A Much-Awaited Return to ‘Bridgerton’

The wait is finally over for Bridgerton fans. One month after the debut of the third season’s first chapters, viewers can now revel in the concluding four episodes chronicling the narrative of Colin (Luke Newton) and Penelope (Nicola Coughlan). This interval is markedly less than the two-year hiatus post-last season and the similar timeframe anticipated before the follow-up season. Even though the intermission between the third season’s first and second halves amped up the excitement, particularly among ardent admirers, it somewhat deflated the overall build-up of the season. Fortunately, the continuing episodes of Bridgerton‘s third season have plenty of momentum to offer.

Dear readers, if you’ve been in tune with our content, you’re likely aware that the initial half of Bridgerton‘s season three garnered some criticism. While some imperfections persist, the latter half shines much brighter. Part two successfully lets go of the lukewarm subplot of Colin guiding Penelope on how to avoid being a wallflower, pivoting the focus to Penelope’s more intriguing secret life as Lady Whistledown. Despite the Queen’s exaggerated fixation with Whisteldown (one wonders if she has no grander preoccupations), her determination to unmask the elusive gossipmonger adds a tantalizing layer of peril for both Penelope and those in her orbit.

On the surface, life is wonderful for Penelope. The subject of her longstanding adoration finally reciprocates her feelings. With a future that now promises not only solitude but also financial stability, a warm family, and an exciting marital relationship (not to forget the eagerly awaited sultry “mirror scene”), Penelope’s life certainly looks up. Nonetheless, as she juggles contentment in her marriage and maintaining her Whistledown persona, she comes to the firm realization that despite the danger it poses to those she cherishes, Whistledown represents her life’s work, empowering her in ways few women of her time can boast.

Bridgerton‘s essence is its romantic core, and Whistledown’s secret introduces a compellingly disruptive element to Penelope and Colin’s relationship. The storyline also offers an intricate look at identity. As Eloise (Claudia Jessie) cautions Penelope, true love can only bloom when it embraces the authenticity of each individual. This axiom holds true not just for Penelope’s spouse but also her friends and family. Additionally, characters like Madame Delacroix (Kathryn Drysdale) affirm that embracing one’s true self is integral to finding true love.

As Penelope negotiates being true to both Colin and her work, her narrative of identity is enriched by the experiences of Benedict (Luke Thompson) and Francesca (Hannah Dodd). Benedict addresses his aimlessness by embracing his sexuality and Francisca asserts her autonomy in choosing the life she truly desires. These storylines highlight a massive departure from the original source material, indicating that Francesca’s future will veer significantly from her mother’s hopes.

While part two provides a more engaging experience than its predecessor, it is not devoid of shortcomings. Penelope’s predicament adds tension, but the show fumbles with the gravitas of the situation. At one moment, Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) rounds up the Bridgertons, only to release them without fulfilling her objective, further diluting her already questionable influence. Equally incredulous is Cressida Cowper’s (Jessica Madsen) accidental discovery of Whistledown’s identity—a plot convenience that renders the Queen’s earlier efforts futile.

Despite its ensemble cast, Bridgerton sometimes struggles with narrative balance. Whether it’s Kate (Ashley Simone) and Anthony’s (Jonathan Bailey) talks of leaving town or the Mondriches’ inconsequential Disney-like trouble, the series occasionally loses focus. Benedict’s emotional closure satisfies yet the majority of his scenes concentrate on his sexual escapades. The show appears more invested in depicting a ménage à trois than in developing critical plotlines.

The treatment of more developed gay storylines remains to be seen given the show’s inconsistent approach to social issues. The series seems to battle internally with its progressive take on Regency England and the historical accuracies of the era. When it challenges these societal norms, the message can become repetitive to the point of losing impact. However, the audience of this show likely needs no convincing on this subject matter.

Nevertheless, the second half of the third season signifies progress. It skillfully interconnects various storylines—Lady Whistledown’s secret, the Featheringtons’ financial woes, Colin and Penelope’s romance, the Queen’s vexation—crafting a resolution that results in a satisfying conclusion for its followers. While this reviewer wasn’t entirely persuaded by Colin as a romantic lead, his candid finale moment demonstrated precisely why he’s an ideal partner for Penelope. It’s a fitting conclusion to this most recent saga.

Bridgerton season three, part two is available from June 13 on Netflix.