Bridgerton is Shonda Rhimes' hit Netflix original series set during the Regency Era and based on the novel series of the same name by Julia Quinn. Bridgerton follows the many Bridgerton family members, with eight children all led by Viscountess Violet. Season one's main focus was on Daphne and her attempts to find a husband. Its second season now available to stream on Netflix, Bridgerton was an immediate success thanks to its storyline, characters, and well-written script. While many fawn over Simon’s screen-time without a shirt on, one highly underrated character is the Bridgerton matriarch Violet, played by Ruth Gemmell.
With eight children to take care of and no husband to assist, Violet truly shines as a mother and a savvy leader for her children to follow in a society that limits women's social and economic mobility. Not only does she bob and weave through the societal expectations of the era, going so far as to stand up to Anthony, but she manages to manipulate the system to her advantage, successfully getting rid of a deplorable suitor of Daphne’s, Lord Berbrooke. Violet gets enough screen time for us to know who she is, but there are times when Violet truly rocks the house with her intelligence and her compassion. Here are moments from season one of Bridgerton that prove Viscountess Violet Bridgerton was the unsung hero.
Airing Lord Berbrooke’s Dirty Laundry
When Daphne and Lord Berbrooke become engaged and Daphne sees no way out of it, Violet shows her the light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks to Violet’s savvy ways, she gathers all the servants together and manages to gather some nasty dirt on Lord Berbrooke, making the discovery of his illegitimate child that he refuses to support. After discovering this new information, Violet heads on a quest to get the rumor mill running in order to draw attention to Lord Berbrooke’s past wrongdoings. Thanks to Violet’s efforts and the prompt writings from gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, Lord Berbrooke’s exploits become known to all. As a result, Berbrooke stops pursuing Daphne and leaves town for the country, seemingly to take care of his illegitimate family in the hopes of restoring his reputation.
Standing Up to Anthony
After Daphne is given the stamp of approval by the Queen, she becomes a hot commodity on the marriage market with an endless line-up of suitors waiting to ask for her hand in marriage. The only thing standing in the way is her eldest brother Anthony, who deems none of the suitors worthy, driving all potentials away and ruining Daphne’s chances. Anthony’s controlling behavior around Daphne’s potential suitors gets on everyone’s nerves. Violet stands up to Anthony and even throws his exploits with his mistress into the mix. Considered one of her finest moments on the show, Violet manages to prove that while Anthony may be the “Head” of the Bridgerton family as far as society’s concerned, Violet is the true leader of the household. With season 2 centering Anthony and his love triangle, placing him in the focus of the pursuit of marriage, there's no doubt that Violet and Anthony will clash again.
Plotting with Lady Danbury
When Daphne and Simon decide to put on a ruse that they are in a courtship, Lady Danbury and Violet see immediate interest. As much as the ruse fools everyone, Violet and Danbury notice that Simon has not taken any further steps to advance their relationship. As Simon and Daphne continue their ruse, Violet and Lady Danbury put together a scheme to help bring the couple together as not only are they a perfect match on the outside, but Violet can sense the chemistry between them, wishing her daughter to have a love-filled relationship like she had with the late Lord Bridgerton.
Telling Daphne That Sex Before Marriage is Okay
After Daphne and Simon are discovered being more intimate alone by Anthony, and before marriage, Daphne is humiliated. With her reputation at stake, Simon is forced to marry Daphne for their intimacy to avoid a complete scandal and the potential outcast from society completely. After this incident, Violet goes to her distraught daughter and comforts her, the best of her words including telling Daphne that many couples in love, even Violet herself and her late husband, could not control their passions. This proves that Violet doesn’t claim to be any saint, nor does she claim to be above some things very frowned upon by society. However, her relating to Daphne in this way helps her daughter immensely as Daphne realizes that just because she let her emotions lead her actions, it does not make her the devil.
Letting Eloise Choose the Timing of Her Debut
Eloise is of an independent mind and has no wish to join Daphne as one of the debutantes of the social season. Violet, unlike Lady Featherington and her daughters, does not force Eloise into anything and wants her to choose when she will debut. As a true sign of motherly love, Violet’s approach to Eloise’s wishes is astonishingly compassionate as opposed to (Eloise’s best friend) Penelope’s mother Lady Featherington, who forces Penelope into the season when she doesn’t wish to participate as she feels she is not yet ready. Violet is truly a gem in the Regency Era, displaying more motherly tendencies, caring more for how her children feel than how society will view them.