Fans may have loved Simon and Daphne's romance in Bridgerton season 1, but is season 2 the favorite of the Regency era Netflix romance?

Bridgerton, a Jane Austen-meets-Gossip Girl Regency-era romance, is one of Netflix's biggest hits. Based on the novels by Julia Quinn, the books followed each of the Bridgerton siblings as they find love and marry during the spring season in high-society London. Before season 2 dropped in March, fans were hoping beloved scenes from the page would make their way onto their screens.

Season 1 followed Daphne Bridgerton, the oldest Bridgerton sister, as she found love with Simon Basset. Once Daphne and Simon's relationship was solidified, season 2 focused on Anthony Bridgerton's quest for a wife. With two seasons, some of the best Bridgerton episodes focused on the themes of family and love.

Updated on April 29, 2022, by Lynn Gibbs: Now that season 2 of Bridgerton is released, fans of season 1 rewatched the entire series to be reminded of everything they forgot. While season 1 focused on Daphne Bridgerton and her goal of marrying before the end of London's high season, season 2 focused on another Bridgerton altogether. Each Bridgerton episode got better and better as fans followed just how dramatic, thrilling, and dark romance and friendship could be for this beloved family.

16 Diamond Of The First Water (Season 1, Episode 1) - 7.2

At the start of a new social season, a mysterious, anonymous presence makes itself known by the name of the scandalous Lady Whistledown, the anonymous gossip writer. Both she and the queen have high praise for Daphne Bridgerton's beauty, but Daphne's older brother Anthony drives away potential suitors.

Marina Thompson arrives on the scene and attracts the attention of many until her pregnancy prevents her from going out in public. Simon Bassett, the Duke of Hastings, and Daphne find themselves frustrated with their respective situations — he is being hounded by women wanting to make an advantageous match, while she has no promising suitors — so the two decide to pretend to court to make him seem unavailable and she desirable. The episode relies a bit on cliches but delivers a promising premise for the rest of the season.

15 Capital R Rake (Season 2, Episode 1) - 7.6

One of the lowest-ranked episodes of Bridgerton's second season was the first episode. Season 2 kicked off with a quick look at what the Bridgertons and Featheringtons have been up to since season 1. Viewers were also introduced to a new family, the Sharmas.

Eloise Bridgerton had some of the funniest quotes now that she was of age to search for a husband. She had no choice in the matter and was forced to by her mother Violet, but it was humorous watching her try to fit in with society. Meanwhile, Queen Charlotte was on a hunt for that season's diamond and was encouraged by Lady Danbury to choose Edwina Sharma.

14 Swish (Season 1, Episode 6) - 7.6

Colin and Marina's engagement is met with approval from the Featheringtons, but displeasure from the Bridgertons. Marina is charming but her lack of rank or title doesn't satisfy the family. Meanwhile, Simon's housekeeper fills Daphne in on some of Simon's childhood and inadvertently alerts her to the fact that he might not be totally honest with her.

When Daphne discovers the truth behind his deception, she takes matters into her own hands in a rather awful way. Everyone's secrets come out in this episode, with Lady Whistledown publishing the truth about Marina's pregnancy and attempted entrapment of Colin. This episode showed the ugly side of some people's motivations, making for a thought-provoking conflict that raised the stakes for all. But was it the most intense episode? Not according to IMDb.

13 Shock And Delight (Season 1, Episode 2) - 7.6

This episode features many flashbacks that reveal traumatic events from the questionable parenting choices made by Simon's cruel father, whose drive to have an heir led to his mother dying in childbirth. This information is given so audiences will understand Simon's motivation for the vow he made to his father to never marry or have children so that the Hastings line would die with him.

In the present, one of Daphne's suitors, the persistent Lord Berbrooke, blackmails her into an engagement. Lady Bridgerton manages to save her daughter from this fate by telling everyone in town about the illegitimate child Berbrooke fathered and abandoned. The episode serves to reveal more about Simon's childhood, which helps make sense of his actions later on. The information learned about Simon's truth made this a high-ranking episode.

12 Off To The Races (Season 2, Episode 2) - 7.7

In the second episode of season 2, Kate's mission was to find Edwina a suitable mate since she was chosen as that season's diamond by Queen Charlotte. Anthony promised himself and his family that he was ready to marry and would marry whoever that season's diamond was, despite whether he had feelings for her or not.

Anthony courted Edwina at the horse race but Kate wasn't buying his charade. Over at the Featheringtons', Portia's late husband's cousin Jack came to rescue the family with his wealth. Little do they know he's not exactly who he says he is.

11 Oceans Apart (Season 1, Episode 7) - 7.7

Daphne returns to London to stand by her brother in the wake of his scandalous engagement to Marina Thompson. Simon and Daphne's soulmate connection fades when he tells her that they can no longer be together since they've betrayed one another's trust too deeply and don't want the same things.

Daphne takes pity on Marina, and endeavors to find her unborn child's father and return him to her. Marina attempts to abort her pregnancy after giving up on her love ever returning. Meanwhile Daphne discovers that she isn't pregnant and is heartbroken.

10 Art Of The Swoon (Season 1, Episode 3) - 7.7

When the queen's nephew, Prince Friedrich of Prussia, shows an interest in Daphne, Lady Danbury begins to chastise Simon for stringing her along without the intention to propose. Simon breaks things off with Daphne, while Marina is tricked into believing that the father of her child no longer wants her.

A heartbroken Daphne gives up on Simon and begins to return the prince's attention. This episode forces Simon and Daphne into an uncomfortable position concerning their feelings for one another, which makes for a highly entertaining watch and a high-ranking episode.

9 The Choice (Season 2, Episode 6) - 7.9

‘The Choice’ has a do-or-die moment for Anthony Bridgerton. Although he's set to marry Edwina Sharma at a wedding hosted by Queen Charlotte, he knows he loves Edwina’s sister Kate more. While at the altar, Edwina notices the glares Anthony gives her sister and realizes he doesn't love her. In a shocking decision that could have ruined her family’s name, Edwina calls off the wedding.

Over in the Featheringtons’ world, Jack and Portia come up with a plan to fool people into thinking they're far wealthier than they are. Meanwhile, Penelope warns Eloise that people are going to talk about her friendship with Theo, who is below their class. Eloise doesn't want to lead Theo on but it is obvious she has feelings for him as well. The episode ends in suspense as Penelope and the Modiste join forces. The Modiste proves herself as one of the best secondary characters in Bridgerton.

8 An Affair Of Honor (Season 1, Episode 4) - 7.9

Daphne and Friedrich's courtship continues, and they share common values and hopes for the future. He plans to propose to her, but she flees before he can get the words out. Simon pursues Daphne and the two end up kissing until her older brother Anthony spots them and challenges Simon to a duel over Daphne's honor.

Daphne realizes that someone saw her and Simon in the garden and could ruin her reputation with that information. She demands that Simon marry her to save her reputation, and he tells her that he is unable to have children, which is something she's always wanted. She agrees to marry him anyway due to her feelings for him and fear for her reputation. This episode provides a bit of a climax to the will-they-won't-they before things are thrown into doubt once more.

7 After The Rain (Season 1, Episode 8) - 7.9

News of Marina's lover arrives, and it turns out she hadn't heard from him because he died in battle. His brother shows up and offers to marry Marina and raise her child as its father, which she ultimately accepts. Anthony decides that he wants to take his affair with opera singer Siena public despite the social condemnation they will face.

At the last minute, Siena breaks things off for good, leaving Anthony bitter and heartbroken. Mr. Featherington is killed after racking up gambling debts. Simon and Daphne decide not to separate when Daphne tells him that she loves him unconditionally, and the two conceive a child. The finale ended on a high note for the central couple, but left other characters in a state of limbo, setting up some juicy plots for season 2.

6 The Duke And I (Season 1, Episode 5) - 8.0

To avoid everyone finding out about their garden makeout, Simon and Daphne try to get a license to marry as quickly as possible. Their request is refused due to the queen's offense at Daphne's snubbing of her nephew. Simon and Daphne speak to the queen, pleading with her to let them marry, during which Simon confesses his love.

They're married quickly after that. Meanwhile, Marina plans to get Colin Bridgerton to propose so that her child will have a father that she could bear being married to. Daphne and Simon embark on their honeymoon, during which they confess their true feelings for each other. This episode shows some of the Bridgerton characters' potential as husbands while Daphne and Marina try to save their reputations. The suspense of it all made this a high-ranking episode.

5 Victory (Season 2, Episode 4) - 8.1

‘Victory’ shows just how frustrating some of the Bridgerton characters could be. For the Featheringtons, Portia goes on to secure her family and protect their status in society. Mere days after their cousin Jack shows up to be the man of the house, Portia finds a way to keep the money in the family: an engagement. At a ball thrown by the Bridgertons, Portia sets her daughter Prudence and Jack up so that they’d be forced to marry.

Meanwhile, Kate is one of the only women to join Anthony and the men on a hunting excursion. While they can’t agree on how to properly hold a gun, there is enough sexual tension between the two to cut it with a knife. During the hunt, Colin Bridgerton gets the closure he needs after a frustrating visit with his former fiancée, Marina.

4 A Bee in Your Bonnet (Season 2, Episode 3) - 8.2

A game of pall-mall proves to Daphne Bridgerton what a perfect couple Anthony and Kate are. Anthony needs a partner who is competitive — someone who will test him and keep him on his toes. During the game, Edwina quits early, leaving plenty of time for things to heat up between Kate and Anthony.

Earlier, viewers learn that Anthony’s father died from an allergic reaction to a bee sting. Because of this, Anthony is wary of bees and panics when they are around people. So when a bee lands on Kate’s chest and stings her, Anthony has a panic attack over losing yet another loved one to those small beings. Kate is unaware of where Anthony’s panic comes from so she takes his hand, places it on her chest, and talks him through it to prove the sting didn’t affect her. This moment had some of Kate’s best quotes in Bridgerton.

3 An Unthinkable Fate (Season 2, Episode 5) - 8.2

In 'An Unthinkable Fate,' the Edwina and Anthony's engagement is underway and Kate struggles to be a good sister knowing she was in love with Edwina's fiancé. For the Featheringtons, Portia is bothered when she finds out that Jack didn't pay her family's debts. It's then that she discovers Jack is broke and hoping to marry into a wealthy family to secure his own family in return.

Later, the Sharmas are shocked to learn that Mary's parents heard about Edwina's engagement to the viscount and are joining the two families for dinner. Knowing the Sharmas had a tricky past, the dinner blows up in smoke when Mary, Kate, and Edwina are sick of being insulted in front of such important people. In Bridgerton season 3, fans hope to learn more about the Sharmas' dark past.

2 Harmony (Season 2, Episode 7) - 8.2

With an 8.2 IMDb score, ‘Harmony’ has the second-highest rating of the show. The episode shows the aftermath of Anthony and Edwina’s failed wedding and what the ton thinks of the Bridgertons and Sharmas after such a scandal. To get ociety back on their side, they throw a party together to show a united front. However, no one buys their schtick.

Despite the Bridgertons' rank and title, there is more than one reason for people skipping their party. The two families find out Lady Whistledown released private information about Eloise’s secret whereabouts and hobbies in her latest sheet. Because of this, the Bridgerton-Sharma party is ruined. Since Penelope is Lady Whistledown, fans were shocked she’d write something so damaging about her best friend.

1 The Viscount Who Loved Me (Season 2, Episode 8) - 8.4

‘The Viscount Who Loved Me’ is the highest-ranked episode across both Bridgerton seasons. In the season 2 finale, viewers see the climax of Kate and Anthony’s suspenseful romance, Eloise and Theo’s friendship, and Colin’s feelings for Penelope. More than that, Portia Featherington sends Cousin Jack packing, and Eloise finally finds out who Lady Whistledown is.

With Kate and Anthony’s relationship the focus of season 2, viewers are thrilled when they get married and are finally honest about their feelings for one another. The storylines among characters like Eloise and Penelope and Colin set up season 3 perfectly.

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