What "Bridgerton" Got Wrong and Right in Season 3

Dearest Gentle Reader, 

"Bridgerton" season three, part two, finally aired on Netflix this month, concluding the much-hyped third romance story in the series. But if you finished the season feeling a bit disappointed, you are not alone. Although there were some delightful moments ("Now, Varley! The bugs!"), I, too, felt a little underwhelmed. If I may share my humble opinions, here is what I thought did and did not work for season three.

What Didn't Work

Colin Bridgerton: He travels. It's His Whole Personality.

Although Colin already featured in two seasons of the "Bridgerton" series, I still didn’t know what made him tick as an individual character. Since this season highlights his love story, I expected to get more insight into Colin’s personality, motivations, and inner turmoil — just like season two allowed us to see his brother, Viscount Anthony Bridgerton in a different light.

Alas, we get more telling rather than showing. His mother mentions he is one of her most sensitive children, always putting others before himself. However, there is no example of this, not even a flashback. The only example of his selflessness I can remember is from way back in season one, when he told Marina he would have married her despite her pregnancy. 

After his broken engagement in season one, the only glimpse we have into Colin’s personality is his constant traveling and then coming home to talk about it. The writers could've shown how he dealt with heartbreak, loneliness, and the frustration of never feeling safe enough to be himself. How about revealing what he and Penelope Featherington wrote to each other in their letters? What exactly did she write to make him feel at ease?

With all this missing, Colin feels like a one-dimensional character, making it hard to root for him. That's too bad because Luke Newton seems more talented than the material he was given to work with.

Flashbacks: Where?

In previous seasons, flashbacks to Viscount Anthony Bridgerton and Duke of Hastings Simon Basset's childhoods helped us root for them when they were insufferable and understand that their struggle to love stemmed from past trauma.

So why did season three skip this essential storytelling technique? No flashbacks to Colin’s childhood or even to Penelope and Colin's (aka Polin’s) first meeting. Did the writers simply assume we would rewatch all Polin scenes from seasons one and two and that would be enough? New flashbacks could have provided deeper insights into both characters’ personalities and their future relationship.

Penelope and Colin’s Relationship: Is the Romance in the Room With Us?

Speaking of Polin, we barely got to see the love in their relationship. We needed more heartfelt moments between Penelope and Colin, rather than just sex scenes. They barely talk to each other in part two. Luke and Nicola had more chemistry and affection in press interviews than their characters do in the show. Isn't love the whole point of a romance period story??? Perhaps there’s more romance in the scenes that were allegedly cut?

Side Stories: For What?

Benedict and his threesomes, Lady Danbury angry at her brother, and the newly titled Lord and Lady Mondrich deciding to close their club...

None of these stories added to the main plot. They felt distracting, pointless, and humorless.

Eloise Bridgerton: I’m a Feminist, but Not a Girl’s Girl

Eloise, you are constantly talking about women's rights. You got upset at a guy last season for insulting women, but did you come to Cressida's aid when she's engaged to a grandpa? Or shipped off to Aunt Joanna? Nah, you left her to fend for herself, leading her to blackmail your ex-bestie, now sister-in-law, Penelope. Even then, you didn’t step in to help either of your former friends.

And the best part? You decide to intrude on your sister's new married life in Scotland because you need to see the world if you want to change it. Girl, you had a chance to change things right at home! And if the rumors are true that she and brother, Benedict Bridgerton will be the season four leads, how do we root for such a selfish character?

What Worked

Viscount and Viscountess Bridgerton: Obsessed With Each Other and in Love

This is the first time we get to see a Bridgerton couple happily settled after marriage. Yes, we saw some of that with Daphne and Simon, but they fought soon after marriage and then Regé-Jean Page dipped, so we were robbed of seeing a happy family at Bridgerton House.

It was sweet to see both eldest siblings, Kate and Anthony comfortable, in love, and giving each other the support they’ve always given to their family members. Loud, goofy Anthony is hilarious to watch after seeing him as a f-boy in season one and a super serious, 'need-to-find-the perfect-wife-who-I-will-not-fall-in-love-with' suitor in season two. BTW where's a "LILACS!" gif when you need one? IYKYK.

These two better be back from India for season four, but I highly doubt it. Jonathan Bailey is signed on for the next “Jurassic Park” movie, and Simone Ashley is starting her own production company.

Francesca Bridgerton and John Stirling: A Different Kind of Love

Lady Violet Bridgerton’s insistence that her children must marry for love can be annoying. I get it, but surely, not everyone is that lucky or needs to experience a traumatic courtship to fall in love. How does she know Francesca and John are not in love? They are just different. Why be so judgmental?

I thoroughly enjoyed when Francesca finally sets her mom straight, telling her a romantic connection doesn’t need to be so dramatic.

There can be quiet love too. I appreciated Francesca's different approach to love. But then, her mother ends up being right, of course.  Pour one out for the chill romance; this is "Bridgerton" after all.

Bridgerton Sibling Interactions: The Best Parts of Every Season

This is where I think the series truly shines. Whenever the Bridgerton siblings are together — Gregory and Hyacinth arguing, Anthony complimenting Francesca, and Benedict and Eloise on the swings — these are the sweetest and most authentic moments.

Lady Portia Featherington: A New Fan Favorite?

With her sassy one-liners and realistic POV on marriage and life in the Regency era, Lady Featherington is a fantastic foil to the eloquent and love-marriage-focused Lady Bridgerton. 

Lady Featherington has some standout scenes this season, from asking her daughters if they have been intimate with their husbands yet, to being put in her place by Colin when she is scolding Penelope. 

My favorite Lady Featherington moments: 

1. She gives Penelope a grateful smile when Penelope allows her mother to take credit for funding her sisters' ball, even though Penelope paid for it with her Lady Whistledown money.
   

2. Lady Featherington grabs Penelope’s hand during Queen Charlotte’s seemingly threatening reveal of Whistledown’s identity. 

Lady Featherington has come a long way since season one. It’s wonderful to see her finally pay attention to and respect Penelope. Netflix, give us a Portia prequel story!

The "Bridgerton" PR Machine: Working Overtime To Feed the Delulu

If the "Bridgerton" writers didn't know how to highlight Colin and Penelope's love story, the "Bridgerton" PR team definitely did. Nicola and Luke were so effortlessly charming and at ease with each other, fans were convinced they were a real-life couple. This is the delulu romance we NEEDED in the show!

And it wasn’t just Nicola and Luke who played the PR game well. The other "Bridgerton" cast members shined during the press tour, especially, Claudia Jessie and her amazing laugh (Wahzoo!). I will be spending countless hours watching hilarious cast interviews.

Nicola Coughlan: She’s an Icon. She’s a Legend. She IS the Moment.

I’ve loved Nicola since her portrayal of the anxious Clare Devlin in “Derry Girls.” I was super excited for her to get her flowers this year. She did not disappoint, masterfully portraying an exceptional range of subtle emotions as Penelope. The "Bridgerton" team got it right when casting Nicola. 

Her acting ability wasn’t the only thing that made her a star this season. Her authentic engagement with fans on social media, commenting on their edits and memes, made her even more endearing and won her many loyal followers and fans.

Do you agree with my thoughts? What did you like or dislike about "Bridgerton" season three?

Comment below!