Bridgerton Season 3 Part 2
Premise
I have just returned from a party and as I sit penning this down, it makes me wonder if we truly have come a long way from the societal obligations of the Regency era. Well, so long as some of us take to the dance floor while the others choose to sip on their lemonades quietly in the corner, we have not left the historical period far behind. Shondaland’s Bridgerton is back with Part II of Season 3, after making us wait far too long to find out what finally becomes of these wallflower personalities who observe everyone from a distance. I must say they are my favourite lot this season, observant and mysterious. We see a lot of ups and downs in Polin’s relationship which calls for unending drama. Sadly, Lord Debling who was my favourite in Part I, is nowhere to be seen in Part II. Kate and Anthony are back by popular demand, and they come bearing news. We see more of the Bridgerton siblings, especially Benedict, Eloise, and Francesca. There are not only opulent balls to attend but also intimate weddings to cherish. Violet feels more courageous in expressing her affections towards Lord Anderson, though we can fear a backlash from their respective families. Cressida plays an even more important role as she starts a quest. The plot hints at possibility of shooting parts of the next season in India and Scotland. This time, the focus is on how life can change after marriage and whether we really need to choose between being life partners and being ourselves.
Episode 5
Part II opens to a rare evening shot of the Ranger’s House in London, which is used as the outdoor view of the Bridgerton House. As suggested towards the end of Part I, Polin enter to share the happy news of their engagement with everyone. Penelope has visited the Bridgerton house umpteen number of times earlier, but the perspective of the same house now changes for her as a different set of emotions run in her heart. Nicola Coughlan has aptly portrayed the first nervous walk together, before making the announcement. As expected, Hyacinth gives the best expressions on hearing the news. Being a wallflower all along, Penelope’s dreams are finally coming true, and this takes her by surprise. She starts doubting herself and Colin’s love towards her. There are more promenades and parasols. Kate prepares for throwing a Betrothal party. The colour Yellow has made an entry to the Bridgerton house. Bring some snacks while you get ready to watch this episode as there are talks of Cinnamon Biscuits and Fruit Jellies which can make you binge eat while you binge watch. Gregory and Hyacinth make their acquaintance with Lord Kent. The episode ends on a Cinderella note for Penelope, building suspense as the clock strikes midnight. Colin shares the story of how he met her for the first time, and it is the clumsiest but sweetest love story ever! Cressida is appalled at the generation gap with her arranged match, but difficult times call for difficult measures. Eloise feels sad about losing her loved ones to Marriage. Someone claims to be Lady Whistledown!
Episode 6
Church bells are ringing for the upcoming wedding in the ‘ton. There are macaroons and scones that can make you drool. Francesca is upset with Violet who has her doubts whether her daughter is making the right choice by intending to marry Lord Kilmartin, as the two of them do not seem to be passionately in love with each other. Portia Featherington has glimmers of pride in her eyes for her daughter who has finally been able to secure a good match by herself. She even starts approving of the change in the colour palette of Penelope’s wardrobe. Both the mother and the daughter plan for a grand wedding breakfast with a five-tiered wedding cake. While Portia plans to host the best wedding in Mayfair, someone else plans to throw the best ball Mayfair has ever seen where we learn that a surprise element can go a long way in making one’s first impressions in society. Lady Danbury continues to sneer at her brother and does the opposite of what she is best known for – bringing star-crossed lovers together. She finally reveals why she is triggered by her brother’s presence. Penelope is compelled to make a choice between her present Whistledown life and her future Bridgerton life. She keeps going back and forth between her social identity and her actual identity. Lady Whistledown is caught by someone unexpected just when she realizes that writing is power, and that she could use this power for a greater cause.
Episode 7
This episode has some of the best lines of the season such as the words of Lady Cowper, “In this world, it is every person for themselves,” or Madame Delacroix urging, “There is no such thing as true love without first embracing your true self.” There is an impersonator in the ‘ton. After surviving the chaos that ensues, Lady Whistledown gives out the biggest clue that could possibly lead to her reveal. There are more confrontations between Colin and Penelope, but these scenes lack the passion from the earlier episodes. Colin starts wondering what his roles and responsibilities towards Penelope would be. He begins to question his worth as Pen’s husband if he does not even have to protect her and if she is already better than what he aspired to become. Anthony and Kate offer marriage advice to Colin. Lord Anderson and Lady Danbury try to sort it out between themselves. The queen’s hunt for the real Lady Whistledown continues. “Yellow (Coldplay) by Vitamin String Quartet” and “You belong with me (Taylor Swift) by Duomo” plays during important moments. Penelope and Colin plan to flee and dance like no one is watching. Anthony plans to make a trip to India with Kate. Cressida finds a new lead in her quest and comes up with a plan to save herself.
Episode 8
In the last episode, it is finally time for the Featherington sisters to host a ball to continue to remain relevant in society. As the realities of the world dawn upon the Featheringtons, they realize that funds are essential for survival. The scene changes from promenades in the park to a tea shop that also serves ice cream. It makes me wonder if ice cream was a favourite among the people in those times. This was probably an attempt to portray the indoors of Gunter’s Tea Shop in Mayfair. Is it sheer coincidence that Gunther also served coffee in Friends? There is an intimate gathering where Francesca and Violet play a mother-daughter duet on the piano together. Colin, who is known for always having a way with words, makes a speech. The viewers can see a clash between two forms of loneliness on screen, one that is a choice backed by privilege, and another which is due to lack of choice in desperate times. Penelope finally takes a firm decision but a risky one. With the new confidence instilled in her, she dares to make a public speech. Colin realizes that his ego had blinded him from seeing how wonderfully gifted Pen always was and begins to feel proud of her. The queen takes Lady Danbury’s advice on how to proceed if the mystery of Lady Whistledown is unravelled. Lord Kilmartin tries his best to be more forthright for Francesca and it is cute how encouraging she remains throughout. Michaela Stirling, the Kilmartin cousin, intimidates Francesca and she starts mumbling when asked to introduce herself. Eloise has made her plans to travel and see a bit more of the world. There is going to be a Masquerade Ball in the next season and Benedict plans to attend it half-heartedly, looking forward to his sister’s return.
Conclusion
What Nicola Coughlan has done for “women with full figures” to feel desirable about themselves will go down in history. Fans had predicted that Part II releasing in the Pride Month will bring some changes in the storyline, and they are right, though the story does not unfold exactly in the same way as it was speculated. If there can be redemption for Cressida Cowper’s character, there is a chance for Prudence Dankworth too and this is fairly portrayed by Bessie Carter. While the makers are taking creative liberties, could they have done something about the female character names changing every single time they get married on screen? A lot was cramped into 4 episodes which even led to some scenes between the lead pair feeling rushed and lacking in passion while the potential has always been there. The season ends on a bittersweet note for Lady Whistledown whose voice over is done by Julie Andrews from The Princess Diaries. There are a couple of tear-jerking moments. Overall, the part did not feel worth the wait though it was supposed to be a huge turning point in the entire series.
