I kinda wish Ant was in that scene with Violet and Benedict. The one where Violet clocks that Benedict truly loves Sophie. The one where he calls her out on always wanting a love match for her kids and he, like his siblings before has finally found someone he loves and can’t be with her because of societal rules Ben doesn’t even care about.
And the biggest reason he has to care is because Benedict loves his family. His family is in society. There is only so much protection that can be afforded to him and Sophie should they choose this but he IS CONCERNED about how his actions would impact his family. He cares.
And essentially it’d be a clash with his parental figures. Only he’s old enough to remember when Ant was just his brother/best friend and not his father. He had Edmund too. And he should call out hypocrisy or double standards or bring up the spare/heir thing again — because I really wanted it to ring out so loudly that Benny B is essential to the Bridgertons not because he is the second son but because he is BENEDICT and more moments of those reminders? I want. I WANT.
I wanted other reminders from the Bridgerton family that Benedict is the heart. That losing him would be devastating to them all. Not being able to celebrate in his life would be heartbreaking.
Ant and Violet fall back on propriety to ensure their family is protected but when love enters the chat?
To watch Violet prioritise the fact that he is in love vs Ant’s objections. Only to remember that Ant isn’t objecting out of judgement but of fear of losing his brother. Of their family suffering more loss. Of fear that his brother would be alone. Without family. Living in the shadows. What kind of life would that be for Sophie, future children, for Benedict? Knowing that losing Ben would wreck them.
It’s an on going struggle for Ant- wanting to protect his family from pain but giving them space to make their own choices. And this time (unlike art school), Violet could remind him “you cannot protect them from everything, sometimes, you can only prepare them”. Which makes her resolve clear. She loves her children and wants them to know love. Also given that Ant has his own kid now, isn’t just a father figure but a fatherrrrr, it would hit harder.
And Ant goes off to attend to John’s estate matters and leaves Violet to help Ben. Help Ben with what, he doesn’t know but his brother deserves love. That he believes. Even if it would break all their hearts.
I will forever believe that Ben is the fave bridgerton brother. The heart of his family. And while this might not be my most eloquent thought post, the point is— I wanted more moments where his held ideas about his position in his family were called out (either to his face or not), more moments the audience could see the impact he has and why he is so important.
That it’s not just him losing them if he chooses love. It’s them losing him.
(We see Sophie clock that, I wish we saw Ben realise it too).
