Not a Recap: The Courtship

As promised, I watched the first episode of NBC’s “The Courtship” and now I’m not recapping it 😜.

If you think it’s as cheesy as it sounds – you would be correct. It was billed as The Bachelorette meets Bridgerton but really it’s the Bachelorette meets Jane Austin (she is referenced frequently).

To start with, I barely made it through the set-up at the beginning, the who what where when why. But then the fair maiden arrives, followed by her court, which really means her parents, sister and best friend. There are tasked with helping Miss Remy with finding an appropriate husband (yep, she thinks she may be engaged by the end of two weeks 🙄). To that end they all sit down to read handwritten letters (I am pleasantly shocked that they used long hand and no acronyms) from each potential mate, before they show up. Some are endearing, some are funny and one, that is read by the mother, speaks of sexual tension (awkward 😬).

Finally, the suitors arrive– sixteen in all. Some enter via carriage, some on horseback. Why? Who knows 🤷🏼‍♀️? And of course, a few of the horseback riders did the manly, swing the leg over the head of the horse and jump off. I wonder how many horses got kicked in the head during filming 🙄. 

Oh, before I get much further along, let me say the best part of this show is the host – hubba, hubba😍. His name is Rick Edwards (English broadcaster, journalist, author, and television presenter) and, quite frankly, I wouldn’t look any further than him if I was the leading lady. Add in the accent and I was dead. He is delicious 🤤! Seriously – look him up 😁.

Did I ever mention one of my past boyfriends was from England? Something about that accent – swoon…

Now mind you this is set during the Regency Era (1811 -1820 England) and includes period costumes and Castle Howard in York England, where this expience will take place. After the initial shock and awe upon entering the castle (it is gorgeous for sure) they are forced to mingle and dance with the hostess and her court (family and friend that is). And then we are back to it being a ridiculous spin on the Bachelorette. First a one on 6 date – chosen by her court. Then she has a one-on-one date (spoiler alert – they kiss under the fireworks) and finally she chooses six that must “dance for their lives” (ok my interpretation 😜) and make a final effort to connect with a woman they just met a few hours prior. So, the men plead their case while they dance – three are asked to stay and three have carriages waiting to whisk them away, never to return (I think, you never know with these shows…). Surprisingly only one guy pulls the whole you made the wrong decision card. Also surprisingly is she kept one guy who’s intro package was very superficial, and he came of like a 90’s surfer dude, even though he’s from MO 🤦‍♀️.

Therefore, because I love you all, I sacrificed about 45 minutes of my time so you didn’t have to (I recorded it to make it more palatable 😆 😆😆). Also, for you My Lovelies, I am willing to give it one more episode but expect more mocking to accompany the not a recap.

And if this is your type of reality show – Awesome! My issues are with the ridiculous idea that you can find real love under these made-up circumstances. And with the fact that some of the participants in these shows are really actors just looking for airtime. So, while I may mock the show, I support your love of it and anything like it.

Until next week…