I have no problem with the inclusion of this scene - because of its truth. The characters are well realised and fleshed out - and behaving in ways that reflect their needs and wants. As someone who writes plays, the underlying truth is the most important thing to write - and Bridgerton succeeds here.

However, that is true of rape scenes of all kinds, if they're done with truth and well written - then objections to subject matter can and should be discarded. That would be subjective censorship at the whim of public mood - creative writers should never go down that route. Rape happens, therefore rape scenes happen.

Having said that - the discussion that those scenes provoke are also important. This is why your article is so good. You're bringing into the public consciousness something that many people have found uncomfortable. A double standard around the treatement of sexual consent. It has nothing to do with Bridgerton and everything to do with us. Great article and great discussion. I hope the Medium algorithm picks this up and disseminates it widely.