Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 returns with a bang, captivating viewers from the very beginning. The enchanting world of Lady Whistledown’s gossip pages is brought to life once again, with the warm voiceover of Dame Julie Andrews setting the stage for the upcoming drama. Despite having a new showrunner, Jess Brownell, the show remains as enchanting and romantic as ever. This season, however, takes a different approach by focusing on Penelope Featherington, played brilliantly by Nicola Coughlan.
Based on Julia Quinn’s romance novels, Bridgerton follows the Bridgerton siblings as they navigate the marriage market of Regency era London. Previous seasons centered around Daphne and Anthony Bridgerton, but Season 3 jumps ahead to Book 4, “Romancing Mr. Bridgerton.” Penelope, who has been secretly writing as Lady Whistledown, finally takes center stage and embarks on a journey to win the heart of her long-time crush, Colin Bridgerton.
The season opens with the fashionable members of the Ton returning to London after their time in the countryside. Penelope, feeling more ostracized than ever, finds herself alone after her friendship with Eloise Bridgerton crumbles. Eloise has now become friends with Cressida Cowper, Penelope’s tormentor. Meanwhile, Penelope realizes that her fate lies in the hands of her unbearable sisters, who will control her life once they bear a Featherington heir.
Determined to take control of her own destiny, Penelope decides to find a husband who will allow her to continue her secret life as Lady Whistledown. She seeks the help of Madame Delacroix for a makeover and soon becomes the talk of the balls. However, Penelope lacks confidence in charming suitors with her wit and charm. Colin comes to her rescue and offers to tutor her in charisma as an apology for his previous dismissal of her.
The romantic setup is a familiar one for fans of the genre, but Bridgerton Season 3 delivers these moments with intensity and passion. It’s not just Penelope and Colin who share these electrifying moments; other characters also experience their own explosive connections. The season focuses not only on Penelope and Colin’s romance but also on other members of the Ton. Francesca Bridgerton’s debut season and her struggles with attention, Eloise’s newfound friendship, and the exploration of Violet’s flirtation provide additional depth to the story. Kate and Anthony’s passionate honeymoon escapades add to the steamy atmosphere of the show.
For those who found Season 2’s slow burn lacking, Season 3 returns to the steamy levels of Season 1. Colin Bridgerton showcases his new physique, Anthony can’t resist his wife’s allure, and Benedict finds a new love interest in Tilly Arnold. The chemistry between Penelope and Colin reaches new heights during a hot and heavy carriage ride.
The first four episodes of Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 take viewers on a delightful journey through the show’s candy-colored fantasy world. Although this version of Regency England may not have existed, the show encourages viewers to dream of a world where everyone deserves a happily ever after, especially the wallflowers. Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 fulfills this dream and leaves viewers eagerly anticipating what’s to come.
