Dearest gentle reader, where do I even begin. Bridgerton season three was a clustered Featherington ball of clashing colours, miraculously landing gestures and unexpected flutters that seems to have divided its loyal fanbase irrevocably. Now, I’m not saying that the show didn’t have its poignant moments. I was struck by its fruit salad of diverging plotlines, it had something for everyone. However, its conflicting flavours were perhaps too much for our well established palate. But, I am getting ahead of myself. What follows are my disorganised notes and unsolicited thoughts on Bridgerton season three. Only to match its campy chaos.
As someone who gnawed my fingernails bare eagerly awaiting this season, my first response was that of overwhelm, tinged with disappointment. Setting it apart from its incomparable predecessor; the legendary season two… season three was substandard. Unlike the first two seasons, I felt that they put the pivotal romantic courtship as second and tried to balance too many additional subplots. This made me wonder if the chemistry between the two (Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton) wasn’t strong enough or believable to hold up on its own and that they required other narratives to continue garnering fan engagement as well as set up future seasons. This also made it feel like a filler season, denying dear Nicola Couglan the spotlight she so deserves.
The season began as they always do, Lady Danbury’s eyebrows grew sharper, Queen Charlotte donned even more preposterous wigs, characters had scandalous rendezvous and we were introduced to an array of new love interests for the Bridgerton children. The tension and build up between the titular leads was blazing. We were given a high stakes cliffhanger at the end of part one and then out of nowhere, part two struck us right across the face. Everything changed and then just as quickly, it was all wrapped up so neatly with a lovely Bridgerton blue bow.
Shonda Rimes, previously known for her work on Grey’s Anatomy and The Princess Diaries 2, knows damn well how to spin a delicious love story. She has captured the internet's strange obsession with the regency era and posh British accents at its ideal peak, and successfully pulled in a diverse and intensely strong fanbase. But I found that the pacing of season three was off, and at worst, deficient. I felt that I needed much more of a slow burn and build up than what we were given. Tensions were very high of course and the performances were great, especially the overtop breathing and Nicola Coughlan’s chest nearly spilling out of her corset everytime she was distressed. But we weren’t given enough time to become genuinely invested in Penelope and Colin’s relationship. And to be honest, I actually couldn't care less. I just find it hard to believe that one kiss can plummet a girl out of the friendzone. How did he switch up that fast?
On a more serious point, it is important to note the media's fixation on Couglans body was expected, as it lends itself to a wider conversation about how diverse bodies are treated by a wide audience. We love to tear a woman apart and find any reason to prod at what's left. Ridiculous comments on her body shape are something that don’t deserve to be mentioned in this review and I refuse to elaborate on them any further, rather to point out this focal part of the show's reception. Her figure was thankfully nothing spoken about in the show and I was rather struck by how genuinely beautiful she was in it. She glowed, and to read that she is 38 years old is shocking. I have more wrinkles…coincidentally also less access to plastic surgery (not that I’m alleging anything) but that’s beside the point. On this note, the theme of older women rediscovering romance, love and sexuality, shown with Violet Bridgerton, was really beautiful to see. I look forward to seeing how they return to this in the upcoming seasons. I loved Pen’s makeup and styling. Though at times some of the choices were odd and historically inaccurate (see mesh gloves for reference) it really elevated her beauty to saintlike, nothing like frumpy little Claire in Derry Girls. There was this power to her beauty that directly reflected her narrative arc as she amalgamated afraid young Penelope and outspoken Lady Whistledown, stripping away the flaws of each. Penelope’s nervousness was traded in for Whistledown’s strength, and Whistledown’s harsh, uncaring temperament for Penelope's kind and considerate nature. Nicola Coughlan was both bold and vulnerable in her role and she exhibited an atonement for her character’s past and embraced herself wholeheartedly. I think that this was the best protagonist arc of the three seasons.
Colin Bridgerton on the other hand, although an alright character, was nearly forgettable if it wasn't for his ridiculous wink and for the fact that he is a lead. I cared much more about the love story between Penelope and Eloise, and Penelope and her mother (as well as the additional queer arc given to Francesca) than his character. The mending of these relationships was much more beautiful. And when I think of these moments, my review feels warmer. Colin’s euro-summer, gap year, “Paris changed me” Woody Allen wannabe persona was…repulsive? But as cheesy as it sounds, Colin allowed Penelope to mend her relationship with herself and I must shamefully admit that I kind of enjoyed their love scenes. Yes, even the one in the carriage, regretfully accompanied by an orchestral rendition of a Pitbull song (they couldn’t have been serious with this choice). I thought they were well choreographed and showed a beautiful depiction of the first time that trumped the problematic scenes in season one and portrayed Couglan so beautifully.
It is clear to me that Bridgerton season three has made an adequate attempt to fix its past mistakes (for instance redeeming Benedict’s bisexuality). Although I think the creators may have bitten off more than they could chew. Rimes time and time again gives voice to those who were excluded from history, represents diverse peoples and wraps it all up so carefully. I guess we will only really find an answer to its chaos when season four is inevitably released. My final notes are: enjoyable, pleasant, unexpected but decent overall. Perhaps I am vexed by its flashing colours, but I genuinely didn’t hate it. Season three was undeniably and wholeheartedly camp and as it should be with a Featherington lead!