In Quinn’s novel, Daphne and Simon’s wedding night is stylistically typical of the genre. For good measure, it lingers on Simon’s bare pecs, both their shoulders, and (after Simon drops trou) a very nice butt, which is shown in the foreground as Daphne, in bed and strategically obscured, gazes in amazement at what the audience doesn’t see. The camera focuses on Simon and Daphne’s faces, the closeness suggesting an intimacy between them and us. It begins like a typical Hollywood sex scene-shots of skin and undergarments, heavy breathing, instrumentals-but the temperature progressively rises. The scene is soundtracked by a crackling fire and an orchestral cover of “Strange” by Celeste. The camera lingers on the buttons of her dress, the lacing of her corset, and Simon’s hands, all of which glow in the soft lighting. A fraught conversation gives way to the truth, and Simon begins to slowly undress Daphne. The couple argues, each assuming the other resents them. While the show is debaucherous from Episode 1, Daphne and Simon don’t sleep together until Episode 5, on their wedding night, as in the book. Of course he burned for the season’s It Girl who until recently gave him the cold shoulder! When said It Girl is already desired by everyone else, there is little emotional payoff to Simon’s admission. With respect to actress Phoebe Dynevor, watching a tiny, conventionally beautiful woman act stunned by Simon’s wedding-night confession that he “burns” for her left me unmoved. A major early conflict in Daphne and Simon’s relationship is Daphne’s fear that he only married her to protect her reputation after a scandal. In the book, she’s already been on the marriage market for two seasons and simply wants a decent husband to start a family with. While many romance protagonists are perfect in everyone’s eyes but their own, screen Daphne embodies this trope to the extreme: She is the “diamond of the season” and resents settling for less than true love. Send me updates about Slate special offers.ĭaphne’s character in the show differs from her character in the books in a way that makes her less sympathetic-and impedes her on-screen chemistry with Simon.
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