Analysing Sibling Duo: Anthony and Colin
Did you know that there are 28 sibling duos in the Bridgerton family? And as we have three seasons behind us, we might look at (some) of them. Do not take this too seriously; my fool-proof scientific method is 'watching', observing' and wildly guessing.
People say that you should hook your readers first with a popular choice. Start with Eloise and Benedict, I said to myself. Everybody loves those two. Or Anthony and Daphne. Choose a non-controversial pick fandom will jump to.
... Anyway, here is my analysis on the relationship dynamic between Anthony and Colin.
Context: The ‘Myth’ of ABC
The gap between Anthony and his younger siblings did not start with him becoming a Viscount, but with the large birth gap. While Colin, Daphne, Eloise and Francesca are born (at least in the show) right after the others, Violet and Edmund were parents of ‘only’ two children for almost a decade. Colin is at least 8 years younger than Anthony. If you struggle to conceptualize it, simply think of ‘another poor soul of the family’ Gregory, who has similar age gap with Colin. The lovely trio of the new Jonas Brothers ABC did not form in the early years.
When Edmund dies, Anthony is 18 years old. His childhood is effectively over and his siblings accept him as the new patriarch and co-parent. While some might say that only applies to Gregory and Hyacinth, I say that at least half of the siblings view Anthony in this light (if you do not believe me, pay attention to how Eloise acts around Anthony on your next re-watch).
Colin is different. When their entire world shifted, he was almost 10 years old. The age gap between the brothes was far too wide for Colin to view Anthony as a brother strictly, but also too narrow for him to view him as strictly as a co-parent. Anthony is therefore viewed as both father and a brother by Colin. While Anthony can be authoritative towards all his siblings, Benedict and Daphne usually escape the worst of it; Benedict is ‘saved’ by his age, as well as his conflict-avoidance, while Anthony respects Daphne’s role of the eldest sister (the only question is when this respect began and how much it influenced his behaviour in the past).
But Colin is certainly no Daphne.
ANTHONY: You are still a child, Colin.
COLIN: I'm older than Daphne. You were happy to marry her off.
ANTHONY: It is not the same. (1x06 Swish)
Anthony tries to berate and parent Colin, while Colin rebels against him, and strangely at the same time also seeks his approval, or at least his attention. That of course creates a troublesome dynamic. Colin desperately wants to fit in. To the brotherly trio, to the middle, in the ton... Daphne will always have her place as the eldest sister. Colin shall never be Anthony's confidant the way Daphne and Benedict are. Therefore, he is not Anthony's second in command. He is his often his foil. And does not mind challenging Anthony.
ANTHONY: You barely know the young lady. What were you thinking?
COLIN: I was thinking you'd respond like this and how little I would care to hear. (1x06 Swish)
Therefore, the 'soft', 'charming' himbo is the 'biggest rebel' of the family... or at least for his brother.
COLIN: I must go too. But do not worry, brother. I shall send you notice of every step I take today. (2x08 The Viscount Who Loved Me)
Family roles: The Head of the Family and the Middle Child
Anthony quite clearly states how he views his younger siblings.
ANTHONY: That has always been the privilege of not being the firstborn. You both get to choose your passions and adventures, while I, on the other hand, must fulfill my [duty]. (...)
BENEDICT: Though, soon enough, we will have a tiny Anthony to contend with, running around, declaring all of his tiny duties too, no doubt.
COLIN: Yes, he too shall be a tyrant. (2x06 The Choice)
While Colin is intoxicated, his words are still of note, even when it is only a hyperbole. So what is the issue? That Anthony has duties, and that includes reminding them of their duty? Colin seems to disaprove (and sometimes ridicule) Anthony's duties and persona, while Anthony does the same to Colin's interests.
ANTHONY: Was anyone else aware that dear Colin has apparently decided to add Albania or some such place to his itinerary as he gads about the world?
ELOISE: No. But how happy for him that he can simply decide to do that. (2x01 Capital R Rake)
Benedict and Colin can be easily viewed as slackers. While all Bridgertons won lottery in their society, Anthony does actually spend time managing the household. The question is not if he is the only one who puts in work; the question is whether he ever wanted his brothers to help him (I am not taking blame off them; they certainly did not seem too eager to ask or demand an occupation).
There is a reason why Violet and Daphne have a hard time in season 2. Anthony never listens. He gives instructions, he tells his siblings what to do... but does not share his responsibilities. Both brothers seem to find their lack of purpose unsettling and try to find some activity of their own (drawing, paiting, traveling, writing, investing). Anthony considers it a luxury; but Benedict and Colin show the dark sides of pursuing passions and adventures. The uncertainty. The ability to fail. Not getting recognized the way Anthony with his role is.
And seem more than eager to stand behind their brother. Sometimes quite literally.
Colin is not as trusted by Anthony as Benedict is. Apart from attending social events, I can only find one notable example of Anthony tasking Colin with something - keep Violet busy at the ball after Anthony catches Daphne and Simon kissing.
ANTHONY: Colin! You are returned. Even better. Family, I should like you all to ready yourselves for the races today. We will be attending, united as one. (2x02 Off to the Races)
'Tap, tap'. Anthony welcoming Colin back after months of not seeing him.
Interests and goals: The Question of Marriage
Even as we begin the show, we immediately click upon the differences between how Anthony treats the marriage mart, and how Colin treats it. Anthony is shocked when Colin wants to marry in season 1.
ANTHONY: So, you compromised this young lady?
COLIN: Certainly not. I am a gentleman.
ANTHONY: Then why ever would you…
COLIN: Why does anyone marry, brother? For love, of course. (1x06 Swish)
Both Violet and Anthony are against the idea of Colin marrying Marina. Violet simply concludes that their courtship was too shallow and short. Anthony tries to find a reason for the engagement, and his conclusion is Colin being taken by his... passion.
Colin’s engagement in season 1 is of course in a rush and ends in misery, but Colin’s behaviour is not as strange as viewer might believe. Edmund (at least in the book) was Colin’s age when he married Violet. This might be another reason why Colin shoots down the idea of being too young for marriage. Edmund was certainly not visiting brothels until his thirtees which seemed to be Anthony's path at that moment... a likely reason for Colin's outburst and - if I am not mistaken - the only time Colin ever swears on the show.
ANTHONY: Look, I know you are still rather green, and that is my fault. I should've taken you to brothels when you returned from Eton. If this is a matter of wetting your wick…
COLIN: You are an ass. Do you know that?
ANTHONY: This is what comes of not sowing your wild oats. Proposing to the first chit you set your cap at.
COLIN: Enough! You insult me and my intended. It is not my fault, nor Marina's, that you cannot fathom true attachment. (1x06 Swish)
Anthony's reasoning for Colin's actions are based on his own experiences and the gender stereotypes. He concludes that Colin wants sex. There is certainly enough of evidence to conclude that at least until season 2, Colin was, in fact, a virgin. But that is, at least for me, far too simplistic conclusion. There is certainly a difference between having a wife and having a mistress in Bridgerton society.
MARINA: I cannot stand it, Colin. (...) Fool that I am, I truly thought that with your family, I might finally find acceptance. But it is no use. Even your mother is just being polite.
COLIN: That is not true, Marina. I am your family now. We shall make our own family, you and me. (1x06 Swish)
I do not believe that Colin seeks marriage because he craves sex. I believe Colin wants to have a purpose in being a husband and a father, and unlike Anthony does not fear the concept of a love-match.
COLIN: After all, everyone else is finding some purpose to their lives. Anthony is to be married. Benedict has his artistic pursuits. And, well, here I am… feeding the ducks. (2x05 An Unthinkable Fate)
Anthony who has his purpose in his duty (and still refuses to marry in the first season) cannot relate to this. He might not even think about it due to the gender stereotypes of their society (the societal expectation that women are meant to have babies, while men must have babies to ensure inheritance).
Nevertheless, Anthony's remarks likely stayed with Colin... and bloomed into his rakish arc of season 3.
Personality: Conceal, Don't Feel
I would argue that Anthony and Colin are more similar personality-wise than viewers give them credit. First of all, both brothers have a tendency to hide their emotions and shield themselves when they are unwell. Anthony does it partly because he wants to display the idea of a 'strong' Viscount, likely due to his experiences of his father's death, and partly because he does not seem keen on sharing vulnerability even when it would be healthier. His coping mechanism seems to be to lash out. In season 2, he lashes on Colin twice.
COLIN: You take too much upon yourself, brother. Perhaps your life might be easier if you pursued someone with a less disagreeable sister...
ANTHONY: Why should I be the one to admit defeat?! (2x02 Off to the Races)
And of course infamous example when Anthony deals with Kate's injury, and lashes on three his siblings in the process... not acknowledging what truly bothers him the most.
ANTHONY: Colin. Would you care to inform me about anything?
COLIN: I do not take note of staff changes.
ANTHONY: What about our accounts? You do not seem to take note of them either, since I spent the last two days balancing our books, only to discover that you have taken out a rather large sum. Whatever for?
COLIN: If you must know, I was exploring an investment with Lord Featherington...
ANTHONY: This is just what makes the difficulties in this household. No one gives any thought as to how it must be managed. (2x08 The Viscount Who Loved Me)
Eloise does not react at all. Colin on the other hand opts for a joke, as is his specialty.
Let us turn to Colin. Colin is dubbed as an over-sharer, but that is mostly true only about his positive experiences. While characters joke about Colin's tendency to overshare, Colin's rambling about his travels might be genuine attempt to connect to others (Colin's letters), evading uncomfortable silence (Colin's rambling to Marina in 2x04) or covering for his sibling (Colin covering for high Benedict in 2x03).
When it comes to negative emotions, Colin hides them just as much as Anthony does. This might be partly because he is self-concious about his emotiveness in society (which downplays and ridicules emotionallity in men), and partly because he feels overlooked and forgotten; and evades possibility and hurt of being ignored. In season 3, he hardly shares anything at all.
ANTHONY: Upon your return last season, we heard all about your toil across the Mediterranean by the time we broke our first fast. (...)
COLIN: I was nowhere and everywhere. I shall not bore you with details.
ANTHONY: Who are you and what have you done with our brother? (3x01 Out of the Shadows)
While Anthony often copes by burying his frustrations and than lashing on others, Colin also displays tendency to shut down and 'go with the flow'... which leads him to feel even more lost and uncomfortable. Colin is sometimes dubbed as a 'softie' or a 'cinnamonball'... but that is also a bit misleading.
Colin is far from the conflict-avoidant type Benedict is. No. He seems to share some of his brother's fiery temper and also lashes out. But these outburst are less frequent and Colin seems to be ashamed of them, therefore they are not as usual as for Anthony in S1 and S2.
Anthony and Colin also share one important characteristic - both care about what people think of them. While Anthony is more concerned with the reputation of a family as a whole and himself as the head of a family, Colin is more concerned with being recognized at all. Anthony copes with this desire for perfection (which Violet also displays) by instructing others what to do, while Colin opts either for people-pleasing behaviour, or for white-knighting (Daphne, Marina, Penelope).
Colin reacts to Anthony abrupting leaving the conversation.
You Nearly Beat Me The Last Time...
Despite their differences, it is quite clear that they care deeply for each other.
ANTHONY: Oh, what a shot, brother!
COLIN: Yes! What a shame. You two better go fetch them. Unless you would like to quit, here and now? (2x03 A Bee in Your Bonnet)
Colin clocks upon Kate-Anthony-Edwina tension...
... and uses it to his advantage, while also 'evenging' his dear elder brother in the process.
And they deeply care what the other thinks.
COLIN: If I caused mother discomfort today, I am sorry for it. I shall speak with her. The truth is, I do not require your permission to marry Miss Thompson… but I would very much prefer to have your blessing.
ANTHONY: Then I am afraid I must disappoint you.
COLIN: You have… in more ways than one. (1x06 Swish)
While Anthony can be quite stubborn and focus on reputation first, rather than how his siblings' are doing, he shows that he reflects upon his behaviour, and is willing to accept that he was wrong. Both brothers have their fiery tempers, but they also always reconcile.
ANTHONY: I want to apologize.
COLIN: Are there locusts in the streets? Blood in the Thames? Are the end of days upon us already?
ANTHONY: I may have been a trifle harsh with you. And I'm sorry.
COLIN: You merely wished to protect me from my more… foolish impulses.
ANTHONY: So you admit it now? You were acting a fool?
COLIN: As apologies go, this is certainly novel.
ANTHONY: Hush, you. (1x07 Oceans Apart)
Despite Colin being often depicted by fans as 'emotionally clueless' (which I would personally dispute), we can agree that he is more aware than Anthony is. And I think that Anthony realizes it in season 1.
ANTHONY: You may hurt now, but the pain will pass. You have the love of all your family and the honor of your actions. Soon you will forget Miss Thompson's name and it will… it will be as if you never loved her at all.
COLIN: And how have these precepts served you? Aside from being the most dismal, troubling ones I've heard in quite some time.
ANTHONY: It's a work in progress, to be sure. (1x07 Oceans Apart)
Season 3 goes out of its way to show the change.
ANTHONY: Come now, you must admit, it’s all rather sudden.
COLIN: What was sudden was my last betrothal. So I cannot blame either of you if you are prone to think me foolish. (...)
ANTHONY: Well, you are marrying her, and for all the right reasons, it seems. That’s all that matters. (3x05 Tick Tock)
There is only one elephant in the room for the brothers themselves. While Anthony is not as stubborn as he used to be... he is still kinda clueless about what Colin truly feels.
ANTHONY: And you, I invited here to congratulate on your many new admirers.
COLIN: I'm not certain that should cheer me. (3x01 Out of the Shadows)
Which is proven later in the season, when Kate is clearly doing 99 % of the emotional labour Violet tasked them with. However, Colin is likely glad that the gesture was there, even if Anthony was slightly off.
ANTHONY: I drank a whole bottle before my wedding, the second wedding, and it was deeply celebratory. Three raw eggs in the morning. (3x07 Joining of Hands)
Introducing the table with drinks: the hotspot for familial love.
Present and Future
Beginning with season 3, the brothers seem to appreciate each others' differences. Anthony and Colin's issues coming from their past experiences will mostly resolve with them living in separate households and Colin's new income. Colin will start to relate to Anthony more and find a new respect for what he achieved. Even if Colin's writing will not be 'a good gag' (which I doubt the escapist show will do), Anthony will respect Colin purely because he is able to handle Portia, Henry and Albion.
Colin seems to have very positive relationship with Anthony's new wife Kate. I believe that Kate might improve mostly Anthony-Eloise duo, but Colin is easily contender for the next spot. She would approve of anyone challenging her husband and she will most likely love the aspect of having a younger brother to begin with.
As for the Lady Whistledown element in the room, any possible resentment from Anthony will be short-lived. Anthony did not like Whistledown, but he still recognized that Whistledown saved them from Berbrooke and Marina's scheme. Given his similarities with Pen, the new marriage will likely have a positive rather than negative influence upon the sibling dynamic.
Colin enjoing Violet's attempt to parent Anthony.
Colin abiding to Anthony's wishes seeing his and Daphne's expressions.
Older brother stays an older brother.
At the end of the day, they are there for each other. Always.
Quick Recap of the Sibling Dynamic
Age Difference: 8 years
Ages when Edmund died: 18 and almost 10 years old
Episodes of note: 1x06, 1x07, 2x08, 3x05, 3x07
Is dynamics ‘wrapped up’? Most likely.
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Incoming... Benedict and Eloise!