumble, letting his feelings spill out. This is the moment when Anthony realizes the depth of his love for Kate, finally allowing himself to be honest. While this scene is rarely mentioned, it is my personal favorite and has a special place in my Kanthony heart.

“Would you kiss me?” (Season 3, Episode 2)

After deciding to find herself a husband this season, Penelope Featherington gets an insane makeover, immediately attracting attention from suitors and viewers alike. However, after her awkward attempts at conversation, she steps outside, running into Colin, who compliments her.

She tells him that she’d heard him telling other gentlemen how he would never court Penelope Featherington, to which Colin apologizes, and they form an agreement. They meet regularly, and Colin gives her lessons on how to charm gentlemen and find potential suitors.

However, despite her success, a word about their agreements gets out, and Penelope becomes the laughingstock of the ton. Embarrassed and upset, Penelope returns home. Later, her maid tells her she has a visitor, leading her to the garden where Colin awaits.

He comforts her, and overcome with emotions, Penelope asks Colin, “Would you kiss me?” saying she doesn’t want to die and has never kissed. Colin falters for a moment before leaning in, and they share a passionate kiss, one that viewers awaited from the beginning of the show.

This moment makes viewers wonder whether Colin had started falling for Penelope’s charm himself. After witnessing Penelope and Colin’s friendship, as well as her years-long feelings for him, it felt heartwarming to finally see them grow into something more than just friends. Given that both of them had gone through their fair share of lessons and hardships throughout the previous two seasons, helping them grow and develop, they are ready to take on their love lives, and we are more than ready to witness.

“Perhaps we can enjoy the silence together” (Season 3, Episode 3)

Francesca Bridgerton, the sixth sibling, makes her debut as her family accompanies her. Though reserved and shy, Francesca is open to the idea of marriage and longs for a peaceful home of her own. Although she falters under the gentlemen’s attention, she still engages in small conversations and shares a few dances.

After the queen found Francesca playing the piano alone in the backroom at the ball, she had become her new favorite. Her Majesty even found her a match, Lord Samadani, with whom Francesca spends the evening talking. However, when it becomes overwhelming, she steps out into the garden to have some air.

She stands alone, enjoying the quiet, when a man stands next to her. They greet each other, and she admits that she was simply in search of some quiet, to which he replies, “Perhaps we can enjoy the silence together.”

Both of them stand in silence, enjoying the quiet and each other’s company. The scene is calm and authentic, which feels like a breath of fresh air amidst the typical Bridgerton chaos.

Although Francesca and the gentleman, John Sterling, did not utter a word to each other, the scene was no less romantic or magical. It perfectly captures Francesca’s nature and character, showing the viewers that while love is the main theme of the show, it can have different faces for each person.

A second chance at love (Season 3, Episode 8)

We’ve all seen Violet Bridgerton helping her children find love and happiness throughout the show, but only in season 3 did we get a hint to a romance of her own. After her husband Edmund’s tragic death, Violet had been taken with grief, making peace with his death over the years.

However, as her children were getting married and leaving to be on their own, she seemed to be ready to explore love again. When Lady Danbury’s younger brother Marcus Anderson arrives, he immediately gravitates towards Violet, and she finds his attention intriguing.

Although she enjoyed moments spent in Marcus’ company, she was still questioning whether it was right and she could truly be with someone after losing her great love. When Marcus confesses that he would like to explore their relationship more, Violet admits she feels the same, although she wishes for Marcus to resolve his conflict with Lady Danbury.

Later, when Violet confides in Lady Danbury about her growing relationship with Marcus, she supports her, expressing her wish for Violet to be happy. Finally, after all tension was resolved, Violet and Marcus share a dance during the Dankworth-Finch ball, adding to the grandeur of the season’s finale.

I believe Violet opening her heart again was a touching addition to the story, fitting perfectly into the theme of the show. It adds depth to her already complex character, making her stand out not just as the prominent mother of the Bridgerton family, but also as a woman who, despite her loss, strives to find love again.

“My dearest gentle readers” (Season 3, Episode 8)

Our dearest gentle viewers have been aware of Lady Whistledown’s true identity for a while now; what cannot be said about the rest of the high society? This secret had caused Penelope Featherington, now Bridgerton, great suffering, causing her to part ways with her best friend, Eloise, and almost lose Colin, her love.

After being blackmailed by Cressida Cowper, who had uncovered her secret, Penelope doesn’t want to give in to her threats and decides to make a public announcement during her sisters’ ball. Beforehand, she sends a letter to Her Majesty, confessing her true identity and asking for a chance to explain herself first before the ton.

Amidst the loud music and grandeur of the event, the queen makes a dramatic entrance, stopping everyone in their tracks. She explains the reason behind her visit and asks Lady Whistledown to show herself. Penelope steps forward, confessing that she is indeed Lady Whistledown.

Despite the shocked gasps and whispers, the writer continued her speech, telling the ton the reason behind her papers. She admits that after being unseen for most of her life, she simply wished to be heard and taken seriously for once. Writing about others’ lives had given her the opportunity to be heard, but it had also given her the courage to stop hiding and let herself be seen.

After her touching and sincere revelation, the members of the high society seemed to be forgiving, and the Queen allowed Penelope to continue using her quill, but more responsibly this time. Penelope is relieved to have received Her Majesty’s approval, and the celebration continues. She makes up with Colin, and they confess their love for each other again, sharing a dance while hundreds of little butterflies flutter through the hall.

This dramatic finale seemed rather fitting after the extreme tension that was building up around Penelope’s secret identity throughout the show. Instead of destroying Lady Whistledown, the show gave her a new life, now under the writer’s real name. It also adds layers to Colin and Penelope’s relationship, emphasizing that true love does not require sacrifices. Instead, it shows the couple’s beautiful connection over a shared passion, with both of them gaining success in writing. Personally, I couldn’t have thought of a more perfect wrap-up for such an intense and passionate season.

Despite being on air for a few years, Bridgerton remains one of the most promising and exciting shows on Netflix. Although the show has undoubtedly hundreds of iconic moments, I have listed the ones I personally found symbolic. While admirers of the show wait for the new season, which will tell the love story of Benedict, the second Bridgerton, I hope my dearest readers will take a moment to reminisce about the most memorable scenes from the series. Rest assured, this author shall return with more tales of love and scandal next season.