Dearest Gentle Reader,
Please excuse me as I continue to swoon over Penelope and Colin after watching the second half of Bridgerton’s third season.
This season has been my absolute favorite so far and if they never did another one (which they will – in two years), I would be happy. Season three wrapped up loose ends that have built over the first two seasons, pretty much making the entire series complete. However, I am excited to see where the families go from here, and especially see what’s going to happen with Francesca.
But before I get to my favorite couple, let’s take a look at what everyone else was up to.
Lady Danbury received much needed closure with her brother and Violet, allowing herself to feel free for the first time since she was probably a teenager. We’ve known how strong she’s always been from watching Queen Charlotte, but this is the first time we’ve ever really seen why. It’s revealed that before marrying Lord Danbury, Agatha attempted to run away, only to be thwarted by her then ten-year-old brother. After overhearing her father thank Marcus, she’s always assumed he did it on purpose and has held a grudge for decades, with Marcus being none the wiser about why. One thing this show has done incredibly with, especially this season, is showing honest apologies. And this is done with Marcus as well. He takes time to think about how his sister feels, then comes back to her with an apology and compliments on her character. Mending the years of animosity and taking the crushing weight of anger off Lady Danbury’s shoulders. She also finally discusses the elephant in the room with Violet – Agatha sleeping with Violet’s father all those years ago. While it’s not a big scene, they both accept it and move on rather quickly, it’s still satisfying to see that put behind the two friends. And to see that Violet is probably going to “tend to her garden” soon.
We all know Violet and Marcus would be getting together since their first scene. Bridgerton makes no secret about which couples will wind up with who, even if it’s temporary. And it’s sweet to see Violet trying to navigate a new love interest after loving Edmund as much as she did and not being in a relationship since his death. You can see the struggle of her not only trying to navigate beginning a new relationship with its flirting but also navigating how to let another man into her life without taking the place of her late husband or feeling like she’s replacing him. I also appreciate how she didn’t want to overstep her friendship with Agatha because a friendship like that within the ton is so rare and Agatha obviously had issues with it at the beginning. Plus she wanted to focus on Francesca and mending the rift between them. Violet is one of the most wholesome and respectful characters of this entire show and I absolutely adore her. I am incredibly happy that she’s finally going after happiness for herself.
Speaking of going after happiness for themselves. Francesca’s courting with John is so important, I think, because she’s the only introvert of the bunch. Penelope was forced to be a wallflower because no one paid attention to her; Francesca didn’t want attention. She didn’t want a whole brood of children and a loud house. Her relationship with John wasn’t bold and passionate. It was slow and kind. But she also knew how to stand up for herself, even against her mother. She knew her courtship wasn’t like the others but that didn’t matter because she was happy and in love. Though it took a while for Violet to see that love doesn’t have to be loud, and she was quite concerned with Francesca settling just so she could get out of the house, she did eventually listen to her daughter. Though I will say that during their (quiet) wedding ceremony, after Francesca kissed her new husband, it’s obvious that something is a little off. Like she was doubting herself. Then when I saw how she acted with John’s cousin I just about lost my mind! I had been hearing about a sapphic relationship that was going to happen but didn’t read anything else about it (I don’t watch trailers or anything for movies/shows I know I’m going to watch) and to see it was Francesca, who is, supposedly, in a love match, was an absolute shock. (This is why I don’t watch trailers or read spoilers. I LOVE being surprised by things.)
For many people, Kanthony is their favorite couple. And who can blame them? Especially this season. First of all, Kate (Simone Ashley) is absolutely GORGEOUS! She’s been dropping jaws every time she’s on screen. And I find it amazing and respectful that they put Kate in a regency-style dress that also tied into her Indian roots. (Though I recently saw a post from a person who is Indian who didn’t like it and now I’m hoping they had Indian consultants like they did in season 2.) It’s one of the most beautiful dresses of the show. I love that she is just as much a Bridgerton as if she was born into the family. Violet looks absolutely smitten with the new Lady Bridgerton and all of the Bridgerton children love her. Plus Kate takes flawlessly to being viscountess. She’s better at running the household than Anthony now. I think the most surprising thing about this duo is the change in Anthony. Being in love, allowing himself to love and be loved in return, has made an obvious change. He’s far more playful, smiling, and no longer has a stick up his ass. While I do find it jarring from the Anthony of the previous two seasons, it’s a tv show and one that’s already been stated as being more fantasy than realistic. Which is also why I let the timing mistakes pass in the show as well. Many people have pointed out that not only would it take about 4-6 months for them to get to India, but why, after seeing his mother’s complicated birth with Hyacinth, would he want to put his pregnant wife on a boat to India? The simple answer is that he’s finally shed his fears. (Though getting over fears is not a simple thing.) Others have stated he probably spoke to everyone he could about the dangers, having medical staff on board, etc before bringing up going to India. And another I read simply said it’s a fantasy setting, they probably got on a ship that got them there in two months or something. Honestly, I’m not looking to delve super deep into a show that’s for entertainment. However, what I do want to point out is him respecting Kate’s Indian culture. I don’t care how they got to India or how long it took. I care that Anthony loved her so much that he wanted to ensure their child knew both cultures. And that he didn’t put her family ahead of his own simply because he is her husband and head of the family. That speaks volumes of his love for her. Though I do wonder why the head of the family is gone for so long?? Shouldn’t he be handling the family’s affairs? (Side note: I’ve been reading a number of people mad at the writers for not including Kate and Anthony more this season and I would like to point out that it’s not the writers’ fault at all. Both actors had other obligations and only had so much time to film this season, and it will be the same for future seasons.)
Perhaps Benedict will be handling affairs for a while. It wouldn’t be the first time. Though let’s hope he doesn’t get distracted by his newfound sexuality. Benedict is one of the most carefree characters of the season, able to go and do basically whatever he pleases. And he certainly does this season. It’s satisfying to see him go from being shocked and perhaps even slightly homophobic in season 1 (though I thought he did have a curiosity even at that time) to not only embracing bisexuality but also a threesome. I do think the sex scene of the throuple was a bit much but not because of what they showed. It was the way they did it. Cutting different scenes throughout other scenes of other characters throughout the day. Were they having sex for an entire day? Is it supposed to be multiple different events? Cutting it between other scenes didn’t add anything. They would have been better off making it one cohesive scene and then moving on. But I am very excited to see how his season goes. I’ve read how his story is supposed to end but whether the show follows that remains to be seen.
One of the biggest transformations this season has been the Featherington women, especially Penelope’s mother. When Portia finds out her daughter is marrying a Bridgerton, she initially doesn’t believe it, insulting Colin and his family. Unfortunately for her, but fortunate for the rest of us and especially Penelope, he just happens to be right outside their door, about to walk in during this time. And for the first time in her life, someone defends and protects Penelope openly. After realizing it’s a love match, Portia, in all her scheming glory, turns her back on her other two daughters and focuses on Pen, who is about to marry into one of the richest families of the ton. But if you’ve been paying attention, it’s very easy to feel sympathy for Portia despite her actions in the last two and a half seasons. She, and all the other women, have grown up almost powerless. Subject to the whims of their fathers then their husbands. Most of whom did not, could not, marry men they love but rather married for financial and societal standing reasons. I can easily see how young Portia could have been a daydreamer like Penelope, hoping to find a man to love and who loved her. But instead, was forced into a loveless marriage. Her dreams dashed as she never found fulfillment in her marriage and watched her husband gamble their money away, all while not being able to do anything about it. Perhaps she was so cruel to Penelope because she saw herself in her youngest daughter and it hurt. Not only because she is reminded of who she used to be but because she didn’t think Penelope would ever find a love match. Everything Portia has done has been for her daughters, even when she was cruel. She had to be hard. There was no room in her life for softness. Until she received softness herself. The Bridgertons let her into their family. Penelope saved the Featheringtons from going into ruin. And she gave her sisters the ball they always dreamed of, giving their mother all the credit. Portia made several bad choices but in the end, she finally let her walls down, fully embracing the love of her family and that of the Bridgertons, who she’s probably been jealous of for quite some time. All of the Featherington women have grown this season, which is very apparent with the families hanging out together, in the Featherington home, and with Colin going so easily to Prudence and her daughter as if she’s been his sister this entire time. The Bridgerton family has surely expanded this season.
The biggest themes of season 3 is the oppression of women in this society. We see it with Colin being overbearing of Penelope. We hear Portia talk about how men have dreams and women have husbands. And we especially see it in Cressida who, despite all the bad she’s done, still garners sympathy. She is a product of her parents and society. She was raised, specifically by her mother, to only look out for herself because no one else will. Apparently not even her parents, who first promise her to a very old, very strict man. She became desperate, going after the only plan she could – pretending to be Lady Whistledown and getting the Queen’s reward. Obviously that was going to crash and burn, and the Queen is too smart to be fooled, but what other choice did she have? She was grabbing at anything that could save her. So when that plan fell through, she at least tried to get some money from her paper being printed, leading her to the place where everyone should have to begin with – the working people. (I would say that it bothers me that no one else had thought to do so but with nobility, the working people might as well not exist. Although Violet used Berbrooke’s staff to get dirt on Nigel, so it does confuse me a little as to why she and those around her didn’t think to do so.) She was able to play the last card she could in blackmailing Penelope so she would have enough money to live on her own. To give some perspective on the sum, today’s amount would be over one million dollars. In the end, Penelope decided to out herself instead. We know Lady Whistledown couldn’t last forever and this way Penelope took charge of her fate. Because of her decision to finally come clean, Cressida was shipped off to her cousin. We can’t say Cressida’s fate wasn’t deserved but at the same time, I do wonder if different choices would have led to better results and I cannot fault her for doing everything she could to take even an ounce of power. After all, we know most women in this show don’t really have their own power.
While we had two weddings this season, we had three love stories. Penelope and Eloise have had a rough year together. No one has ever understood them like they’ve understood each other. No one has seen them the way they do for each other. They’ve been best friends for years. So when Penelope not only kept her identity as Lady Whistledown a secret but also pretended like she was trying to uncover who she was with Eloise, of course that’s going to be heartbreaking. But even though they barely talk to one another, you can tell Eloise still loves Penelope. When Cressida makes fun of Pen, Eloise steers her away or tells her it’s not right to say those things. When she sees Penelope hurting, there’s compassion in her eyes, even if she’s not ready to comfort Pen yet. And though she hadn’t forgiven her (former) friend yet, she still cried at Colin’s and Penelope’s wedding. Like many of the people hurt throughout the show, she needs time to process the pain while still holding a place for love. In the end, Eloise understood Penelope, just like she always has, and was able to forgive her. She just had to get through the pain first.
Before continuing, if you want to read more about Polin from the first half of the show, I wrote it HERE.
Even though we know Colin and Penelope will be married by the end of the season, and happily so as with every Bridgerton couple, it was still a story full of angst and suspense. Will Penelope tell Colin she’s Lady Whistledown? Will Eloise tell him? Does Cressida succeed in her blackmail? What will the Queen do when she figures out it’s Penelope?
Of course, Penelope nor Eloise tell Colin. He has to find out for himself after following Penelope, concerned over her well-being, which makes things worse. I can only imagine this is a similar feeling to when he found out he was betrayed by Marina but worse, because he truly loves Penelope. Obsessed with her. And the people we love most are the ones who hurt us most.
Like all the men in Bridgerton, Colin is stuck in his rigid views of being a gentleman and all that entails. Probably more so than the others. Taking charge during crises. Being head of the marriage. Succeeding more than their wives. And, for him, not giving himself physically to the woman he loves if he doesn’t feel connected in all ways. Of course, that’s not to say the men don’t break the rules of being a gentleman, because they all do at one point or another. But with Colin, it’s coupled with the fact that he feels inferior to Penelope. It’s not just being hurt by her, it’s envy as well, which he states near the end of the season. Wives aren’t supposed to outshine their husbands, and he doesn’t know how to deal with that just yet. He’s feeling emotions and having thoughts he’s not used to. So he pulls away from her to figure himself out.
However, we can’t gloss over the misogyny he displays this season as well. When he finds out about her betrayal and she asks if he still wants to marry her, he says he will because he’s a gentleman. I love Colin Bridgerton. He is my favorite of all the men. But I wanted to go through my television and slap him for that line. Honestly, I think that’s the worst thing he’s ever said in the entire show, bypassing his comment about never courting her. To say he will marry her out of obligation is the lowest of blows. And his comment about her trapping him was also a low blow, especially considering how he defended her against her mother when Portia said the same thing. Besides not liking that Penelope is more distinguished than he is, he attempts to force her to stop being Lady Whistledown. Even when she tells him how being Whistledown feels and that women have no power, he still turns away from her. When Cressida blackmails Penelope and she tells Colin, he immediately takes charge, interrupting her and not listening when she says not only will she take care of it, but that she wants to. He feels it’s his duty as her husband to fix the problem. As much as he loves her, he doesn’t see her as an equal. He also assumes that it will be an easy fix because he assumes Cressida’s intention. When he talks to Cressida, pleading with her to drop her threat, she laughs at him. And rightly so. He has no idea what she’s going through. How can he? Men aren’t shipped off to cousins if they can’t get married. They’re not titled as spinsters. Look at Benedict for example. Colin thinks as the men of that world do. Especially a rich Bridgerton man who is probably used to talking his way into or out of anything. Colin’s hubris gets the best of him, as does Cressida. It’s a major blow to his ego as a man and as a husband. It’s Penelope who saves herself.
This season is incredibly impactful, especially to those who are wallflowers or who used to be. People who understand what it’s like to be overlooked. To be invisible. Penelope embodies the wallflower and then rises against it. She takes power in a way that only she can. And when she finds herself backed into a corner, she finds a solution. She is intelligent. She is clever. She has grown. Lady Whistledown started as a way to fit into society. A way to be one of “them” because they wouldn’t let her otherwise. It gave her confidence. It gave her a good life if she wouldn’t have found a husband. It gave her independence. And in this confidence, she bloomed. She took charge of her own life. Changing her clothes and her hair so she no longer looked like a child. She went after what she wanted – a husband. She fully accepted Colin would never love her the same way she loved him and was going to move on. It’s in this particular space that she needed to be for them to have an equal relationship. Had she still been pining over him when he finally realized his love for her, he would have had power over her. She would have been so ecstatic to finally have him that she would have lost herself to ensure she kept him.
But in this time of being able to move on from him, she gains her independence. She will not back down as Lady Whistledown. She will not lock away a part of herself for him. And she is willing to lose him in order to be her full self. That’s growth. That’s love. That’s power.
Even though there was contention between them, there was so much love that shined through. Before being found out as Whistledown, we were given the carriage scene at the end of episode four, binding Colin and Penelope into a betrothal. But probably one of the best romantic scenes was the mirror scene. Colin forces her to face herself as he tells her all the good qualities about her and how she makes him feel. He tells her things she always wanted to hear and means them. No one has ever spoken to her like Colin, especially in this moment. She’s never told she has worth. And he makes her see that, literally and metaphorically. And even though it’s clear she wants sex, he still not only asks for consent but tells her she must tell him if she doesn’t want to do this so he won’t go any further than she desires. Before they have intercourse, he warns her it’s going to hurt at first. No man in this show has done that. Women in real life rarely ever get that. Colin is compassionate and empathetic. He wants only the best for Penelope and never wants to hurt her. He doesn’t want to do anything to her without her permission. He truly is a gentleman in love.
After his discovery, he is rightfully angry and needs time to process. Although he is clearly still upset the day before their wedding, when she hesitates walking down the aisle on their wedding day, he gives her a smile and a nod. He still wants to marry her, he still loves her, and he’s willing to work through their problems. During their wedding breakfast, he breaks protocol for her by dancing while the sun is up and when the song ends, he doesn’t finish the dance like the other couples do – he caresses his wife’s cheek in such adoration that they might as well not be in the middle of a fight at all.
But when Queen Charlotte interrupts their reception, accusing one of the Bridgertons of being Lady Whistledown (and I do have to say here that I absolutely love that Lady Danbury stayed even though it was only supposed to be the Bridgertons), all of those negative emotions come back up again, he’s still not ready to truly hear Penelope, and he sleeps on the couch, outside the bedroom, even when it’s clear he wants more. If he can’t give all of himself to Penelope, and she can’t give all of herself to him, he can’t pass that line again. He needs a resolution first because that is the honorable thing to do in his mind. It is only when reading the letters from her that he’s able to connect Penelope’s writing with that of Whistledown, making him realize that she is Whistledown, and Whistledown is she. Her speech at the ball only solidifies that for him and, combined with Cressida’s revelation to him that he sounds jealous, makes him realize why he was truly mad at Penelope. It wasn’t just her deception or any faults of hers. It was his flaws. His insecurities. Once that realization hit him, he was finally able to see Penelope for who she really was and be proud of his wife. While he had begun to see her as an equal as his friend, and shaking her hand in the garden, this was the first time he truly saw her as a partner. As he’d done before, he made her a genuine apology, taking ownership of his mistakes, and lifting her up. Telling her all the great things he sees in her. Telling her she is seen. And he’s the better for it. That’s all Penelope has ever wanted. To be seen, to be loved by him, to finally be heard and understood.
It’s their ability to communicate and the pure love they share that make them, in my opinion, the best relationship in the show. They have complications. They take time to process the thoughts and feelings of their problems. Then they come back together and talk through it. And it’s not one person backing down, like Colin initially wanted Penelope to do. She’s become strong enough to say no, stand her ground, and be who she is – even to the man she’s loved for years. She was accepting that he might want an annulment rather than trying to cling to him or force him to face the possible backlash, and eventually he recognizes who she truly is and is able to set his ego aside. In the end, they understood each other, they grew together, and came out stronger because of it.
The Geektacular Collective 