Erm, Netflix’s Queen Charlotte created these two plot holes for Bridgerton within seconds

The first ever Bridgerton spin-off, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story dropped on Netflix last week and viewers were surprised to hear Lady Whistledown featuring. Given how popular Julie Andrews’ gossip character is, Queen Charlotte using her as the narrator to set the scene on each episode was an easy choice but it unlocked a whole room full of issues.

Bridgerton season one revealed Penelope Featherington is Lady Whistledown and was behind the ton’s gossip column. According to Bridgerton’s timeline, that revelation took place in 1914, 34 years after the events of Queen Charlotte. Here’s an explainer on how Queen Charlotte using Lady Whistledown creates two plot holes and creates a big problem.

Why does Lady Whistledown in Queen Charlotte create plot holes?

Queen Charlotte literally changes how Lady Whistledown works in the first few seconds of episode one. Opening with a voice over that explains to the viewer Queen Charlotte is only inspired by history and is not seeking historical accuracy takes Lady Whistledown out of Bridgerton. Her voiceovers are the actual words on her gossip papers, addressing the residents of the ton, but to remind the real world Netflix watchers of Shonda Rhimes’ use of history gives her powers she shouldn’t have.

But here’s a bigger issue with using Lady Whistledown

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Even if you put the narrative logic aside and accept Lady Whistledown is writing the history of Queen Charlotte for her readers, there’s an even bigger issue to her being the narrator. There is no way she could be accurate. Bridgerton established the power she has and it’s only being able to write things she sees. When Penelope wasn’t able to attend the royal ball she didn’t write about it. So the idea that Penelope can retell most intimate details of a royal marriage that was kept under wraps is wild. There isn’t a logical way of establishing how she can be aware of the smallest of scandals.

Also Lady Whistledown herself says writing about marriages isn’t something she would do or mess with So revealing the true struggles of Queen Charlotte and King George would break her own rule.

It’s like Queen Charlotte’s spin-off sets out to destroy every single rule Lady Whistledown created for herself.

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is available on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news, drops, quizzes and memes like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook. 

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