Season 3 of Bridgerton has sparked significant discourse. Following the release of part 2, opinions have been sharply divided—viewers either love it or hate it, with little middle ground. Personally, while I have certain preferences on how certain storylines could have been handled differently, overall, my impression of the season was positive. As a fan of Penelope's character, it would have been challenging for me not to enjoy the season, especially if she found her romantic fulfillment and continued her writing pursuits.
While the show is rooted in romance, I can empathize with those who felt it didn't meet their expectations in that regard. However, I don't perceive this season as lacking in romance; rather, it felt more like a journey of self-love and discovery. Given the established histories of the characters since season one, extensive backstory wasn't necessary for their development, allowing more room for subplots which didn’t work in its favor as much as it could have.
While most subplots didn't bother me, some did seem to consume screen time that could have been allocated to stronger overall plots, and not just the one’s solely focusing on Colin and Penelope. Therefore, I find it useful to analyze the season by examining each character and their respective plotlines.
Kate and Anthony
Without knowledge of the actors' schedules and availability, there isn't much to discuss about these two. They were utilized effectively in their limited screen time, engaging meaningfully with every character they encountered. The repetitive traveling excuse felt unoriginal, and personally, I would have appreciated a mention of their baby's birth or even glimpsed their child (or witnessed their wedding in season 2). Nevertheless, they managed to convey sufficient depth despite the brief time allotted to them.
Cressida
It's important for me to extend grace and understanding not just to Penelope, but also to Cressida. I believe strongly in this principle. It’s hard to expect these young girls to be better than what society has set up for them adhere and accept. Cressida found herself in a situation similar to Lady Danbury's, and while I have my reservations about some of Cressida's actions, what happened to her was undeserved. Her reactions to her situation was hasty and not well thought out, but understandable nonetheless.
Penelope's character throughout seasons 1 and 2 can be summed up similarly. I don't think any of Penelope's actions were malicious; rather, they stemmed from immaturity, selfishness, and the naivety of youth. The same applies to Cressida. There are striking parallels between these two characters.
While I understand why Colin was sent to talk to Cressida after her attempt to blackmail Penelope, I believe Penelope should have been the one to have that conversation with her. Both characters have reacted selfishly and impulsively to difficult circumstances they've faced. Despite Penelope's sharp wit in writing as Whistledown, she is fundamentally kind and could have understood and empathized with Cressida, considering the circumstances.
It felt like a missed opportunity for the story. Colin needed to be humbled, and having Cressida point out his jealousy of Whistledown was a powerful storytelling moment. However, given the parallels between Cressida and Penelope—both voiceless, overlooked, and underestimated—another scene between them would have enriched the narrative.
Cressida's return in the next season gives hope for that interaction. Her friendship with Eloise also provides room for Eloise's growth, although I found Eloise's sudden turn away from Cressida somewhat abrupt, especially considering the sincerity in their friendship. It highlighted how Eloise's own preoccupations can overshadow her presence in friendships. Eloise is sheltered and privileged, unable to fully grasp the challenges faced by others like Cressida or Penelope.
I appreciated their friendship because it underscored the potential dangers of Whistledown's power if wielded by a less responsible writer. Overall, I wish Cressida a happier outcome, but I look forward to seeing how her story unfolds in the next season.
Eloise
The general consensus on Eloise tends to be quite critical. I agree that she hasn't always been the best friend to Penelope or Cressida, but this season highlighted how deeply she cares for Penelope. Despite feeling betrayed and hurt, Eloise's actions towards Penelope were mostly kind and caring. Their separation this season was pivotal for both characters' growth: Penelope became more than a wallflower, and Eloise became more introspective.
It's understandable, though illogical, why Eloise believed Penelope "used" her to get close to Colin. That’s the point: feelings and emotions aren’t logical. Initially, Eloise couldn't comprehend Penelope's actions and understandably distanced herself. Upon learning about the engagement, Eloise concluded that Penelope didn't care about her in the same way she cared about Penelope, still not understanding Penelope's true motivations. Once she grasped Penelope's perspective, she hesitated but ultimately forgave her. Benedict's reassurance that love isn't finite helped Eloise understand that Penelope could love both her and Colin deeply in different ways.
I do wish we had seen more of their relationship in the final two episodes because their dynamic will inevitably change in Season 4. Penelope now has a career, a husband, and a son, which will alter their interactions. However, in their aristocratic world with few responsibilities and ample free time, there's potential for their friendship to evolve in unexpected ways.
Portia and the Featheringtons
The most surprising aspect of this season was Portia's transformation. I've always believed she loved all three of her daughters and wanted the best for them. However, her actions prevented her from developing a deeper emotional bond with Penelope. Throughout this season, we see just how similar Penelope is to Portia. There was a circulating comment that suggested Penelope started writing as Whistledown because she couldn't communicate openly with her mother. Their candid conversation allowed Penelope to let go of her pseudonym and embrace her responsibilities that came with the voice of Whistledown. This change happened almost instantly after their heart-to-heart.
While Bridgerton primarily revolves around romance, Portia has been grounded in the realities of her time for much of the series. Once she realizes that Penelope has found love, she steps into the role of Violet with grace and radiates joy—a refreshing change from her usual survival mode. Polly Walker and Nicola Coughlan delivered exceptional performances in these scenes, leaving me selfishly wanting more of their dynamic in future seasons.
As Portia begins to pay more attention to Penelope, Phillipa and Prudence's initial jealousy transforms into a heartwarming closeness among the sisters. I always suspected Penelope would triumph in the heir race, and it was icing on the cake to see Phillipa and Prudence not only happy about their daughters but also considering Penelope as a role model for them.
While Penelope and Eloise were touted as the second love story of the season, I believe the real love story lies between Portia, Penelope, and her sisters. Their evolving relationship and mutual understanding were one of the season's highlights, hopefully promising even more compelling storytelling in the seasons to come.
Benedict
Benedict's storyline this season feels like a repeat of the past two seasons, albeit now exploring his bisexuality. It's disappointing that I find it hard to invest in this storyline. Benedict appears just as directionless as he was in previous seasons, but now it seems the show is emphasizing that this is truly what he desires. He values his freedom and isn't ready to commit to anything yet.
Initially, I thought Season 4 might focus on Benedict, but after seeing how this season concluded, it doesn't feel like his character is prepared for a romantic storyline.
Mondrichs
It's unfortunate that the show missed opportunities to integrate the Mondrichs more deeply into the main storylines this season. Their presence felt tangential, and the season could have functioned just as well without them, which is a disappointment. I checked and they were in the finale episode, but strangely didn't speak at all.
The Mondrichs' arc revolves around their transition from a working-class family to members of high society. Will worked tirelessly to secure his family's financial stability, only to find himself grappling with the shift to supporting them through his presence and affection alone. Letting go of his old identity was challenging after conforming to societal expectations for so long.
Interestingly, another character this season, Colin Bridgerton, faced a similar challenge in reevaluating his self-worth within his relationships, diverging from societal norms. A meaningful interaction between Will and Colin about the value of love and support beyond material success and usefulness could have enriched the Mondrichs' storyline significantly.
Overall, it feels like a missed opportunity that the Mondrichs' narrative wasn't more integrated and developed within the broader love stories of the season.
Francesca and John
Francesca and John are given the right amount of time and space to prepare Francesca for her upcoming season, which seems to be slated for release around 2032 at this point. As someone who hasn't read the books, I'm not bothered by the change from Michael to Michaela. Based on what I understand about the books, Francesca's challenges and storyline can easily unfold with a female love interest instead of a male one. Francesca's journey revolves around finding a meaningful second love, and if the writers alter that aspect, I can see why fans might be upset.
From my perspective, this change presents an opportunity for more representation, especially with a black actress having the chance to shine in such a successful series. I've been drawn to series because of their representation before, so having it in Bridgerton is particularly encouraging for me. Regardless, it’s not any of the actors fault or responsibility for the changes made.
Lady Danbury
It's disappointing that Lady Danbury was so disconnected from Penelope and Colin's love story. While there might not have been much meddling she could do between them, it's striking that there was only one interaction between Lady Danbury and both Colin and Penelope. This season, Lady Danbury finally gets her own storyline with her brother, Marcus. The storyline starts slowly, with Marcus not appearing until episode 3, and the resolution is a simple conversation over a childhood misunderstanding.
Like many of the subplots this season, I believe it would have benefited from being introduced earlier and spread out more evenly across the episodes. This would have prevented the last two episodes from feeling so packed with resolutions and developments.
Whistledown
First and foremost, Bridgerton is firmly rooted in the romance genre, where the promise of a "happily ever after" is a fundamental expectation. Penelope's eventual fulfillment, therefore, was always assured, regardless of her role as Lady Whistledown. Season 2 of Bridgerton highlights that any consequences for Penelope as Whistledown would be primarily interpersonal and emotional; she was never in danger of facing severe punishments like execution or imprisonment. In fact, the Queen enjoyed Whistledown's gossip and missed her when she was absent. The bounty placed on Whistledown by Charlotte stemmed more from personal grievance rather than moral condemnation. Despite occasional traits of selfishness, arrogance, and ego in her column, Whistledown is not portrayed as a villain but rather serves as a narrative device.
Conflict in Bridgerton predominantly revolves around internal emotional struggles that characters must navigate. Penelope faces the consequences of her actions at the beginning of the season, experiencing loneliness as a result of her gossip. Losing her only remaining connection forces her out of her comfort zone, allowing her to understand firsthand the impact of her words. Initially reinforcing societal norms and expectations through her column, Penelope eventually realizes its potential to empower women who, like herself, face limited agency. Her growth is portrayed as non-linear and variable, adding complexity to her character arc.
The portrayal of Whistledown as a morally ambiguous figure challenges simplistic black-and-white judgments. Each lead character, including Penelope, makes decisions influenced by their backgrounds and experiences. Madame Delacroix's insight that Penelope was young and unaware of her own power underscores this complexity. All the women in Bridgerton grapple with societal expectations in their own ways, but Penelope's journey is particularly distinctive and impactful within this world.
Ultimately, the enduring mystery surrounding Whistledown's identity underscores the column's popularity. Only after the bounty, people are drawn to find out who Whistledown is otherwise they merely speculate. The insight and entertainment she provides, highlights Penelope's significant role in the series. I do wish the entire ton didn’t find out her identity, but otherwise I do enjoy this ending since her entire arc was about finally coming into the light.
Colin and Penelope
These are not two strangers coming together; these are characters we have known for 2 seasons so the foundation for their romance is already there. For the first half of the season, we’re waiting for Colin to realize his feelings and make a move. The second half was the real hurdle for the couple, which is Lady Whistledown. For me this season was more about self love and fulfilment because the real story here is loving someone for who they are, not what you want them to be. Colin is a sensitive dork and Penelope loves that about him. Penelope is Whistledown and Colin just needed to see that’s who she’s been the entire time. This love story is just different than the other ones we’ve seen because the characters are different. Colin is a more sensitive, exposed male lead. He wears his heart on his sleeve and is a people pleaser with a hero complex. Penelope is a wallflower, whose more confident when writing that speaking. They’re awkward and dorky so they just work. It’s definitely a more gentle, subtle love story.
Of course there are things I don’t love about the romance but no body of work will be free of criticisms based on a viewers personal preference. For drama’s sake, the Whistledown reveal had to be after the proposal, and I do wish Colin had figured out she was Whistledown rather than finding her at the printer. Narratively I do wish a clearer resolution had happened between them before the wedding excluding the underlying jealousy at play. I’m not a fan of the entrapment line especially since there was no apology for that. I understand the lingering hurt from Marina and he was lashing out. The fact is he publicly ruined her only marraige prospect and ruined her and they had multiple consensually intimate encounters, therefore no entrapement. I know there are questions about Colin actually loving her and never doubt the love between the two of them. In the same way I don’t doubt that Penelope is in love with Colin, because it could be catergorized as an infatuation, I don’t doubt Colin’s. Specifically in season 2, when Colin interacts with Penelope it’s very clear he has feelings for Penelope and hasn’t grappled that they aren’t platonic. I do wish for more happier moments between the two in the last episode but in reality Colin deals with the fallout of Whistledown and comes to terms with who Penelope is pretty quickly. His last love confession beautifully wraps up the story.
Queen Charlotte is still my favorite Bridgerton love story. It blends the saddest and most loving parts of that relationship the best. Both season 2 and 3 needed a better blend of the two throughout the entire season. Looking at this season and this season alone, it could’ve used more episodes to fully round out the love story with the time subplots demanded. I would’ve liked more Bridgerton family interactions, a mention of Daphne would’ve been nice, and room for impactful moments to breathe.
Colin and Penelope, who we've known from previous seasons, finally start their romantic journey. At first, we wait for Colin to realize his feelings and take action. Then, the big challenge comes: Lady Whistledown. This season, for me, is really about loving oneself and finding fulfillment. It's about accepting someone for who they are, not trying to change to deserve them. Colin is sensitive and open-hearted, while Penelope is shy but bold in her writing. They're both a bit awkward, which makes them perfect for each other. It's a quieter, more subtle love story compared to others we've seen.
Of course, there are parts of their romance that I didn't like. No piece of storytelling is immune to criticism based on personal preferences. For dramatic effect, Lady Whistledown's true identity had to be revealed after Colin proposed. Personally, I wished Colin had figured out who she was instead of discovering her at the printer. Narratively, I also wished for a clearer resolution between them before their wedding, especially dealing with underlying jealousy. I didn't appreciate Colin's entrapment accusation towards Penelope, especially without an apology. Although Colin is hurt by Penelope’s lies, he did in fact ruin her only marriage prospect publicly, and their consensual intimacy shows no entrapment.
Regarding their love, I never doubted their feelings for each other. Colin clearly shows his affection for Penelope, and though Penelope's love can be chalked up to infatuation, both of their feelings are genuine . In season two, it's evident Colin struggles to understand that his feelings for Penelope were not platonic. While I wanted more joyful moments between them in the finale, Colin quickly accepts Penelope for who she truly is after dealing with Lady Whistledown's fallout. His final declaration of love beautifully ties up their story.
Personally, Queen Charlotte's love story remains my favorite in Bridgerton. It balances the sadness and affection of their relationship the best. Both season two and three could have better blended these elements throughout their seasons. Looking solely at season three, it could have benefited from more episodes to fully explore the love story amidst the other subplots. More interactions with the Bridgerton family, a mention of Daphne, and moments to breathe would have enriched the narrative.