I actually think Bridgerton is doing a much better job of establishing how big of a part John was in Francesca and her family's lives than the book does. John is in, like, the first two chapters of Francesca's book. It is said how much she loves him and that they were happy together. But he dies VERY early on and you don't get much more of him than that. He isn't a background character in the other books preceding WHWW.
But the show is actually SHOWING rather than just TELLING us that Francesca loves John, he loves her, and he's very much a part of the Bridgerton family. It shows how close John and Michaela are, like siblings and best friends. So when the inevitable DOES happen, all of us watching are going to FEEL that loss. John is a good man and a fantastic husband. Whether he and Francesca are struggling intimately due to awkwardness/introversion, or because Francesca is actually struggling with comphet, it doesn't negate the connection they have. That final scene of them in bed together in episode 4 really sealed the deal for how GOOD John is as a person and partner. They love and understand one another, which is more than probably the majority of couples in the ton can say.
When Jess Brownell (showrunner) went to Julia Quinn (book author) about the gender swap, Julia said she was all for it so long as it was made clear from the beginning how much Fran loved John. Because the main source of conflict in the book is Fran and Michael feeling guilty and like they were somehow betraying John's memory for falling for each other. I think it is set up incredibly well for that in the future of the show, as well as the added layer of Michaela being a woman and Fran feeling some type of way about that lol.
So yeah, the book purists and homophobes can gtfo! The show is actually doing a great job so far. Fingers crossed that they keep it up!
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