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I haven't read the books so I can't remark on what the change might mean to Francesca and her storyline(s) from the book and what may be dropped, but I can understand the frustration people have from what I have seen people talking about what is in her books
(SPOILERS!!)
I like the idea that her storyline involves love after loss. I think it's an especially important topic that should be discussed, and as a show watcher I can see it being a great way for her to connect with her mother and show perspective on a widow finding love, not just in the time period but also as something timeless and forever relevant.
What made me mad was that they showed a clear and obvious foreshadowing cliche IN A ROMANCE SHOW of Francesca being tongue tied as soon as she met someone new. In any story, AND ESPECIALLY IN A ROMANCE SHOW FILLED TO THE BRIM WITH CLICHES AND FORESHADOWING, this is an obvious sign that Francesca will fall in love with this person! Cliches are not bad, that's why we get lost in romances like Bridgerton - plus they serve as literary tropes and indicators for the audience. We are meant to spot them, or, when we don't, they help to navigate the story and set the tone. BUT WHY WOULD YOU HAVE IT AFTER A WHOLE SEASON OF PROMOTING HOW QUIET AND PEACEFUL FRANCESCA AND JOHN'S RELATIONSHIP IS!!?!?!?!?!
I LOVED that they had a quiet romance. I loved that they said "not every love needs something grandstanding", Francesca and John's love is as real as any other romances presented in the show. Of course it wasn't the main story line of the season and not Francesca's complete "love story", but it will still be a real, loving relationship between the two. So many people watch this show and others like it for those grandiose stories to get lost in the fantasy and that's alright, but John and Francesca's story also said "hey, remember that these quiet romances are real too! they are just as important! sometimes love is loud, sometimes it isn't AND THAT'S ALRIGHT!"
BUT TO HAVE THAT OBVIOUS FORESHADOW, RIGHT AFTER THE WEDDING! It was a terrible writing choice!
Even if I didn't know what would happen in Francesca's book, I, as a SHOW WATCHER, already know that Francesca, again, AFTER A WHOLE SEASON DEFENDING HER LOVE FOR JOHN, OFFENDED THAT HER MOTHER DOESN'T THINK THEY ARE MEANT TO BE! is meant to fall in love with this character - and it could have been MICHAEL, and I still would have been upset at the WRITING CHOICE!
THIS! It wouldn’t matter if it was Michael or Michaela. The whole being flustered from their first meeting to her reaction to her kiss with John, it CHEAPENS how she fought for her love. It reduces the idea that her quiet romance is not worth of a story!!!
We are so used to those big grand gestures or moments in Bridgerton so the whole Francesca and John romance was such a delight to watch! They were a breath of fresh air.
I enjoy their moments because quiet romance is not something typical you see on television.
Exactly, and so much of the tension with her relationship with Michael in the books is because of how much she truly loved John and how devastated she is that he died.
Are you queer? Sorry if you are not comfortable with that so you don't need to answer but I am.
You can meet someone, be instantly attracted to them and; not act on it, and secondly, and this is where being a repressed queer comes in, not recognise it's attraction. When you are in the closet (which Francesca clearly is) she is not going to link being tongue tied at seeing Michaela means anything more than she's an awkward turtle and she made a fool of herself. Considering she can't go watch the L Word, she probably doesn't know lesbianism exists. I predict she's going to park those feelings deep inside until John is no longer around to take her attention.
And again I don't think it has to belittle her relationship with John just by the fact she thought someone else was hot. Unless she's pining over her next season (which would be gross, don't do that showrunners) I think this was only foreshadowing that they will have a passionate love affair. It'll be different to what she and John has, but not necessarily better. I think the jury is out but I am optimistic they can do John/Francesca justice while also setting up Michaela as Fran's endgame.