‘Bridgerton’ Season 3, Part 1 Review – Wallflowers Take Center Stage

Dearest Gentle Reader (had to do it just this once),

Now that you’ve had a few days to relish the deliciousness of part one of Bridgerton’s latest season let’s talk about it. Last Thursday, the first four episodes of the third season of Bridgerton premiered with the primary focus on the author of Lady Whistledown herself, Penelope Featherington, and her friend whom she secretly loves, Colin Bridgerton. However, it also features subplots from other Bridgertons (namely Francesca and Eloise) and the Featheringtons, along with a deeper look into a family we’ve seen since season one but up until this season hadn’t received much information about – the Mondrichs.

Bridgerton is known for providing swoon-worthy love and steamy romantic encounters with this season being no different. Between the introduction of Francesca Bridgerton into society and the Featherington matriarch trying to ensure the existence of a male heir, Penelope suddenly finds herself fed up with the status quo and decides that despite this being her third season in society, she’s going to get a husband – only similar to Anthony’s story in season 2, she’s looking at marriage through the eyes of sensibility not love, deciding she’ll take nearly any male as long as he’s kind.

To achieve this goal, she does the unthinkable – ditching the ugly yellow flowery clothes for beautiful hues of green to complement her fair skin and red hair (which to some viewers gave a striking resemblance to the comic character Poison Ivy). After revealing herself to be rather awkward when there’s not a pen in her hand and a pseudonym to hide behind, Penelope also agrees to receive help from Colin (hello friends-to-lovers trope) who upon returning from traveling, has now found himself to be the heartthrob of the season with newfound charisma and adoring ladies to match. The two begin a journey of attempting to secure the last single Featherington a husband worthy of her time – all the while Colin’s feelings change from friendship to love.

Overall, the story is engaging and leaves fans with a good reason to anxiously wait for the second half of the season’s release in June. The pacing feels more fast-paced like a rush to the finish line compared to prior seasons of Bridgerton or its prequel Queen Charlotte which were all a slower pace when it came to showcasing the main love story and having both parties declare full interest. Colin wastes zero time going from the friend across the street to the man who intends to be betrothed to Penelope.

Likewise, as Penelope steps out of her shell, so does Francesca as she finds a man who can meet her at her level. Actress Hannah Dobb – who stepped into the role of Francesca Bridgerton beginning this season – does a great job of showcasing a reticent character who worries love in her life can’t possibly measure to that of her parents or older siblings while still maintaining an openness to carving out her love story in a different way; something she shares in common with her sister Eloise who has always been outspoken about being different.

The same can be said for the Featherington and the Mondrichs, both of which must learn new roles as the Mondrichs earn a place in the Ton and the Featheringtons fight to keep theirs. Still, through it all, audiences are rooting for each character and their storyline. The set design, costumes, and soundtrack are as good as ever (just ask any #Polin fan how many times they’ve listened to Pitbull’s instrumental version of “Give Me Everything”). Also worth noting is the amount of inclusivity that has increased this year with background actors of different races and disabilities – most with limited speaking roles, a nice change to come to the Ton as Bridgerton continues to offer diverse casting and escapism.

The prominent theme this season appears to be stepping out of the shadows and being yourself regardless of being in a society where you must compete for a suitor’s attention while preserving your reputation. It feels a bit different from the other seasons in that this one seems targeted more toward the socially anxious and the outsiders, but it does a fantastic job of driving home the point that despite how shy, awkward, or unusual a person may feel, even a wallflower can bloom.

The first half of season three of Bridgerton is currently streaming on Netflix. The second half will debut on June 13, 2024.