- "Bridgerton" season three focuses on Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington's love story.
- Most of us thought their romance started off too slow but we were in by the end of part one.
"Bridgerton" is finally back.
The third season of Netflix's smash hit historical drama returned on Thursday with more dazzling setpieces, sumptuous costuming, and longing glances (and, inexplicably, an instrumental cover of a Pitbull song).
Three members of Business Insider's entertainment team — senior editor Caralynn Matassa, and reporters Palmer Haasch and Ayomikun Adekaiyero — got together to break down what we thought about the new season.
Let's dive in.
Warning: Spoilers for the first four episodes of "Bridgerton" season 3 and the book "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton" ahead.
Penelope and Colin start off slow, but whew! That carriage scene
Caralynn: Colin gets back from his adventures (aka, boinking) abroad and he's a Changed Man. Honestly, New Colin was kind of irritating me initially. The whole ladies' man schtick was borderline obnoxious.
Ayomikun: I feel like they tried so hard to make Colin seem like this cool, hot, popular guy out of nowhere, but Luke Newton doesn't really have the charm or charisma to carry it. Sorry, Luke.
Caralynn: To be fair, I think it's also tough when you're following up a season led by charm master Jonathan Bailey, who could have chemistry with a lamp post.
Ayomikun: Colin's threesome scene is probably the most unsexy "Bridgerton" sex scene ever. There's no passion in it. Colin is great at being serene and kind and in love but not really passionate.
Palmer: I don't love the threesome, but I do feel like part of the point is that he is somewhat disinterested — I feel like it's meant to highlight that he is, at heart, still a Capital R Romantic (as opposed to "Capital R Rake") — but I don't think it's executed particularly well. That being said, I do find the entire romance mentorship a bit funny and also rather condescending.
Ayomikun: Moving the Lady Whistledown scenes to season two left so much of a gap to fill at the beginning of this season and it's clear they were struggling. Penelope just felt so held back. She and Colin only truly worked well when they were alone. That scene when she reads his diary and the big carriage scene — that's where their chemistry is shown. The rest just felt so tame.
Palmer: I'm not necessarily opposed to some of the Whistledown storyline being moved forward compared to the books, as I do feel like it opened up a really interesting dynamic between Eloise and Penelope (and in turn, Eloise and Cressida) that I rather like this season.
But I do think that Colin and Penelope have a bit of a slower burn anyways, mostly because Colin is a particularly obtuse male lead, and that's kind of the point. That being said, removing part of that reveal from Penelope's storyline this season — and bringing viewers into the Whistledown fold much earlier — meant that the show had to fill out a sense of urgency with other storylines like Lord Debling as a romantic rival.
Ayomikun: I'm not opposed to it either, but I feel like they haven't made use of that gap well. The Lord Debling situation is the third time "Bridgerton" has used a love triangle to add urgency to the main couple, and it's getting boring. Plus even with having a slow burn, it was frustrating that there wasn't really much of a shift from Colin until they kiss — and then almost immediately he is obsessed with Penelope.
Caralynn: Speaking of Lord Debling, I liked him but his whole outcast thing was so goofy. "I don't eat meat, and therefore am shunned by society." It was a really thin way to connect him and Pen and give them a commonality that would make him seem like at least sort of a suitable match for her.
Palmer: Yes, and particularly hollow when we see through Cressida that he is a desirable prospect!
Ayomikun: It also wasn't really clear what Lord Debling's personality actually even is, apart from being the weird animal guy. Like he wants honesty but also keeps listening and speaking to Cressida who is clearly lying to him to win his heart. He just didn't feel very fully-fleshed out.
Palmer: Part of me thinks we were somewhat spoiled by the delightful enemies-to-lovers in season two and are expecting that kind of buildup — but because we already knew that Penelope has been in love with Colin for years, it's hard to wait for Colin to catch up.
That being said, Polin does make me feel insane in a good way — the garden kiss and the carriage scene are both well-executed, and I think they do speak to Luke and Nicola's chemistry. Have I always had a soft spot for Penelope and Nicola's performance? I mean, yes, but her delivery of "I'd very much like to be more than friends" is incredible. However, the crime of doing this to a string Pitbull cover is something that I will not soon forget.
Caralynn: Despite the kind of lame start to Polin's story this season, I was very into the carriage scene. But oh my god, yes, the Pitbull cover! A travesty.
Palmer: The music is very effective, don't get me wrong. But it completely took me out of the sequence, and that is a very steamy makeout (and more).
Ayomikun: I'm hoping part two redeems Colin and Penelope, because they've had the weakest arc of the show so far. But of course, this is the only time we stopped partway through the romance, since "Bridgerton" hasn't split seasons before.
That being said, that carriage scene is one of the season's best parts (if you ignore the distracting song choice). And I love that they recreated it almost bar for bar! It was the most important book scene to get in and they did it justice.
Palmer: I do think the placement of the carriage scene is interesting though — in the book, it takes place after Colin learns that Penelope is Whistledown. So we still have a big reveal pending in part two, and he's already proposed to her.
The Other Bridgertons provide fodder for many subplots, and most of them are pretty enjoyable
Palmer: I do think part of what makes "Bridgerton" work is moving on from the prior seasons' romantic leads to focus on the new storylines. It'd be way too easy to get too bogged down in someone else's story.
Ayomikun: I actually feel differently. Netflix is missing an opportunity here by not making it more of an ensemble. Take Kanthony — they're easily the most popular couple since the show began. But they're so underutilized in season three, to the point that they don't even speak or act like how they have in previous seasons.
I get that they're in love and the writers don't want to add more tension when Polin is center stage, but Kanthony has always been competitive with each other, even amicably. To not even see that part of the dynamic made me feel like there wasn't any effort put in continuing their story organically after season two. I'm not even an Anthony fan and I wanted so much more for him in this season.
Palmer: I do like that the first episode of this season basically directly addressed criticisms that Kate and Anthony didn't have enough sex last season.
Caralynn: It does seem like they're pretty much just having sex this season and that's it.
Ayomikun: They really said: You wanted sex. Here you go!
Palmer: I would absolutely watch a Kanthony spin-off (Netflix take notes!!!), but I do feel fine about what we see from them. I like that we get a bit of insight into their married relationship, and the fact that they're prioritizing each other even amid the looming demand for an heir, but I think we have enough going on this season. And I think this is pretty true to form for "Bridgerton" and the structure of the show.
Ayomikun: I agree there can be a risk of overshadowing the next story, but it's interesting to see how characters fare after their "happy ever after" and how they take on new challenges. If we're sacrificing Kanthony, at least give the audience something more compelling so we forget them. If I'm thinking that I'm missing Kanthony or Daphne and Simon, clearly someone's done something wrong somewhere with the main plot.
Since the show is so interested in adding multiple subplots, I'd prefer one that is leading somewhere. Not just more Benedict whoring around with another woman the show will forget by next season (and I love Benedict).
Caralynn: Benedict's subplot with Lady Tilley does seem totally unnecessary. It also feels kind of mean to me to give him a nothingburger romance, especially when they skipped his book in favor of Polin's.
Palmer: I will always support Benedict whoring around, to be honest. That queer sex party in season one is still one of the more interesting things we've seen on this show.
Caralynn: I remember that scene! It made me think the show was going to be a lot gayer than it was. Sad.
Palmer: I'm not ruling out a gay Bridgerton just yet! But I'd love to talk a bit about Eloise and Francesca this season too, who I do think get a lot of love.
Ayomikun: Eloise and Francesca were perfect! The show reserves the best writing for them (and Cressida) this season.
Caralynn: I was surprised how invested I was in Francesca's storyline! I was genuinely really interested in finding out which one of these random dudes would be her husband. The moment when she and John sit in silence in the Bridgerton drawing room is one of the season's funniest moments.
Palmer: As a musician, someone spontaneously rearranging a piece of music for you also speaks deeply to my heart. I think she and Lord Kilmartin are so wonderfully matched in their idiosyncrasies, and it's very compelling. And ultimately, I think Hannah Dodd does a spectacular job stepping into this role.
Ayomikun: Hannah Dodd is doing something special. Francesca went from this barely-there Bridgerton to one of my favorites. Having her arc as someone who just wants a quiet normal life in contrast with her two older sisters Eloise (who is looking for a partner who can match her intelligence) and Daphne (who is looking for a special kind of love) is wholesome and compelling to watch in this series filled with magical, unrealistic romances.
Fran represents the people who don't get a beautiful, passionate love story, but still find a great partner in other ways. And though Hannah is taking on the role from someone else, you wouldn't notice it with the way she seamlessly plays the character.
Caralynn: Francesca was definitely the MVP in part one. Hannah Dodd was excellent and fit seamlessly in with everyone. I particularly loved Francesca's dynamic with Violet, who was humorously baffled one of her daughters didn't particularly care about making a love match.
Claudia Jessie was great as always, and I'm very here for her and Cressida's friendship. I've mentioned this before but I do feel like they'd be squandering a great queer love story if they didn't go there with Eloise and Cressida.
Ayomikun: I can see a queer relationship between Cressida and Eloise happening. However, with how they are writing Cressida right now, I'm worried it will be another story that ends in pain. Like free Cressida from her family first and then we should be fine!
Season 3 should've built on 'Queen Charlotte' more
Palmer: I could write like 10,000 words on how Lady Danbury is the lifeblood of this show.
Ayomikun: I wish there was more done with Violet, Lady Danbury and Queen Charlotte this season. The queen's story so far is just a repeat of season two, which feels like a disservice to Golda Rosheuvel after watching her absolutely kill it in the spinoff.
I wish they'd kept Lady Danbury's friendship with Penelope from the books because it showed a lot of insight into the character and felt more realistic than Lady Danbury just trying to force Francesca to be the next diamond randomly.
Palmer: I agree with you here! I do think that we should be building on the depth of "Queen Charlotte" with reference to those relationships specifically. Lady Danbury, Queen Charlotte, and Violet are some of the most compelling characters in this show, period, and I think we can always do more with them.
Caralynn: As someone who didn't watch "Queen Charlotte," I feel like I'm missing out on a lot with these three. Lady Danbury being all up in Francesca's business just felt forced and strange to me.
Palmer: That actually felt pretty par for the course for me! She loves to meddle and has the authority to do it.
And as for Violet, I do love that the entire structure of this show means that we always have Violet as a through line. I think it's wonderful that we get to see her do some flirting of her own this season.
Ayomikun: I do love that they've followed up on the seeds planted in the "Queen Charlotte" spinoff to give Violet a second chance at love. Wish we had more of it in part one but excited where this goes in part two.
Caralynn: I'm slightly suspicious of Lord Marcus (and want to know why he and his sister Lady Danbury haven't been on the best terms) but hopefully he doesn't do anything nefarious.
Ayomikun: The Featherington subplot was interesting. Parts of it I love, like Lady Featherington being frustrated by her daughters, and the added risk of them losing the house again. But I feel like they spent a bit too much time on the sisters.
Caralynn: They played out that "These stupid girls don't know how sex works!!" thing just a bit too long for my liking.
Ayomikun: Agreed.
Palmer: I've tired quite a bit of that schtick too, though I recognize where it's coming from.
Ayomikun: We needed the baby rush to give impetus to Penelope needing to find a husband. Everything else... we could have used it for other storylines.
Caralynn: I did love to see Penelope standing up to her mom when it came to Lord Debling. Did I see a glimmer of actual sympathy in Lady Featherington? Maybe.
Ayomikun: Polly Walker will always be perfect casting for Lady Featherington. She plays a perfect mixture of conniving matriarch and loving mother.
Palmer: I tend to feel a little exhausted by the Featherington antics each season, but I think the payoff of seeing Penelope secure the objectively highest-profile match out of all of her sisters is going to be amazing.
Ayomikun: Speaking of other families, I'm kind of scared to bring this up but... the Mondriches?
Palmer: I feel like we all have relatively different opinions on this! I didn't hate their storyline.
Caralynn: I thought it was so boring. They spent way too much time on it!
Ayomikun: I do love them as characters, but I feel like the showrunners got themselves in a muddle of creating this new family and now has to keep bringing them into every season. The rags to riches to nobility class storyline is interesting, but it's also happening too quickly with not really any payoff.
Palmer: I actually think it's a nice contrast to the Featherington plight, which is essentially that titles can be so fickle and get passed on quickly. While they're under threat of their title being taken away, we also get to see the Mondrich family experience this massive boom. And I think it's an interesting foil to Colin as well — while Will Mondrich is getting urged to give up his passion and business to join the idle class, Colin is grappling for some kind of purpose in his life.
But I think Will Mondrich has also suffered from Simon's absence, and Regé-Jean Page's departure.
Ayomikun: I didn't really think of it that way. But if their presence is only for the development of other characters, does that make their inclusion better or worse? Considering they're one of the only Black families of the Ton, I just feel like they're not given enough development to make them interesting characters that you want to know more about.
Palmer: I do think that's a good point, especially post-"Queen Charlotte" — we haven't had as much of a focus on any of the Black families within the Ton, when that was such a huge part of that show.
Ayomikun: Plus on the Simon point, it's weird that their only interactions are with the Bridgertons and not Lady Danbury or Queen Charlotte (not that she would interact). The spinoff highlighted the importance of Black nobles working together, and yet now in the main show there's this new Black noble family and only one minor Black character interacts with them
It seems like the "Bridgerton" writers have felt the need to include the Mondriches but have not asked enough questions about what they can bring as characters to this story. I would love to see more scenes with their actual family. We don't see enough of their internal life (compared to every other family) and it just feels like their entire character is their struggle and the fact that Alice and Will love each other very much.
Palmer: Definitely true! And I think that speaks to the way that "Bridgerton" has generally handled race, which is that it generally — with the exception of "Queen Charlotte" — hasn't too much. The Sharmas were an exception, but doesn't really get into the details of Britain's colonial relationship with India.
Caralynn: I think the issue for me is that the Mondriches simply don't feel like developed characters and they're just placeholders to make A Point. It doesn't ring genuine to me at all.
Palmer: I'd love to see more of them, especially since they've been a part of the show since its first season. And in particular, more about how this change has affected their family, though we won't see any of their children debuting in society any time soon.
Cressida's story is one of the best parts of the season so far
Ayomikun: The redemption arc for Cressida is the best decision "Bridgerton" has made this season and one of the best book changes, period.
Caralynn: I haven't read the books, but they did make her far more interesting than I expected based on past seasons. The bits with her parents were so sad.
Palmer: Cressida could very easily have become a one-note villain, and I appreciate that she isn't. The friendship between her and Eloise is so unlikely, but really delightful.
Ayomikun: Cressida and Francesca were such surprises because I never thought I would be interested in their stories and now I'm aching to see what happens with either.
In the book, she is such a one-note villain. The popular mean girl who attacks anyone who's different or in her way. But the show gives her so much more depth, and we really see how her attacks are mostly from a place of insecurity. She feels rejected and lashes out (and while not entirely justifiable, it makes her a much more intriguing character).
Palmer: I do wonder how part two will play out vis-à-vis the book, because — spoilers! — in the book, she attempts to take credit for Lady Whistledown and then attempts to expose Penelope after learning that it's her. And that already feels out of line for the changed Cressida that we've seen in part one.
Ayomikun: I kinda hope they cut that part or find another way to do it. I feel like I can see it happening because of the rivalry over Lord Debling. If Debling rejects Cressida in part two, she might seek revenge against Penelope since that was her last chance.
The bigger question is where Eloise will stand in such a confrontation. She sees the humanity in both of them so she'll probably have a hard time picking a side.
Caralynn: My worry is that they're going to waste all this Cressida development just to have her out Penelope, all so that Eloise and Penelope will reunite.
Palmer: I do really look forward to how Penelope, Cressida, and Eloise will all find resolution in part two — and how they're going to handle the potential wider Whistledown reveal.
"Bridgerton" season three, part two premieres June 16 on Netflix.