Episode: Season 1, Episode 6
Title: “Swish”
Original release date: 25 December 2020
Director: Julie Anne Robinson
Writer: Sarah Dollard
Based on: The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
Daphne and Simon begin married life far from the gossip of London in Bridgerton Season 1, Episode 6, “Swish”. Their honeymoon appears blissful at first, but Daphne’s growing understanding of marriage leads her to question what Simon has told her about their future.
Meanwhile, Colin Bridgerton’s determination to marry Marina Thompson creates a new crisis for both the Bridgertons and Featheringtons, while Penelope makes a decision with devastating consequences.
Daphne settles into life as Duchess of Hastings at Clyvedon, but gradually discovers that Simon has not been entirely truthful about why they cannot have children. In London, Colin plans to elope with Marina, forcing Penelope to take drastic action.
The Duke and Duchess enjoy a passionate honeymoon until Daphne learns the truth about Simon’s refusal to have children, while Penelope races to prevent Colin from marrying Marina.
Daphne arrives at Clyvedon
After their wedding, Daphne and Simon travel to Clyvedon, the Hastings family estate. Their attraction is no longer something they have to conceal, and the newlyweds enthusiastically embrace married life.
Daphne also has a new public role to master. Clyvedon’s imposing housekeeper, Mrs Colson, makes it clear that Simon’s late mother set a formidable example as Duchess of Hastings. Daphne tries to establish herself without upsetting the traditions of the house, although Simon has little patience for such concerns.
The couple attend the local village fair, where Daphne is asked to judge three pigs. When she discovers that the winner will be slaughtered, she declares all three animals joint winners and saves them.
Her well-intentioned decision backfires. The winning farmer would normally receive Clyvedon’s pork contract for the following year. By choosing nobody, Daphne has accidentally deprived all three farmers of a valuable source of income.
More worrying news follows. A tenant tells Simon that harvests have been poor while rents have tripled. Simon had no idea this was happening and realises that his long absence has allowed serious problems to develop on the estate.
Daphne begins asking questions
Simon’s behaviour around the village children gives Daphne something else to think about. He is relaxed and affectionate with them and admits that he enjoys their company. Daphne had assumed that being around children would remind him painfully of what he cannot have.
Mrs Colson inadvertently reveals more about Simon’s past. His mother desperately wanted a child and died shortly after giving birth to him. Simon was subsequently left largely in the care of the Clyvedon household while his father remained distant.
Daphne is beginning to understand her husband better, but another conversation proves far more consequential.
Until now, she has known almost nothing about how conception actually works. After questioning her maid Rose, Daphne finally understands what Simon has been doing when they make love. His supposed inability to father children is not a physical one.
Colin wants to marry Marina
In London, Colin announces that he and Marina are engaged. Anthony is furious and refuses to support the marriage, insisting that his younger brother is too inexperienced to understand what he is doing.
Colin refuses to be dissuaded.
Penelope is equally horrified, although for very different reasons. She tells Colin that Marina has been in love with another man, Sir George Crane. Colin accepts that Marina had a previous attachment and remains determined to marry her.
When Marina tells him how unwanted she feels, Colin proposes an even more dramatic solution: they can travel to Gretna Green and marry within days.
Marina agrees.
Penelope then discovers that the letter supposedly sent by George rejecting Marina was a forgery. The handwriting does not match his earlier letters, and Penelope concludes that Lady Featherington or Mrs Varley fabricated it.
She tells Marina that George never denied loving her or their child. Marina refuses to change her plans. Whatever George may feel, he has not returned, while Colin has offered her the security she desperately needs.
Daphne discovers Simon’s secret
Armed with her new understanding of conception, Daphne tests what she has learned during an intimate encounter with Simon by preventing him from withdrawing. Simon is furious.
The confrontation that follows exposes the fundamental problem in their marriage. Simon told Daphne that he “cannot” give her children. Daphne now understands that he meant he will not.
Simon argues that he never explicitly lied and that Daphne knew before marrying him that children would not be part of their future. Daphne sees matters very differently. She accepted that sacrifice because she believed Simon had no choice.
She accuses him of deliberately taking advantage of her ignorance. Simon, in turn, accuses Daphne of doing exactly the same to him during their sexual encounter. The carefree happiness of their honeymoon disappears almost instantly.
Penelope exposes Marina
Penelope is also running out of options. Unable to persuade Marina to abandon the elopement and knowing that Colin remains unaware of her pregnancy, she resorts to the one weapon powerful enough to stop the marriage: Lady Whistledown.
The next edition reveals that Marina Thompson is pregnant. More damagingly, Whistledown makes clear that Marina was already expecting when she arrived in London. Colin therefore cannot possibly be the father. Marina’s secret is now public, and her plan to marry Colin appears ruined.
Penelope has managed to protect the man she loves, but the cost of doing so overwhelms her.
The episode closes with her sobbing in Eloise’s arms.
