#Cressida > Penelope forever and always

[lovelyo]

Season 3 part 2 will be Ass. Let me Tell You Why.

Cause in the end, Penelope, Lady Whistledown, the one who has left devastation in people’s lives will get all what she wants. The man that she wants, the attention that she wants, the family she always wanted to be(so envious of them she talked shit about them ), will get her best friend back, might have the heir for that dumbass Featherington plot line, might get the Queen’s pardon and above all else, will most likely not give up LW cause they made LW such an integral part of the show.(so in that case, she’ll be even more filthy rich)

And if we go by leaked spoilers, it is said that Colin will be mad at Penelope for like 1 episode until Kanthony talks some “sense” into him. So that just tells me Kanthony will be OOC because there’s no damn way Anthony would let that beast comment about his wife slide.

There are no stakes when it comes to this season cause we all know how it’s finna go down. If Penelope gets any type of consequences, then her very undeserved HEA is doomed so everything is going to have to go her way for the already idiotic plot to make some form of sense. It’s like the love triangle in part 1, what the hell was the point of Lord Debling when everyone and their ancestors knew Colin and Penelope were end game? So we can see Colin’s cringe angst? If we already know the answer to the love triangle, there’s no point. The “find you a husband” plot line was stupid as shit anyway, but it’s whatever now.

Ugh, then we have to sit through more awkward love scenes between asshat 1 and 2

Eloise threatening Penelope with her LW identity is going to amount to nothing cause we know Penelope isn’t gonna receive any comeuppance. Matter of fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if they made Eloise apologize to Penelope for…🤷🏾‍♂️🤷(let’s apologize to the toxic friend for not dealing with their toxicity)

For Penelope to have a happy ending, she has to get away scot free and that’s what boils my blood. I hate in media and literature when a character goes around, creates chaos and receives nothing for it or just a slap on a wrist. I’ve noticed an increase in it lately too. Also, I’m tired of writers not severing their bias from their writing. I’ve been encountering many series lately where the writer(s) have favoritism towards a specific character and gives them the easy route, bends the world for them and pull punches just because they like them so much. It’s really aggravating cause you see everyone else getting put through the wringer and then you see the favored character walking through Candyland. It hurts the story, the character, and frankly makes you hate the character.

Everyone around Penelope is gonna act brain dead in order for Penelope to get what she wants and I’m not here for it. Even the general audience ain’t for it. The only people cheering this madness are the asylum patients called Polin fans with delusions that Penelope deserves the world.

I’m not even looking forward to Francesca and John’s story cause of the Poolin fecal matter I’ll have to swim through to get there. At this point, I’m might just watch spoilers of part 2 cause it’s not worth it.

P.S. Watch Cressida get the short end of the stick cause she’s the “bully” of the show and Penelope is the “victim”. Watch them break Creloise because of the “I don’t want you hanging around Eloise” subplot which will ultimately fuel Eloise and Penelope becoming friends again. Also, Penelope and Cressida competed for Lord Debling just for Penelope to go “sike” and marry Colin so she wasted Debling’s time and made Cressida feel like shit because she wasn’t chosen. P.S.S- Polins are huge ass hypocrites cause they ragged on Eloise being privileged and having “everything” but are silent about Penelope being privileged. By the end of this season, Penelope will basically have everything, even more so than Eloise, but sure, Penelope is definitely not privileged 😑. Penelope is privileged inside the world and outside by production, why are we denying this?

[somedayillbepeterpan]

Penelope and her robe of power

Shoutout to @whistledownbad for invoking and taking this out of my subconscious. I didn't even realise I was thinking about this deeply (I shouldn't be surprised anymore since S3 has burrowed deep in my brain).

A short discussion on the Polisanity discord (a very very lovely, creative, and hilarious discord community of the residents of the Polin brainrot) showed me how this robe represents Pen's power-- not just in sexuality but in her character.

And it is shown on moments where she loses something, where her power was seemingly taken from her.

S3Ep3 - Forces of Nature

The first time we see this robe, Pen has just lost a flirting battle against Cressida for Debling's attention while pretending to be someone she is not. She looks defeated and annoyed which contrasts a similar scene on Ep 2 (after the fan encounter) where she looks more embarrassed and slightly amused at the situation.

S3Ep4 - Old Friends

The second time we see it is at the beginning of Ep 4. Pen is losing her battle from her resolve to follow the familiar tide of the marriage mart (I elaborate more on this scene here because it's not just Pen who is losing their resolve) on the day that Debling asks for Portia's permission to propose to Pen (where we get this poignant statement from Portia about security being romantic. Which I actually agree on coming from a poor family/country. Also, can I just say Nicola looks absolutely stunning in this scene).

She is distraught and seem to be in the middle of convincing herself that she is doing the right thing.

S3Ep5 - Tik Tok

In the middle of the chaotic 24hrs of Penelope's life (where she gets proposed to by the love of her life and experiences her first sexual encounter), she is seen crying and having to write about herself on Whistledown for the 2nd time for the current season (she probably writes about herself regularly in the column so as not to arouse suspicion but she would have most likely focused on mundane things) when we see this robe for the third time.

She loses the chance to feel completely and irrevocably happy about her engagement when Eloise points out that she is harboring a heavy secret from the man who just lovingly confessed that he would rather feel tortured with love for her than to carry on living.

S3Ep6 - Romancing Mr. Bridgerton

Ahhh...Pen and this robe. I'm so curious now what actually is the design on the robe and the decision behind using it for these scenes.

The fourth time we see this robe, Pen seemingly decides to lose Whistledown forever, hiding a part of herself in the "name of love". A crossroad that she never thought she'd have to go through when she began that season, Pen gives up all power and decides (tentatively) to follow her mother's advise. It's admirable on one part as real life will tell you that sometimes, there are sacrifices you need to make for your partner. But this really is sometimes up for debate whether that action is made in love, out of love, or for love (or not at all). I've always thought that Pen also suffers the same hero complex that Colin has albeit more subtle than his. I think this was part saving Colin (from whatever trouble Whistledown brings) and also part penance for what her writing and decisions have put him through regarding Marina.

AND THEN-- the last last time on this season that we see her in it is so viscerally powerful that it probably made everyone forget that:

This wasn't the same wedding night robe (where Colin openly lusted on Pen and stubbornly wasted his opportunity).

That whenever we saw Pen on this robe in the earlier episodes, she seemed to be unhappy and devoid of power and agency within herself.

S3Ep8 - Into the Light

This wonderfully and deliciously short scene encapsulates Pen's embracing of her power-- the parts that she has been losing and letting go whenever she wears this robe. I also love that it's with Colin that she finally embodies the full strength of this power.

Come S4, I need this robe to be slowly taken off by Mr. Bridgerton off of Mrs. Bridgerton please.

[sleepyfireball]

I love Season 3 of Bridgerton so much (Part 2)

I loved Colin and Penelope's story. The Lady Whistledown reveal, the angst, oh, it was perfection. I thought the mirror scene was immaculate and just nailed their friends-to-lovers vibe perfectly. Also, Colin asking for consent at each step is so hot, but we digress. The whole of part 2 had me stressing, with all the Whistledown angst, but I did desperately enjoy the fact that despite how angry Colin was, there was never any doubting his love for Penelope, like they got married and he stroked her fac during their wedding dance (which was another wonderful scene) while he was still upset. This is true Colin 'My Wife' Bridgerton behaviour. Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan did amazingly well in their roles, particularly in the most heated and emotional moments. Penelope was wonderful as well, the fact that she was willing to give up Whistledown was so important, but the way it ended, with her not having to give it up was even better, in my opinion. It helps the show maintain its natural dynamic with the narrator in Julie Andrews, while neatly bringing the Whistledown storyline to a close. Also, the ending, with Polin's son inheriting the Featherington estate has pulled that storyline to a close as well, with the Featheringtons properly secured. I enjoyed the growth that both Colin and Penelope went through in Part 2 and it felt like a natural continuation from Part 1, although Debling did just kinda vanish.

Speaking of disappearing suitors, Lord Samadani also vanished after Part 1. I think this was able to happen because Queen Charlotte became so entangled with Whistledown, she stopped caring about the Season and the Diamond, otherwise she may have tried to push Lord Samadani at Francesca a little more. Francesca and John were just beautiful in Part 2, their engagement and wedding was sweet and low-key and fit them both perfectly. I was pleased to see that Francesca flourished with John and she in turn, was able to help him become a little more comfortable among her chaotic family. Francesca is also my bi-icon. I will love her forever. The definition of Gay Panic when Michaela Stirling walks in. I do like that Francesca teaches Violet that love does not always have to be exactly as she experienced it, and Violet explains how she fell in love, which we see happen for Francesca when Michaela walks in. I think Francesca is still in love with and happy with John, she's just had her bi-awakening and does not know what to do about it.

Speaking of bi-icons, Benedict Bridgerton has finally, properly entered the ring after 2.5 seasons of humming and harring. While I was not the biggest fan of the fact that it was introduced via a threesome that just kept popping up between heartfelt or emotional scenes, I am glad the writers committed to it, even though when push came to shove, Benedict avoided the commitment and ran away, again. I think his season is next due to his chats with Eloise right at the end of the season (swing chats, my beloved).

Eloise did well in Part 2. Her anger was mostly as a protection for Colin and I was pleased to see her mature and grow into an adult. She and Penelope had some beautiful growth, with Eloise learning that while Whistledown was not necessarily kindly written, it did not lie and Penelope had tried warning Eloise multiple times about hanging around Theo. Penelope also had growth in being willing to give up Whistledown which I think helped Eloise's understanding significantly and also with her promise to write more carefully in the future. I was so pleased to see the two of them being friends again. I had missed them. I also think that a trip to Scotland will help Eloise expand her horizons, possibly allowing her to understand the ton a little more as well, preparing her for her story in Season 5 I hope. I do however think that Eloise's treatment of Cressida was a little callous, but she can't win them all.

Cressida is an interesting one. Personally I am still not her greatest fan, however, seeing why she was so desperate to escape did bring motive to her claiming Whistledown's identity, even if it was not the most well thought out plan. Jessica Madsen did an excellent job with providing depth and clarity to Cressida's story and I will be at least a little interested to see where it goes from here. Also, reading what the Cowpers thought of the Bridgertons was truly shocking (and hilarious) and you can see that Cressida's mean girl persona comes from her mum, solidified by her dad's pressure.

Queen Charlotte did exceptionally well for me this season. I could truly feel the power she weilds and how dangerous it would be to go up against her so blatantly as Whistledown had. I did appreciate Lady Danbury basically telling QC that her life would become infinitely more boring if she were to truly put an end to Whistledown and Brimsley with QC is an unstoppable duo, particularly after QC:ABS.

Lady Danbury, another highlight of the season. Her scenes with Marcus Anderson and with Violet are among some of my favourite in the whole show and I'm gonna use another post to talk about Violet and Marcus and Agatha, because this post is ridiculously long and I could talk about this particular plot for days. I was pleased to see Agatha helping the Mondrichs get settled and happy to know that she had suspected Penelope was Lady Whistledown. It makes sense, as she is the most perceptive in the ton. I was a little upset that we didn't get to see much of Polin and Lady Danbury interacting, but I can see why. It almost felt more powerful for it to just be them trying to figure out their problems together.

The Mondrichs. I enjoyed their story, it was good, nice to see them get settled into society once and for all. It felt like a natural conclusion from the three season with them hosting a successful ball for the season.

The Featheringtons, I will admit, they impressed me. Their ball was a success, and their comedic timing was immaculate once more. Seeing the development that Penelope and Portia went through was excellent and very much needed for Penelope to have a healthy relationship with Portia. I enjoyed that Portia stayed true to her word and stuck by Penelope during the LW reveal etc. But I was also amazed by Colin's speech when Portia was insulting Penelope in Ep5, because those assumptions were rude and insulting to Penelope and to Colin and she needed to be brought down a few pegs in order to develop properly. It was also nice to see the three sisters getting along, to an extent, in the final scene. I also though that Violet and Portia were excellent together. Props to Ruth Gemmell and Polly Walker for somehow managing to infuse so much awkwardness into the 5 minutes they shared on screen, simple and pure comedy, I loved it. Also pleased to see that the Featherington boys continue to be Husbands first and men second.

Also Kanthony was nice, glad to see them helping Colin out. Violet really brought in the heavy artillery for her fighting newly-weds. Also pleased to see Kate take on the older sister role and Anthony literally being the most besotted man on the planet.

Gregory and Hyacinth were also excellent. I feel like the sibling scenes really thrived in part 2.

[fkapommel]

A Rant about Bridgerton s3 from a person who doesn't care about Bridgerton

I'm just a hater who is an optimist at heart. On Polin, the Mondrich's, Michaela Stirling, and Cressida.

I haven't read the Bridgerton books, and I don't believe there is any validity to a "but this isn't book accurate!" argument because Bridgerton the Show was marketed as a diverse, representational adaptation that liked the bones of Quinn's idea but made something better. And I, a lay person, have never seen as much virtroil and hatred towards the showrunners as I have seen this season using that exact argument that has never been uttered before because, near unanimously, all fans agreed that the showrunners were making a better story that 90s Quinn ever could. So many people, readers and non-readers alike, were disappointed with the handling of this season.

Peneolope and Colin

Polin was ignored during THEIR season for conventionally "pretty" and "thin" romances. There was zero character growth for either Penelope or Colin individually and as a couple in their own season. We are never shown why Colin loves Peneolope or why he has grown to appreciate her Whistledown project beyond dialogue - "I've learned that they are both you" what the hell does that even mean. Most of the season is spent with them physically apart making dumb faces at each other at dances with no cinemagraphric tension being built - few body closeups, boring musical cues, meaningless and repetitive body/facial choreography (I'm looking at you, open-mouthed contoured Colin) - when all this and more were utilized successfully in Anthony and Kate's season. People were thirsty as fuck to watch a white man get fucked by a darker skinned woman (as was i), but not even the showrunners could be assed about the romance between their only plus-sized character and a Bridgerton. We spent more time building up Francesca's relationship with Kilmartin over penting up Peneolope's romance - her feelings of tragedy, hopelessness. Peneolope has always been overlooked and truly believed that was her fate forever - even nearly agreeing to a marriage that would literally leave her ignored for years on end - and that was the central tension of the season. She knows who she is, she knows that she is love-worthy, talented, and intelligent, but will Colin? DOES Colin? Oh, he does, and he randomly decides that mid-way through the season. And then fumbles her so hard to the point of insulting her very character - calling her manipulative and scheming after they slept together - when the true authorship of Whistledown is revealed. There was not enough tension built nor sustained to carry his hatred for his wife during those episodes, and no, a couple shots where he looks at his very hot wife and thinks "damn, she is hot" is enough.

This season we should have seen what his mother told him - that he is incredibly self-sacrificial and puts other people's (his quoted siblings') happiness before him - in action during Pen and his plot to get a suitor. That device could have been both means and method of Colin's realization that Pen was his true match all along by being forced to list her accolades, scrutinize her face and body for physical compliments and inticements in order to hype her up for other suitors and recognizing her intelligence and manner of speak in Whistedown because of their newfound constant proximity instead of having to be told about her authorship and realizing off-screen their similarity (which, I'll mention, has never been demonstrated in all three seasons. As a person who writes very different to how they speak, I understand that there is some grace to be had here, but Penelope's dialogue does not include any Whistledownisms at ALL and there absolutely should be some demonstrable similarities, especially this season.) That's how Colin could have NOTICED her. In all, their romance was extremely fumbled in favor of having "prettier," "skinnker" bodies on screen because the showrunner had no faith in Nicola's verified abilities in being a leading lady in a larger body (which isn't even plus-sized UGH different argument). Pen has been in love with Colin since the Featherington's "moved in next door" - where was any of that? We learn more about Kate Sharma's childhood in her season than we do about Polin's, the season where its plot important. No flashbacks, no reminescing, no reasons given why Pen even liked Colin in the first place (could he have done something for her, perhaps noticing her in some character-important way, and thats why she developed a crush? No. He's simply a cute guy next door.) We don't even reminisce on Colin's recent worldly travels that, at the start of the season, have completely transformed him into a lady's man or taught him how to assume that character-type. We don't see Pen's life without him to contrast with her life with him back, but different. We don't see the strain on Colin trying to hold up this facade of being a confident womanizer, nor do we see any consequence of his womanizing, just distant shots of jealous Pen. Why be different, why be different now, what shaped and taught his transformation? Did he think of Pen when he was gone? All important questions that would've better characterized him.

Colin magically realizes he's been tortured for a few days seeing Pen talk with Debling a few times (who is completely forgotten about in Pt 2 holy shit I totally forgot about him), then is so mean to her realizing she's Whistledown, then magically falls in love with her again, and then oop- there's babies. Which i guess wasn't a surprise, but rubbed me the wrong way as neither of Polin has talked about wanting kids at all. In all other seasons, we see our pair demonstrate their abilities as viscountess or duchess, and we see them discuss the importance of having children plus an understanding of what it's like being parents. We didn't get any of that from Polin and seeing them suddenly thrust into parenthood was a shock to their characterization. They're love story is allowed to be juvenile, girl-/boy-next-door fantasizing, and rushing past Penelope's pregnancy and their transformation into parents was needless, leaving more questions than answers.

Mondriches

Why, the hell, was the Mondrich's selling their bar so goddamn important to this season?? This show is called Bridgerton, about the Bridgertons, but we have sacrificed necessary screen time on Colin Bridgerton's characterization and romance with Pen for filler than ultimately means nothing! He sells the bar anyway! This show was billed on meaningful representation of its diverse cast. You can't just make a nothing burger conflict about if this Black family suddenly thrust into being titled when the husband is weirdly attached to a bar where he serves whisky to his majority white clientelle. A Black family suddenly needing to learn the rules and decorum of the nobility is an interesting storyline in the world of Bridgerton, which characterizes itself has post-racial. Learning all the minute rules of etiquette is crafted to be impossible to an outsider, so how does this family of outsiders learn it? Where is the conflict that their inheritance rests on their child becoming the legal head of the family? There is so much to be explored here. In this concept rests a meaningful and emotionally convincing plot, but all we got was "Dude you need to sell your bar." "But I don't wanna! ............... I sold my bar." If youre going to waste screen time on one of the very few depictions of a plus-size character finding love that doesn't center her weight in its conflict, at least make it not so fucking boring.

Michaela Stirling and Francesca

And finally. Here we get to Michaela Sterling, who, based on the audience reaction, came on screen, showed her whole vag, killed beloved character Michael Sterling with a chainsaw, and hypnotized innocent Francesca Bridgerton in lesbianism. Good God people. Get a grip.

As a person not in the fandom, I have never seen this level of disgust and anguish over an adaptational change than to the introduction of Michaela Stirling. To anyone who hates this change and loves Mr. "Im going to tie you to the bed until you get pregnant": you already have that. No one is taking the books away from you. But a television adaptation of the books is not FOR you, it's for a whole new audience that pays homage to the original readership. If you cannot handle this change, stop watching.

To all of the television viewers who make a monolith of this outcry, accusing all nay-sayers of homophobia: get a grip. It is indeed emotionally difficult to see your beloved books get a poor adaptation or when screen adapters make changes that you see will make the narrative weaker. Literally every fandom that has had an adaptation has acted this way once or twice. And readers make some important concerns for the impending narrative! By introducing Michaela right after an entire season of this slow, easy, quiet romance between Francesca and John, the show has retroactively trashed every time that Fran has assured her family that she is truly in love with her now-husband (a fact that is important when that said husband is to be lost in the coming seasons). Fran and Stirling were demonstrating a real, true love that differed from the steamy, bodice-ripping lust the concept of Bridgerton was founded on. Their love was, may I remind you, incredibly popular to neurodivergent viewers who saw many traits of ND represented in Fran's character and her relationship with John. Her constant conflict with her mother and the queen who doubted that their love was valid because it did not behave in the same sensual way theirs had and then Violet's eventual approval of their relationship is important representation for love not based on lust and sexuality but on shared psychologies and interests. So far in Bridgerton, it has been illustrated that the only correct and long-lasting type of marriage is one based in wanting to fuck the pants off your partner; JoFran complicates this narrative. By then introducing Michaela and having Fran stutter over her words in compliance to Violet's memory of "forgetting the most familiar of words" when meeting her husband completely erases everything JoFran fought for and meant. "Wait, on second though, everything that these two characters stood for was in fact wrong and being so horned up that you forget your name is the only true start to a fulfilling relationship." This alludes to an eventuality that Fran's personality will be altered even more, that more parts of Francesca are indeed wrong and need to be changed for her to live a fulfilling marriage. (Yes, I understand that this has not happened yet, but the complete reversal of her relationship that she championed for an entire season makes one wary that even more is on the horizon). Further, Francesca's narrative is centralized around grief. How can that be actualized in the show if she falls out of love with her husband before her marriage night, when she's already lusting after her cousin by marriage? The Micheala introduction as it is in season 3 completely rewrites Francesca's character in the show and foreboding for an even greater change in seasons to come. There is an in-narrative issue with Michaela that is not reducible to homophobia but a genuine concern for the narrative.

Secondly, I have seen some people state that miffed viewers are upset about Francesca's bisexuality but not Eloise's implied lesbianism because they were comforted by Eloise's adherence to gay stereotypes, such as her "militant" feminism, her "not-like-other-girls" black sheepism, her hatred and disgust of men and the institution of marriage, and her constant, deep, near-homoerotic relationships with women. Francesca, in contrast, is princessly, beautiful in the same manner as Daphne, modest and sexually inhibited, concerned with feminine pursuits including marriage, and has not expressed an interest in women until her introduction to Michaela. To these people I say this: stop giving television showrunners so much grace. Michaela's introduction was meant as a shock to the audience. It was not meant to retroactively construct Francesca as a bisexual, locked in a tower of heterosexuality. It was meant to drum up just as much media buzz as it has. It is a hook for the next season meant to draw in new viewers - a queer audience scrounging for representation in the carpet hairs - and their run-of-the-mill audience member who pointed at their TV, exclaimed WHAT!?, and who is now hooked to discover how this new plotline will play out in the next season. It will keep their audience curious for however many years it takes for B4 to come out. Look me in the eyes and tell me that you were not surprised by Fran's sudden bisexuality. There is a reason that Eloise's stereotypicality is shorthand for gay, and the fact that Benedict and now Fran have been confirmed as bisexual if not homosexual lessens the probability that Eloise's narrative will be queered. Bridgerton creators do not care about true representation, they care about providing for a wide enough audience. That's why we only got canon queer characters (and queer sex) until the end of s3 - when people were already hooked. But they can only include so much before people are turned away. Think to yourself, why has there been no main dark-skinned, or truly plus-sized, or blemished, or disabled, or asexual, or poor, or effiminate man, or butch woman, or trans* love interest? It's because diversity and representation have limits.

Queer people deserve good representation, and we deserve for that representation to be narratively treated well. We do not deserve shock marketing or the ruining of hard built plot and characterization so that creators can win Diversity Bingo. (Likewise, this goes for racial diversity as well).

Forgotten Cressida

And lastly, and most shortly, what the fuck did they do with poor Cressida. I have never been more let down by the show than how they villanized, then sympathized with, and then shipped off Cressida to a doom of her worst nightmares when her storyline could have genuinely be salvaged by inhabiting the Whistledown role - being an outcast, but a respected one that is still flits about society - or by allying herself more with Eloise and leaning on her for support. But no. She is forgotten by society, by her family, and the only person she has ever called a friend, who was in the perfect position to be a queer provider for her. That shit hurted.

[bridgertonandchocolate]

Finally putting together a list of things I want to see in season 3 part 2. I hope it's not all delusional. This is pretty much strictly a Polin wish list. Maybe with a touch of Benny slipped in there.

Bridgerton Season 3 Part 2 Wishes/Hopes/Dreams:

We already had Colin on his knees which was definitely needed, but now I need him to use his arms to lift his woman. I don't really care how it happens if it's him carrying her out of the printer shop over his shoulder, bridal style or any other way. What I'd really love is for him to pick her up and push her against a wall, but obviously all our hopes and dreams won't become reality and if it happens it's probably not going to be that, but again hopes and dreams.

I really want Pen to come clean about LW and that Colin does know about it before the Cressida bombshell. My hope is that Pen and Colin have a come to Jesus moment and she ends up telling him what she told Eloise in season 2 that she is giving it up (even though we don't really want her to because we love a fierce independent Pen). And then the Cressida bombshell, Pen starts writing again and that's when Colin finds out she's writing again. I don't think my version is happening, but I really hope it does because it's going to be so painful with happy Polin doing all their Polin things and he doesn't know everything about her first.

The Rings. If you've seen some of the part 2 stills it looks like Penelope wears Violet's betrothal ring ... which is going to be one of my favorite things. I always thought that Polin was very like Edmund and Violet and that Colin is very much like Edmund in his devotion. We know that Edmund wore a wedding ring and here's me hoping with all hope that Colin will also wear Edmund's wedding ring! I want this so bad.

I cannot wait to see Colin telling Portia (and hopefully the sisters) off. It's going to be amazing. I think this is just going to be one of a few different moments of Colin verbalizing his love for Pen and it's going to make us melt more than we already have.

The broken furniture. They have talked about this so much and played it up so much that if it isn't in part 2 I might revolt. If we never see or figure out what this piece of furniture is ... I will lose my mind.

Food. We know Colin and Pen are both foodies. They love their cake and treats and biscuits. I really want them to incorporate food into some foreplay and erotic moments. Because really why not? What are we doing? It's a missed opportunity in my opinion.

Benedict to actually have a storyline. Dear God please. I've rewatched this season pretty consistently and I don't really have any idea what's going on with Benny. All I know is he met a widow and he's sleeping with her. Don't really know anything about her other than her name and she was interested in the balloon. I do NOT understand why they couldn't have written more of his struggles being the Viscount while Anthony extends his honeymoon for forever. The first season Violet mentions to Anthony that his younger brothers do more of the job than he does. But we know that Benedict desperately wants nothing to do with it. Come to think of it they should've never sent Kate and Anthony away. I feel like they could have played more a role in the first part than many of the other characters and side plots they've forced this season. Now back to Polin.

Polin enters the baby race. I haven't decided if I really want Penelope to want her child to be Lord Featherington or not. I feel like she's worked so hard to separate herself that that's her focus and she wouldn't really care so much about carrying on her own family name, but who knows. I just feel like they've really pushed the baby thing heavily and hinted that Polin is going to have the first Featherington boy. I feel like by end of season there's a good chance Pen will be pregnant. But what do I know? I still kinda want to see it.

My favorite line from the book. When Colin gives his big speech to Pen about loving her for their past present and future gives me so much life and I think we NEED this in the show. I've already loved the dialogue they have included and I'm hoping to see a few more of those directly from the book in part 2.

Penelope in some actual danger. Whether or her own making or someone else's. Even though I feel like Colin needs to get over his hero complex, I still love for it. I do love me a little damsel in distress. And even though I know Penelope is fully capable of handling herself, I love seeing Colin feral about her safety and security.

This is it for now. Stay tuned for maybe a spicier version soon.

[cel3003-blog]

A night talk

To prevent any dramatic situations from happening again, and following Pen’s example regarding the issue with Cressida, Colin and Penelope have sworn to be completely transparent to each other from now on.

Often at night, as darkness helps to unfold deep feelings, they would ask questions to each other, confess stories, tell memories, wrapping in each other’s arms…

Anything to build their love and relationship up, stronger and bigger.

It had all started one night, in bed, with Colin asking his wife why she didn’t tell him earlier she was in love with him. “I do not think you were ready to hear it”, Penelope had laughed. But then she had gone darker, telling her husband about her fears, her insecurities, her certainty that she was not meant to be loved and, therefore, that he couldn’t share her feelings. She cherished their friendship too much to risk and tell anything that could ruin it.

Penelope was trembling, emptying her heart to Colin, reviving feelings kept deep inside her for so long. Colin hugged her tighter and tighter, kissing her forehead, wiping her tears, comforting her with tender words, declaring again and again how much he loved her, begging for her forgiveness. He admitted to her that he couldn’t even recall when he realized he was in love with her. That his love had probably been here for years, but that he was not able to put a name on his feelings, but assuring her that she had always been the dearest to him. He was just not mature enough to understand his own heart.

She looked at him and smiled “Exactly what I thought: you were not ready to hear it.”

He smiled back. How right she was! He couldn’t prevent him from thinking “what if?” What if she had told him about her feelings six months earlier? A year, two years earlier? How would have he reacted? He was sure, deep inside, that it would have opened his eyes and that he would have fell for her shortly after, if not immediately. But no one can know. He could have been scared. He could have run away. And they wouldn’t be married, now. His whole body shook, frightened by this idea and he hugged her even tighter.

“Colin, I cannot breathe anymore”, Penelope said, laughing. He released his pressure on her body, asking for forgiveness. She looked at him with a wide smile “If I am to die breathless, I would prefer it to be because of your kisses.” He smiled back at her and leaned down her to reach her mouth. And he made sure her words were granted…

As they stopped to catch their breath, Colin stared lovingly at his wife and told her “What is sure, is that I will be forever grateful that you asked me to kiss you, back in that night”. Penelope blushed at this memory, wondering how she could have found the courage to ask him such a thing. “I was so desperate”, she said. “I thought my life was ruined. That I will remain a spinster forever and spend the rest of my life living with my mother. I think I found a little courage thinking that you bribed my maid to see me just for a moment, at such a scandalous hour”, she added, gently laughing. Colin laughed as well. “My mind was probably up to something on which I had absolutely no control.” He told her. Then, he looked at her solemnly and said “The moment my lips touched yours, it has been like an electric shock through my whole body. As if every piece of a puzzle were put at the right place and I suddenly had a perfect vision of my life. My future. Myself. It has been there, the whole time, but this kiss ignited my soul and hasn’t stopped consuming it since…” Penelope smiled at him, tears welling up in her eyes. He continued “All I wanted was kiss you again. I could not stop. I waited for more. I wanted more. But then you ran away, and I was devastated: I wanted to hold you close, to feel your body, to touch it, to kiss you more and more… You have no idea what you have done to me, Pen…” She stared at him with her eyes wide open “Oh, I think I do”, she replies “I have been feeling the same for years, remember?” She paused. “Well… maybe not the touching body part”, she added, feeling a sweet warmth coming up to her cheeks. “Are you blushing, Mrs Bridgerton?” Colin asked, teasing her. “Well… In my dreams, you and I were merely kissing. Which was yet a lot for me, back then”, she explained. Colin smiled. “If I told you what we were doing in my dreams, you would blush even more” he whispered in her ear. She took his face in her hands, lock her eyes in his, and told him “Then, make me blush, Mr Bridgerton…”

And he did.

[musicalnerd4ever]

Bridgerton fanfic - Season 3 speculative fic. An idea for a scene before the one we just got on Valentine’s Day!

I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE BRIDGERTON CHARACTERS OR STORYLINES. SHONDALAND, JULIA QUINN AND NETFLIX DO.

Follow Me - Penelope fanfic

———————————————

Cressida ripped the bottom of Penelope‘s new emerald green dress, and her shame exploded, as it always did when she attended a ball. Out of the corner of her tear-filled eyes, she saw Colin laughing and joking with the same gentlemen of the Ton who had mocked her in her family estate. They had not seen what happened. Colin was forever blind to her. There was nothing she could do anymore. Their friendship was over, and she needed to accept it.

As a tear finally fell down her fair face, a solid and steadfast voice whispered in her ear. A serious one. A kind one. She recognized it as Lord Debling’s voice. The two of them had a brief conversation earlier in the evening. Awkward and sincere Lord Debling.

“Follow me. We will escape this dreadful environment together. It is alright, I am here. Do not pay them any mind. These people are not worth your tears.” Penelope felt safer and stronger again, similar to how she felt when Eloise and Colin were in her life. It only took one conversation for her to see the goodness in this man. He was like her. An outcast, and he also recognized a kindred spirit in Penelope. She held back her sobs and looked up at Lord Debling with a soft smile as they walked side-by-side. Her feet picked up as best as they could, even with her hand on his arm. The cruel, malicious laughter faded away.

With Penelope’s focus on leaving the ballroom as quickly as possible, she failed to notice Colin Bridgerton. He watched her leave, unaware of what Cressinda Cowper had done. All he saw was Penelope, leaving the ballroom with a man he did not recognize. A quick, unfamiliar twinge of pain struck his heart. After saying his goodbyes to the men, he dipped and dove through the crowds toward his dear friend, hoping to speak to her after months of no communication. Hopefully the man would not be there. He needed to know why his letters went without answer.

[mesillusionssousecstasy]

Bridgerton : season 3 - Quotes

"- Shall I fetch you a refreshment, Your Majesty? (Brimsley) - Perhaps a casket. The lack of interest here today shall usher me to an early grave at any moment." (The Queen - Episode 1)

"- Although, if there is one thing I learned on my travels, it is forever to expect the unexpected." (Collin - Episode 1)

"- But I have none. (Penelope) - Often, that is all it takes. Men are quite simple beings. Pen, living for the estimation of others is a trap." (Colin - Episode 2)

"- I do appreciate your concern about cruelty, but perhaps you should like to find a looking glass... rather than looking at me." (Cressida - Episode 2)

"- A life unmarried is not all bad. Trust me, men can often cause much more trouble than they are worth." (Lady Tilley Arnold - Episode 2)

"- And once hope is lost, a lady may become reckles." (Episode 2)

"- You must throw it like you mean it, Lady Danbury." (Episode 3)

"- The Baron Harvey, Lord Godwin, Mr. Ford. Just as I expected. The lower-ranking lords always show their feathers first. Once they have their fill, the higher-ranking lords inevitably descend." (Lady Danbury - Episode 3)

"- You have my apologies. But... It does seem to have worked, so you have my gratitude as well." (Episode 3)

"- Rather than shrink my sides, I decided long ago to forge my own path, far away from them. I came here to listen to someone who thinks differently, not to hear the familiar chorus of what cannot be done." (Lord Debling - Episode 3)

"- She does not speak to him. I am in awe. I thought one had to use wit or banter to dissuade a suitor. But simple silence is radically more effective." (Episode 4)

"- I find books so captivating. I have a collection of over 1'000 myself. (Lord Debling) - Nothing a book loves more than to be collected." (Eloise - Episode 4)

"- A practical match... but a happy one? Do not become greedy in your success. What more could you want? Oh, do not tell me you're holding out for love. Ugh! This is the very reason why I discouraged you from reading. Love is make-believe. It is only in your story books. Do you know what is romantic? Security. Be smart, Penelope. And if you will not be, then I will be for you." (Lady Featherington - Episode 4)

"- My sister likes to meddle? (Lord Anderson) - Well, that word does not do her justice. She molds society to her vill, and she is rather good at it." (Lady Bridgerton - Episode 4)

"- Well, for what it is worth.... sometimes a fire is slow to burn." (Lady Danbury - Episode 4)

"- Even Lady Wistledown could not disagree with the brilliance of my match." (The Queen - Episode 4)

"- Past lives are dangerous places to revisit. You are unlike many people, Eloise." (Benedict Bridgerton) "- How is it you have the courage to be so different? I simply cannot understand why others do not see things the way I do. - And how do you see things exactly? - Well... since you have asked I understand how my activities may appear rather rakish, but I assure you, they are pure of heart. (Colin) - And is your heart located in your breeches?" (Episode 4)

"- Good evening, Bridgerton. - Bridgerton. Fashionably late?" (Episode 4)

"- Miss Featherington, with the amount of time I will be gone, it is essential I make a match with someone whose affections are not already engaged elsewhere. Whatever it is you are searching for, I do hope you find it." (Lord Debling - Episode 4)

"- It is odd. When I asked for your help in finding a husband, I did not realize that also meant you might try to deny me one as well. In fact, he rejected me because of you. The scene you caused led him to believe you have feelings for me. An idea so preposterous, I do not know what to do besides laugh. Now, will you please let us ride home in silence and leave me alone. (Penelope) - A feeling that is like torture. But one which I cannot, will not, do not want to give up." (Colin - Episode 4)

"- And until he knows the real you, he cannot possibly love you. There is no better feeling than the truth. If it proves too difficult for you to reveal the truth, I will be merciful and reveal it to him myself. You have until midnight." (Eloise - Episode 5)

"- Lady Whistldown is an astute writer. You have many gifts, but cleverness is not amongst them. Her greatest strength is that she is an observer. What have you observed in your life other than yourself?" (Lady Cowper - Episode 6)

"- I love him, Mama. Even if it is not the love that you want for me." (Francesca - Episode 6)

"- Let us get through this wedding, and then we will decide what this marriage will be." (Episode 7)

"- Perhaps I was wrong to turn on Eloise. She is the one person who has ever shown me true friendship. (Cressida) - Have I not raised you to know that, in this world, it is every person for themselves? Especially amongst women." (Lady Cowper - Episode 7)

"- What were you thinking then? (Colin) - I was thinking that I simply wanted the Colin I know back. Not this stoic man you returned as, acting as if you care for no one and need nothing." (Penelope - Episode 7)

"- What is going on with you and Penelope? (Antony) - All is well between us. The smell of fermented fruit emanating from your person would indicate otherwise. (Kate) - It was celebratory. (Colin) - Two glasses is celebratory. One whole bottle is a cry for help. (Antony) - I do not wish to unburden myself to you two, with your perfect marriage." (Colin - Episode 7)

"- Is all well with you? I saw you crying at the ceremony. (Benedict) - Simply tears at losing another friend to marriage. Or maybe it was dust." (Eloise - Episode 7)

"- Whatever it is, I know you will resolve it. The important part is that you are married now." (Penelope - Episode 7)

"- You know, thinking back on everything, it makes perfect sense. No one would ever suspect you as you are so very forgettable." (Cressida - Episode 8)

"- The game is not last long. Her Majesty has been quite forthcoming with accusations of late. I was wondering how we would come around to that. (Lady Danbury) - You could have had me in checkmate, Lady Danbury. (The Queen) - I realize that. But then the game would be over early. And what fun is there in that?" (Lady Danbury - Episode 8)

"- I contend with the chill already. Must I contend, too, with your displays?" (Episode 8)

"- Certainly no one would notice. Now that Penelope has married her Bridgerton, we are yesterday's news." (Prudence & Philippa - Episode 8)

"- Have you ever seen a lady with child at a ball, Philippa? (Prudence) - Well... no. (Philippa) - That is because once women start showing, they are expected to retreat from society." (Prudence - Episode 8)

"- I take it your mother does not know about your blackmailing my wife? (Colin) - I no longer trust anyone but myself. (Cressida) - That must feel terribly lonely. I have known what it is like to be truly alone, when I am off on my travels. (Colin) - Mr. Bridgerton, I am confused. It seems you have come for me to pay you sympathy, but I am the one who is meant to be paid." (Cressida) - And still, her readers are willing to pay to read about themselves week after week. (Colin) - You do not sound as if you hate Whistledown. You sound as if you are jealous of her. (Cressida) - My point is, there is Whistledown and then there is Penelope, who has experienced a kind of loneliness surely neither of us can fathom. Imagine being so ignored you feel... invisible." (Colin - Episode 8)

"- At least my sisters will be content when my actions lead to destruction. (Penelop) - Perhaps we might aim a little higher with our positive thinking? (Colin) - Cressida has her reasonable moments. Let us hope today is one. (Eloise) - Did you truly like her? Or did you befriend her simply to punish me?(Penelope - Episode 8)

"- It is certainly not my place to give or withhold a blessing on the matter." (Episode 8)

"- Regrettably, no, I have not come on happy business. Though, some have told me they do find release from deception a comforting feeling." (Episode 8)

"- I agree profoundly with everything you've said, as I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about." (Episode 8)

[anthonykatebridgerton]

My criticsm about season 3

only involving characters and storylines I cared about

Kate and Anthony:

My babies, I love them, their storyline wasn’t cohesive nor is their pregnancy timeline and „bump evolution“ in any way understandable timeline whise.

Anthony who was still triggered by hyacinths birth simply wouldn’t take a pregnant Kate on a month long crossing of the seas to India (especially this pregnant)

Additionally they would have stayed for Francesca’s wedding and waited those few days, otherwise her little moments with the family and each other were adorable, but them just coming and going and not caring about duties is very ooc.

Francesca:

I adored her from the start and her more quiet love with John, but their lovestory was nonetheless big and full of feelings, the show sadly made it seem in episode 8 like she regretted it especially after the kiss it looks like doubt/no sexual chemistry and that makes me very sad. It doesn’t matter if Michael is a man like in the books or a woman like in the show I expected a portrayal of that deep love on screen, not only platonic love!

Benedict:

His storylines have been repetitive since season 1 with no linear character development and it kinda annoys me. I always headcannoned him as pansexual and that’s now seemingly confirmed, but apart from that he feels just as immature and Aimless as we learned before. It didn’t feel like an organic set up for a season 4 lead.

Gregory and Hyacinth:

My only criticism is that I wanted more of them on screen.

Eloise:

I can’t belief I will say this, but Cressida deserved better. I truly liked their friendship in part 1 and after learning her upbringing her behaviour is more understandable. If she could forgive pen with such ease she should have learned to react different to Cressida and she was very self-centred when Cressida did have a truly awful future in front of her, I fully understood why she chose the way out (the criticism of the Bridgerton was obviously out of line, but it’s not like Penelope didn’t write awful things about them before (calling Kate a beast and destroying Marina publicly, a young pregnant woman without any help, will always have her on my shit list).

Violet:

Her not showing Francesca that she approached her engagement totally different to Polins broke my heart. She truly doesn’t know how to handle her kids apart from Colin successfully.

Will and Alice:

Their inheritance explanation going through the female line will forever confuse me, but they and their kids are adorable and I absolutely loved the Kate/gregory/hyacinth/mondrichs scene.

This is all of it for now, what are your thoughts?

[inthethickofbleeding]

Thoughts on Bridgerton S3

I'M JUST RANTING OKAY I've only seen part 2 once and these are just my thoughts and feelings I am gonna throw here and delete later when I probably change my mind after rewatching?? I just gotta rant😭

Penelope was so gracious and understanding and forgiving and I felt she deserved, in many moments, to be rightfully more upset, more vindictive, more fiercely witty and proud. Though I do LOVE all the things getting resolved and solved and brought to light and happy endings (I actually do love it), the journey there for me was missing a healthy and (imo) realistic dose of female rage. Just for the dramaaa come on. All the other drama going on here and Penelope is 'grateful for your counsel?' bfr. I'll show you grateful for your counsel by hating on it! She can show everyone her heart AND her teeth. She is more than capable and I thought that her character was reduced too much in the last four episodes. Penelope I want you to have everything, including your full range of emotion and humor and wit. Drink more w/ Madame Delacroix okay?? And with Lady Danbury.

I feel like my husbandColin was weirdly sidelined? I'm actually quite grateful for Part1 Colin, because I haven't landed anywhere yet with Part2 Colin. I knew he was jealous, I knew he was always going to forgive her...and we all knew he loved her....so the conflict/tension between them was not as interesting- for me! Just for meee. And stupidly drawn out. FOR MEEEEE. He had taken so many 'gallant' steps in his relationship with Penelope so when their wedding day and night and subsequent honeymoon days arrived and he was stuck in that attitude I was so unmoved. Don't play with me, Colin. Go worship your wife.

I JUST WANTED ANOTHER PURE VIOLET MOMENT! OF ANY KIND! Like before/about her dance with Marcus come oonnn! This is Violet! Please for the love. Also give me a convo with her and Penelope! Just one real one?? Damn. Her resolution with Francesca was alright? I guess. I do love that she isn't perfect with all of her kids, esp her daughters. But I feel they planted a lot of stuff for her as a mother and as a woman wanting to 'tend to her garden' you know? And it fell awkwardly for me. My favorite Bridgerton forever though.

HATE HATE HATE that Colin went to Cressida's house to make things worse trope. Seen it before. Didn't like it then and I don't like it now. AND he was forgiven so quickly. Absolutely not. DO NOT GO INTO ROOMS ALONE WITH ANYONE ANYMORE COLIN BRIDGERTON UNLESS IT IS UR WIFE PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME SLASH MY SCREEN. Go home to your wife and fix it there before you try to be all heroic outside of it okay. I will shave your head. I think I need Daphne.

Dear Eloise, you don't know what it is to be a friend, to have a friend, or even to lose a friend. Maybe I'm interpreting it wrong, maybe I don't care idk. But we start the show humanizing Cressida, bully since season 1 episode 1, THROUGH Eloise. BUT WHEN IT CAME TIME FOR THE FRIENDSHIP TO MEAN SOMETHING TO EITHER OF THEM Eloise willfully gave up, walked away, ran to the comfort of her privilege with her family and way-too-understanding friend. HOW DID WE CHAMPION SO MANY WOMEN ONLY TO ABANDON THIS THING W/ Cressida at the end as she was literally sent away alone.

Lady Danbury complaints similar to Violet. She is usually a more prominent player, so when she wasn't this season, well, I missed her and wanted anything more about her. But! Love her all the same.

HOW DARE THEY throw Kanthony back and forth all weirdy like that. Kate is here, just let us have Kate. And her lil loving husband. Come oooonnn. Three babies at the end and none of them Kate's😭 And Violet was overwhelmed and they didn't get to have another moment?? A lot of off-screen moments are told to us and we just get to believe whoever says whatever. Every actor here has shown they have skills for show-don't-tell productions! All those beautiful eyes! I just am feeling upset about the random use of this gorgeous couple. EVEN ANTHONY, Viscount and eldest brother of them all just walks away at one point when Colin is obviously needing more of him. Whatever.

Why why why did we have an original song PLUS an orchestral cover of it for both to be so unused??? Tori Kelly's song is so wedding-coded and so romantic and earnest. But it didn't make an appearance for Polin at all. Not at their wedding, not in their home, not in the carriage, not anywhere...

Maybe unpopular opinion but I hated "Yellow" being the wedding song. First see the point above and then please please just remember how much Penelope did to distance herself from that fucking color and the horrible memories of it. NOW! IF COLIN HAD MENTIONED IT SOME WAY OR WHATEVER THEN SUUUURRREEE keep the song. HOWEVER. EVEN THE WEDDING WAS NOT YELLOW, HER FAMILY WASN'T IN YELLOW, WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT IT AT ALL WHY IS IT THE FUCKING WEDDING SONG WHEN THERE ARE MANY OTHER OPTIONNNNSSSSS WHYYYYY (idc why, I just hated it, even if I did cry).

Benedict has been cute and boring for far too long and that did not change for me in this season. TWO BRIDGERTONS with queer representation in an already huge season with so many storylines going on, I wish we could've celebrated it better. Amongst the thousands of other things that were being celebrated, Benedict has still been separated from them in weird ways.

Not a big point, just an interesting one. But where did Debling go? He just effed off to the wilderness? We spent a lot of time with him (and Cressida) in the first four eps.....and then he was gone.....okay.

Charlotte, I love you. You should know that first. But man you love to crash a party, and a wedding, and I just feel like you should've at least killed someone by now with all these theatrics. Even for Charlotte, I felt she was strangely incorporated into this last half of the season. She and Penelope are technically equals in many many ways- BUT WE NEVER GOT TO SEE THAT WIT AND BANTER PLAY OUT MORE WHYYYY

All in all. It's just my rantings. I was absolutely in love with the first four episodes. There was something so fairytale about it and it was so romantic. So, yes, I was disappointed in part 2 on the initial watch, despite the many things I loved about it. There was a lot going on and, sadly, most did not land for me. Yet.

It's a good show, I still love the show. I will be watching the show. Give me more of the show lol.

[maefansblog]

Bridgerton Season 4: What Do We Want?

[It's probably a long shot if any of Netflix actually listens to what the viewers actually want.] (I posted on reddit a little earlier. I want to see what the community wants from Season 4, too, either here on Tumblr or Reddit.)

Don't make us wait another 2 years. Spin offs should not happen if they can't deliver on the main story. If the story can't be fully told in 8 episodes, give us 10.

1. Main story: Benedict and Sophie

Masquerade, the sofa, Sofie runs away,

Benedict exploring his pansexuality, Sofie's family drama, Sofie Runaway and becomes a servant, Benedict not knowing who Sofie is, and

asking her to be his mistress [ughh yes I hated that], Sofie saying no, 🤣

MY COTTAGE, Sophie discovering Benedict's art,

them falling in love,

the jail scene,

Benedict discovers Sophie is the Lady in Silver, Whistledown and Benedict saving Sophie.

Benedict and Sophie HEA

A good HEA should be at LEAST 15 minutes.

2. Eloise being secretive, hiding away, writing letters and disappearing either by the 7th or 8th episode.

3. Penelope's fall out from Lady Whistledown. Rasing the heir, trying to be a part of society as the heir's mama, and editing Colin's journals. Also saving Sophie through Lady Whistledown.

4. Colin and Penelope writing, visiting John, Fran, Michaela and Eloise. Colin loving being married, eating a lot, and taking care of his son. It is told that Marina has passed away. Penelope, Colin, and Eloise deal with this.

5. Anthony and Kate actually working as the Viscount and Viscountess. We see the new baby.

6. Violet actually moving into a Dowager House. Hyacinth and Gregory fade a little into the background. Maybe Daphne's children make an appearance if Daphne and Simon can't. Violet loves her grandchildren. Show Eloise actually interacting with the kids. Lady Danbury, Violet, and the Queen continue to strengthen their relationship.

Some people are saying that Araminta is Cressida’s mother. If Cressida is Sophie, I will throw the entire show away. If Cressida is Posy or Rosamund, I will feel better. Cressida will have a part in the story, but I do NOT want her with Benedict. 😡

I love show Benedict. I remember reading An Offer from a Gentleman a few years ago and I hated what Benedict did. The show has an opportunity to touch on dark themes that happen with Sophie, but also redeem Benedict by humanizing him. Luke Thompson already has.

Book Quotes:

"I can live with you hating me," he said to the closed door. "I just can't live without you."

"You're beautiful because you know your own darkness and still, that alone doesn't stop you from finding your own light."

"It suddenly made sense. Only twice in his life had he felt this inexplicable, almost mystical attraction to a woman. He’d thought it remarkable, to have found two, when in his heart he’d always believed there was only one perfect woman out there for him.

His heart had been right. There was only one."

"Be mine. Be mine right now. Be mine forever. I'll give you anything you want. All I want in return is you."

"At the masquerade, even before I saw you, I felt you. Anticipation. Magic. There was something in the air. And when I turned, and you were there, it was as if you'd been waiting for me, and I knew that you were the reason I'd stolen into the ball. You are the reason I exist, the very reason I was born."

[In all honesty, I want Bridgerton to keep going. There are a lot of stories to tell. It shouldn't end here. It shouldn't end with Benedict. It should be told in its entirety. I'm worried that if they continue to deviate so much, they are going to lose a lot of fans.]

If you read this far, I appreciate you. 💕

[sea-owl]

What was yandere Colin's reaction to finding out that Penelope is Lady Whistledown?

Yandere Colin went through four of the five stages of grief the day he found out his Penelope was Lady Whistledown.

First it started with denial

"Oh my god," Colin whispered as he read over the letter. "Oh my god."

His Pen, his nymph. She couldn't be. She couldn't be Whistledown.

But Whistledown did always seemed to know more than anyone else. Some information his precious nymph would somehow know too before the papers would come out.

But here she was, with an unpublished Whistledown column, in the same handwriting.

Next was anger

"Get up." Colin told her. Grabbing hold of Penelope's arm he lead her to his carriage. "Take the long way home," he instructed the driver.

They at first sat in silence, Penelope coldly staring out the window.

"You know what I am deciding?" He asked her.

Penelope only glanced at him.

"I'm trying to decide what I am most angry at you for. The fact that you came down here in a hired hack-"

Penelope scoffed. "I've been down here hundreds of times in hired hacks. It's not like I can take one of our's."

Colin's vision began to tint red. His precious nymph was Lady Whistledown, and she had been putting her life at risk running around the city.

"And another thing, what the hell is this?!"

Then bargaining

"Penelope," Colin sighed at his nymph. "You've angered a lot if people over the years. Cressida would've solved that issue, let her take the fall."

Penelope snapped towards him. "I rather see that bitch dead than taking credit for my life's work!"

I can make that happen for you my nymph, but I have to protect you.

Finally, acceptance

Fine then, if you must foolishly continue to put yourself endangered then you will do so with my protection and the protection of the Bridgerton name, Colin thought to himself as silenced his Pen's moans with kisses.

Normally he would have preferred to do this in a bed, especially for their first time, but he would not leave any room for Penelope to back out of a marriage with him. If he must ruin her, to create life in her womb, then so be it.

His hands trace up her thighs, pausing at the belts around them, but then contined on his mission to trapping his nymph with him forever.

"Colin," Penelope moaned as she brought him closer, one hand leaving scratches down his back.

Good, mark me as your's, Coin thought as he sucked another mark onto her breast. I belong to only you, as you belong to me.

[quotergirl19]

They’re apparently splitting season 3 into 2 parts so here’s my immediate thoughts:

Part 1: Colin & Penelope will decide to marry because he missed her when she distanced herself from him and with a tiny bit of encouragement from Lady Danbury and Violet, Colin realizes he is drawn to Penelope and happiest when he’s with her. He decides marrying his dearest friend could make them both very happy and since she has not been able to forget her feelings for him Penelope agrees, hoping that he will come to love her because he swears that he will be faithful to her and to his vows. During their engagement ball they share a dance and Colin finds her so irresistible that he sneaks Penelope into a private room and they kiss. They discover such passion between them that neither can wait for their wedding and Penelope is more confident than ever that he might come to love her.

Jealous of Penelope’s victory in winning Colin, and without any proof, Cressida decides to take advantage of the fact that Lady Whistledown has stopped writing and spreads a rumor that Penelope is Lady Whistledown at their wedding reception, hoping to ruin Penelope. The Bridgertons immediately intervene & keep Polin apart because Eloise tells them it’s true. Anthony insists that they can argue that the marriage was not consummated & can therefore be annulled but Colin refuses to believe it. Part 1 ends with Colin being forced to distance himself from either his entire family or from his wife while Penelope is locked in her room while her furious mother begins making arrangements to have her youngest daughter shipped off to an asylum.

Part 2: Penelope has caught wind of what her mother intends to do and is desperate for help but has no way to get word to Colin or even to flee London by herself. Desperate to speak to his wife, Colin sneaks into Featherington house to see Penelope. He refuses to believe the truth until Penelope confesses and explains herself. She tells him she knows he will never be able to forgive what she has done and he agrees with her because he’s furious about her deception and what she did to Marina. She admits that she’s never been able to forgive herself either but promises him that he will be free of her forever once their marriage is annulled. She begs him to help her escape her mothers’ house so she can avoid the abuse she would suffer in an asylum. Not without compassion, Colin agrees to help her and the next night he has a carriage waiting for her but when it’s time for them to part, she kisses him and confesses that she has always loved him and she always will. Before she can leave, he tells her she’s the only woman he’s ever truly loved and he would rather leave London forever than lose her. They consummate the marriage in the carriage before leaving town, leaving letters of explanation for Lady Danbury to give to the Queen & the Bridgertons.

Before they are about to board a ship destined for the Americas, Colin & Penelope are stopped by the Queen herself who offers them protection in exchange for Lady Whistledown’s allegiance to the crown in the future. They agree and rather than leaving forever, Mr. & Mrs. Bridgerton make a new plan, to take an extended honeymoon, before returning to London next season.

[lamaison]

Some spoilery thoughts on season 3A of Bridgerton:

- Bridgerton batting 2 for 2 with the man glow ups. I really don't know what they're going to do when it's Benedict's turn since he already looks pretty good.

- BUT PENELOPE. Good lord, I'm usually attracted to masc women but I would let her step on me and thank her for it. Absolutely stunning, the gold standard of Bridgerton glow ups. Get that woman on a clinch cover STAT.

- Costumes on point as always. They're feeling more comfortable not sticking strictly to the Regency silhouette. I'm looking forward to seeing more of Kate in 3B because they said they were going to be leaning more on Indian inspirations with her.

- I was very pleased to see some disability representation with the debutante using British Sign Language and the lord in a wheelchair! I wish they were shown as more in-depth marriage options than just as brief singular moments. Like maybe showing Colin or Benedict dancing with the deaf girl and communicating with her.

- I saw a snippet of an interview with someone on the Bridgerton staff talking about how they're going to be adding some queer representation but I'll be upset if it's just as brief as the disability. They already kind of painted themselves into a corner by establishing it as a taboo thing in the first season. I got some mean lesbian vibes from Cressida in these episodes and I know (I know!) that they are locked into who all of the Bridgerton siblings end up with because of the books but come on. There are eight of them - statistically one of them has to be a little fruity. Looking directly at you, Eloise and Benedict.

- I kind of enjoyed Eloise and Cressida's friendship. It was an interesting dynamic and I look forward to seeing more.

- I hope the Featheringtons stick around forever. Every scene with the mom and two sisters was comedy gold.

- From what I understand Francesca's story is not as focused on her early life and first getting married so I'm not really upset that her courting storyline in this season is moving at a brisk pace. I like her a lot even if the actress looks like she knows what an iPhone is.

- I'm not as invested in Colin and Pen's story, but man do I feel the chemistry. The passion between them was incredible. I also appreciate that the show took the reaction to season one to heart and were much more conscious of highlighting consent. There's a lot that gets forgiven in historical romance novels, and there need to be adjustments when adapting to a wider tv audience and modern sensibilities. Also, did not think I would ever feel compelled by a romance scene set to an orchestral arrangement of a Pitbull song but here we are.

- Anyway, it was good and I'm looking forward to the second half!

[klarolijahs]

Just going to put all the lovely comments and theories by @not-a-mer-gentleman to this post of mine down below because I think they are quite well thought out - and hey someone write a fic like this plzz

Ep 1 - I’m equally desperate for SOMETHING Polin. I have a million scenarios running through my mind at any given time lol One minute I’m imagining Colin will find out Penelope is Whistledown in episode 1 & his hero complex will have him insisting they marry so he can protect her. He’d convince himself that the way he feels about her is just because she’s his only female friend & they’ve known each other forever. Penelope only agrees because she’s shocked & caught off guard.

Ep 2 - Then once they’re betrothed (episode 2) & spending more time without other people distracting them from each other, Colin realizes how good they are together. He’s drinking less & those feeling he’s had of being purposeless go away for the first time in years & he starts to question if he’s falling in love with Penelope. But Penelope overhears gossip & knows the ton is whispering that she must’ve trapped him because everyone knows he doesn’t want her because he said he’d never court her.

Ep 3 - Penelope is trying her best to put on a brave face because Colin insists the whispers of the ton don’t matter, he’s chosen her & they’re going to be happy together. But Penelope’s in the dark about his feelings for her. She thinks he’s marrying her to be chivalrous & for a sense of purpose in his life. She drinks too much at a ball & during a flirty exchange, they kiss. She panics & leaves, afraid she’s revealed her feelings for him. He follows her to her carriage & passion takes...

Ep 4 - Polin are horny little rabbits, sneaking around to steal steamy kisses & touches every chance they get. But neither of them have admitted their actual feelings yet. Penelope is convinced Colin has passion for her & she’s hopeful it will grow into love. Then while they’re kissing in a closet, Polin overhear Cressida telling lies, saying Colin admitted to some gentlemen that Penelope is so undesirable she would have to degrade herself to snare such a catch. Penelope is devastated.

Ep 5 - Penelope publishes the first Whistledown column since Colin proposed in an attempt to stop people from believing Cressida’s lies. Colin’s furious she published again because he assumed she understood that he wants her to stop writing & she tells him she never wanted to marry someone who was ashamed of her because she thinks that’s what’s really bothering him. In a moment of anger he says no man is his right mind would marry Whistledown & she should be grateful. Penelope walks out.

Ep 6 - Colin calls on Penelope the next day but she isn’t home. She doesn’t come to the ball that night either. He receives a letter she sent him explaining she never meant for things to be so hard on him. She thanks Colin for trying to save her from herself explaining how she once saved him from himself with Marina but the difference is she did that because she has always loved him. She calls off their betrothal & tells him to find his true love & purpose. Colin is devastated.

Ep 7 - The Bridgertons are all worried about Colin. After the Marina debacle he was singing & his normal self within days. But now he can’t distract himself. Travel makes him think of how Penelope encouraged his adventures & wrote to him. He admits that he’s never felt so alone & that he doesn’t deserve to feel better because for the first time he had someone who truly loved him but he took her for granted & lost her & she was the love of his life. Eloise goes to see Penelope.

Ep 8 - Eloise & Penelope have reconciled but Pen still believes freeing Colin from their betrothal was the right thing to do. Pen admits she hasn’t informed her mother that the engagement is off yet. Eloise tells the family & Colin sees it as a chance to turn everything around. Colin sings & toasts to his beautiful fiancé, proclaiming to the entire ton that Penelope is his dearest friend & the love of his life. Penelope kisses him, propriety be damned.We see a montage of Polin’s wedding, honeymoon traveling together, and the birth of their first child. We find out the Queen has been made aware of Whistledown’s true identity & Penelope has the protection of The Crown in exchange for keeping Queen Charlotte informed of all the ton’s gossip, and no longer publishing her column. But we get a glimpse of Penelope writing something new, a novel called, “The Wallflower.”

You're a superstar, and I read through your summaries of all chapters and they really do sound amazing. I especially loved horny little rabbits lols and ugh Colin screaming she should be greateful is such an angsty little plot but I love it!

[rebma]

Bridgerton Part 2 - Episode 5

Spoilers

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Who needs fresh air when there is fresh gossip indeed.

I'll ship Cressida and Eloise forever, they're so cute 🥰

God Penelopes mum is such a bitch, so unsupportive. TELL HER, COLIN! Stand up for your woman! Love how they just get straight to fucking, remember when being unchaperoned was the biggest deal in the world?

I did find the sofa scene a bit too cringey but that's purely because I find Colin cringey 🤮

I cannot wait to see how it all unfolds.

Loving the dresses at the engagement party, so cute and floral!

Also why is it always Midnight? "Tell him by Midnight or I will" 🤣 Sassy Eloise is my favourite here. They're all so shady!

CRESSIDA STOP IT 🤣 Love it, get it girl.