irlcaosdemon

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I hate them so much

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omg. it just dawned on me that after seeing some clips stand alone that during the scene where jealous was playing in the background, colin looked, at some level, confused/uncomfortable when he watched penelope talk to someone else and it was not until the end of the episode when they kissed, he realized “oh, i love her, this is why i felt this way.”

yes?? no?? yes?? maybe?? yes. don’t try to deny me my delulu.

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These part 2 leaks are still so unclear and they have me so anxious of the LW reveal that I’m definitely gonna end up skipping to the end of ep 6 or whenever immediately cause I simply must know before I can enjoy ep 5 I just can’t take this 😩

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So you’re telling me that Penelope has survived literals YEARS watching the person she was in love with flirt with other people, but Colin barely lasted a WEEK tops before he was reduced to this

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the face of a man who definitely just saw the love of his life get into a hack

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Longing stares S1 vs S3

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WARNING, LONG POST

Hello, welcome to the Bridgerton Season 3 trailer over-analysis corner. I am bingiessm--a film student that needs an outlet right now and wants to practice some film analysis--and am here to bring forth the FIRE/FLAME/CANDLE motif that was all over this trailer and I feel will be a HUGE theme throughout this season for Penelope and Colin (Polin).

So within the Polin context, let's look at each shot where a flame of a candle or lack thereof could represent their romantic interest in one another--and in particular the understanding/recognition of it.

This show is going all out putting candles EVERYWHERE--yes it was actual lighting in regency era, but you don't have to have it in the shot. That is a CHOICE. Also a choice to have it lit or not.

Also, "I burn for you" anyone?

FIRST SHOT: somewhat obvious but considering the context of both the mirror as well as other future shots within this trailer, this flame represents the feelings Penelope has for Colin, that she is well aware of and has held for a long while.

I also just have an inkling that she is seeing herself differently in this moment (feeling something for the first time possibly)--the way Nicola looks feels shocked/contemplative, but not scared as if it might be Whistledown-related.

SECOND SHOT: they are outside, talking about Penelope being a "lost cause." WHY IS THERE AN UNLIT CANDLE IN A MARKET STALL, if not to represent some unrealized feelings on Colin's part? It is also on his side of the frame. This is similar to this next one, both of which I believe are earlier in the season, as this is the start of him "helping" her.

THIRD SHOT: Once again, right there on Colin's side of the frame, YOU DID NOT NEED THIS IN THE FOREGROUND. It was a CHOICE to put a candle there again. They could have not had it, yes the shot would have had less depth and this does give a better sense of the space, placing them in a corner of the room instead of in an open space--but they didn't need to make it another CANDLE.

Colin has not fully recognized his feelings for Penelope yet, though they have always been there, and these two shots demonstrate that lack of understanding/feeling, but one that is soon to come with an unlit candle.

FOURTH SHOT: this, in the timing of the trailer, does come before the third, but RIGHT THERE IS A MIRROR AND CANDLES. It is on Penelope's side of the frame, but Colin, the mirror, and candles are what is in focus. She might be center frame, but we are drawn to the light as well as the contrast in Colin's outfit. This could arguably be Penelope's perspective, her burning feelings as he compliments her--also her future (we all want that mirror scene).

FIFTH SHOT: a HUGE TURNING POINT--a small flame, barely noticeable suddenly burning brighter as we focus on Colin in the background. This is so clearly him realizing his feelings for Penelope. It is also at the midpoint/turning point of the trailer when there is a big tonal shift. There is no more talk of Colin helping Penelope, but a larger focus on his perspective of her (all the gazing), the idea of romance, as well as mention of Debling--his rival. It will be a turning point for Colin when Debling--an actual suitor vying for Penelope's hand--comes into the picture. EDIT: Also going to add in, the candle is in a lantern--though that might have been easier to manage filming-wise--which could also represent him still holding back, especially with Debling in the picture.

SIXTH SHOT: This comes right after we hear Debling say "You look especially beautiful tonight, Miss Featherington." One of the many examples of Colin staring at the two of them, being jealous/worried. But right behind him? Oh, more candles. That they totally didn't need to have in the frame. Also, it doesn't look so much like a candle, but they are placed so close to one another that it looks like more of a flame. The lack of focus adds to this.

THEN WE GET TO THIS FINAL SEQUENCE--which imo is a FANTASY SEQUENCE

SEVENTH SHOT: Colin is coming from the darkness, with an unseen flame flickering directly behind him (small ember that he can't see).

EIGHTH SHOT: Penelope, also coming out of the dark, but with another flame on (what in this sequence is) her side of the frame. Though it is somewhat hidden behind these bars--some rough patches/guarded emotions? (probably depends on what point this is in the series).

NINTH SHOT: Penelope, already in the light of these fires, Colin entering with the large burning flame in the background covered by some growth.

TENTH SHOT: Penelope, lit by these fires, breathing heavily. A very clear close-up with so much blur to focus just on her face.

ELEVENTH SHOT: Colin, with a flickering/burning flame literally right behind him, lit by these other fires, staring right at Penelope.

So this whole sequence, in my opinion, is a dream sequence. But, in terms of this flame representation, this is Colin realizing he has feelings for Penelope. We see the flickering from the unseen light behind him in the seventh shot build and become the flame right behind him in the eleventh. It feels so obviously representative of the season. (The fog also seems to lift for him in this sequence, he comes out of the fog to Penelope--I could say more about this sequence and why I do think it is Colin's dream, mostly due to costuming and lighting and the fog as well) ______________________

And thus comes to a close my analysis/evidence of the FLAME/FIRE motif between Polin. I am cutting myself off here because this is a lot and I have an actual film shoot to plan. Thank you if you actually read all this. I love film analysis and Bridgerton is so fun and a stress reliever for me, so this was fun for me to write out.

Anyway, if any more of this fire/flame stuff comes up I might add on later.

TLDR: they are using fire and candles to represent the burning love between these two.

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It only feels this raw right now Lost in the labyrinth of my mind

"Labyrinth" by Taylor Swift

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one thing i have not seen anyone talk about is whether or not john was hiding in plain sight all along (dancing with Fran at the beginning). it may not be but !

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the yearnification of colin bridgerton

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Lol I was starving for some crumbs and then this happens

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I get that You Belong With Me is a clear Polin song but I also strongly feel like people has really been sleeping on how Mirror by Justin Timberlake is like the ULTIMATE Polin song.

Figuring out what was right in front of you? Check. The risk of losing that person? Check. Coming back for that person? Check. FUCKING MIRRORS? CHECK!

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This Nana Banana fan art tho 💖

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I do want to see Colin at a ball hustling past people that are trying to talk with him/introduce him to their daughters, etc. because he’s trying desperately to get to Penelope like in the book.

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The Bridgertons reaction and looking at Colin after knowing that he likes Pen and she is with the suitors 😂

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Look at him! Look at his smile! Look at his eyes! 😍

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feeling lonely tonight and i couldn't help relating myself back to Penelope whose home life, while an exaggerated version of my reality, still resonates with me. I'm also at a stage in my life where i don't see my closest friends as much as i want and am lacking a deep emotional connection that I crave, one with an intellectual equal (especially including emotional intelligence!) and that's how i see penelope's struggle. It's no surprise to me that she doesn't have friends except those few very deep ones. She pours herself into personal, intellectual pursuits because she'd likely go insane otherwise. It'll be a healing experience to watch her confidence grow in learning to be openly, authentically herself. As independent as she is and as intellectually confident as she is...Penelope is a very lonely person who retreats into isolation because we always return to what is familiar to us even if it is the very thing harming us.

By contrast, Eloise is almost as much of an outcast as Penelope, only she is not likely to react by being quiet or conforming--hence her frustration with Penelope as the perpetually 'insipid wallflower.' Much like how Eloise fails to recognize her own societal & financial privileges, she is a little too ungrateful for her family that loves her unconditionally and seeks to understand her. I sympathize with Eloise's frustration, sadness, and perhaps resentment. But this is yet another blind spot she has towards understanding Penelope, because Penelope does not have a family like the Bridgertons. She does not have the same healthy, emotional security and sense of belonging that Eloise does. I'm sure Eloise has an idea of Penelope's distaste for her family, but the depth of their rejection of Penelope and the consequences of that kind of lifelong emotional neglect...are lost on Eloise. This will likely be an important growth point for Eloise personal arc before these girls can repair their friendship. She must fully see Penelope and understand her before she can forgive I think.

Anyway... it hurts to think of Penelope not only losing her best friend, but losing her (in part) because Pen's reasons and biggest struggles are invisible even to her best friend. and THEN she loses all hope of any kind of relationship with Colin? One of the few people she felt accepted by, who she could speak her mind to OUT LOUD?!

Nicola has said that Penelope starts S3 in a "dark place" and I just know that girl's loneliness will be worse than ever. It's going to hit me like a freight train 😭💀