Season 3 of Bridgerton was weird...

[@Toerworth]

They also pretended like Benedict was never interested in art, like previous seasons never happened.

[@she7061]

RIGHT? thank you i thought i was going crazy because nobody else has mentioned that. when whats his face asked him what his deal was and he went "idk" i wanted to throw something. YOU LITERALLY WENT TO ART SCHOOL BENEDICT!

[@NothingIsWrongToday]

I was so confused at this as well??? I was like "Don't you like painting? What was that whole ordeal in previous seasons for then?"

[@shaliekk]

TRUE

[@HuntingViolets]

I was really disappointed he didn't decide to stay in art school and help less fortunate artists have their chance (like the ladies who weren't allowed in the lectures unless they were modeling -- that was very interesting).

[@starshake8998]

Yep. Pretty much a hot mess all the way around.

[@jessabean13]

You're so right. They did not need to change Colin to make this work. They built him up over two seasons and then trashed him. OMG. You're so right. The lack of flashbacks is a MASSIVE problem.

[@Madi-hu2pq]

I was expecting some flashbacks!

[@TheErod92]

The difference is that he was still holding on to Marina and when he came back she completely shattered his world l, called him a child and It's what pushed him into putting on the armor that Violet was talking about

[@DopeM8]

Yeah it would have been cool seeing flashbacks of their friendship together, conversations they had that weren’t shown in the previous seasons or seeing some of thier letters. There were parts about this season that I really like with them, but something felt off. If I’m honest I think I liked the scenes I liked because I find Luke Newton to be very attractive, not because it did anything for their love story which is not what you want your audience to do. Your video gave me a lot more insight as to why it felt wrong and comparing it to how Darcy is portrayed was a great connection. Instead of Colin having this revelation of love for Penelope and showing us why, it seems we are expected to just accept that he really doesn’t do much of anything to earn her, she’s already been infatuated with him for years and I never thought for a moment that Penelope would reject him. I felt like Colin held the power of what he and Pen were the entire season and it felt like Pen was the one still longing for him. It would have been way more interesting had she rejected him at first especially since she’s not in favor of this facade he’s putting on and if she distanced herself enough to the point where Colin had to do some work followed by something bold or romantic as a last ditch effort to when back her affection.

[@jksperson7745]

@@TheErod92 No. He should have been putting on that "armor" in Season 2 because Marina and him happened in Season 1 not 2. It would not make sense for him to still be infatuated with Marina when this is supposed to be about him and Penelope.

[@jksperson7745]

@@TheErod92 Besides he did have closure with Marina in season 2 so that doesn't make any sense.

[@jessicabalderas3538]

I was begging for Cressida to be married to Lord Debling… they would have been what the other needed.

[@beatpirate8]

yes she could travel w him!

[@cottoncandisandi6109]

This !!! They were perfect for one another . She is a beautiful but she's also like a wounded animal. His empathetic nature , would have sniffed that out . Him traveling would give her the healing time needed . While their fondness could have grown via letters . All those opportunities lost . Plus , both would make wonderful parents . He has a good dad , nature . While Cressida definitely would love a child for themselves alone . Cressida , would work at ending her family trauma .

[@rowantic6539]

I agree Cressida deserved better. Yes she did shitty stuff, but she is all alone in the world and really needs to get away from her trash family. And now she is send to her awefull aunt.

[@alienmoonmom1361]

I hope something positive happens for Cressida. She is a desperate woman, who doesn’t deserve the punishment of the rest of her entire life with her Aunt. Maybe she’ll meet a man a little below her station and have true love. ( a lawyer, a doctor etc.)

[@jlhollow]

Right! I was thinking the same thing

[@natalie20323]

the fact that the actors themselves have infinitely more chemistry in interviews and during press runs than the actual characters written in the show is a big issue to me

[@autumnconway3642]

This!

[@hazardsigns]

OMG yes! The press tour was delightful and then where did it all go on screen? Why are you all gorping with slack jaws? (Seriously, close your mouths sometimes). Where is the demonstration of these two being close friends for years? The show runners can't say "you've had two seasons of build up" as those scenes were also not present from the start. I'm so frustrated at this season, there were some delightful things, but even those had to be stomped over. I loved the Bridgerton brothers and John going out together and showing some healthy male interactions. Especially in contrast with the awful ones with Colin and co before he starts courting Pen. The whole "quiet love" with Francesca was beautiful, until they crapped on it with the last episode (I'll not spoil for people who don't know book stuff. But foreshadowing). I'm here for Bi Benedict, but don't whirl in with the storyline mid-season and then whirl back out again just as quickly, let it breathe a bit. Sheesh. Poor Debling didn't even get a send off. I quite liked him.

[@YoMaturana]

F A C T S !

[@arachnid33]

Yes! They were so unbelievable as a couple but their press tour was delightful!

[@kengeorgejones6855]

@@hazardsigns I don't think the show has ever done a great job with showing the love between their central couples. I did not care for Simon and Daphne. The actors are what made Kate and Anthony work for me, while the writing undercut them over and over in season 2. And Colin and Penelope just felt forced. I didn't like that Colin needed to have the equivalent of the Marvel Male Makeover to fit more of the "hunky" type - it just felt like they were admitting they'd never given him enough of a personality. Penelope was more interesting in her Lady Whistledown machinations and friendship with Eloise.

[@KindaErudite]

Colin got on my nerves so much. His entrapment comment was so out of left field because HE was the one who chased after her and ruined the potential engagement with Debling.

[@sara1coco]

Cressida ruined it but people here seem to forget about how Marina tried to baby trap the guy and lied to him, the man got trust issues. He didn't know wethere Pen loves him or not or was just using him.

[@ellicel]

I rather liked Debling better for her than Colin. I saw his genuine appreciation and encouragement for her to be herself as having more of an effect than any of Colin's supposed coaching. I could see him looking for something uncomplicated and practical so he could continue his studies then he stays to court her falls in love and leaves but realizes nature no longer means anything without her so he returns to her side or comes back to take her with him. Colin seemed so childishly threatened by her, whereas Debling thought it was great she had her own passions and would have encouraged her. I just wasn't impressed with how Colin treated her.

[@layanaolayan5776]

@@ellicel I liked him to but then they decided to change his character in the end to someone who is not interested in love , I thought it is weird because he looked like he is quite fond of Pen

[@diyalectic52]

It makes complete sense because Colin doesn't believe that he is lovable. He was always been made to feel like the fool by his family, they don't take him seriously, he feels he has to earn love or save someone to earn their love, plus Marina almost entrapped him. He doesn't believe his dream of love would come true. He's got trauma. That what makes his entire story so different from the others. Check out Sammy Bates character analysis of Colin - it's really interesting.

[@TheQueenmom1]

​​@@sara1cocoExactly. Collin had trust issues not only from the Marina scandal but also from the deception from Mama Featherington and her brother in law, Lord Featherington. Pen is a red headed Featherington. Is she not? She even realized that the manipulative and destructive side of herself was indeed a reflection of her mother. Both Pen and Collin came to the Beautiful Bridgerton Ball with all their baggage of blinding traumas, dramas and insecurities. Back and Forward they danced until they overcame their blindness, no longer invisible to their own true selves, each other or The Ton. They both finally got what they had been longing for❤❤

[@sathvikpatibandla9777]

I just felt compared to last season, the actual love story wasn’t coherent. Too many things were happening at once so it took away from the main story. Honestly at some points I forgot that the season was about Colin and Penelope at all

[@ThandoNdlovu-zr3ld]

Same honestly I was more interested in Kate and Anthony. I miss them so much.

[@bhuvaneshwarij1326]

True. I wish they had shown them romance each other

[@sathvikpatibandla9777]

@@bhuvaneshwarij1326 Exactly, the season is meant to be called “Romancing Mr. Bridgerton” but the episode that titles it doesn’t have any “big and sparkly” romance.

[@erinandthe1580]

@@sathvikpatibandla9777 agree. It’s like they didn’t think about what the episode titled after the book should even be about… like put some fluff something to “romance Mr. Bridgerton”

[@monicaoliveira3240]

Fr

[@sweetmother2406]

I could not believe that they never had Colin apologize to Pen for accusing her of trapping him with sex. I really couldn’t get past that in watching the rest of the season

[@YoMaturana]

That phrase was so disrespectful and it supposed that Colin was in love with Pen. No logic in the writing.

[@AJ-ff2os]

I really didn't like that Colin accused her of trapping him either. He's the one who chased after her! Seriously?!

[@ello8116]

I have a lot of issues with how this season failed Polin so much, but I actually think the way she deceived him about Whistledown for her own gain DID make it look like entrapment, and they needed to address that so she had a chance to convince Colin (and us) that it wasnt. She rushed to tell the Ton (via Whistledown, ironically) of her and Colin's engagement, even after Elouise begged her to tell him, reminding her that he can't love her if he doesn't truly know her. She had unprotected sex with him, likely leading to a pregnancy. All before HE found out himself that she was Whistledown. Honestly, if I was Colin, not only would I wonder who Pen actually is, but I would definitely feel tricked and deceived into marriage. This is a criticism of the writers. They failed Polin in so many wats, but most of all by undermining their love story through the way they handled Whistledown. She put herself interest above her love for him, as she did with Elouise. This makes her unlikeable and undermines the love between her and these characters.

[@beatrizmedeirosnoleto9391]

I don't see how Penelope using Whistledown as means to announce their engagement is relevant. Colin ruined her chances with the vegan lord (forgot his name), and fingerfucked her in the carriage. After that, he wanted to have a way out? That would be dispicable. But I do think that was a bad move for Whistledown, because it was too soon for anyone who isn't Penelope herself to know about that, she was risking her secret.

[@МарияСкворцова-ч9ы]

I was mad also!!! And the first time on couch??? (RIP it's legs, as well as script writers ability to stay adequate) Oh, really, not the king size bed, no candles, no GodDamRespect! What the...?!

[@patriciam6771]

Benedicts storyline didn't interest me and I skipped through it. Penelope and Colins story felt rushed

[@cottoncandyflaps4347]

This comment exactly. I skipped through all of Benedict’s even the sex scenes and pen and Colin just felt rushed and we didn’t get enough of a burn between them and not enough sex scenes.

[@erinirvine7588]

​@cottoncandyflaps4347 I think that's because Nichola Cochlane is Catholic and she didn't want too much sex scenes so her family could watch her season.

[@MrsJessicaDavis]

I skipped the Benedict scenes too! They felt so random and unnecessary. Kind of cringy. They definitely rushed Collin and Penelope.

[@berlineczka]

@@erinirvine7588 No, they actually filmed a lot more. There was like 10 minutes montage of their honey moon (that we got 2 seconds of in the final montage) and probably another scene. They talked about them in the interviews, not knowing these scenes will be cut. They did not only the audience but also the actors dirty. They did an amazing PR job during the tour but ended up promising things that the producers ended up cutting without them knowing.

[@earlhigaki]

Benedict will be the focus in season 4 so the side story of him in season 3 made sense. His bisexuality will probably continue in season 4.

[@The-bi5ry]

S3 was a terrible mess, but the worst thing they did was changing Fran's story. Its not the gender changed Stirling thats the issue. I adored Violet's speech about Francesca's quiet love, how love isnt always fireworks and dramatic, but that doesn't make it any less true and love exists in different forms. Then they change it to Fran stuttering immediately meeting Michaela, hinting Violet's speech about stuttering when she met Fran's dad. Its like they negated the core theme of Fran's story by saying in the end, yes Fran did realise the "dramatic true love" but unfortunately only after marriage. It cheapens her and John's story. I hate it so much, its absolutely horrible.

[@firalove529]

I agree. I'm a massive fan of John and Fran..so sad that they threw the cousin in after they had just married.

[@terrigwinn1716]

She literally loves John so much she doesn’t think she can marry and be happy. She only marries to have a child. So how is that supposed to work? I hate this change.

[@estherramos5939]

I'm not happy with the changes just to be so-called inclusive of sexual identity. Making it look like Francesca is suddenly attracted to another woman (or the unnecessary scenes with Benedict and the threesome) ruins the whole charm of the show, in my opinion.

[@olivegrove-gl3tw]

​@estherramos5939 I was ok with one short scene but there were multiple... it was to much and unneeded

[@SofiiGolding]

@@firalove529 yeah, I thought Michaela was there to fight with Eloise. Shucks. Love doesn’t always have to be fireworks. Fran couldn’t really talk to John Stirling either at first. Why is it it always about sex. T’is oversexed, I fear. I loved Pen’s speech at the end. It was a blink and miss moment. The threesomes of the horny Bridgerton boys lasted longer than the great banter throughout. I honestly thought Michaela was a troublemaker type. Not sure this will play out. Things seem to be getting a bit messy and overwhelming weird. See Cressida’s outfit.

[@aud_pegooey]

So, Penelope is allowed to run a business, but the dude (see I don't even remember his name) wasn't allowed to keep his bar open, because members of society don't work? 🤨

[@beatrizmedeirosnoleto9391]

The gossip paper was important for the queen herself. It was a major exception.

[@aud_pegooey]

@@beatrizmedeirosnoleto9391 Fair enough.

[@berlineczka]

Which was also ridiculous . Historically most gentlemen's club in the UK were owned by noble men. Sure, him working behind the bar would be scorned upon but owning the place? Not at all inappropriate.

[@carolhunt2023]

@@berlineczkaI was wondering why he had to sell it. Thank you.

[@suzifrey8835]

That's a GREAT observation and yes, i'll echo your question ...........WHY was that????

[@foxesofautumn]

It's really a shame that Penelope spent 95% of her season as the romantic lead stressed out of her mind. Of course she needed things to overcome but where was her joy? Where do we get to see that things are better with Colin than without him? Isn't part of the role of a romantic lead to stand in for audience desires? Who would want to be in Penelope's shoes this season? I love her, she's my favourite character in Bridgerton, and I love that we get a romantic lead who looks like her and it's not even mentioned in the story, but why does she have to have the most miserable time when, by rights, she should have had the smoothest transition as Colin already cared about her and they were both ready to date someone.

[@dream.5708]

exactlyy

[@HereIAm247]

Yes, this - the show kept jumping back and forth, and even though it was probably the season showing most skin so far, it felt dull and half hearted. (the writing - the actors did great with what they were given)

[@LifesPeachy321]

The season was suppose to be about Penelope and Colin, but they ended up just being a side note to all the other story lines. Very Very Disappointing! Unlike the couples from the previous 2 season, she's loved Colin for a very long time and the buildup and satisfaction of her finally getting her man *never happened.* Very poorly written season.

[@Julie.Steam7]

Right ! Their relationship felt so stressful and sad for penelope, and not in an exciting passionate way like Kate sharma. It was just painful, with a few kisses here and there

[@lanzinator4734]

"I don't think the writers believe in Penelope as a love interest" YES! Thank you.

[@tedtalksrock]

She’s so beautiful too!

[@Kyra-qn3nh]

Fr, they didn't let her just be herself. The previous seasons had left behind so much to work with, yet they just ignored it to slap things onto her character that she really didn't need.

[@truegrit7697]

No one believes in Penelope as a love interest.

[@truegrit7697]

I'm in agreement with the writers.

[@dominiqueandrews2060]

That girl is so beautiful! Should have had him ravish her just like the storyline in season 1 if not more because the heat was there

[@michellehuxtable5720]

The way Debling just disappeared 🤷‍♀️

[@dannav8184]

Finally someone said it

[@valentinayordanova287]

I wish we at least found who he actually ended up marrying... He was probably one of the most likable side characters of the season and the second he was no longer a romantic interest for Penelope, he just vanished in thin air. Extremely disappointing!

[@user-bj7em4fv1p]

Yes!!! He simply disappeared. They could have at least said that he decided to travel earlier than expected or something?? No explanation whatsoever, after he was so important in part 1…just bad writing.

[@icedoatmilklatte910]

Yes and I hated that!! I actually thought Penelope had more chemistry with him than Colin

[@Pratiksha656]

Brooo exactly

[@cheeseK8]

I got so emotional in some scenes like "awww" then it cuts to an intimate scene like wow what a way to ruin the mood

[@mmtpleasant]

I agree. It was jarring.

[@emptythoughts3060]

I didnt even have the aww moment. Except for maybe the mom and daughter scenes and benedict and eloise scenes

[@julia-qm2td]

It’s not just Bridgerton. So many Netflix shows nowadays have unnecessary s*x scenes 🙄

[@TigaFeva]

the sex scene between pen and colin was so cringe. the lighting was bad the chemistry, even the dialogue was cringy. i was uncomfortable just watching it.

[@rinidmoron]

​@@TigaFeva that scene is also uncomfortable to read in the book. That is probably one of the few things they took straight from the book, including the lines. Also being the "first" time makes it more uncomfortable. We aren't used to watching such scenes in movie and shows, its mostly take your clothes off, jump on each other, make some weird noises and done. This was more realistic, hence the discomfort🙂

[@beccakate8592]

I've just finished S3 and never clicked on a video so fast. The whole season was edited so strangely, so much jumping between plots it just made everything feel so disjointed. Like why all the 30 second cuts to different characters for a tiny bit of info?? It's really such a shame as it could've been amazing!

[@rebeccapettiford5389]

It seems like it was thrown together. I just didn’t buy any of it.

[@foxglove12342]

Agreed! Even the cinematography and shots were lacking. That air balloon scene 😣 I was disappointed, but it was no fault of the actors, they were great. The way this season was put together was disorganized and not focused.

[@Psychohalfbreed]

​@@foxglove12342 granted this season should have had three love stories happening happening at once or in short succession because pen franny and eloise all find love in the same year.

[@Psychohalfbreed]

No honestly his season 1 isn't him being bi it's him trying to understand his friend. Benedict was never queer himself but introducing it to his character isn't a bad thing but sadly his love interest doesn't make sense in a gender bent fashion which would make it seem like a phase too. Unless they find a way to introduce chemistry in without making it seem cheaty which isn't their strong suit.

[@jessjess23brooks89]

This is what you get when writers strike. Pay them what they are worth or get this slapped together, nonsensical hot doo.

[@FagornMongkhonphakanonGss]

Also I would ve loved it if Queen Charlotte were secretly in cahoots with Whisledown , and she bacame an ally and secret partner of sorts while everyone is still left in the dark

[@BifolikaDesigns]

Was hoping the same, that only the Queen and Collin knew about her

[@lamoyadoeman]

Oh. I never thought of this but this would be good.

[@annaequare]

sounds fun!! but it would probably be a bad look for the queen, since pretty much everyone knew she was trying to find lady whistledown for quite a while. also penelope weirdly suffered zero consequences for clowning the queen for like three years straight

[@TigaFeva]

@@annaequare right that seams like a treason thing, that was dismissed and they even rushed the queen interaction with her. I also feel like realistically the queen wouldve had her guards arrest her and bring her to face the queen. maybe there would've been a discussion of how to move forward with it as it seemed that way in the previous seasons.

[@ESJohnson14]

I wanted Whistledown to maybe find a way to have communication with the queen anonymously too. It could also have been interesting to see something develop that way. Maybe Queen Charlotte eventually finds out it is Penelope but doesn't let Penelope know that she knows. I know young Queen Charlotte wasn't the most patient person but after several decades, maybe she gained some, especially after caring for the king. This would add more depth and a layer of intelligence to the queen that isn't there as much in the show anymore. Her role needs to be more than just trying to figure out who Whistledown is and choosing the season's diamond.

[@wemestros]

"colin has the energy of a child bride " it's funny bc it's true

[@rebeccapettiford5389]

Totally

[@maryelizabeth2751]

I totally agree too!

[@Drsaniausmani]

Child abuse 😅

[@pattihanson7921]

I agree!!! This was my favourite book and they failed Colin and Penelope

[@sara1coco]

Idk why ya say that the man was rightfully hurting and anyone in his position would feel overwhelmed

[@whyimalive11]

I didn't like this season. It felt rushed, and like you said too many stories. At some point when they showed benedict having 3some and then talking later i just skip it cus i dont care. Relationship between Penelope and Colin felt cold and empty. And the last scene that we just jumped 9 months later was super weird

[@justlive2809]

i have to admit i didn't care about Benedict either well the sex scenes

[@pomptonqueen]

Benedict's sexcapades = don't care. The Mondriches = don't care. I felt like Colin was either pouty or angry. Did we have an episode where Penelope was not about to cry? And can I just say the lack of foreplay is beyond annoying. Colin was particularly bad. It's like he used his fingers as a dipstick checking for fluid levels. That looked like the most unsatisfying sex ever. I expect this if he is 16, but he is supposed to be experienced. Is this really the best they could do?

[@vivian4326]

@@pomptonqueenThis is what I’ve been saying!! The sex scene was very weird but I think the actors did a great job with the shitty writing they were given 😭

[@Laqweesha-la_queefa]

Plus the morning-daytime, nightime, daytime nighttime shift,... I was like where tf does benedict etc doing it? Overseas? Why is the editing daytime the nighttime and again

[@lapris7380]

Same it was too much. I literally said “it’s not done yet!” Like it seemed as though the writers weren’t even routing for colin and pen but were trying to convince us to. Instantly from the first seconds of season 3 episode 1 I knew it felt very different from the original bridgerton. I liked fran’s storyline but I wish she had her own season so this one could truly be polin focused.

[@JulieHoffstadt]

The way Colin treated Pen was horrible. He was so hateful. Once he started acting like a temperamental toddler, I was hoping she'd have a backbone and hand the engagement ring back while telling him off. She's clever with words; she could have told him how he made her feel in an absolutely cutting to the bone manner. She has money from sales of the Lady Whistledown column, so she could take care of herself rather than enduring so much heartbreak. I wanted him to have to apologize profusely for his behavior , but that never happened. They made Pen suffer through the whole unrequited love plot yet again. Pen deserved better. The actors had amazing chemistry during the press tour, so why did the relationship seem so stilted on the show? Why not mine that gold? There's a new show runner this season, and it shows.

[@surette2012]

I wanted ‘friends to lovers’ instead I got ‘grumpy drama queen husband on the couch who is almost my enemy to lovers’😭 It took one bump in their friendship/relationship to make him take back every nice thing he’s said to her. Where did the ‘I’ll always protect you.’ ‘ I love you and you didn’t entrap me.’ Energy go? I already think LW is over-hated and it’s hypocritical because they utilize her for their benefit back in s1 with daphne. She writes biased sheets about his family + She’s basically saved their asses from total ruin or unhappy fates. They love her entertainment until they have to face their own music. They can’t just gloss over these comments from him. ‘It’s you who is the one at fault.’ ‘I’ll never forgive you.’ ‘This was your plan of entrapment.’ SORRY?! I’m gonna make you swallow this engagement ring if you were throwing that shit hot at me. Mr. ‘I’ll screw up your engagement and chase your carriage to finger bang you’ Bridgerton is now telling me I’m the entrapping one? The one that took her to their new home and basically seduced her. Saying all that cruel stuff then stonewalling for potential days and not even looking at her? The disrespect. It’s not just Normal distance where he’s trying to settle his resentment and betrayal and communicating with his best foot forward. It’s him being an absolute menace. He took a painfully slow time and had to read her letters for it to click ‘oh, wait yeah…I do love her. Lady whistledown is actually pretty cool cause the writing hits bc I love pens writing too 🥰.’ WAKE UP. What even had him so heated about whistledown? Marina is away from the ton with her kids like she wanted and el didn’t get arrested for being LW.

[@allier1867]

They did her so dirty and it made me so sad. I think it was a mistake to have polin lead s3. They needed the time to mature...

[@ello8116]

How does nobody see how manipulative and deceptive Pen was to Colin with Whistledown? She rushed to tell the Ton of her engagement and then slept with him, knowing how he felt about Whistledown and that she was trapping him with her before he knew a very large part of who she is. That whole plot completely undermined Polin's love and made Pen look no better than Marina. I have issues with Colin too, but I'm surprised no one seems to be picking up on how badly Whistledown was handled and that it really did entrap Colin by the time HE found out for himself. I'd have been pretty pissed about that too. Argh, such a terrible plot.

[@JulieHoffstadt]

@@ello8116 I think she thought he would forgive her, and maybe understand her reasoning, flawed as it was. Colin of the first two seasons would have. This guy in S3, though…. He spewed so much poison at her. The thing that really galls me most is that HE NEVER APOLOGIZED. She fell all over herself apologizing, and he told her in effect that he would marry her out of obligation, but he would never be happy, and neither would she. I wanted to hit him- hard- on her behalf. I agree that she was deceptive. She should have told him at the soonest possible moment. He deserved honesty. I disagree about manipulative. I think she was terrified he’d react badly, and boy howdy, did he.

[@JulieHoffstadt]

@@surette2012 Well, she did call him out for trying to be a bro, but she was telling the truth. Put those guys in modern clothes with bottled beer and they’d look like drunk frat boys.

[@bean-cc6dx]

If they wanted this many side plots, they needed more than 8 episodes. Unfortunately, more than 8 episodes a season is a foreign concept to them now. So they NEED to focus on the main line

[@TigaFeva]

i dont even under stand what the side characters getting so much detailed screen time was needed. they are side characters, and why wouldnt they focus primarily on one bridgerton romance at time. we had 3 different ones taking up equal amount of time which. completely rushed the season and made it forgetable for each plot.

[@Natta44]

You know S1 felt like Daphne's story, S2 felt like Anthony's story, heck Queen Charlotte felt like Charlottes story. They all has focus on main plots with nice sub plots. This felt like a mess. It was NOT Colins story is was Penelopes story. Colin had NO development other than pretending to be a rake then get jealous then admit feelings then propose. No big internal struggle, no scandals, just him feeling a bit like a manbaby and pouting all the tjme. Us as the audience, what were we supposed to be drawn to? His back story, not there, maybe experienes from travels? Not there. Just nothing. It was all tell and no show. He felt like a supporting character, not a lead. Very disapointed indeed. Nicola shone the most with what she was given. Whole season felt weak and disconnected.

[@myra1642]

I skipped Benedict trio sex scenes and those new bar characters scenes. I felt sorry for Cressida.

[@jn2199]

Yes! Every time Lady Arnold and him got on screen i had to pause and prepare myself mentaly😭😭

[@kikidevine694]

The thruple scenes had MUCH more chemistry than Colin's.

[@thembisamakhoba1606]

I also skipped those scenes

[@Peayou...]

It felt like the threesome scenes dragged on 3 days lmao

[@CristinaFaline]

Yeah… They just felt so jarring the way they were edited in. I honestly liked the first half of the season… but the second half felt rushed and weird and badly edited.

[@kimberleysnagg4215]

They did Polin so dirty. I honestly think they had no confidence in their "plus-sized"? lead and stuffed the season with unnessary nonsense to make up for it. Flashbacks were sorely needed given the history of the leads---because of this omission and other inexplicable failures, the season felt janky. Pen came off as a desperate poor-me-one and Colin, well, who knows cause his character was puddle-deep. What a shame.

[@kengeorgejones6855]

I think they just don't know how to structure seasons. This happened last season too. Fans complained about how little time Kate and Anthony got and how much time the Featheringtons got in that dull storyline about the father's brother. I think they tried to force Penelope's story more into the book in terms of a steamy love with Colin when that wasn't what had been properly built up. I think having Penelope on her own journey rather than trying to put her into "raunchy" scenes with a generic gym version of Colin would have benefited her. Give her a romance, but a surprising one, and if they wanted Colin and Penelope, take more time to build up Colin's feelings for her.

[@nur.ich1]

And yet she did soo good ,they ruined it for her . Such a shame😒

[@AshleyAlvarez-rq9ue]

sideplots aside, the season was literally 80% Pen and 20% Colin. They completely sidelined Colin in favor of Pen.The book did a REALLY good job of developing Colin's character, and the writers for this show completely ignored it. So like what are you even talking about.

[@kengeorgejones6855]

@@AshleyAlvarez-rq9ue The show has never seemed that interested in Colin. I feel bad for the actor in that he had to go get a "hunkify" type of image makeover which kind of goes against the idea of body positivity and acceptance we got with Penelope.

[@AshleyAlvarez-rq9ue]

@@kengeorgejones6855 EXACTLY. The fact that LN had to go through a complete body transformation is a huge double standard. And I'm so upset that they didn't develop Colin's character the way he deserved. The book material is RIGHT THERE. They could've easily adapted it.

[@monetmonroe2379]

😅I actually wish they’d apologize and redo it! 😂

[@kristinedunner988]

YEs please..redo this ridiculous series with the previous showrunner!😊

[@donny1960]

Well may I suggest you hold your breath until everything in the World is just as you like it. Will remedy so much for all of us. Many people enjoyed this season. No need for an apology from anyone. The writers and actors put a lot of effort into this show. Seems a bit self-centered to do a redo on your behalf. But some people do not appreciate the work of others. Just want an "apology" for having the nerve to do things as they see fit.

[@angelalakes]

@@donny1960 do you see her emojis? I don't think she was being so serious. I like her sense of humor.

[@donny1960]

@@angelalakes ok. Next time I decide to think like you..... I will reconsider it. 😇😇😇😇

[@DA-yy8rs]

@@donny1960 Passive aggressive.

[@kathfee9510]

Its so weird that they had not A SINGLE flashback to polins childhood or benedicts past or anything! Show dont tell😢😢

[@em8066]

Polin was so mishandled this season. Penelope repeats Colin's trauma of being obligated to marry someone he thought he loved but doesn't really know. Colin repeats Pen's trauma of being sidelined by talking over her, ignoring her, not standing with her during her KZbin apology video to the ton. He didn't really get an apology, so I guess I understand the last one. And she just promised to keep gossiping, with the Queen as editor. Which somehow makes her a girl boss, and suddenly Colin thinks his whole reason for being is to support her. How is that romantic? How is that even believable or respectable for a character? Pen needs a partner, not a sycophant. I'm glad queer people are getting representation in the spotlight, but I don't think it's being handled well at all. Fran has been changed as well, into a pushy, fickle, clueless privileged girl. John and Michaela deserve better. Benedict seems to be filling a representation roll call rather than having any actual character development. The dialogue was so disjointed and preachy. We aren't stupid. And really, Danbury beefing with a 10 yr old for most of her life?

[@jasielek8]

This 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏Facts

[@user-bj7em4fv1p]

Lady Danbury, with all her brain and might, still mad for something her brother did at 10 YEARS OLD…how could they do this to her? Made her look like complete nutjob. This season was overall really bad

[@anotherUSfan]

Something else that bothered me was all the abuse Penelope took without ever being allowed to explain why she did what she did and the unfair accusations Colin made when he was throwing his bitch fit(s). He accused her of entrapping him when HE'S the one who ruined things with Debling, chased after her, mauled her in the carriage and then shocked her with a proposal. In a tearful confrontation he refers to "all the lies," what lies? She didn't tell him she's Whistledown, but nothing she wrote was a lie. It may not have been very nice, but it was true. He's pissed she didn't come to him directly about Marina - apparently he's forgotten she tried. She tried talking to him but Marina followed them to keep her from warning Colin about her and, what little she did manage to tell him, he dismissed. She saved him from a loveless marriage but, somehow, she's still the villain. Marina ended up better off too. She's Lady Crane and her son will inherit Phillip's baronetcy. Sure, she didn't love Phillip, but she didn't love Colin either and at least her marriage to Phillip wasn't based in lies. He's pissed she exposed Eloise's reckless behavior, nevermind the Queen had THREATENED ELOISE'S LIFE ("your denial will only enhance your punishment," "Pride may not be as precious to you as your breath.") and threatened to ruin her whole family. Penelope had to write something as Whistledown that would leave absolutely no doubt that Eloise was NOT the author so the Queen would believe it and leave the Bridgertons alone. The family was embarrassed briefly, but none of them, not even Eloise, suffered any long term damage. Penelope, however, spent the better part of a year with her best friend hating her and consorting with her worst bully just to spite her and then had to face Colin's anger and accusations as well. He's butthurt over what she wrote about the new persona he'd come back with, but what did she say that wasn't true? Maybe it was a bit of payback for him telling everyone within earshot of his group - at HER mother's ball, no less - that he would NEVER court her, but did HIS popularity suffer for it? The things she said weren't always nice, but they were true and she did a lot less harm than good from what I saw. No one is mentioning that what she wrote about Nigel saved Daphne from being forced to marry him. She could have used Whistledown to destroy Cressida socially, but she didn't focus on Cressida even though Cressida bullied her every chance she got because Penelope was an easy target. She wrote the same way about herself as she did about others, referring to herself as "an overripe citrus fruit," and then writing about her lessons with Colin. I would really have liked to see her knock him off his high horse rather than just breaking down all the time and crying, "COLIN, I LOVE YOU!!"

[@myriamzafar8176]

Thank you !!!!!!!!!

[@sara1coco]

You gotta remember that Marina did try to baby trap him the man was scared of not being loved and used again. That's fine.

[@JBD-p6y]

This right here! Also, Eloise accused Penelope of causing pain to Marina by her exposing Marina’s pregnancy. However, if Eloise had really thought about it, Penelope kept Marina’s secret…As earlier in the season 1, during one of their walks, Penelope mentioned to Eloise that she knew of an unmarried woman who was with child. She also discussed on another one of their walks of the woman’s hope to be reunited with her love. It was only much later in the season that Penelope actually exposed Marina…. Eloise like Pen is considered to be clever yet she did not think about this. Nor this she give Penelope a chance to explain that she pleaded with Marina not to take advantage of Colin and only wrote about her pregnancy when it became absolutely clear that Marina intended to trap Colin the next day by eloping to Gretna Green.

[@CharmingAthens]

The whole threesome was such a bore. More so when afterward he was like, nah, I am gonna go be free now. WTF? I just skipped over the whole mess. The 10 second baby at the end was also just a mad rush to add another thing in. Boring all the way around.

[@KlaudiaShaefferr]

they were trying to be too liberal for our taste LOL

[@XenaWarrior-xq9su]

Oh I know. Those threesome scenes kept showing up over and over, who cares about that. I skipped them.

[@lara2260]

At least it was nice to watch

[@coral1396]

Cressida always made me think of the rich Hunger Games

[@bglrk]

Same 😂😂

[@elysedewyngaert178]

Exactly

[@Levejr]

I thought the same! Glad it wasn't just me!

[@DemiRae26]

The pacing and editing was just so weird. Like the Benedict threesome scene that they kept cutting back to despite the fact the other plot lines were clearly over at least a 24 hours period. Every-time they would cut back to it I was like “they are still going?”

[@kathleenkalt3852]

I agree. He left his brother's wedding reception to go see if he liked a threesome and he never returned. It just seemed out of character for such a previously attentive brother. At least wait until AFTER the reception. I don't think he would have been so impolite. He had so many opportunities at the art school and he waits until his brother's wedding.

[@just_add_empathy]

I said this too! 😂😂😂

[@MK-akes2010]

It genuinely felt like they were forcing us to watch it, I started to feel weird about the editors because why are you forcing us to watch a threesome like this? If we're not interested we should be allowed to skip it properly

[@sophiab5260]

Yesss!

[@doublecheese21]

There is literally no chemistry between them. No longing or desire , just nothing. The show was too damn vibrant and the camera work was ugly and didn’t even look like Bridgeton. Colin looks dead inside. Like his eyes are dead eyes. No twinkle. Penelope could have found someone a lot better! The scenes with Lord Derling or whatever, they had waaaay more chemistry. I haven’t even finished this season , I’m just fully annoyed smh

[@JulieHoffstadt]

I was disappointed by that too, especially given the chemistry the actors had during the press tour. Why did they squash all of that in the show?

[@heyjude5027]

yeah Colin has dead 👀, no chemistry with Pen.

[@beatpirate8]

i prefered lord deblings chemistry w Pen too! Colin just looked lusty and couldnt figure himself out.. he doesnt have much depth.

[@lapris7380]

Fr i wish they would have focused soley on their story line. Have pen hate colin longer, then have him help her. Throughout that process they can become closer friends and COLIN can be the one initiating and realizing he doesn’t want to keep helping her because he doesn’t want her to find someone else. He wants to be hers. I really wanted pen to have her independence era where she’s being pinned over and colin is the one dealing with unrequited love. They didn’t give us enough of them as friends to make their childhood friendship believable. They could have done flashbacks where we see pen and colin as kids getting close. They truly just told us that we should care without giving us a reason to care. So much wasted potential.

[@JulieHoffstadt]

@@beatpirate8 Lord Debling was truthful about the marriage he could offer her. No love, but friendship and independence. I agreed with Portia that financial stability can sometimes be the most important factor, especially if there might be children involved one day.

[@whomilloo]

there was very little chemistry between Penelope and Colin and idk how i feel about Lady Whistledown's identity going public kinda takes the fun outta it

[@Natta44]

I genuinely thought Whistledown would either secretly team up with queen maybe as more of a royal gossip columnist. OR Eloise would take over. Very shocked that Pen came out with it and everyone gasped and that was it.. anti climax and now there is no mystique in the ton over it.

[@BleedingHeartFlowerCrying]

In the book she also gets revealed Colin is actually the one who announced it....things went down differently in the show, but she was supposed to be revealed...she is allowed to still write though but she will obviously write as Penelope Bridgerton from now on!

[@margaretbranshaw1534]

Hahaha

[@noka4033]

I they wanted to show that Colin was trying to fit in a change himself to be like the other boys, they should have actually had a conflict in that. Show him actually try to do it with prostitutes but he's uncomfortable and leaves because it's not what he wants deep down. Show him leaving feeling confused. But, no, he's feels completely in his element. He wants to be "rakish" and he's comfortable with that. He's not trying to be like the other guys, he actually is like the other guys in that aspect. They could have really showed the conflict of trying to change yourself to be what others want while rejecting yourself but they just made him be what others want.

[@bonjourAshlyn]

I thought similarly, I actually conceived of a brothel scene, if they must do one) that I think would've worked better ( I am biased of course) Colin thinks he has lost Penelope his toxic friends have tried to get him to go before and his resisted by this time he goes, he picks a girl who looks similar to Penelope and as they are undressing he calls her Penelope, eager to roll with it she says it's okay and that she can be his Penelope he stops and says no she couldn't and he tells her all the things that make Penelope special not just what is tantamount to, “I like you because of what you do for me,” which he spouts annoyingly often in the show imo. She looks at him after his rant and she asks if this Penelope is so wonderful what he’s doing there with her? We see a ponderous look on his face and the scene cuts away. When we cut back we see a cluster of girls at the door claiming it's been hours and wondering what they're doing we see a camera shot of the prostitute lying on the pillow with just her head shown. "Oh my God” she says breathlessly leading the audience to think they are having sex but instead she shoots up to a sitting position exclaiming, “you told them you would never court her?” Pan to Colin in the corner, his shirt is re-buttoned and he's pacing, what started out as a visit to a brothel has become his therapy session as he pours his heart out. He confesses to her that he’s tried to be like his brother and she laughs telling him this is the longest she's been in this room fully clothed. She’s seen her share of rakes and scoundrels and he is not one, he is a romantic and a man in love. "I know," he says breathlessly as if he both always knew and just figured it out He kisses her on the forehead, hands her a wad of cash, and leaves. She protests that he's already paid but he sticks his head back in the door saying she was worth every bit, the two share an excited smile as he rushes out. The girls come in amazed and ask what they were up to but she won't tell.

[@stellarjen13]

@@bonjourAshlynplease write this fanfic!

[@earlonaweary9155]

​@@bonjourAshlyn Now THIS was entertaining to read! I wish they filmed it this way. At least we would know what was going on in his mind, instead of having to guess 🙄

[@bonjourAshlyn]

@@stellarjen13 ​ If I do I will post an update here I think I would also want to do something new with Pen and Debling’s dynamic. I remembered Debling’s kind of spicy line about Penelope’s ability to make one wither that seems to get dropped as he’s just kind of all business from then on, as well as the scene in the carriage where Colin's coming up with reasons she shouldn’t marry Debling and I thought, what if Debling is the chad Colin wants to be? He’s the rake and ladies' man, Colin tries, Debling succeeds. He’s charming and captivates the Ton and the women therein. Also, I feel Colin, despite all the posturing he's trying and failing to do, defines himself by being honorable and a gentleman so seeing a guy like that going after his best friend would set him off, and Debling would not be shy about his interest in her physical attributes. I picture Colin overhearing Debling in the bar talking about it, and yelling at him not to speak about her that way! Basically, the whole dynamic is the song “Treat You Better” by Shawn Mendes which does actually have a few classical covers on KZbin if I recall. I haven’t read the books so I don’t know how much this would upend but I liked the idea as I feel it gives Chaos Colin. Overprotective Colin, Gentleman Colin, and eventually my wife Colin.

[@barbarapaige4587]

@@bonjourAshlyn My goodness, Ashley - what are you doing writing such great stuff answering KZbin videos? You should be at your desk writing romance novels! You definitely have talent. I love your imagination.😊

[@SilverScale.]

I agree with a lot of what you said here, except I wasn't fine with the really tense wedding. Penelope didn't get any romancing at all! Colin barely tolerated her. It was giving "pick me" desperation energy, and how she was forced to spend such happy moments of her life in fear of being discovered and shunned including by Colin, that was giving "PTSD."

[@Madi-hu2pq]

Yeah..I agree. I wanted to see more love and support from Colin after he found out she was LW. Did not get that at all. I honestly felt like I was watching different characters. Something felt off with them and I think it's because there was not enough character development. I wanted to see more of Colins travels and his writing. And why wouldn't you show a flashback of when they first met?! I feel like this season who have been better off if they would have followed along with the book more closely.

[@pollyhepburn]

the second part was so weird, I hated what happened to Cressida, like all this talk about women not being able to control their lives and then just letting her suffer that fate showing exactly that... Like we know she was doing shit out of desperation and honestly her ending just reinforces that she was right cause no one else would help her. edit: also the fashion just kept getting worse even by Bridgerton standards, and i'm not talking about having silhouettes that are historically accurate, but the use fabrics that are clearly modern, that would be impossible to make without modern technology is a problem. Because it breaks their own rules in regards to the technology available. So unless this is presented as a futuristic regency era, the show should have been minduful of this aspect.

[@daly1012]

You did not read the books then

[@liinuli]

I agree about Cressida. Fashion being modern doesn't bother me, even music is modern. I just felt a few times that most of the dresses are ugly. I don't remember thinking that before.

[@BBberries]

As much as we want happy endings for everyone, it is certainly not the case. I even thought Penelope’s annoucement was a little sappy, but to each their own

[@surette2012]

I don’t care if the cast is wearing Mac ruby woo, 200 dollar highlighter, acrylics or wearing sequins. I’ve accepted that they are being anachronistic and experimental. It is heightened reality, an alternative world set in regency. I only care if the characters are well rounded and the story flows. Your first point is spot on. Because every moment you hope someone will actually stand by these women struggling or tormented it’s cricket. They attempt an escape or to outwit their oppressors and for Cressida it failed and for pen it worked out. Even though I believe Colin should’ve said something and I get they’re doing the whole ‘girl’s do it better and save yourself.’ Stuff. But PLEASE, Colin. Advocate for your wife, say something bold to the ton, not just in hushed words in ballroom corners to her.

[@Natta44]

The dresses were so awful and garish this season. Felt like hunger games Capitol. I know it's fantasy, but there is tasteful fantasy like game of Thrones dresses which were stunning. Then this which is tacky sequins and printed material, sleeves that look from 2024. I even caught Pen with a see through perspex clutch bag in part 1 🤢

[@hazardsigns]

"Colin felt like a child bride" pfft, so true! His mouth breathing alone was off-putting. The Colin on screen in no way demonstrated he was the in-demand man of the season. He came across as more of a debutante himself, hanging out with his older brother's friends and trying to look cool. The frustration I felt this season drove me to actually seek out the book. Boy is the book more engaging. Colin is a fully fleshed-out character and he knows about Penelope's secrets BEFORE he proposes. He also goes through the process of discovering his love and what love means to him throughout the book (I feel like the show did nothing to establish that). I grieve the loss of the friendship between Pen and Mrs Danbury, as it was delightful. Also, all the subplots in the show were exhausting. We had 4 new romances. FOUR (main couple, Francesca, Mum Bridgerton and Benedict). Plus four established couples (Kanthony, the Mondrich's and Pen's two sisters). Then Cressida's stuff and the usual time with the queen Yikes. Way to state you have no faith in your main couple, without saying you have no faith in your main couple.

[@nikkiopedia4242]

They completely neglected Colin's character development. His childhood love growing , his desire to be a writer, his place in the world, his love of food 😂. He was one of my fav characters in the books so disappointed 😞

[@rudypoo421]

Omg! His love of food. Such a huge part of the books.

[@sara1coco]

They did nothing with him for female empowerment 😢

[@AshleyAlvarez-rq9ue]

@@sara1coco this is exactly what I said. It felt like the writers forgot they were writing a ROMANCE DRAMA and instead made it about some girlboss feminism. I'm pissed

[@martha8517]

@@sara1coco not really lol. they destroyed his character because they thought the viewers would want a ~rake~. That's not about female empowerment

[@sara1coco]

@@martha8517 They didn't destory his character, they just did nothing with him, undermined him and Shonda explained they made him a "rake" to highlight toxic masculinuty. It was supposed to be weird to us as it's his fake persona. At first he was supposed to be a virgin but then Shonda decided on the reshoots.

[@cheriedeparis5000]

The writers did not allow Penelope to be wooed, courted, cherished in the way the other leading ladies were. Less screentime, more unnecessary side stories , no flash backs to Colin and Pen’s friendship. Then they made one of the smartest lady in the show dumb… like she had never met men before. Colin should have battled lord Deblin more, Penelope should have been the unexpected diamond of the season. After all the hype the story was anti climatic.

[@sravyachanduri8864]

Also I thought the queen would say she was the emerald in front everyone but that wasn’t shown either !!!

[@cassandra007]

Have to blame the showrunner, because what you asked for was in the book. I miss the grandeur of the balls and fireworks, and where was summer croquet, a thread unifying the series and the family? Luke and Nic did the heavy lifting for the season on tour.

[@knightrider5828]

S3 was so lack luster. I was expecting something exciting yet beautiful for Pen but it felt so thrown together. Really sad because this was the season everyone was waiting for

[@RealVincent1989]

Who everyone?!

[@knightrider5828]

@@RealVincent1989 ☠️ ok I was really looking forward to it lol

[@rvrotter1]

Beautifully said!

[@AHufflepuffAndASwiftie]

YES!! I wanted FLASHBACKS of Colin & Pen as kids!! Where are all those flashback scenes?!?! 😑

[@flourchylde]

Sadly, I have to agree with most of the commenters. S3 was truly disappointing. Benedict's threesome scenes were absolutely devoid of any emotion and I hated them. Violet and Marcus have zero chemistry. Lady Danbury seemed to have lost her energy. The Queen's obsession with LW grew tiresome. Michael became Michaela. WTF??? Most egregioius of all was the reduced amount of romance for the featured couple. Polin seem to have much more chemistry in real life than they did in Season 3. Colin as a rake was a major fail (oh, those contrived and ridiculous brothel scenes), especially after previously exhibiting so much consideration for Marina. Cressida's hairstyles were atrocious. At one point she looked like she was carrying a pile of snakes on her head. I have to say that all of the costumes, hair and makeup bordered on garishness, especially for Cressida. If they were trying to make her look undesireable, they certainly succeeded. The Mondrich storyline made no sense and seemed contrived.

[@signaldisconnected634]

benedicts whole storyline irritates me. he was my favorite bridgerton brother because he was an artist and exploring his sexuality and freedom as a second brother, and I loved his relationship with Eloise. but they threw that all away to focus soley on his sexuality in some ridiculous threesome, like what happened about wanting to be a great artist? he couldve had a whole arc about getting back into art school on his OWN skill vs being a nepo baby.. but no

[@carolhunt2023]

Love those comments. Thank you.

[@RumiMateeva]

Totally agree and on top of that Francesca is probably the prettiest actress so what a shame her partners… Benedict I was silently shouting don’t go please don’t kiss that guy 😢

[@lisialidya]

Your right, total failure, some movie should follow the book or be more close to the natator story book. Julia Quinn book got published for a good reason. She knew how to sell the story, Shondaland failed

[@marionandrews176]

Perfect assessment!

[@empowermentcoaching]

Its the writing.. this season the writing was terrible. Polin had no chance with this under-baked arc. Where is the backstory, childhood friendship flashbacks, the awkwardness and hidden confessions in the guise of training, the longing! ... It was too rushed with too many unnecessary sub-plots. Seriously, it would've been okay if they moved the Whistledown revelation to next season, and focused this on the friends-to-lovers. Also, with the revelation of Whistledown, it seems like the whole Bridgerton series has come to a jaunty end. Wasn't that the source of intrigue for the Queen and the ton for all of the season so far? Now what? What a way to eff the whole entire story up!

[@Madi-hu2pq]

Exactly!! There were flashbacks in the previous seasons so I was expecting some in this season. I just don't understand why this was not talked about in the writing room?! And if it was..why would you not include those in the story. Did anyone feel like they were watching different characters this season? I guess it was a combination of the writing and glow ups, but I just didn't feel like I was watching Pen and Colin story. They felt like different characters to me. Which I think part of this is because there was so many other subplots.

[@Lovvve259]

I’m so glad you brought up the Benedict thing with his sexuality. I was confused when he told her he never considered being with men before cuz I def remember some scenes from season one where he was more than considering it😭

[@noka4033]

I was looking forward to seeing how Colin wouldn't kiss Marina before they were married but kissed Pen because he just felt more strongly about it. But now making him a rake just makes it seem he doesn't have that value at all. A lot of people wanted to see Colin trying to stick to that part about being more proper when it comes to kissing and sex but lose control in his want for Penelope and actually being able to draw that parallel to the Marina kiss. Now it's just not about feeling so strong in his want for Pen and more about he just does that now. Disappointing.

[@rebeccapettiford5389]

I thought it was out of character for him to basically treat her like a whore before marriage

[@awsome182]

​@@rebeccapettiford5389 Tbf, Penelope asks/begs Colon to kiss her in the book, too. She's had many more seasons past her in the book, is officially called a spinster, has accepted that fate, so she begs Colin for a kiss so she has experienced this at least once in her life. The kiss was pretty much the only plot point they took almost 1:1 from the book 😅

[@earlonaweary9155]

​@@rebeccapettiford5389 Agree.

[@sunnflare]

@@rebeccapettiford5389RIGHT?! I couldn’t place why I didn’t like that scene so much, but he treats her like a woman in a brothel. It was kind of flat and unromantic and he says the most awkward, “I know more than you” sex things and for once I couldn’t stomach a sex scene in this series. He’s icky

[@hayhay8915]

there are 4 main things I hated the most: bad makeup (god those lashes and blush were so so BAD), the first intimacy scene being in the first 20 min of ep 5 (its in the middle of the day,its not on the bed and atmospherally totally not romantic), not enough happy time after he found out about LW and changing michael sterling literally into michaela sterling

[@user-ed7et3pb4o]

the makeup and hair were SO jarring

[@hayhay8915]

@@user-ed7et3pb4o yes! The worst were actually the first time they get really intimate and on their WEDDING DAY. I swear I couldnt look at her without saying „whats wrong with her makeup?“

[@AJ-ff2os]

The last part was just the worst.

[@bevb752]

I thought the first time was very sweet. Her expressions were “chef kiss” spot on for a virgin in that era

[@hayhay8915]

@@bevb752 I dont know if you read the book but the show was nothing compared to what you can. It was night, it was their engagement party and he literally begged for her to stay and not go away. In the show I really did not feel the atmosphere for their first time :(

[@CourtneysAuntSara]

Am I the only one who skip over the waste of time threesome story line? Wasted so much valuable air time. Plus am I wrong for thinking Penelope is horrible for getting in the way of “pink girl” and the first dude who just wanted a business agreement wife. Those two would have been perfect fir each other. But jeez total waste of limited time with side stories.

[@Userhdhd-t5l]

Yes!!! There wasno need for those awful debauchery threesome scenes ! Gross!

[@snowpeachdoll]

Omg I thought it was just me. I skipped all the threesome scenes. Rolled my eye lol. Sorry but I just couldn’t stand it. The story is so uninteresting to me

[@calliebrookearnold18]

Like we got it the first time, we didn’t need to see it 3 other times with no breaks 😂

[@emptythoughts3060]

I skipped through the “racy” scenes. So bored

[@Me4003]

I thought I was the only one it just made me hate the season 1. The whole season was a mess

[@imjstar]

Thank you for mentioning the looks maxing pouting thing that Colin was doing the whole time. Like it just took me out of the scene every time. He looked like a parody of Edward Cullen. I couldn’t take Colin seriously.

[@dynadushi]

Not Edward Cullen 😂😂😂

[@chrissy3864]

Wait I thought I was the only one that saw it 😭

[@miriamlevenson9430]

he had the weird off putting stare of edward cullen too! there were no emotions behind those eyes 💀

[@aeoligarlic4024]

He needs to stop hanging his mouth open as well

[@jessicaluk74]

😭😭😭😭

[@galilee18]

They definitely failed Penelope's story arc hands down. And by the looks of it, Fran's story is about to go in the dumps too. All of the sex scenes felt forced and ick. Every single last one. The best parts of the show were Fran and John that's it. it was trash and disappointing overall

[@Rainbow-jb4xg]

The scenes were rushed, too much sex makes sex irrelevant. They should learn from kdramas lol. They Koreans hardly undress or kiss, that’s what builds the chemistry between the characters. If sex happens too fast, it’s not love, it’s just lust.

[@allier1867]

Yep. I mean polin sex scene were okay except for the one outside the modiste Benedict's were.... idk. They didnt do it well.

[@Drsaniausmani]

I agree ick and forced ...

[@galilee18]

@@Rainbow-jb4xg Exactly. I was left wondering if it was a porn arc instead cause jeez

[@KatyCupcakes]

All the sex scenes were cringe this season. They ruined the vibe

[@dayschange2]

I didn't mind Cressida's subplot this season, but I agree that the storylines with the Mordrich family and Violet's crush on Lady Danbury's brother could have been pushed off for another season. I didn't dislike these stories, but I think that Cressida's subplot was more than enough, and it tied into the main story relatively well enough. Ish. Maybe they could have added the Modrich subplot to Benedict's season (after all, Benedict was the one shown giving them tips for how to navigate the ton, maybe that friendship could have been used to move Benedict's story along in the next season, just like with Simon in season 1), and then saved Violet's subplot for the season after? That way we could have had more time for Penelope and Colin in their lovestory.

[@kassidyvangundy8038]

Unfortunately, fatphobia is probably a lot of the reason why Penelope didn't get the romance she deserves. They're fine showing her struggle, but struggled to give her true desirability and romance when she needed it most

[@mmtpleasant]

That's what I think too. When uncleherman opened with the writers don't have faith in Pen as a main character. It made sense why they undercut Polin.

[@Agc09]

That's why Colin speech announcing she's Whistledown is so important to the story line! Uuuuuggghh they screwed up so bad with this season!

[@victoryv116]

Yup ..there was no moments of real romance and live , the celebration of Penelope ..all I see her tense tense tense ..it doesn't feel romantic

[@FagornMongkhonphakanonGss]

But Penelope IS WHISTLEDOWN !!!! shes a main character !!! More of romance cos she has always been a wallflower and we loved her and related to her in that aspect I agree with OP , Colin seems to lust her rather than love her , a short montage from the time they first met to the realisation that he needs Penelope in his life would have been way better Lord Debbling could have been someone truly attracted to her rather than someone who needed her

[@SabellaSummers]

In the books she had actually lost weight before he even noticed her like that.

[@megansinor6575]

It’s interesting that this season had no flashbacks for the couple and this is the first time where I feel like I didn’t know Colin well enough. Seeing Simon and Anthony’s trauma helped round them out as characters and make them more sympathetic. The writers relied too heavily on the audience knowing Penelope liked Colin and did bother to show us who he is

[@sweetstarrider3214]

I agree with everything you said. Colin's "charm is learned" gave me the ick big time. They should have developed the relationship through the letters between them on his travels. He mentions how much he looked forward to her letters. Also more scenes from his travels and writing his journals would have been good for his character development. Yeah I was also disappointed about all of the sub plots taking away from the main story of Pen and Colin.

[@lisabelle1960]

Last season I will watch. Too many storylines so that we were not able to see the romance between C and P. NOT that women need a man to speak for them but I missed Colin proudly presenting his clever wife as LW while the Bridgertons stood behind her. As for the changing of Michael to Michaela....just nope. Francesca and Michael's story is the best of the series. Michael's story of guilt because he fell in love with Francesca while her husband was still alive and their struggle to have a child once they got together was heart wrenching. There are so many LGBTQ writers out there that have wonderful stories to tell and would love to see their tales brought to the screen. To make such a big change is wrong. Want to see more LGBTQ content? Make shows from their books and I guarantee you there are rich and wonderful books, screenplays etc out there that you will be spoiled for choice but stop changing main characters.

[@kristinedunner988]

Absolutely agree. I liked the first two episodes but so many aspects of series 3 were out of sink, depressing, silly and amateurish.😢

[@espifreak]

Your opinion that Collin hadn't done enough to earn Penelope's love seems to be a popular one. My feeling is that it's always been unearned and Penelope always offered it freely. They turned Collin into a rake for the conventions of the show and I was pretty neutral about it. I can see how he spent two seasons feeling burned by the Marina and maybe wanted to distance himself from those feelings with casual sex. It seemingly works for his older brothers. The brothel visits I agree, we're dumb. His eagerness to kiss and sleep with Penelope with no thought to her honor felt like we've gone too far with making him Simon, because even Antony had some restraint. I just don't think that him touring the women of Europe was so out of character, and I think season 2 set us up to sort of expect that. I took issue with how lacking in self-confidence Penelope was the entire time. She has one suitor who views it as a match of convenience. She has to beg Collin to kiss her. I would have loved to see Lady Danbury or Madam Deleqiox be more of of an emboldening influence on her, and maybe have some of the Lady Whistle down persona seep into her own. Penelope always loved Collin, that's not surprising. What I'm not seeing is why Collin sees Penelope differently. The whole tutoring her in talking to men was so rushed. She is as shy as ever.

[@awsome182]

Tbf, Penelope asks/begs Colin to kiss her in the book, too. She's had many more seasons past her in the book, is officially called a spinster, has accepted that fate, so she begs Colin for a kiss so she has experienced this at least once in her life. The kiss was pretty much the only plot point they took almost 1:1 from the book 😅

[@Amber86queenbee]

@@awsome182I wish it was the plot point that they had decided to change from the book rather than kept. I personally would have preferred them to keep Colin finding out about LW before proposing and trying to protect Penelope instead or even the role of Lady Danbury. But a way to still keep the kiss as being one Pen asked for could have been through the flirting lessons rather than how it came across as she would never have an opportunity then straight back into trying to find a match the very next day. It felt disingenuous rather than earned as Pen had more confidence to ask in the books as she had truly given up on the marriage mart.

[@awsome182]

@@Amber86queenbee I absolutely would have preferred it for Colin to find out about LW before their engagement. Because that's how it happens in the book, too. The "carriage scene" actually happens right after he found out (btw, he's the first to find out, not Eloise) and I think this entire "she trapped me into this marriage"-plot they invented in the show could have been avoided because it is so strong in the book that Colin KNOWS that she's LW and still asks her to marry him.

[@luer2202]

Agree. And I wanted Pen to stand up for herself so bad, when Eloise was humiliating her over and over again. I wanted her to defend herself, to argue to fight with such good arguments, Eloise would stand still for a while and be ashamed of her acts. But the most powerful woman in the series choose to stay that defensive victim, waiting for the sympathy of others instead of growing into that independent woman she secretly always was.

[@growingandcooking7278]

As a bi person, I don’t just accept all the horrible stereotyping they do of my identity and experience. They completely reduced Benedict’s identity and personality down to sex sex sex this season. It was so damn lazy. Ugh. People are having entire story arcs while he is stuck in a marathon sex session that seems to last for entire days. So lame.

[@shelbyredmond545]

They also sprung him into his first bi relationship through Lady Tilly's deception 🤢 It was all so shallow and icky, especially compared to his blooming curiosity through his friendship with Henry Granville in season one

[@elle-dd2hu]

Exactly if is going to be bi couldn't they show his attraction to men in more than a sexual light. They could have him actually developing a romantic relationship with a man.

[@DaAwesomeSubscriber]

I didn’t see that scene as being a sign that Benedict was into men, since he used the speech to find the courage to pursue the dressmaker.

[@Laqweesha-la_queefa]

I remember there was a hint in season 1, where to he is staring at two men doing it (???) i was like, oh hes going to be Bi on this series back then

[@14funnybunny1]

I always thought he was gay lol I called the theeesome before it happened

[@sarickacampbell2642]

I copied and pasted this interview from season three showrunner (Jess) we could’ve had virgin Collin if it wasn’t for Shanda. We could’ve had our Jamie Fraser of the Bridgerton universe. wasted potential now I have to endure the shitty 💩 characterization. F Boy redemption ark everywhere I go when I’m trying to escape it through fanfiction. (INTERVIEW) 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇 Now I want to know if there was a Shonda note on Penelope and Colin. That creative collaboration is so sacred. I will say Shonda and I debated Colin's virginity. I was pro Colin being a virgin because it tracked with his character. In my mind, him coming back at the start of the season acting like he was this Regency F-boy was surely an act. But Shonda made a really good point, which was that if he is really trying to convince himself, he's doing it [being a womanizer]. I think some of those scenes in the brothel, for example, which I know are very controversial, when Shonda and I were talking about it, these represent him trying to lean into this toxic masculinity and trying to prove to himself that he can be just like his older brothers. As you can see in the second [brothel scene], he can't even convince himself for longer than a week or whatever that this is what he wants. I ultimately really agreed with her. She's a genius at - I mean, she often gives notes that I know are going to be controversial, but they're also going to be the thing that gets people excited about the storyline, and talking about it, and debating it. I'm glad that Shonda pushes me into a space where we're making stronger creative choices. (END INTERVIEW) 😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕 I despise his characterization and I feel it completely unnecessary. They could’ve told the same story without actually making him participate in Rakish exploits. Colin could have gone to Brothels, with his wannabe friends, form a friendship, with a worker pretend to pay for S*X without actually doing it. He could’ve been there on purely research, academic purposes. Writing ✍🏻 in his journals, from fictional point of view. That would’ve made me respect his character. Colin is the only man of the town that knows what it’s like to have a close female relationship. Why would he objectify women just for bragging rights. with a bunch of assholes? Penelope deserves better than to have to stomach the fact that all her first would go to a man that had so little consideration for her. Colin is diseased 🦠to me with all of those unnecessary S*X scenes especially in an era with so many sexually transmitted diseases. In season 1... Anthony say he should have taken Colin to Brothels after he had finished his schooling at Eton-Colin. Colin visibly had a repulsed 🤢 reaction. To such as a suggestion. Not only did the writers, disrespect Colins character, but by extension Penelope’s🦢too. They decided to treat her as a fat wallflower. That should be happy with whatever Ran-through Man she gets because she’s lucky to have any at all. Instead of getting the cute artsy, poetic soul that she was supposed to get. But Francesca🎹 the pretty skinny girl, who has 101 options she is the one that got the sweet sensitive, tentative adoring Man. Penelope wasn't worthy of having a true gentleman, to revere her and treat her like a goddess amongst mortals. One that would have more self-control than to bury himself in every open hole. I cringed when he kissed pen... To find her and her alone, a dream come true. He had to have every flavor of prostitutes in 17 cities to recognize that. I would have preferred discovery, wonderment etc...it seems as it the only qualification for manhood is sexual prowress which we all know is bull. Discovering self and each other sexually would have been beautiful. All his first times should have been hers. All his experiences should have been shared experiences between them. Instead, Penelope got leftovers. And people should just be happy because at least the fat girl got some thing. Penelope is suddenly desirable now that Colin has sowed his wild oats. Which she never would’ve been. If Colin hadn’t tasted every flavor of prostitutes in Europe. 🌏🌏🌏🌏🌏🌏🌏🌏🌏🌏🌏 Colins desire to travel 🧳 is not to Rake across the continent 🌏having sex escapades, to fetishize it into his journal 📔 he travels for beauty for adventure architecture, culture and history because he’s a nerd 🧐 just like Penelope. The fact is, Colin was a different character. He was set up to be a different character. (TVShow Colin) why couldn’t he be the sweet💛Hufflepuff🦡. Foodie 🍰who seek purpose and greater meaning with his life with intimacy?

[@mmtpleasant]

I love this! All the things I wanted! I wanted virgin, nerd, foodie Colin! They didn't need to make him a rake, I also got ick thinking about all the diseases he must have. I agree how they had to make Colin this heartthrob and when he treats Pen poorly she should just take it. As you said the fat girl should b happy with what we give her. This rang true for me! Polin could have been so beautiful! Also love the all his firsts should have been Pen's. ❤❤❤❤ I love that so much!

[@sarickacampbell2642]

⁠@@mmtpleasant 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕 The Demisexual representation that Bridgerton claim to be giving us. Was nonexistent. The previous show runner (Chris) said that Colin was the sensitive one because he was raised amongst his sisters 👯‍♀️ playing dolls 🎀and the age gap between him and his two older brothers. Makes him less likely to be a womanizer like his older brothers. so in season 1 and 2 they were setting Colin up to be a romantic demisexual. Hence why he wouldn’t kiss Marina🐚. The toxic masculinity story that they wanted to tell they’ve already told it twice with Simon and Anthony and with Simon and Anthony. They had all the legwork 🦵from season 2 to tell the story of toxic masculinity through Anthony. That’s how they could’ve shown us his character growth. At the end of season 2 he said that he will humble himself for Kate. To be the man worthy of her. ‘Great’ you have your toxic masculinity story right there. Season 3 we could have seen Anthony imparting, this Wisdom onto his younger brothers Gregory and Colin. Simon and Anthony are best friends for a reason they’re both touched in head, assholes. It’s understandable, why they are the way they are. We know from the books that Anthony is planning on dying young like his father so he’s trying to avoid attachments. The man is a bit tweaked in the head from taking on so much responsibility at the age of 18 and having to deal with his postpartum depressed grieving mother and all of his 7 siblings. At the end of Anthony season. He learned that the man that he was was no man at all. He was a reprehensible thoughtless Cad. Who needed to humble himself to deserve his soulmate. And you’re telling me the lesson Colin learned in this is be a W*** in 17 cities. 🌆 Colin is a trust fund brat, who gets to travel the world on his rich 🤑 inheritance. Making him a Mr. World international Rake. Makes him extremely selfish. Even more than Simon and Anthony. 🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃🌃 This type of characterization does not make any sense for Colins character. 👨🏾👨🏾👨🏾👨🏾👨🏾👨🏾👨🏾👨🏾👨🏾👨🏾👨🏾 The new show-runner decides to redo Simon‘s ark. And just scrap the character that they set up for two seasons. Simon’s ark makes sense for him. It makes sense why he would be so selfish. He is an abused, traumatized man. 👨🏾 Who is touch starved? And affection starved. He’s never really known love devotion safety. Affection & Acceptance. Colin doesn’t struggle from any of that. He grew up in a loving household. He’s always been supported and taken care of. The level of the disrespect of how they destroyed Colins character in comparison to every single other male character. Isn’t unforgivable offense. 1. Anthony at least had the decency to get himself a consistent mistress for years. so he’s not fathering potential bastards to be ignored. As Queen Charlotte has said that’s what happens to them. They are ignored. 2. Benedict doesn’t pay for prostitutes. He sleeps with willing independent empowered women. not systematically oppressed prostitutes. 3. John Sterling is adorable. 4. Lord Debling by comparison, a truly secure man 🧍‍♂️ who stands for his own conviction. 5.Featherington girls husbands are cinnamon rolls The Colin we got. Is undeserving of. The ever faithful ever waiting, Penelope. Loyal to Odysseus wayward wondering 🤔 Man w***ing ass. They had so much potential. The chemistry and story in season 1 and 2 were so cute and refreshing but the writers instead chose to turn it into a typical overused fuckboy redemption story. There are other ways where they could express the 'trying to fit in' storyline but they chose to ruin Colin's character instead. 😤 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ It’s not fake or faking when you actually sell your integrity down the river. Just to be accepted. And become everything you proclaimed that you were not. You are who you choose to be. When your morals can be compromised just for the sake of pointless validation. What would’ve actually given him a leg 🦵 to stand on is if he wasn’t doing everything he suddenly deemed reprehensible. And unworthy of the title of gentlemen If Colin had felt a bone-deep disdain for this ridiculous society that he had been born into. He would’ve held himself to a different standard, hold on to his Morals even if was just privately. (But he didn’t) 👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽👶🏽 You would think after everything That happened with Marina 🐚, a truly compassionate man, sensitive, thoughtful & caring wouldn’t risk putting bastards into the world just for them to be abandoned. And never know their father. Imagine if Colin father a daughter who ends up being some man’s whore. And Toy 🧸. and I’m just supposed to respect and understand that I can’t. Is this what you call a man of HONOR? I saw on Instagram a interview that the actor (Luke) didn’t like the whole brothel scene. He said the characterization came out of nowhere for him. Kinda took him by surprise. 😮 It’s one thing to surprise your audience with a character change, but to completely deform the character to point your wondering, who the hell is this creep? Long story short Colins reasoning for becoming this man is empty and hollow and it makes Colin looks empty and hollow. 😕

[@mmtpleasant]

Beautiful!! Absolutely loved your points! Thank you for sharing. I'm sad to say, I didn't even think of Colin having potential babies. I hated the brothel scenes. I love your point of how Colin wouldn't do this cause he was so close to his sisters. And Pen is his closest friend. He doesn't have a male close friend does he?

[@sarickacampbell2642]

@@mmtpleasant No he doesn’t have any male friends. The only Male company he keeps are his brothers, he’s friendly with his sister’s husband, but he prefers to hang out with his sisters. 👯‍♀️ and Penelope. In the books, he’s really close with Daphne because they’re the closest in age. Colin prefers the company of girls because he’s a sensitive soul. And can’t really relate to the man of the TON. He’s a mama’s boy. He spends the most time with his mother. He’s the most likely to take care of her when she’s elderly. The Colin we loved 🥰is a soft boy who wouldn’t objectify women like the way they showed in the show. What they did to Colin was a complete character assassination. Cressida had no redeeming qualities in the books 📚 she’s a horrible Viper 🐍 who has bullied and body shamed Penelope her entire life. Then they re-wrote her character tried to make her friends with Eloise gave her some kind of redemption arc for no reason at all. Cressida in the books is a narcissist who can’t love. 💕 then they made her victim for what?

[@mmtpleasant]

@sarickacampbell2642 thanks for sharing. I would have LOVED to see that Colin! Character assassination indeed. Like there can only b one type of male leas. So many missed opportunities this season.

[@coral1396]

And Penelope’s long fake nails threw me off so much 😅 (they were prettttty though)

[@fernandaAaAaAaA]

so at first i thought when the showrunners said that this season was different cause we "already knew the leads" i had no idea that it meant that it would basically not explore their connection, i really wanted to like this season, i read the books and loved polin in previous seasons, so i was very excited to see it, but it was so disapointing, it looked like there was something missing in every scene between them

[@BSD24]

They also seemed to forget the high stakes/rules of society in season 3. You don’t create a rule where women can never be alone with a man or they will be ruined and then POOF…Colin and Pen can just run off alone together all the time. Not to mention they completely forgot Eloise at a ball by herself. It was driving me crazy how inconsistent that was, but you literally can’t base your first two seasons on such steadfast rules and then completely forget them in season 3. I also hate the gender swapping from the books. I can’t with the Michael/Micaela switch. Doesn’t work for me. Ruins Fran’s storyline. You can totally tell this season has a completely different show runner…feels like a completely different show. Not a fan.

[@hangoutwithme346]

You can never be CAUGHT alone with a man or you will be ruined. I think thats the legit difference. The rule of society is still there. But no one found out.

[@MK-akes2010]

I really feel like they're gonna make Sophie a man in season 4 and that terrifies me

[@ladyred5468]

With how young the rest of the cast is (the siblings) and growing up on the show it’s gonna be really creepy if they try to push sex scenes once they’re of age.

[@starchannel123]

If they are mid 20s and want to do it, why would you make a problem out of nothing? They can ask for less nudity and it can be like season 2. They can also leave and get replaced but we need to let them make the decision.

[@elizabethsommerer2164]

Since it takes 2 years to put out a season and Gregory and Hyacinth are the last two getting married, it will be 6 years before we get to one of them. The actors are 17/18 now, so they will be mid 20's when it's their turn.

[@kristinedunner988]

​@@elizabethsommerer2164just get rid of this showrunner who seems not to be able do her job well in this (or perhaps any) show.😢

[@Natta44]

Netflix only signed on for 4 seasons... so doubt we get Hyacinth or Gregory. I'm even wondering if they will stick Benedict and Eloise's story together as a longer season?

[@trunkler]

“she constantly looks like an icecream” that was genuinely hilarious. thank you for the laugh.

[@firalove529]

Gosh, this season was just so different than previous seasons. No flashback for the main lead, no epic romantic declaration like "I burn for you" and "You are the bane of my existence and the object of all my desires." Hardly any intimate times for the main couple and too many side plots. Colin's anger was definitely dragged out and he could have at least made up for it with wild angry sex to make it up to her. When I saw Penelope on top of him at the end, I wanted to tell her to get up! Colin should be pleasing you! He doesn't deserve her🤮 And Penelope's character took a huge hit for me. I feel sad for her and have less respect for her overall.

[@firalove529]

My thing is: why did they choose Penelope for this season if they felt she wasn't ready? In the book, her and Colin don't get together until much, much later. Penelope is more matured and actually speaks for herself very well. Which I think is better than this naive and doting Penelope we have here.

[@Madi-hu2pq]

@@firalove529 I agree! I would say Polin is my favorite couple so I was excited for their story, but with the way it turned out...Would have been better to wait. I honestly feel like fans could have come together to write this season and would have done a much better job. It felt so rushed and it did not feel like Colin and Pen. Why not have flashbacks to when they first met, or of Colins travels. So disappointed with how it turned out.

[@AshleyAlvarez-rq9ue]

Did you miss the carriage scene? Their first time? He was ALWAYS pleasing her first. What a stupid take. The biggest problem this season is that they underdeveloped the writing for Colin. He's the sweetest Bridgerton sibling and they didn't give him the male lead treatment he deserves.

[@javierlopez9789]

She is gonna crush him

[@rinidmoron]

​@@firalove529 they are probably going to just have one more season, so they wanted to wrap up the important plots quickly, especially LW. They can't have as many seasons as the books, its bound to get boring, remember what happened with Game of Thrones? they barely have invested any time on Hyacinth and Gregory, so they clearly won't have a separate season, so next season would be Benedict, Eloise and maybe Francesca, which I am least interested in frankly and that's it. Just that I feel S3 would still be remembered as the worst season, as the makers now have a lot of pointers from the criticism it received and might try to make S4 slightly better, making S3 the worst of the lot.

[@migoreng7789]

omg the lack of voice filter took me aback 😳 you'll always be my top alpha male uncle

[@PigeonFace4Life]

I despise what they are doing to Francesca. Her story in the books is the best of all the storylines. Changing Michael to Michaela and changing both Francesca’s personality and her love for John ENTIRELY is going to ruin what the books have built up for her. I won’t spoil it here for anyone interested in reading the books, but if you have read them, I can guarantee you are just as outraged as I am.

[@thecoolLomand]

The new show runner messed it up completly. I wish chris van dusen would come back😢

[@Notmyname979]

she f'ed up this season & fransesca's future one too. Since when the hell do showrunners get to change the story from the original author's? Bullcrap.

[@donserge89]

The chemistry between Penelope and Colin was so OFF

[@nomnomnom298]

This season was rushed. Had they maybe added more depth to Colin and Pen’s relationship by showing the letters back and forth maybe this season would have not sucked as much. The relationship just felt super forced. I think actors did their part but the writing was just awful. Also I thought Frans story was super cute until they changed it towards the end. Unsure who wrote this season but it was lackluster at best.

[@MissCrazygirlie]

Things I liked about this season: 1. Cressida. She was so interesting as a character and I really love to see her backstory. It showed so good why she is the ways she is. 2. Francesca and John's story. I liked their love story. It was not this passionate romance with fire and explosions but soft and comforting. I really lied that this showed that love can be different for everybody. 3. The friendship between Eloise and Cressida. It was really great to see that they learned from each other. I was really sad to see that Eloise dropped Cressida like a hot potato in the end. 4. Nicola Coughlan stole the show for me. She is such a good actress! Things I didn't like: 1. That Lady Danbury didn't have her place to shine. I really missed her sassy comments this season. 2. like you said in your video: there were too many plots at once. Everything felt so rushed. And the storyline about the Mondrichs was really unnecessary. 3. I hated the costumes so much (at least most of them). For Cressida to totally stick out, made sense for me. It looked like she was so desperate to be seen that her sleeves grew bigger and bigger. But most of the other costumes were too much. Every costumes looked like they were going to a ball in the next minute. I really missed the more simpler dresses Daphne wore at home in season 1. The costumes were too much. They were way too colourful, had too many ruffles, sometimes the people looked like they were dressed in candy wrappers. Especially at the ball of the Featherington Sisters. I missed the costumes of Season 1. they were simpler but still so elegant and full of so many beautiful details without all these way too overtop fabrics. And some looked like they were from the 1930, Tilly for example. Still very beautiful costumes but somehow not in the right place for me. 4. As someone who didn't read the books, I would have liked to see so much more about the friendship Colin and Penelope had. They had barely any screentime together and BAM they are getting married. Missed opportunity for me.

[@imjstar]

Totally agree with everything you said, especially the costuming. Just awful and out of place.

[@sharonozvenom]

Cressida was pretty nasty but I can see why she turned out like that when you see what kind of father she had to endure .

[@AJ-ff2os]

I think the writers could have really made us fall in love with Colin and Penelope as a couple but they missed the mark for me. I had a hard time believing Colin when he tells Eloise that he's in love with Penelope. They just didn't invest enough in the main couple, in my opinion.

[@myswagobsession]

Also in the book, the build up and plot around Penelope being revealed as Whistledown was SO much more interesting!! Did they not reference the book at all???

[@Notmyname979]

as if they care about the books. These people like Jess Brownell who change major plotlines capitalize off the popularity of the books while completely injecting them with their own agendas. Clearly they're not here to tell the story in the books, they're here to usurp them. It's legalized copyrighting basically.

[@HRLadybird]

The season gave me the ick too. It was so rushed. Like he loves her bam wedding and baby! I don’t think I will bother with the next season if it happens.

[@imscanon]

S2 planted the seed in Benedict that it was even a possibility. He wasn't attracted to those men though. But when he met Tilly's friend (who is smoking hot), he not only felt an attraction, he considered it because of his earlier encounter making him realize, why not, it's something one actually CAN explore. That all made sense to me as the right time for him to explore that. At the end of S3, they mention the masquerade ball and he says he'll be there with the mask on, indicating he WILL still meet and obsess over Sophie. I am incensed that they've changed Michael to Michaela. None of Francesca's story CAN happen if Michael isn't a man. He has to become the new Earl, angst over fully taking over John's life, including his wife, and ultimately have 2 kids with her. It makes zero sense to have Fran fall for a woman. A new Earl will have to be conjured up to take over the estates and Fran will be homeless since clearly Michaela can't inherit, can't marry her, and can't have kids with her. Fran has only EVER indicated she only wants a husband, children and quiet. None of that happens if they change Michael to Michaela. If they had Eloise have a tryst with Michaela, sure, we'd buy that, then introduce Michael during Francesca's story and carry on, but that's not what they did. They tossed out Fran's story entirely and rewrote a new one, so it's no longer an adaptation at all nor in any way respecting the precedent they already set for Fran in the show. Fran hates loud people. She hates chaotic people. She's moving to northern Scotland to get AWAY from loud people. She wouldn't like Michaela at all. Eloise might, but Fran wouldn't. It makes no sense. I do agree there were too many character stories when the focus should have been on Pen and Colin. Why do we care about the Mondriches? They serve no purpose to the stories to get that much time. Why so much of Cressida's downfall? Why so much time on a love interest for Violet who has drama with Mrs. Danbury he has to resolve? Why did Fran have to meet and marry in Pen's story? She has her own later. Why all the pregnancy stuff with the Featherington girls? I didn't mind Benedict's side story as his character is trying to find himself so he's gotta explore a bit and it wasn't TOO excessive. I did love how Pen's story played out though with her announcing at the ball herself rather than Colin 'handling' it all for her. I preferred that she got to do it herself her way and that she was even able to save her family from the solicitor and let the Queen save face. I loved the last 4 episodes (if you take out all the unnecessary side stories or shortened them). Colin though, just seemed different, odd, this season. Clipped in his speech. The whole cadence was different, even with Pen, and to propose to her with just 'are you going to marry me or not?' was obscene, she deserved better than that. She never even said yes, lol. They also didn't give Polin enough time so it was kinda whiplashy at times and disjointed. Overall though, I loved how it played out in the end. I loved that she'll still get to keep writing too.

[@marystombaugh2282]

for me it was over when Colin blandly apologized for badmouthing her last season and then it was never brought up again. I loved it as a set up for this season and was looking forward to their conflict over but nope. He just says he didn't mean it and then offers to help her and she's fine with it. no explanation, no true consideration for how badly it hurt her.

[@sara1coco]

Pen hurt him back as a revenge, the man owned up to it, tried to make it right what else was he supposed to do?

[@marystombaugh2282]

@@sara1coco idk, an explanation would be nice. it felt out of character.

[@LaMissa1]

Actually Benedict’s story was pretty awful too. He gets in a relationship with this woman who he thinks is exclusively seeing him, only to find out that she has been seeing someone else secretly during their entire relationship. And then, she springs it on him that she’s in a relationship with someone else, but no worries, he could join the two of them. She is never held accountable for lying to him and pretty much cheating on him. She just hides that from him, hoping that he’ll be OK when she finally reveals it to him. It’s like she’s had it in her mind this whole time “my lover is bisexual and could use a man in our relationship. I’m going to seduce this guy who I think is hot and I am attracted to and once I’ve got him in a relationship with me, then I will ask him to join us.” Ew. Creepy. I just don’t like how she’s so dishonest with him and gets away with it. Also, Paul was kind of creepy to me. He knows next to nothing about Benedict, but he’s staring intently at him across the table and making “come and get me“ eyes at him. Obviously Paul doesn’t care anything about Benedict other than the fact he has a penis. I think that Benedict deserves to be with anyone who is honest, values who he is, and is attracted to him.

[@barbarafrings9231]

Glad I'm not the only one who thought Paul creepy...

[@elle-dd2hu]

You have summed up my exact feelings about it. It is just gross if feels like he was almost tricked into become part of that weird dynamic. It reminds me the scenario where a bisexual person starts dating someone and thinks that person is interested in a exclusive relationship with them only to find out later on that person had a partner all along and was only trying to rope that person into having t hreesome.

[@florashinguard7219]

the relationship was casual, not exclusive. & I think Paul could just sense Benedict’s proclivities.

[@liinuli]

I agree with most of your points, but I liked all subplots. The season was just too short. Also I was disappointed that their wedding was not happy. She deserved a happy wedding and a wedding night. We deserved to see that too, but we didn't. Somehow I felt I didn't get the romance I wanted to see because of it.

[@eagleeyecherrypie9947]

Thank you!! I agree with every bit of this. I can’t finish it honestly. Also, I will say that introducing Michael/Michaela so soon and giving Francesca instant feels was also problematic. She shouldn’t be so quick to shift her emotions after all the work she did this season. She should have heart eyes for her new husband and her new husband only. Michael only becomes a thing later.

[@rebeccapettiford5389]

I agree with pretty much everything you said! I fully expect Colin and Penelope to have marital problems because they don’t seem right for one another.

[@babyqueen2030]

I have a confession: I don't believe that Collin and Penelope are married. I know we saw it, but I don't feel it. I don't believe it, it didn't land. I still think of them as good friends who just made out in the carriage. 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@angeljeansen1469]

When it comes to Lady Danbury and her brother I personally thought it should have been a spin-off with a bridgeton mother how she met her husband and now she has a new love interest that would have been interested in the back and forth

[@strawbsbloobs]

yes, I want a spinoff about violet and edward, I had hoped we would see something in the charlotte prequel

[@jamesbickerdyke4933]

But in the books Benedict isn’t gay so why change it to fit “modern audiences” stick to the source material or create something original for yourself.

[@zeybani]

The books are already written for modern audiences in modern times. He'll most likely still have his love story with Sophie. This is just an interesting subplot.

[@quelithe]

13:53 but they DID tell us, why he is different now. He says that to Pen - she didn´t write him letters this time and he felt so "alone" he thought he had to "change" or something. That´s why he was this cringe macho at the start of the season. I disagree with costumes. Yes, it is a fantasy, but still fantasy, that is suppose to sell us the illusion of regency era. Costume change was just too much with all the glitter, synthetic and even heavy modern make up, fake nails and lashes. Just...no.

[@HiHello-mb2vq]

I think the main problem is that they keep telling us but not showing it on screen. Yeah I get why he's supposed to have changed but it doesn't really translate well with Colin's actions throughout the seasons

[@JellyOnAPancakeAyyyy]

Thats why it’s so important to SHOW and NOT TELL

[@takichan87]

I was thinking the same. They did tell us why he felt the need to change. The more I watch these videos about how bad Season 3 was, the more I realize they didn't even watch the season for real... I guess they decided to hate it before it was even out.

[@SabellaSummers]

They should have stuck closer to the books on this one. And there were multiple flashbacks in the books that they could have used.

[@FlameCatPrincess]

Am I the only one that thought that Cressidas rendition of whistledown kinda made sense on the rush weddings made not from love but lust? o3o

[@Natta44]

She was spot on about the Bridgertons.

[@BleedingHeartFlowerCrying]

You do know that Cressida didn't even write that her mother wrote it for her because Cressida couldn't even write anything like the real LW....and Cressida had no right in trying to take credit for Penelope's life work!

[@ginamurray2908]

S3 such a letdown. The book was ruined by lack of Colin & Pen’s story it was almost in the background not the forefront. Benedict is tiresome. Changing Michael to Michaela - just a bad season

[@cindyr4918]

You did such a great job of breaking down why Polin’s relationship journey doesn’t work- thank you! I’ve been saying that Colin’s story this season is totally inconsistent with his character- if the persona didn’t work for him, then it would have made better sense (but women were falling all over him). He also never felt like the male lead this season; he definitely still felt like a child. I liked Penelope and Nicola’s portrayal of her, but she should have made Colin work for it (especially after his comments to his friends). It felt like this season was focused on Penelope, but the show called “Bridgerton” not “Featherington”; the focus is supposed to be on the Bridgerton siblings and how love changes them. Francesca’s story was definitely more interesting!

[@kybunnii]

I cannot and will never forgive the erasure of Michael Sterling... it makes no sense, sorry. As South african myself I'm proud of Masali but...Michaela just will not work.

[@denitsaradeva-petrova6722]

I sadly found Benedict's storyline ennui-inducing, at best. I kept yawning, and really felt that Penelope and Colin's characters and narrative would have benefited from more screen time, the second part especially felt rushed and fragmented, and they are both brilliant actors (also able to convey complex emotions more subtly as not every nuance of a feeling needs to scream in the viewer's face at all times). I hope that S4 will be dedicated to either Francesca or Eloise ❤ but unfortunately, my hunch is that it will be Benedict - again... In which case will happily skip.

[@mmtpleasant]

I agree! Thank you! Flashbacks of Colin would have helped so much!! There is a scene in part 2 where Pen asks Colin what is holding him back from being with her. And he says he doesn't know! Simon and Anthony both knew there reasons. Colin should have known his. Not finished the video yet. You hit so many key points! I love it! It hurt to watch Pen tell Colin she loved him and he still being confused. I also appreciated the consent point u brought up. How can u consent when you don't know what's about to happen.

[@julesazar1093]

11:55 The reason her backstory felt random is because you didn’t watch Queen charlotte, they go into her story as well as Lady Danbury’s. There was much in this season I didn’t like but that part did actually make sense lol.

[@ethereallioness]

I had the same thoughts about Colin, I wished they had done something different, like make him more of a matured romantic since everything that took place with Marina and coming back from his travels and doing all his own writing, it would have made more sense, since he already seems like a romantic in the earlier seasons. I totally agree about Colin and Penelope coming together felt very lustful on Colin's side and not based on true love/romance at all, especially because like you also pointed out they made him another promiscuous male on the show and all of those previous scenes of him having sex makes it seem like that is all he is after. It would have been nice to see Colin fight for Penelope's affections with that other guy (can't remember his name lol), but the way that other character was written as someone not that interested in love, I guess that might not have made a lot of sense. But regardless their story just needed more, more time for things to develop, more exploration of Colin's own inner journey. I felt the second part of the season was still better than the first, which was hard for me to get through. Francesca's storyline is really what mostly got me through the show as I also find the actress doing such a wonderful job in that role and I love how she is written. I also do kind of like that they brought in a love interest for Violet, as the timing of that seems right to me, but doesn't seem executed the best, as you also said nothing really happened between them in this season, it was just really an introduction. I also loved seeing Kate and Antony, they are just beautiful together, and I loved how Kate took on that wise, matured older sibling role who is looking out for the other siblings (although she's only in her late 20s lol).

[@kristinedunner988]

I suspect that this new queer showrunner does not understand what a gentle , respectful, friendly, challenging,sometimes gut wrenching, love between a man and a woman can be. I feel somewhat sorry for,her aggressive, silly showrunning, It did not exist in the first two series. Those were great.

[@missdiorfairy]

Benedict being poly was insane 😭

[@contra3486]

he was since season 1, he hooked up with 2 women

[@gpgp1841]

Why insane? For a "poly" type of storyline it was truly terrible. Not only Benedict is saying he never thought of men before but we had to get a truly cliché "summary" where the woman suddenly needs to be all settled down and the guy is just hooked on sleeping around as if they couldn't be together and have fun with others or at least she couldn't have said "let's be together but sure, explore other relationships as much as you want". Why couldn't it have been something out of the box, for once...?

[@SA-cb2it]

Funny you mentioned twelfth night! I have been thinking that bridgerton may go that route with benedict. Since he is bi, and Sophie has Cinderella scenario, when she escapes , story would be so interesting if she hides as a male servant that benedict employs, before that he has already met Sophie in masquerade ball, and is looking for her but doesn’t know what she looks like, seeing that servant guy that Sophie is hiding as would instil feelings in him and offers the servant to be his ‘secret mister’ which he(Sophie) refuses for obvious reasons. But he has feelings for the male version of Sophie while simultaneously looking for Sophie-the girl he met for that brief time, and obviously he doesn’t know they are the same person.

[@toobarahmankhan4998]

Where the hell were the Duke and the Dutchess? They didn't even attend either of Colin or Franchisca's wedding!! That's extremely strange

[@skyejacques]

Realistically, both actors left the show and are seeking employment elsewhere. It saves on budget costs to not bring in new actors to pay them to play these roles. It's a show. In a world where empires are collapsing and other awful things happening, we have to accept unless we direct or write out own shows, we won't get what we want. Which is why I hated Season 2 and haven't watched Season 3. Netflix show runners ruined The Witcher as well.

[@kasumikat]

I agree, i really miss seeing a flashback for this season. It makes the connection to both of them lacklustered. They had more of a fun banter and connection in the previous seasons

[@Ashmi1111]

I felt pen was adding all the effort in kissing scenes and colinnwas simply responding which should have been other way round. And of course not to mention the assassination of Franesca and Benedict's character, both of them shown simply weak, confused and without any confidence of their own sexuality. All in all, season 2 had been best so far.

[@lovelove-55s]

Shonda never showed us King George being sexual with any other woman but Charlotte, yet he’s dripping w sex appeal. Youre so right, we don’t have to see our male leads being promiscuous to know that their sexual their energy can convey that!!

[@starchannel123]

I’m also sad that they didn’t give us soft, virgin Colin but tbh, this was more realistic. Men aren’t that great in real life.

[@AJ-ff2os]

I mourned virgin Colin, honestly. It would have been nice to see a virgin Pen and Colin have their first time together, exploring one another. The actors would have done a brilliant job at it as well.

[@rinidmoron]

I don't think Colin was a virgin in the books either. There is a line in the book that says ,he has been with women before. Besides, he is 33 in the book when Pen and him get together. Not sure about his age in the show but him not being a virgin didn't bother me much.

[@zoekammies]

And they ruined Fran and Benedicts story! We want Sophie and Michael! Not Michaela