Hello friends!
It’s time to start a new project. The Bachelor wraps up on March 15th, and there’s a new show hoping to fill the void.
NBC’s latest offering, The Courtship, is a delightful confection and a departure from typical reality TV romances. Nicole Rémy, a 26-year-old software engineer from Seattle, and 16 suitors time travel to 19th-century, Regency-era England in a “social experiment.”
It’s Jane Austen with a dash of Bridgerton, complete with period attire, flowers, horse-drawn carriages, and a castle. Swoon! Any moment now, I expect Regé-Jean Page to smolder his way past the footmen and declare, “I BURN for you!”
While we wait, let’s meet the players.
Nicole & Her Court
Nicole’s not embarking on this journey alone.
She has a court to advise her, made up of her parents, Dr. Claire Spain-Rémy and Mr. Claude Rémy, her sister, Mrs. Danie Baker, and Ms. Tessa Cleary, her best friend since high school.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single women in search of a husband must go to Regency-era England and live in a castle with sixteen eligible suitors.”—The Courtship
The show opens with an overhead shot of a horse and carriage approaching Howard Castle. (Bridgerton viewers will remember it as Clyvedon Castle.) A classical-music version of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing,” plays, and it would be the perfect moment for Steve Perry to burst onto the scene wailing Just a small-town girl…
Nicole’s heart has been broken, so she’s given up on modern dating. She still hopes to find that special someone, though. “You should chase that feeling of love, because it’s so worth it.”
“Welcome to my fairytale.”
Let the Courtship Begin
Narrator & host Rick Edwards, a British TV personality, promises to guide us through the intricacies of Regency life: “Like the fact that in the 19th century, your family would always turn up and interfere in your love life.”
Cue family!
Her parents and the other court members arrive, and the outfits are fabulous. There ought to be a place to rent clothing like this, because I think I need a tea party where I get to dress like Mama Rémy.
Far from being annoyed, Nicole’s happy to have her family’s help. “They’ve seen me fall quickly. They’ve seen me have my heart broken, and I want them to help me make better decisions.”
“I am determined that nothing but the very deepest love could induce me into matrimony.”—Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Rick: “Are you ready to find the one?”
Let’s get this party started!
Sweet Nothings
Robert the footman arrives with 16 letters from her suitors. The letters are on parchment with wax seals, and the men have taken calligraphy classes in order to create them. (I hope there’s footage of that somewhere.)
Nicole reads the first letter:
“To my darling, My name is Christian Lee Cones. I am a successful 25-year-old man who is dedicated to becoming the best version of himself every day.”
Tessa: “My heart fluttered!” Mama: “I like him already.”
Christian’s letter continues: “An average weekend would be playing in the Pacific waves, diving into music, stuffing our faces. I’ll bring the Tums. You rub my belly, and I rub yours.”
Nicole: “This is my guy!”
“I offer you laughter, late-night conversations, reflection, growth, and an adventure that people only dream of. P.S. Follow the cologne from this paper to the ball.”
Nicole can’t wait to meet Mr. Cones, but there are 15 more letters waiting.
Here are a few excerpts:
Daniel Bochicchio, from NYC, writes Nicole a rap: “I’ll tell you what I’m looking for, in the girl that I adore. Don’t want to sound like a buster, ‘cause I know my rhymes are whack. But I promise you one thing, I’ll always keep it on the plaque.”
Nicole: “This kid’s wiggity-wiggity what?”
“FYI, I promise I’m not a rapper.”
Nicole: “No, look, I can tell.”
Mama Rémy reads one, from Captain Kim: “Dear future best friend, There’s a foundation our relationship will be built on. Whether we start as friends and become lovers…”
Mama: “I don’t know if I can read this!”
She rallies enough to share the ending. The letter is signed, “To my best friend, with sexual tension.” I don’t remember that particular valediction being featured in any Austen novels, but I suppose some modern liberties will be taken.
After they finish the letters, Rick advises the ladies to “repair to their rooms” to get ready for the Welcome Ball.
Danie: “You’re going to meet your husband!”
The Suitors Arrive
Rick greets the suitors, who arrive on horseback or in carriages.
He has a little bit of fun with them, asking them what they know about the era, and having them demonstrate their bows, or their dance moves. He schools Mr. King on how to pronounce “water” with a British accent, and informs Mr. Saffa that his horse has just defecated. “We’re still working on that.”
To Mr. Mumbray: Never been in love? “No. I mean with cake, maybe, yes, but not with any people.”
Rick: “Cake’s fantastic.”
To Mr. Chapman: Have you ever made any big romantic gestures? “I’ve taken girls in my van, to places.” Then he clarifies, “in a non-creepy [way]…don’t give me that face.”
Rick does his impression of Mr. Chapman on a date: “Get in the van!”
Mr. Chapman definitely needs to elevate his romance game.
The Welcome Ball
Rick tells us the men have learned their Regency rules. “Basically, bow before talking to a lady, don’t tread on her dress, and whatever you do, don’t declare allegiance with France.”
He advises the suitors to make a good impression, as there will be a farewell dance at the end of the ball, and “some of you are going home.”
Then he announces Nicole. “Famed for her grace and her gentility, she is one of the season’s most celebrated beauties, I give you Miss Nicole Rémy.”
She thanks the gentlemen for being there. “We’re in a Jane Austen movie. We’re in a fairytale, and along with that fairytale is falling in love. And I hope that you guys can envision it with me too, and we can ride away together on a carriage.”
Rick: “Let the courtship begin!”
Now the men must compete for her attention, but instead of taking initiative they’re gathered awkwardly at the edge of the dance floor.
Rick: “It’s like a Regency prom.”
A few highlights:
Mr. Cones asks Danie and Tessa what they think of the evening. “It’s kind of wild.” “You’re telling me. I’m like, where can I get a corn dog around here?”
Mr. Saffa introduces himself as “Sir Saffa.” In a chat with a producer, he talks himself up. “I’ve got the hair. I’ve got the jawline. I’ve got the physique, the teeth. I don’t know, man, I kind of got it all, and I’m just going with it.”
Saffa’s a personal trainer for models when he’s not admiring himself in the mirror, and he gives off definite Fabio vibes, crossed with Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and Ben Stiller from Zoolander. Somehow it works; the guy is definitely fun to watch.
Mr. Ward, who looks like he stepped out of the cast of Hamilton, tries to impress Nicole by talking about his college degrees and his baseball days, but she’s not impressed. “He’s kind of a lot. I’m opening up to him and telling him about me, and his responses all have to do about him.”
Next she chats with Mr. Cones, and with a sniff of his cheek she identifies his cologne from his letter. “I have been waiting to meet you tonight,” she says. “Will you let me rub your belly?”
Definitely not a Regency-approved move, but points for Mr. Tums/Corn Dog Lover!
The Dating Begins
Rick asks the court to pick six suitors to join Nicole for a fireside date.
They choose Mr. Ward, Captain Kim, Mr. Saffa, Mr. Kesselar, Dr. Schanzer, and Mr. Luxe.
Mr. Schanzer makes an awkward comment about never running out of conversation with her mother, the obstetrician. Mr. Saffa mumbles about riding horses, and Nicole discovers that Capt. Kim wrote the letter signed “sexual tension.”
Capt. Kim is the only suitor with the presence of mind to focus on Nicole. He asks for the top three things she’s looking for in a man.
“I want somebody that’s kind, somebody that’s confident, and somebody that’s just fun to be around.”
Rick asks her to pick one suitor to accompany her on the final date of the evening.
She picks Mr. Bochicchio, the bad rapper, and they move outside, where they can admire the castle. He’s nervous and the conversation doesn’t exactly flow, but there’s definite potential. He pours champagne, and they toast to “new experiences, health, love, and many more dates.” Then fireworks begin to go off above the castle, and he leans in for the first kiss of the season.
Mr. Bochicchio is clearly smitten, and at a loss for words. He falls back on a baseball metaphor, telling a producer, “Ms.Rémy is…knock out of the park…just…”
It’s good that coherent speech isn’t one of Nicole’s top three desired traits, because now she has to fill out a dance card with the names of six suitors she’s uncertain about, and three of them will have to pack their bags.
She knows she wants chemistry, and someone who can open up to her.
She quotes Austen: “I am determined that nothing but the very deepest love could induce me into matrimony.”
The First Farewell Dance
The six suitors on her dance card are Mr. Echavarria, Mr. Luxe, Captain Kim, Mr. Saffa, Mr. Ward, and Dr. Schanzer.
Mr. Saffa is concerned he may be on the chopping block, due to lack of time with Nicole. “But I have been practicing the 2-1, 2-1 spinnerooski.” I don’t think that’s an official Regency dance, but A for effort.
The other suitors are allowed to leave, and they move to the upper balcony to gawk.
The dance begins, and the musicians are playing Mazzy Star’s “Fade Into You.” It’s a lovely rendition, but a song about unrequited love is likely meant to serve as a warning.
I feel sorry for the suitors, because not only must they be vulnerable and convey their feelings, they have to do it while remembering the dance steps.
The first dance is with Mr. Luxe, and she says she wants him to be more flirtatious. He says, “I can do that.” The court thinks they look good together, and Nicole keeps him.
She keeps Capt. Kim also.
Mr. Ward is not so lucky. “Mr. Ward, this is farewell, and your carriage awaits.”
Mr. Echavarria is sweet, but he must leave.
It’s down to Saffa and Schanzer. Saffa can’t focus; maybe he hasn’t spent enough time perfecting his spinnerooski. Schanzer quotes Austen, how seven years might not be enough time for some to find love, while others might only need seven days. Then he presents her with a rose quartz love stone. (The other men: “He brought a gift?”) “It can open up your heart chakra if you keep it close, and it can help you with decision making.”
Despite the poetry and the gift, she bids the good doctor adieu. “I just don’t think that the chakra can be for me.”
He tries to convince her, but she stands firm. He says, “I think you’re making a big mistake.” Her sister is shocked by his statement. I’m shocked that this is the only point of conflict in an hour-long reality TV episode. After the constant manufactured drama of The Bachelor, it’s refreshing..
13 suitors remain, and Rick says, “I wish you all luck on your journey to find true love.”
Previews
Rick: “This season, to horribly misquote Jane Austen, things are gonna get pretty wild.”
The preview shows us boat rides, sword fights, serenades, arguments, and lots of canoodling. There’s a quick shot of Nicole embracing a shirtless Mr. Chapman (at least I think it’s Mr. Chapman…) inside the castle, and there’s lots of shirtless canoodling happening with other suitors, as well. Shocking!
Will the show break 19th-century taboos or merely toy with them? Will Jane Austen rise from the grave in protest? Will Mr. Cones track down a corn dog? Come back next week to find out!
P.S. Would you like more? Here’s the list: | Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Secret Love Letters | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Suitor Analysis | Episode 6 | Episode 7 | Episode 8 | Episode 9 |
P.P.S. Want to make your inbox 83% more interesting? Grab your free subscription, because swooning is more fun in groups! 😁