WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Bridgerton Season 2, now streaming on Netflix.
One of the biggest issues of concern going into Bridgerton Season 2 was how the show would handle Simon Basset's absence. The new season confidently answers the question, confirming Daphne doesn't need Simon to shine. She never really did, and though she proves that to herself and the ton throughout the first season, Daphne's presence in Season 2 proves she's a major player in her own right. Furthermore, the season solidifies Daphne as one of Bridgerton's most influential characters -- with or without Simon by her side.
Bridgerton is a romance series that debuted on Netflix in 2019. It's based on a series of romance novels by Julia Quinn that follow the love stories of each Bridgerton sibling. Season 1 chronicles Daphne Bridgerton's romance with Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, like Quinn's The Duke & I. Now, Daphne is the Duchess of Hastings and returns to help her sister Eloise enter society and give Anthony the not-so-subtle push he needs to accept love. So, Season 2 focuses on Anthony Bridgerton's enemies-t0-lovers romance with Kate Sharma, inspired by Quinn's The Viscount Who Loved Me.
Bridgerton smartly uses Daphne as the glue to bind the seasons together. She's the one who ushers us back into the Regency era and the wonderful chaos of the Bridgerton family. The shot of Daphne's carriage pulling to a halt outside the Bridgerton family home is similar to Daphne arriving at the Queen's palace from Season 1. It's a stylistic way to draw viewers and Daphne back into this world. Refreshingly, Daphne says one line about leaving Simon and her son behind to help her family and then the conversation shifts to more pressing matters. It's not a massive deal for Daphne to step away from her family, because it shouldn't be.
The things holding Daphne back from existing in Season 2 without Simon by her side are the general, good-hearted desire to see more of Daphne and Simon as a couple and the more cutting sexism rooted in believing Daphne can't go on without him. Those reasons aren't the same, but sometimes they can run together. Daphne's presence throughout Season 2 shakes off those concerns with the kind of confidence only a Diamond, Duchess, and Bridgerton can. Truly, Daphne is one of this season's best secret weapons. This status works well for her because Daphne is the last person Anthony would assume to take on such a role.
At the end of the Season 2 episode, "Capital R Rake," Daphne verbally passes the Bridgerton baton to her older brother, and that could've been her last scene in the season. Instead, Bridgerton uses Daphne as the curious, emotionally wise, loving sister she is to Anthony. She uses her powers for good, most notably in the Season 2 episode, "Bee in Your Bonnet," where she sees through Anthony's façade with Kate before he's even entirely sure that he has one. Where Violet assumes there's something more between Anthony and Kate, Daphne knows. Bridgerton catches all of Daphne's knowing glances throughout the season.
One of the best looks is when Daphne assumes Kate is the one her older brother will marry because Anthony gravitates to Kate like a magnet. Another comes at Anthony's botched proposal dinner, when he decides to hold off on his offer to Edwina. But, Daphne doesn't stay quiet and watch this play out. Instead, she makes herself heard, hoping that it will encourage Anthony to listen to himself -- to his heart. It's in Edmund's library that Daphne voices her thoughts, and her love for Simon Basset emanates from every word. Simon's there even though he's physically not, much like Edmund at Aubrey Hall.
But, Daphne brings plenty of knowledge and levity in other areas of Bridgerton Season 2. Since she knows about Anthony and Kate, it's clever of her to encourage Violet to include lilacs in the Hearts and Flowers Ball's flower arrangements. It's a beautiful and subtle point to make about first loves that Anthony will surely (even if it's subconsciously) notice. Not to mention, Daphne brings some serious heart and soul to Pall Mall. She takes Edwina and Kate under her wing in the process. There's no better place to be at a Bridgerton game; Daphne is the reigning champion, after all. She's also a former Diamond, connecting her directly to Edwina.
It's powerful to watch Daphne (sometimes simultaneously) stand up to and up for Anthony. Like Eloise, Kate, and Violet, Daphne checks his toxic masculinity. She does an excellent job at it without that becoming her entire purpose. As a former Diamond, she has insights about Edwina that make empathizing with her seamless. As a duchess, Daphne swoops in to rescue Violet from the ton's gossip after Anthony and Edwina's failed marriage. As a sister, she can hold Anthony's feet to the flame he's ignoring and help him choose love -- choose joy. That's why Daphne's final scene of the season sees her celebrate that like it's a Pall Mall win.
To see Daphne shine, even without her Duke, the second season of Bridgerton is available to stream on Netflix.