It’s time for a bonus episode of our podcast! We’re finally taking a look at part 2 of Bridgerton season 3, and talking about spice, secrets, and happy endings. We discussed how the second half of the season picks up immediately after Colin proposes to Penelope. The engagement is announced to the Bridgerton family, who are mostly excited, though Eloise confronts Penelope about not telling Colin she is Lady Whistledown.
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Note
The following is an editorialized transcript of our weekly literary podcast. If you would like to listen to the podcast, click the play button above orlisten on your favorite platform with the links below.
Secrets and High Society
We noted that Penelope struggles with whether to reveal her secret identity to Colin. Meanwhile, the Queen offers a reward for information on Lady Whistledown’s identity. This leads Cressida Cowper to falsely claim she is Whistledown in hopes of getting the money, though the Queen is skeptical.
We talked about how Colin and Penelope’s relationship progresses physically, with some steamy scenes that surprised viewers after the more tame first half of the season. However, their happiness is short-lived when Colin discovers Penelope is actually Lady Whistledown. He is angry but still marries her out of honor.
Story Progression Throughout the Season
We discussed the side plots involving other characters:
- Kate and Anthony planning to travel to India: We discussed how Kate and Anthony, after announcing Kate’s pregnancy, decided to travel to India. This decision comes after they realize Violet is managing Bridgerton House as well as Dowager Viscountess, and Benedict can handle other responsibilities. We noted this might be a graceful exit for the characters, possibly due to the actors’ other commitments. We also remarked on how stunning Simone Ashley (Kate) looked this season.
- Francesca’s courtship with John Stirling: We talked about how Francesca and John’s relationship develops throughout these episodes. We noted their introverted natures and how well they complement each other. We mentioned John’s awkward attempts at jokes and his bachelor party with Francesca’s brothers. We appreciated this quieter, more understated romance amidst the season’s drama.
- Benedict exploring his sexuality in a threesome storyline: We discussed Benedict’s involvement with Lady Tilly Arnold and her male partner. We noted Benedict’s initial discomfort with their proposition for a threesome, but how he eventually returns and participates. We talked about how this storyline contributes to the show’s increased LGBTQ+ representation. We also mentioned that this plot thread doesn’t fully resolve, as Benedict declines Tilly’s suggestion of a more serious relationship.
- Violet potentially starts up a romance: We touched on the subplot involving Violet and a widower, Marcus Anderson, who is, in fact, Lady Danbury’s younger brother. We mentioned that there seemed to be some unresolved tension between the siblings, stemming from a childhood incident. However, we felt this plotline wasn’t as engaging or necessary as some of the others. We questioned whether Lady Danbury’s grudge was realistic given her life experiences and maturity.
Moving Forward
We discussed the second half of Bridgerton Season 3, focusing on the aftermath of Colin discovering Penelope is Lady Whistledown. Despite his initial anger and feeling of betrayal, they proceed with their marriage out of honor. Their relationship remains tense for a while, with Colin sleeping on the couch and refusing to consummate the marriage.
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We noted how Eloise becomes a key supporter for Penelope during this time, helping to repair their friendship. Eloise even speaks to Colin, pointing out how Penelope’s writings have become less salacious and more supportive of common people.
The storyline with Cressida Cowper claiming to be Lady Whistledown continues, with her attempts to write a column failing miserably. Penelope struggles with the idea of giving up her alter ego but ultimately decides to continue writing, albeit with some changes.
We discussed the development of other characters, including Francesca’s marriage to John Sterling and the introduction of his cousin Michaela, which hints at a potential queer storyline. We also touched on Violet’s possible new romance and Kate and Anthony’s decision to travel to India.
The season culminates in a grand ball thrown by the Featherington sisters, where the Queen confronts Penelope about being Lady Whistledown. Penelope admits her identity and explains her motivations, leading to an understanding with the Queen.
We talked about the season’s epilogue, which shows Penelope with a baby boy, her sisters with daughters, and various characters embarking on new journeys. Eloise decides to go to Scotland with Francesca for a change of scenery.
What Will Future Seasons Bring?
We speculated about future seasons, discussing which Bridgerton sibling might be the focus next and how the show might handle Penelope’s continued role as Lady Whistledown. We also touched on the potential challenges of adapting Francesca’s story given the changes made to certain characters.
Overall, we expressed enjoyment of the season, appreciating the focus on characters we’ve seen develop over previous seasons and the added complexity of the Lady Whistledown reveal. We noted that the show has diverged significantly from the books in some aspects, making it interesting to speculate about future plot developments.
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