4-07-2022 7:45pm

Nostalgic for the Past

Christine Larkin Editor

The Bridgertons

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Why are we so nostalgic for the past? Because it takes us away from the burdens of modern life. I'm currently watching two period dramas that have me staying up way past my bedtime.

In December of 2020 at the end of the first year of COVID, Netflix launched a steamy family drama set in 1813 called Bridgerton. This American period drama series created by Chris Van Dusen and produced by Shonda Rhimes is based on Julia Quinn's novels set in the competitive world of Regency era London when debutantes are presented at court. The Bridgerton siblings – Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory and Hyacinth – navigate the London society in search of love, surrounded by friends and rivals alike. Each episode includes narration by actress Dame Julie Andrews, who voices the anonymous and ever-scandalous newsletter columnist known as Lady Whistledown, who possesses knowledge of all the information in London, drawing everyone's interest, even Queen Charlotte. Unlike the series of novels, Bridgerton is set in an alternate history with a racially integrated London where people of color are members of the ton, (the high society in the UK during the later Regency era and the reign of King George IV) some with titles granted by the sovereign. The series was inspired by historical debate over the 1940's African ancestry claims of Queen Charlotte in which her mixed-race heritage was not only well-established but was transformative for Black people and other people of color in England. It works so scandalously well. I'm addicted to Season 2.

Then there's PBS's Sanditon. Like other novels, Sanditon is about the lives of a few families, but instead of the usual setting of a country village it is set in a rapidly developing seaside resort on the south coast of England. Some readers have identified Sanditon as Worthing where author Jane Austen spent some weeks in the summer and autumn of 1805. This was Jane Austen's final novel, and due to its unfinished nature (she completed only eleven chapters), the original work was used for the majority of the first episode, and then the developed characters were used to complete the story. In Season 1, we are introduced to Sidney Parker and Charlotte Heywood who have a first encounter as a carriage unexpectedly arrives bearing Mr. Parker, the second eldest Parker brother. He will be staying in town for a few days with two friends who will join him shortly. Charlotte finds him very good-looking with a decided air of fashion. These two beauties are drawn to each other even though they come from very different backgrounds and have quite different ideas about what to do with this seaside fishing village. Sidney, and his band of brothers, want to develop it into a luxury resort while Charlotte is perfectly content to save this quaint getaway by the sea. I'm hooked on this period piece that takes place in 1817, and Season 2 has a juicy new twist.

It seems not a lot has changed since developers continue to buy up simple properties and turn them into luxury dwellings by the sea and beyond. I sigh. The clashes between classes and race are as prevalent today as they were back then, but they are better disguised in the deception of the "middle class." I find myself enraptured by these stories filled with passion, power, and position. It's a glimpse into what we were and who we are becoming. This time in our history may be a thing of the past, but the power and position remain. We need more passion.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

I am a columnist with Skylark Live Town News (SLTN) and write short, poetic articles about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, and daily life in and around Bay Shore. Please subscribe to my free newsletter that will be delivered directly to your email each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. To support the SLTN community, you can make a recurring monthly donation as a Friend ($5) or Advocate ($15). You can also advertise your business or event here. It's easy and convenient to do. I am also an advocate for people 60 and beyond. These years can be transformative, but they require focus, determination, and planning. I have a first Monday-of-the-month motivational vlog that is designed to inspire people to thrive as they age through knowledge and self-awareness. Please follow me on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Linkedin under my brand, Skylark Live. Thank you for your support.