Spoilers for Bridgerton season 2.
Anthony and Kate's romance in Bridgerton season 2 beats Daphne and Simon's. Daphne Bridgerton's whirlwind romance with the Duke of Hastings, Simon Basset, in season 1 of the Netflix series was an instant hit. Viewers eagerly anticipated the second installment, following the next novel by Julia Quinn called The Viscount Who Loved Me, even though it would be centering on a new relationship with a different Bridgerton sibling.
Season 2 of Netflix's Bridgerton takes place the following social season as the head of the family, Anthony, decides to find a wife. Unlike Daphne, who hoped to secure a love match for herself just like her parents had, romance is the last thing on Anthony's mind. After witnessing how painful it was for his mother to survive without her husband, Anthony decides he never wants to be in a similar situation, and love will have no place in his marriage.
The viscount sets his sights on marrying the diamond of the season, Edwina Sharma, despite how vehemently opposed her older sister Kate is to the match. Throughout Bridgerton season 2, Anthony and Kate's quarreling gradually reveals an underlying attraction between them. The compelling story, along with the slow development of their relationship, makes Anthony and Kate's romance better than Daphne and Simon's.
Daphne & Simon's Romance Was Like A Fairy Tale
So much of Simon and Daphne's romance in Bridgerton season 1 was like a fairy tale. Daphne accidentally met the Duke of Hastings at a time when it seemed like every available woman was trying to win his hand in marriage, but only she actually managed to win him over. While pretending to date, Simon and Daphne fell in love, and experienced a truly whirlwind romance despite both of their plans otherwise. Much of the season was spent at elaborate balls as the pair pretended to be an item, then actually became one, in something of a classic romance trope. After much persuading, the pair were given a special license from the queen to marry early in a simple church ceremony. Although they suffered from many misunderstandings at first, Simon and Daphne eventually helped each other grow into their best selves, most notably with Simon learning to want a family of his own. So much of the romance was larger than life, later solidified when Daphne gives birth to a baby boy. As entertaining as such a story can be, the romance in Bridgerton season 2 is much more compelling.
Anthony & Kate's Romance Is Much More Realistic
The slow development of Kate and Anthony's romance over the entirety of Bridgerton season 2 makes it more realistic than the rather Disney-esque love story that takes place between Daphne and Simon. Kate and Anthony's relationship unfolds gradually as the two of them interact without any of the societal pressure of being potential suitors. Kate Sharma never intended to find a partner for herself, only for her sister Edwina, so there are no expectations between her and Anthony from the start. The poor impression Anthony makes on Kate after she overhears him remarking on what he wants in a wife sets them on an antagonistic path, which allows them to witness each other's true selves instead of an idealized version. That strong emotion is able to develop naturally into another just as strong romantic feeling, as the two learn more about one another.
Story changes from book to screen improve their romance even more. In Quinn's novel, Kate and Anthony are forced to marry when they're discovered in a compromising position after Kate is stung by a bee. Then, just like with the couple in season 1, they must learn to overcome their differences after marrying. However, Bridgerton season 2 does not force the romance by rushing a marriage. Instead, Kate and Anthony are able to realize their feelings in their own time and choose to marry free of any outside pressures. How genuinely the two try to stay away from each other only further proves the strength of their love, making their relationship that much more believable than Daphne and Simon's.
Why Anthony & Kate Go So Well Together
Bridgerton season 2 repeatedly and overtly emphasizes how well Kate and Anthony go together. Someone as stubborn and passionate as Anthony needed to be with someone who could complement these traits and stand on equal footing. He and Kate are practically the same person — they're both the eldest child of their respective families, who had to grow up far too quickly after the death of their fathers. Kate and Anthony both took over important responsibilities when their surviving parent was overcome with grief, giving up their own happiness in the process. Kate and Anthony willingly and repeatedly choose to sacrifice their own futures in order to secure their siblings', and both are equally headstrong in seeing their sacrifices through to the end, which cause them both a great deal of pain throughout season 2. Bridgerton makes sure to highlight how well their personalities complement each other, as Kate and Anthony are their most spirited and lively when together, as opposed to Anthony's perfect politeness, bordering on indifference, when with Edwina.
Can Bridgerton Season 3 Be Better Than Anthony & Kate?
No information about Bridgerton season 3 has been shared yet, but if the show continues to follow Quinn's novels — no matter how loosely — then it will be adapting Benedict's story in An Offer from a Gentleman. However, producer Shonda Rhimes revealed ahead of the season 2 premiere that even though they do hope to dedicate a season to each Bridgerton sibling, they're "not necessarily going in order." This comment suggests that Bridgerton season 3 may delay Benedict's story in favor of someone else's. It's a wise choice because even though Benedict has had brief romantic entanglements in the past, his journey up to now has been mainly concerned with art, parties, and self-discovery. While that could easily change, it's more probable that season 3 will focus on fan-favorites Colin or Eloise, both of whose romantic troubles have been developing since the show began.
Bridgerton has been hinting at Colin and Penelope's relationship from the beginning, but despite Penelope's crush on him, he has never viewed her in a romantic light and instead continues to worry about his ex-fiancée, Marina Thompson. It's unclear if Netflix will want to stay truthful to Marina's original story, which is short and tragic, especially since Colin still appears to care for her. That, coupled with Penelope's involvement in separating Marina and Colin, seriously complicates any potential romance for the two.
Eloise faces even more difficulties in adapting her love story, since she falls for Marina's widower, Sir Phillip in the novels. Her strong anti-marriage stance already poses challenges to telling a convincing romance, and Marina's added importance in the show introduces another barrier. Because of this, Bridgerton may instead move forward with original character Theo Sharpe as endgame for Eloise Bridgerton's romantic arc. Their friendship develops very naturally over the course of season 2, and such an unconventional pairing between different social classes would definitely provide the kind of scandal the Netflix series thrives on. It may even be the foundation for a romance that rivals Anthony and Kate's. Yet, regardless of which couple next takes center stage, Bridgerton season 3 will need to focus on a character viewers have already begun to root for.