(Contains spoilers) Dearest Gentle reader, it is social season yet again in London. We have a fresh crop of promising debutantes who are trying to catch the Queen’s eye and be declared the diamond of the season, the most beautiful of all ladies who will likely have suitors calling on her every hour…
It would, perhaps, be unfair to review the new season of 'Bridgerton' without addressing one’s readers like Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews), whose scandalous sheets full of hot, juicy gossip are read fondly by many. Except this time, as the new social season begins, none of the fresh crop of debutants including Francesca (who is a Bridgerton) particularly impresses the Queen. The season opens on a rather somber note much to the dismay of the mothers who are sponsoring their daughters—there is no diamond worthy of the Queen's nod of approval this time, it seems.
Lady Featherington (Polly Walker) grows more flustered with each second. She forces her two daughters, both married to husbands without titles, to bear a male heir who would receive the fortune left in Featherington’s name by their wealthy cousin, Jack. Meanwhile, Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) is heartbroken—she lost a friend in Eloise (Claudia Jessie) last season when she discovered Penelope is Lady Whistledown. Meanwhile, Eloise finds an unlikely friend and confidante in Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen), the quintessential mean girl who sabotages the prospects of her peers, especially Penelope which angers Eloise.
Much to Penelope’s surprise, Colin (Luke Newton) returns from his travels. Colin arranges charming sessions for Penelope where he teaches her tricks to impress a suitor. This arrangement becomes complicated because Penelope still has feelings for Colin. Meanwhile, Francesca (Hannah Dodd) finds herself growing attracted to Lord Kilmartin (Victor Alli), much to the dismay of Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gammell) who wants her to accept Lord Shamadi’s proposal.
To put it rather simply, the third season of Bridgerton is all about Penelope—it is her time to shine and embark on a journey of self-exploration where she learns about the world and how it views plus-size individuals. Do wallflowers bloom? Do non-diamonds shine? This is Penelope’s third season in the marriage market without any prospects or potential suitors. The much-dreaded tag of a ‘spinster’ is looming on her.
In a telling scene from the first episode, Penelope confronts Colin—she says that while men like him miss her, they don’t find her desirable. Penelope, much like Eloise, is an outcast. She feels alienated from those around her for all they care about are marriage, money and appearances. She reciprocates the feeling of disdain the world feels for her but unlike Eloise, she isn’t as confident to stick to her convictions.
In a telling scene, Penelope’s sister comments that she might just end up like their Aunt Petunia, “a tiresome spinster who always had her nose in the book”. Penelope defends her aunt, saying “she wasn’t tiresome, she just didn’t care about any of you”. Navigating the world which is hell bent on assessing one’s value based on their physical appearance alone is difficult, more so as a plus-size individual where one is made the laughing stock because of their bodies.
Penelope lets go of the Citrus colour in her wardrobe, and dons sour colours in an attempt to impress Colin. “Once one finds oneself on the wall, it is tough to come off it,” Francesca tells Penelope. Penelope is a socially awkward, clumsy, under-confident eccentric individual trying her best to win over the neurotypical world, which is an uphill battle indeed.
One can’t help but feel for Penelope through the show—yes, the gaze is often sympathetic but effective nonetheless in portraying how difficult it is to navigate romantic relationships as someone who isn’t conventionally good-looking. The story arc where a young girl, once considered conventionally unattractive, learns to value herself and finds a man who respects her is cliched. It isn’t new and done-to-death.
Strictly from that point-of-view, Bridgerton season 3 offers nothing new. But this critic didn’t particularly mind a re-exploration of this theme for it was done to stirring effect. Colin finally gets on his knees and proposes marriage to Penelope. This comes shortly after the two make out passionately in the carriage as Archer Marsh’s Give Me Everything Tonight (Stripped down version) plays.
A breezy, predictable watch, Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 will make you want to root for the wallflower. Part 1 has a cliffhanger ending—we don't know if Penelope will accept Colin’s proposal. Regardless of what she chooses, our wallflower has indeed transformed. “Diamonds are not the only gems that sparkle” and this critic cannot wait till June 13 for Part 2 when, we will (hopefully) see Penelope transform into the best version of herself—not a diamond, but a fem that sparkles nonetheless.
Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 is streaming now on Netflix.
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