Here Are The Bee References You Probs Missed In Bridgerton & Why They’re A Big Deal For S2

In Netflix’s new hit series, Bridgerton, between Julie Andrews narrating the messy drama and, well, everyone being horny, you might have missed the bees. Yes, bees. They, the insect, pop up quite a bit throughout season 1. Sometimes they’re subtle, other times they’re literally the last thing you see in the season. So, if you’re a bit ??? about it all, here’s what the bees mean.

Before we begin, Netflix has yet to announce a second season of Bridgerton. HOWEVER, it is expected to become Netflix’s fifth biggest original series launched to date. So, uh, I assume it will be.

Let us begin.

What’s the go with the lil’ buzzers?

In the first few minutes of the seriesviewers are introduced to the Bridgerton family. There’s the dowager viscountess, Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), a widow with a whopping eight children: Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), Benedict (Luke Thompson), Colin (Luke Newton), Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), Eloise (Claudia Jessie), Francesca (Ruby Stokes), Gregory (Will Tilston), and Hyacinth (Florence Hunt).

As an aside, naming your children in alphabetical order is quite the choice.

Anywho, we know Violet’s late husband, Edmund, died some months before Hyacinth was born… but we never learn how.

This is your final spoiler warning before I talk about the second book. 

In Julia Quinn‘s second novel in the series, The Viscount Who Loved Me, readers learn that Viscount Edmund Bridgerton – a man in his prime – died at age 38 from a bee sting.

Anthony is shocked by his father’s death, considering they were both stung when he was a wee lad. But in an author’s note, Quinn wrote: “bee sting allergies generally don’t manifest themselves until the second sting,” which – if my Googling is correct – is medically accurate.

“Since Anthony has only been stung once in his life, it’s impossible to know whether or not he’s allergic,” Quinn wrote.

It’s why Anthony – and Benedict, to a lesser extent – has a severe fear of bees.

This context isn’t explicitly mentioned in season 1, but I assume it’ll be explained in season 2.

Show us the bees!

Throughout the first season, bees pop up either as a literal insect or as a fashion accessory.

The first time we see the bee is about one minute into episode 1. They want you to notice the bees.

Bridgerton bees

G’day.

In episode 5, when Daphne departs for her honeymoon, a pair of bee clips can be seen in Eloise’s hair.

Bridgerton bees

Next: episode 7, around the 49 minute mark. Although, Benedict’s bee collar pops up quite a bit throughout the season.

Next: the final seconds of the season finale.

The bee flying away after Daphne gives birth to her baby is literally how the season ends.

But what do the bees mean?

Season 2, baby! Well, I hope so anyway.

The first season of Bridgerton was based on the events of The Duke and I, the first novel in Quinn’s drama series, so I think it’s safe to assume season 2 will be based on the second novel.

There are eight main books (and a couple of novellas), and each one is about a different Bridgerton kid – imagine the possibilities if Netflix took it all the way.

The Viscount Who Loved Me, the second book, focuses on Anthony as he attempts to find a wife.

In the season 1 finale, Anthony tells Daphne and Simon that he is determined to settle down. He goes on that whole spiel, remember?

“I’ve finally determined the difficulty: love itself,” he said, still a tad in love with Sienna (Sabrina Bartlett).

“Removing it from all romantic relations shall make me all the better for it. No more distractions from responsibility or being waylaid from the sensible path.”

Alright, Anthony.

For people who have read the book, you know what’s coming. For those who haven’t, stay tuned.

Bridgerton is streaming now on Netflix.

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