All You Need To Know Before Part Two Of Bridgerton Season Three

The glittering chandeliers, flowing dresses, and all-consuming love of time-period romances have always captivated audiences. Shonda Rhimes’ Netflix show Bridgerton is no different.

Premiering in 2020, Bridgerton adapts Julia Quinn’s novels. Each season focuses on a different member of the Bridgerton family as they navigate true love and high society.

The first season revolved around eldest daughter Daphne Bridgerton’s fiery romance, and the second highlighted eldest son Anthony Bridgerton’s tumultuous journey to love. 

Season three showcases long-time friends Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington as they fall deeply and madly in love. 

In the background of Colin and Penelope’s story, Francesca Bridgerton also begins to fall in love with the quiet, kind Lord John Kilmartin, and background characters such as Cressida Cowper come to the forefront.

Unlike previous seasons, the release was split into two: the first half released on May 16, and the second following on June 13. 

Two things about Penelope worth noting are that she’s always longed to be a part of the Bridgerton family and that she is Lady Whistledown, the notorious anonymous source of high-society gossip. 

Part one of this season sees the simmering tension between Colin and Penelope begin to bubble into something more than lingering gazes. 

Colin returns from his travels, becoming a stoic playboy rather than his boyish self. The change doesn’t go unnoticed, nor do the changes in Penelope as she steps out of the shadows. 

As Colin and Penelope collaborate to help Penelope gain her confidence and find a husband, hidden feelings begin to bubble up between them. 

Initially, both characters seem hard to root for, but they quickly grow on audiences and become two parts of a compelling romance. The multi-layered Penelope captivates as she juggles her secret, self-identity, family, and romance, and appearing as a typical playboy, Colin hides a deeper personality underneath. 

It’s a disservice to their characters that their love story feels rushed, leaving fans yearning for more. Especially because in a season that is supposed to highlight their story, the focus seems to be on everyone but them.

With part two on the horizon, there’s hope that the rushed nature of Colin and Penelope’s love story will be proven wrong. 

Trailers suggest that part two will delve deeper into the main couple as they marry, revealing Lady Whistledown’s identity and Francesca Bridgerton and Lord Kilmartin’s blooming relationship.

Despite this glimmer of hope, part one faces criticism regarding the visuals and atmosphere. 

The once seamlessly immersive Regency aesthetic seems dulled by modern language and costuming, which lacks its former flare.

Fans have attributed these differences to new showrunner Jess Brownell’s vision, but the classic Bridgerton charm has dulled regardless of intentionality.

However, in a world of ghosting and nonchalance, Bridgerton is a romantic escape from the real world, even if the show’s shine has dulled.