Daphne Bridgerton might have been the Diamond of the Season during Bridgerton season 1, but as soon as Eloise Bridgerton stepped onscreen, she stole my heart! The middle Bridgerton daughter, played by Claudia Jessie, is hilarious, outspoken, and totally relatable. Her independence and fire is decades ahead of its time, and she consistently steals the show. Here are just a few moments that prove she’s the best character in the whole series.

1. She’s Wholly Herself

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My favorite thing about Eloise Bridgerton is that she isn’t afraid to be herself. In a society that actively tells women they need to be quieter, more composed, and less ambitious, Eloise refuses to dim her light. She never reins in her opinions, her personality, or her spunk for anyone, and she also never apologizes for who she is — she just is.

2. She Speaks Her Mind

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We quickly learn that Eloise Bridgerton wants more than society deems acceptable, and she’s not afraid to let people know. Instead of just a husband and a family, Eloise dreams of earning her own money, and craves the independence that Lady Whistledown has given herself. She’d also rather sit and read than attend a ball (or her OWN debut). Plus, according to Benedict, she has “more opinions than anyone else in London.” Does that make her Bridgerton‘s version of Taylor Swift‘s Inez?

3. She’s Hilarious

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Not only is Eloise unafraid to voice her opinion, but the things she says never fail to make me laugh. Whether it’s a quippy one-liner, or a witty comeback to one of her brother’s comments, Eloise is one of the funniest characters on the whole show. One of my favorite lines? When Hyacinth asks about falling in love, and Eloise responds with, “Imagine leaping off a cliff and shattering on the ground. A fair analogy?” Definitely fair, E, definitely fair.

4. She’s Honest — And Vulnerable

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It takes true courage to show your fears or insecurities to the people you love, but if there are two people who know Eloise best, it’s Benedict and Penelope. Instead of cracking jokes about society, Eloise reveals her insecurities about being compared to Daphne, and how stifled she feels by her lack of options. It’s a great reminder of how important it is to be honest with the people we’re closest to, even when it requires vulnerability.

5. She’s Driven

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When Eloise decides to figure out the identity of Lady Whistledown, she stops at nothing to get to the bottom of the mystery. She is fully zero’d in on the details, and goes out of her way to collect evidence, even if it’s 1. inconvenient. 2. improper. But you know what the age-old adage says: “Well-behaved women seldom make history!”