What Does Pinnacle Mean in Bridgerton? Here’s if Its NSFW Meaning Was Real During the Regency Period
We’re getting sex-ed Bridgerton style. The word “pinnacle” has been thrown around a lot in the first half of Season 4, but what does it actually mean?
Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and her husband John Stirling (Victor Alli) have been married for a year at the start of the season. However, the two are struggling to conceive a baby. That’s when the conversation around a pinnacle is formed. Francesca is curious to know what the feeling is and if she’s ever experienced it.
What is a pinnacle in Bridgerton?
Pinnacle is a synonym for an orgasm or reaching the peak of pleasure. The term was widely used in the regency era in place of orgasm, but the latter word entered circulation in the late 17th century.
When Francesca goes to her mother, Violet, and sister-in-law Penelope, they explain that it’s “a sensation”. “Your heart will begin to race. You gasp for air, you shout into the night. It feels like the height of pleasure.” Francesca then worries that her not being able to reach an orgasm is associated with her inability to get pregnant.
Francesca has an awkward conversation with John about achieving the pinnacle, and the two try for a baby very instantaneously. Francesca fakes an orgasm, which captures the attention of John, who says, “You do not have to perform for my sake.”
Her husband gives her words of assurance. “Whatever you wish for in life, I will always endeavour to give it to you. Children, pinnacles,” he says. But I also hope you know you are just right as you are and we are just right as we are, right now.”
In an interview with Swooon, Hannah Dodd revealed that she’s been saying the word non-stop. “I’d love to know if there were other words, but it was always pinnacle from day one of me receiving the script,” she said. “So I have said the world pinnacle about a thousand times.”
She also commended her character’s bravery in communicating their feelings to each other. “They love each other so much. I think it’s clear,” she said. “And just because there is — I don’t even want to say that it’s a disconnect in the bedroom. I don’t think that that’s necessarily what it is because I think it is just learning to communicate, and it is something that Francesca doesn’t know. So, how is she meant to communicate something that she doesn’t understand? And he’s not aware of that.”
“Obviously, putting that much pressure on that is not going to help it happen as well.”
The actress concluded: “She’s just trying to make sure she’s doing the right thing. I think she puts a lot of pressure on herself.”
As to whether we’ll see Francesca have a moment in pinnacle, we hope she will soon!
