#also i really hope that in s3 we will see a friendship between colin and will

[butyouaremymess]

Polin Week: Day Five

Favorite Colin Moment

Season 2 Episode 8

“The Viscount Who Loved Me”

[alientater]

I have so much to say about s3 of bridgerton so I’m dumping it all into one post. Take my dumbass opinions as a writer for what you will 😂

- first foremost thank you my QUEEN Nicola for your confidence and courage (I am no better than a man 👀). I feel like this whole season was a reminder for me, through both Pen and Colin that bodies that look like my own (Pens) deserve love. I can’t even begin to tell yall how much watching people swoon over her body specifically has made me 🥹 blush because my own looks so much like hers.

- I absolutely adored how devoted Colin was to Pen. Watching him realize his love for her in all her forms, with all her flaws was absolutely adorable and wonderful and beautiful, and it, in its own way, comforted me that the more masculine side of my self can be the romantic, the devoted, the loving person that I am as well. Both his little speech in the carriage and his love confession at the end are now living rent free in my brain.

- I know many people think they should have cut some of Benedict’s scenes but I’m against that opinion. I ADORED his character development this season, and I think it served well as a break in the tension of the plot. you will NEVER catch me unhappy to see a bisexual king living his best and horniest life.

- I’m so glad Pen got to keep her Column. The books end with Colin revealing her identity and I’m so glad they changed that. So much from the book was changed to give her more agency and I’m so so so happy about that.

- Genuinely, I’m so excited to see what happens in Scotland with Francesca and Eloise and Michaela and John!! I have a suspicion they’re going to make it another spinoff show like Queen Charlotte, and then we’ll get Benedict’s season (which 👀💕 I have no clue what they’ll do with it but WHATEVER it is I will be parked in front of that TV the SECOND it drops). Whatever it is they have planned I have a sneaking suspicion we’re finally going to get some sapphic romance 👀 so.

- I absolutely cannot stand the hate this season is getting online. I really think it was well done, and I enjoyed every second of it.

- I do wish they’d shown a *few* more spicy Polin scenes (or maybe made the end one a bit longer bc HOOOO boy 👀 I needed about another full 5-10 minutes of her riding him lord GOD almighty I need a glass of WATER). BUT they really didn’t get any more spice than Kate and Anthony did last season (in fact they had quite a bit more I’d say), and I know we’ll see more of it next season hehe 😈 so 😏.

- John dying is literally actually physically going to break my heart when we get to Francesca’s storyline. ALSO I think I really…. I want her to fall in love with him wholly and completely too. I think she has in some ways. I hope in her story, they explore the very real love between them, mostly because I adore his beautiful lil autistic ass.

- I really wish they’d brought back Daphne and the duke a bit more to help violet and Fran a bit. I think Daphne specifically would have really helped soothe that relationship.

- can we get an Eloise Benedict swing scene every season?? Plz? For me? I adore their queer sibling bond so so so much.

- I’m so glad Pen and Eloise are on good terms again. Their friendship breaking just really…

- also, on Eloise, I adore the character growth I saw her go through this season. I think she’s really learning how to see and love the people around her for who they are and it’s so beautiful. I think people were right about her self absorption to a certain degree but… every character has flaws. No one is really infallible. And I think I went through a similar growth, learning how to check and weild my priveledge, and it’s comforting to know I’m not alone in some of the mistakes I made

- I have so many feelings about Cressida Cowper. I know she’s a bully, and I disliked her originally, but something about this season made me…. Sort of like her. First of all, she’s so cunty and I absolutely LOVE that for her. Her outfits are 😮‍💨 every single time. The SLEEVES on those dresses. Like. I really hope she has character growth of her own. Also. You can’t convince me that woman isn’t a femme lesbian. I want to see her set up a nice little estate and live happily ever after with a woman she loves, honestly. I feel like it was really realistic and fascinating to see her schism with her family. I hope she doesn’t take her mother’s advice to heart. That she breaks the generational curse and learns to be both kind AND cunty 😂. I hope Eloise and her make up somewhat too. I just. I don’t want her to be the villain. The pressures of society are their own villain.

- Bring back Edwina Sharma and her Prince can we start a FUCKING petition bro.

- two people in on that show that no matter what they are being paid, are not being paid enough 1) the COSTUME designer and 2) the intimacy coordinator. Every five seconds I found myself saying “god that dress” or “oh man, I need that waistcoat”

- I love that the writers chose to make the featherington sisters more than just… jokes? Philippa especially. She really had some of the best breakout lines of the season “insert himself where” GIRL “Farley, now! the bugs!!” SHES SO CUTE and Mr Finch baby boy so are you and your love for her 🥹 it’s just so wholesome. I love that Shonda really has showed through this show that even with our eccentricities, we all deserve to be loved, appreciated, cherished.

- we stand by Portia featherington. She really made the best of some SHITTY as situations, and we love her for that. It’s so important to me that she’s not the villain either. That she and pen worked things through, learned how to support each other, and that Portia apologized. I think she’s definitely…. Let’s say morally gray but how morally grey really is robbing the aristocracy? 🤫. I honestly? Kind of hope she finds a love match, or finds happiness in her singleness without having to rely on a man. That she learns to live in her power.

- Did I mention how devoted Colin is to Pen? Can we return to that? My FAVORITE moments of this season were the ones where he is so absolutely down bad for her that he can barely speak bc ME TOO baby boy. ME TOO. and that it’s pen. This season was for the girlies who never get noticed, who never had boys crush on them. Who have to make do living vicariously through others, who have to learn to love themselves, because the world does not seem to.

- can we bring back lord debbling? Lowkey…. I kinda liked him. I need him to be Cressida’s beard for real 🤫

- the mirror scene THE MIRROR SCENE 🫠😮‍💨😰🤤 I…. I have so many feelings. I keep hearing people being like “it was so cringe” but? I think I loved it because it felt so…. Realistic? I found myself loving it because it was so… slow and sweet and intentional and it was in every way an extension of Colin’s feelings for pen. He loves her enough that he treats her with only the most kind, most slow and soft touches. He considers her pleasure before his own (which, god is that dreamy I wanna be this man SO BAD). He talks her through. he appreciates in every way she SHOULD be appreciated. I’m just. I’m never going to be over how fantastically luke played him. How fantastic Luke and Nicola’s chemistry was. Can we appreciate the shots angles looking down on Penelope too bc oh man. Oh boy. Jesus Christ she would be walking ME like a dog to if she looked at me like that Holy Fuck. Also the THIGHS the TITTIES (👀 respectfully 👀 RESPECTFULLY). The little sneaky views of Colin’s butt hehe, the way Pen GULPS when she sees Colin (girl SAME). It reminded me so vividly of my own first time. it made me miss being that young and… idk. I feel like sex scenes often feel fake or unrealistic and the ones in this just felt SO real.

- on that topic can we all just appreciate how much Kate sharma is getting her cookie ate bc 😂 lord only knows she deserves it. ALSO. Petition for next season: I ABSOLUTELY need to see Colin on his knees doing the same for Pen 🤤👀 bc you KNow that man is a service top, and she deserves it.

- genuinely genuinely. I’m so afraid of the show now getting canceled because it has openly queer characters 🥺. I’ve fallen in love with it and it’s like there’s this dread, in the pit of my stomach, that it’s all going to end prematurely because people are already acting so shitty.

- I need violet to have her own spinoff with Marcus 👀 and CONTROVERSIAL OPINION (not controversial) I need their sex scenes bc 😳 LORD . I am not. ahem. I am sinning looking at lady bridgerton like this 😂

- I loved lady Danbury and pens exchange at the end of the season and they’re great friends in the books! I hope it develops more!

- how does Jonathan Bailey so convincingly play a man utterly in love/ lust with his wife as a gay man 😂. Also. Anthony’s little “LILACS”? Still thinking about that lol.

- I’m so glad Eloise didn’t tell Colin about pen being whistledown.

- really wish we’d had a wedding night sex scene 😅

- pen wearing a full set of acrylics and riding that man’s dick is….. god. I have been given a gift.

- Need Need NEED more of the Mondriches, just being happy and finding their place. Their ball this season was fucking fantastic.

- the end camera shot of Colin and pen kissing in front of the window she always watched him from 🫠🥹💕 I’m actually sick it’s SO PERFECT

- I knew Penelope was going to have the only boy 👀😏 called it hehe

- I think one of the things I love most about the show is just… seeing women support and uplift each other and work through things. Talk about the hard things. That’s how we grow as people.

In conclusion, I know many people disliked a lot of things about s3 but I, personally, adored it. And I also know why the writers cut what they did, and did what they did. I honestly think if they’d just added a few small things it would have been perfect. There was so much happening this season it felt overwhelming almost, and I think if I were to say if there’s anything to learn from this, it’s that they need to slow down. Focus on and give each plot its share. I wish I could give Bridgerton an infinite budget for infinite episodes to do whatever they wanted bc I know it would be good. ALSO if I have to endure a month wait like that again I’m actually fucking rioting. I liked the anticipation but it felt too long and just…. Idk. I think an episode a week would be a better way to stretch it if they wanted to keep that ploy. Anyways. If anyone’s actually read this far, I’m so sorry 😂. And to all the people griping… get a grip. It’s a beautiful show and the writing was honestly fantastic. just enjoy the media for what it is im actually begging you. If this show gets canceled because of something as trivial as not enough Polin sex scenes and having actual queer representation in fucking coming for ALL OF YOU.

Peace and light

Annika

[hopepaigeturner]

Hope's Review of S3: Polin

Right...let the main show begin!

Note: These are my opinions, that does not make them right, nor am I posturing that they are the only opinion. Very up for discussion with y’all as long as it’s respectful.

Note: I do not stand for hate against any actors/actresses or writers. Please, please, do not send hate to them.

As I said in my past post:

I loved moments, far more than the writing.

Penelope:

Nicola Coughlan did so well this season as the lead. 10/10 acting from her. A great female lead who carried a lot of scenes. Also the representation of a plus size girl in the sex scenes was so good.

Penelope’s looks beautifully represented her journey—e.g. her hair, the colours of her dresses.

Penelope’s character arc and growth were the best part of the season hands down. The journey of her confidence so she could face her past, expose herself, step into the light was probs the best writing.

Portia and Penelope storyline. I liked that Portia came to understand her neglect and Penelope understood the similarities between them. I was worried in pt1 that they wouldn’t be able to do this, but thankfully they did.

Penelope and Eloise. Oooh, I loved the slow burn. I liked that it was obvious the longing between the pair of them, so I had no doubt that Eloise would reunite with Pen. I liked the parallel that Colin reconciled with Pen through reading her letters, and Eloise reconciled after reading Old Whistledowns. I also liked that Eloise did apologise to Pen. But whether Pen truly apologised back…a little murkier.

Penelope and Whistledown. I’m a bit mixed about this. I was glad that Pen took some accountability and received some heat from her actions. I am glad that we were shown that Penelope was starting to use her pen to ‘give voice to the voiceless’. I’m not sure a couple speeches really showed true remorse, I've had chats with others and rewatching the scenes she apologises but then counterargues it/justifies it. And the writers definitely shied away from some of the more pricklier parts of Whistledown. But I knew they were going to do that so 🤷🏻‍♀️

The whole Whistledown has always been a bit dodgy for me. Yes, in a patriarchal system, it is a woman making a successful business. But it is also profiting off the misfortune of others, and Penelope has not been kind. It’s not exactly #feminism. @dollypopup has a really good post here about Whistledown being all of Pen's worst qualities and she also has a really good resolution to this.

The decision to have Pen, not Colin, make the plan/decision to reveal Whistledown was a change I welcomed. It allowed Pen to have her moment and take control of her actions.

The decision to keep Whistledown…I’m wondering where the writers will take this going forward for there will be a lot more complications now. Will they show hostility? Will they brush it under the carpet? Will people be ‘fake friends’ to Pen?

Polin:

Same thing again, I loved moments but I was less impressed with the couple’s general arc.

The softness and giggles, and laughter between the two was so sweet to see. I was quite sold on the friendship aspect.

The mirror scene!! Need I say more?

I liked that amongst the Whistledown drama there was never the question about whether the two loved each other. It was never used to heighten stakes. However, the fact that Penelope literally just shouted ‘I love you’ in the face of Colin’s accusations on the street—and that was able to quell the ire in the moment didn’t do it for me.

The violin covers we got? Yellow, You Belong With Me, pov?? LOVED IT.

The wedding scene. Pen’s initial hesitation before Colin nods and encourages her. How they shot the vows. Penelope’s wedding dress. The holding hands. I found it really sweet and romantic.

All their dances? The fact that they love dancing together--swoon

But the writing…

I did like the progression of their friendship to lovers in part 1. I liked the lessons part, as it was basically Colin hyping Pen up, rather than Colin tutoring Pen as I first feared.

But in Part 2, Polin were a little sidelined? I felt that even though Whistledown was hanging over them in the latter part of the season, that the pair spent a lot of time apart. I think it didn't help that the subplots meant we literally had to wait long periods of time before we returned to them.

I’ve been hearing rumours about a lot of scenes, especially steamy scenes, being cut which makes sense because from the amount Nicola and Luke were talking about it I was expecting more. Then again, the ones we got were definitely…spicy. But also, in all honesty, if a production is running short for time and needs to make cuts, the first thing to go will be steamy scenes over dialogue/character scenes. Even if this is Boinkerton.

I cannot believe they cut out Colin's love speech from the book. Like, the classic Bridgerton love speech? His Bridgerton love speech? While I did like the one in the show, they could have easily added the other speech as the sentiment is exactly the same.

But I think the biggest problem with Polin was…

Colin’s lack of character exploration.

So, on we go to the equally most important character this season, even if he felt like the fourth or fifth.

Colin

This is my biggest annoyance. We get all this complexity from Penelope, the journey of self-love and confidence, coming to terms with the past (although not as much as I would have liked). And also, all the development/healing with her family and Eloise. But we barely get anything from Colin.

And yes, this is a romance show that is geared towards women and a wish for complex female characters. But gosh darn it, you need your male romantic lead to be interesting too!!! He’s the main plot of the season!!

We had all this talk about him putting on a mask and needing to just be himself, we had Pen talking about his sensitivity, we had this interesting concept of jealousy around his writing. And yeah, we got a bit of exploration, (more talk rather than showing), but he did not get nearly enough screentime to explore these things in depth. And that’s so annoying. Just because he’s the guy doesn’t mean he shouldn't get a meaningful arc. I also think that is why Polin flagged for me in the second half, because you had a really developed individual and a half-baked one.

When Colin gets to the conclusion about his purpose being Penelope, we only got one prior scene of him on his own to show that he came to that conclusion. Only one?!?!? Why didn't we have a full scene of Penelope exploring with Colin why he was jealous? Or why he felt the need to put up a front? Or why he feels that he must prove himself to be worthy of her?

He's one of the main leads!!!

However, once again I did love moments:

I liked that Colin didn’t beat around the bush. Once he realised he loved Penelope he went straight for it and didn’t dawdle unlike other Bridgerton boys.

I liked that Colin cried at the Whistledown reveal. Also, the whole thing about him being sensitive. I really like that in a show that has a lot of classic masculine tropes they went with that direction. (Even if they didn’t execute it well).

I LOVED Colin putting Portia in her place. YAAAAS.

I really liked that Colin didn’t have to do a big act of love to be worthy of Pen’s love. A lot of traditional male love interests (I’m looking at you Disney Princes) must slay the dragon or swoop in with a grand gesture to be ‘worthy’ of love. I liked that Colin just needed to be himself. I found that refreshing for a male character. Although again, this could have been explored better.

I liked that through reading letters, Colin found a way to reconcile with Penelope, just as Eloise found reconciliation with Penelope through reading Old Whistledowns.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Alas, the ghost of my English lit degree comes to haunt my brain once again.

Let me know what you guys think!

[doodlingaway]

Bridgerton S3 Thoughts So Far

I have approximately a million thoughts. They are not terribly well organized, but here we go.

(Spoilers ahead, obv)

I am obsessed with the Kanthony snippets. They have ruined me. Words cannot describe my joy and just the amount of flailing that I have done. THESE TWOOOOO I LOVE THEMMMM 🥰🫠

Specifically obsessed with the idea that they are just too horny to function and that's why they're not in most of the episodes. Go off, you sluts. ❤️‍🔥

THEIR HAND OBSESSION I CANNOT. Toying with a fic idea about this, I love it so much.

We knew this about Anthony, but love that they've solidified him as a man obsessed with eating out his wife, thank youuuuuu

Colin and Pen are so cute! I love them and am really digging how they adapted RMB so far. And THE CARRIAGE SCENE HOLY HELL 🥵

(But also RIP my dreams of virgin!Colin, what a hoe)

I low key love Lord Debling, he's so sweet. Not for Penelope at the expense of Colin, but like, I love him and kinda want him as a practical match for Cressida so she can escape her dumb family.

Speaking of Cressida, who else got queer vibes off the Eloise/Cressida friendship??? Granted I am not an objective observer, I have been stanning for a queer Eloise story since like day fucking one of this series, but like, come on. I don't love her and Eloise as a long-term match, but if this is how I can get my bb Eloise out of the closet, I am fully on board.

Penelope and Eloise!! 🥺 It hurts so much I just want them to be friends again! Tbh, this friendship rift feels like as much of a beating emotional heart of this season as the main Polin story, and I am HERE FOR IT. All for anything that shows that platonic love between friends can be equally important/impactful/heartbreaking/fulfilling as romantic love!

JOHN AND FRANCESCA!!! 🥰🥹🥺😭 Honestly, how dare they make me love them as a pair so much when we know what happens to him?? But I love what Hannah Dodd is doing with Fran and this makes me SO EXCITED (but scared) for her eventual season.

These storylines that I loved aside, there are TOO MANY UNNECESSARY STORYLINES. I like Will and Alice as characters, but I didn't need their storyline. The whole "Featherington sisters don't know how to fuck" was funny once or twice for comic relief, but I do not need a whole thing of it. I ADORE Ben, but like, what are we doing here with Lady Arnold? I fully support Violet getting some action and am intrigued by whatever the deal is with Lady D and her brother, but I could take or leave most of the Marcus Anderson stuff at this point. I just wish that they had cut a few of these and spent more time with Colin and Pen and/or Pen and Eloise (or I would never complain about more Kanthony, but I can acknowledge that they're not the focus of the season, so fine).

I'm super glad they took the note on season 2 not being horny enough and were like WE'RE DIALING IT UP TO 10 🔥 Everybody get you some action this season, we love to see it.

All of this said, I'm super enjoying it so far and DYING THAT WE HAVE TO WAIT A WHOLE MONTH FOR THE SECOND HALF! 🫠 Excited/terrified to see how they handle the Whistledown (wo)manhunt, and forever grateful for the romance genre where you know it ends in an HEA.

I'm off to write some fic to cope (and I hope you all do the same so I can enjoy yours!). And I would love to know others' thoughts - I've been loving to see everyone's reactions, even where they're different from mine!

[hopepaigeturner]

S3 Part 1 Thoughts

Is it a bit late? Perhaps...am I still going to post this on the even of part 2? Absolutely.

Am I going to jump on this?

Yeah--but only because I read this and found so many shared opinions which, knowing us @eleanor-bradstreet, is not surprising 😂😂

The Good

I agree about Polin. I love how much they've sold us on the friendship for I truly adore the depth of their friendship. And I really like the 'lessons'. I was worried when they introduced as I didn't like the idea of Colin changing Pen into who he likes. But the scenes actually boil down to Colin hyping Penelope up. You are Penelope Featherington, do not forget that . Ugh, I love that. And I agree Nicola is serving.

Also, Polin are adorable

Francesca and John. I agree, I love them your honour. I really like how the writing and acting are able to carve out a personality for Francesca. I'm glad that their courtship is able to stand out among the other courtships. And I'm glad we are seeing a sweet, loving John.

I also like the pace of some storylines. Especially Penelope and Eloise. I LOVE that they're not rushing it. And I am looking forward to Eloise's antagonism in part 2. I actually love the complexity they are showing with Eloise this season.

Eloise and Cressida. You know I thought I would hate it. But I sort of like it. I like that it's teaching Eloise how to be a good friend.

Cowpers. As I've posted before I was sceptical about whether Cowpers could be the Gunningworths but how they're handling Cressida this season...I really like and am coming around to the idea. And similar to Penelope and Eloise they are not rushing Cressida's redemption, which I think is important. However, if it turns out that this is not related to Sophie then it would just be another wasted storyline.

Oh and ofcourse, Penelope's looks this first part! YASS!

The Bad

Benedict. Yeah I agree about Benedict. I think it's just lacking the depth they've previously taken with Benedict. It feels like they're just parking him in the wings. We haven't seen any change between seasons. We haven't explored truly how he felt about running the estate. We haven't seen him do much emotional labour (not needing to be a big thing, but something to ensure character consistency).We haven't really seen him be Benedict other than having comedic moments and a fling. I'm hoping that part 2 will get a bit meatier for the character--rather than just the same old.

Lack of Bridgerton siblings. As @ladyjenevia said, they are not many Bridgerton sibling banters or scenes. I want more sibling moments other than Eloise and Colin.

Portia Featherington. Oh my gosh. I know she will get a talking to and will eventually soften but I just...cannot. I cannot stand her. What was the point of that prior season?

Featherington storyline. Pointless. A waste of time and...boring? And if the 'link' is that Penelope will have the first child then...I just feel its a bit cheap. I know people like them but why not have more family scenes? Why not develop Benedict a bit more?

Yeah just dusting this off from my drafts that I forgot about 😅

A quick mind spill before Part 2 tomorrow.

Thoughts on Bridgerton season 3

No one asked, but putting it out there. (Written after viewing part 1.)

The Good

Polin - it’s their season after all. There is plenty of them and a lot of scenes pulled right from the book. I don’t think Colin/Newts is all that charismatic or great at acting tbh, but Pen/Nic is carrying the season. Seeing through her eyes, there is a compelling story of self-acceptance, struggle and romance. I was whooping whenever she got steamy with her man.

Debling - wonderfully acted and such an interesting addition to the ton, I love this character. He is so kind and honest, he deserves the world.

Francesca & John - Hannah Dodd is doing a wonderful job. We get to see the one and only shy Bridgerton, which is novel. Her odd chemistry with John is magical and I am already fucked up about them. I’m more invested in them than Polin 😅

Eloise - we are seeing more facets of Eloise which is wonderful. That she is willing to look deeper at peoples’ true character - including Cressida and Pen, though the reconciliation with Pen isn’t finalized yet. Cressida also makes Eloise check herself, her assumptions and privileges which is crucial for her development. She’s growing this season.

The Cowpers - redemption arc for Cressida incoming! We are learning that her bitchiness stems from a competitive nature, which she feels she must have to secure a good match thanks to pressures from her awful parents. This is interesting in its own right but please please please have Sophie also being mistreated in their household. That would be the bow on top.

Marcus Anderson - hello handsome! He is wonderfully acted and immediately has a warm spark with Violet. The mystery is built as to why Lady D is so aggravated by him. What has he done in the past that makes her wary of him?

The music - great instrumental covers of on-point pop songs and revisiting a few tried and true Bridgerton original themes.

The Bad

Kanthony - But only for part 1. I'm guessing they had to work around JB's busy shooting schedule, but it sucks they found a lame way to essentially write them out of episodes 2-4. I'm happy to see from the trailer there will be more of them in part 2.

Benedict - for fucks sake, he does nothing. Season 2 might as well not have happened. Not only is he not sad nor frustrated with Anthony about art school, he has no introspection or personal development in part 1. He’s just shoved in the background again, making sassy little comments and fucking a random lady. Where is this ‘crucial role’ the showrunner mentioned? What ‘comes to a head’ for him as Luke keeps alluding to? All of his material must happen in part 2 because there is nothing in part 1.

The fucking Featheringtons - I know the entail is a plot line set up by season 2, but getting into microscopic detail about the sex lives of the elder two Featherington sisters is not the comic relief the show thinks it is. It actually makes me nauseous. The whole ‘race to produce an heir’ could have been a single line explanation from Portia and screen time with the Featherington couples could have been spent on more Benedict.

The sex - part 2 better be mind blowing because Nicola’s claim that Polin has ‘won the steamy battle’ is unfounded based on the first four episodes. Okay we’ve got Anthony and Benedict each with a scene between the sheets kissing ladies but not a single Bridgerbum to be seen. The claims of ‘threesomes’ and ‘lesbian sex’ are extremely generous. It’s 5 seconds of Colin kissing sex workers and them peformatively kissing each other. I know we have the mirror scene coming in part 2 which threatens to blow the roof off anything Saphne and Kanthony did but thus far, I am unimpressed. It feels more buttoned up than ever.

Now, I have also watched part 2 in its entirety. Without spoiling any details, see below the cut for a general note.

Part 2 contains some MAJOR twists that I feel are going to fracture the fandom. Brace yourselves.

[bridgertonbabe]

I really hope we get Sophie next season, but I’m also insanely curious how it’s gonna go with polin and with Penelope and Eloise. I know a lot of people don’t love that they fought but I think it works and kinda needed to happen. But I have no idea how they’re gonna deal with the polin scene of him hearing her and there are so many fun, angsty options.

Though I wasn't expecting anyone to discover Penelope's secret so early on, it did make for an incredible dramatic scene and Nicola and Claudia captured the fallout perfectly. I honestly can't predict how Peneloise will fare going ahead, I just hope they don't ruin either character or their friendship in S3.

As for Polin, I'm intrigued with how they'll play out next season. There's several possibilities of what might occur. Will it be reported on in Whistledown of what Colin said to his friends, because then Colin will be crushed that such words will have been read by his dear friend, and I imagine he'd apologise profusely to her, begging her to forgive him for speaking so cruelly. If it isn't reported on however, then Colin won't have a clue of the hurt he's caused Penelope. It'll be interesting how Penelope plays it as well; will she avoid him and give him the cold shoulder to hide her pain or act perhaps a little distant but still be civil with him when he approaches her to talk? With Peneloise's fallout obviously Penelope won't be hanging around the house and I can see Colin constantly asking after her to an irritable Eloise, as well as it being quite plain to the audience that he's missing her.

There might even be a scenario where Colin picks up on the Peneloise fallout and believes it is Eloise who has done wrong by Pen and tries to get her to make amends or apologise, infuriating Eloise and resulting in them suffering a massive fallout too. Eloise wouldn't say a word of Penelope's identity, even with Colin attacking her for seemingly doing wrong by Pen, and Colin nonetheless would take Penelope's side because in his eyes it's his sister who is preventing him from seeing Pen as often as he would like. I can see Eloise glaring at them across the ballroom, bitter that her ex-best friend and her current least favourite brother are still close. In light of her fallout with Eloise, I wonder if that will also factor into Penelope's behaviour towards Colin; whether she tries to keep away from him to prevent any further upset for Eloise or if she'll be unable to steer clear of him due to her undying love for him in spite of the cruel words she overheard him say.

There are so many juicy possibilities for drama and angst between Penelope and where she now stands with both Eloise and Colin, and I hope the writers know what they're doing going forward.

(I think I saw someone mention it somewhere but I'd like to see Colin asking Pen to dance at a ball, only for her to decline and make a remark along the lines of "I wouldn't want anyone to think us dancing together to mean anything" and Colin's face falls from the rejection.)

[margoshansons]

Yes! I’ve also been a fan of JB for years and it has been incredibly gratifying to see everyone fall for him! Especially because I’m sure the pressure he was under after the hysteria over RJP leaving was insane. JB’s such a talent and has been underrated for so long. He is also, by all accounts, a genuinely wonderful person. He deserves all the success.

I’m also delighted for Simone. Of the four leads so far, Kate got the worst deal in terms of character development, and she did beautifully anyway. I also think Simone contributed a lot to the show’s online hype. She goes viral on Twitter and TikTok almost daily still.

And as excited as I am to see more Kanthony in S3, I hope JB and Simone’s Bridgerton commitments don’t limit what new opportunities they can take on.

But I also think—that while CVD, Shonda and co will never admit it—Kanthony made (saved?) the season. And so the show is going to have to rely on them a lot from now on. Polin just doesn’t have it - they both suck as individuals, Colin isn’t hot or charming enough to be a leading man (especially after Regé and Jonathan) and their chemistry still isn’t visible. I feel like they’ll have to dangle Kanthony to entice viewers back.

As soon as I saw him in Groove High, I knew I would adore him for the rest of my life and I was right. Also if you've ever seen any of his theatre performances, it was clear from the moment he stepped onstage that he was a talent and I truly hope he blows up in popularity like Rege and other actors like Andrew Garfield and Charlie Cox.

And also I wanna see him in more period stuff playing characters like Austen heroes or more serious roles. He clearly cares deeply about each character he plays and it shows.

AND SIMONE MY LOVE! She was very easily the highlight of the season along with Charithra (who I hope finds a role worthy of her comedic and dramatic ability) and I really hope I see more of her. Even in Sex Education she stood out to me as a side character instead of a main because she has a fantastic screen presence and I wish we could've seen more comedy from Kate's ends cause Simone has FANTASTIC Comedic Timing.

Truly I want her to rise not only on the Silver Screen but see her make her way through Hollywood.

I would be okay if we got limited Kanthony because JB and Simone are finally getting the leading roles in movies or other tv shows because frankly they're owed better.

And you're completely right about Polin. This is not a diss toward Nicola or Luke N because they definitely have chemistry in interviews and are hilarious, but something with how Penelope and Colin are written makes that chemistry disappear. Nicola is hilarious and could bring a really great humorous side to Penelope but they seem determined to keep her serious and anxious. Same with Luke Newton. He's very charismatic in interviews but the way they wrote Colin leaves something to be desired and both him and Nicola suffer because of it.

I've said it a million times that Polin has great friendship chemistry but not romantic chemistry and I think it's because no one truly knows how to write the two outside of Colin being a dick and Penelope staring longingly after him. They have nothing in common except for Eloise and when you place their scenes right after Kanthony's it's easy to see the difference between the two. Again, not a diss toward Nicola and Newt, just an observation.

Kanthony will be the saving grace again if S3 is a Polin season instead of Benophie (which according to Simone and Shonda it seems they're leaning that way) because there's a good chance Rege won't be coming back and Daphne will probably get less and less screen time as a result because the main players in Polin's story are ABCE and the Featheringtons. And they also need to figure out how to give Francesca a plot. (Ruby Stokes my baby I'm so sorry they did you so dirty)

[ghostlyheart]

Go on then, wwdits for the ask thingie!

@arielmagicesi thank you both!!

the first character i ever fell in love with: Nadja beloved <3 (she's gonna pop up on this list a lot aksjks)

a character that i used to love/like, but now do not: I can't really think of any

a ship that i used to love/like, but now do not: Again, nothing I can think of

my ultimate favorite character™: Nadja!! I could go on about this but it's just so refreshing to have a female character that gets to be as loud, crass, and funny as her male counterparts. I also really liked the development she's gotten this season! Ghosts (s2e2) introduced the idea that she was dissatisfied with immortal life because she hadn't really done anything with it, but that kind of got put on the backburner for the rest of season 2. It was wonderful to see her act on that desire in s3 with how excited she was to joing the council, and then how she actually grappled with that responsibility (particularly in The Siren). I'm just very happy to see her coming into her own while also being a bit more vulnerable :')

prettiest character: Nadja again; Laszlo I'm gonna steal your wife

my most hated character: I don't think I really hate any character? Laszlo is getting some deserved bullying rn but I still love him <3

my OTP: Nadja/Laszlo just destroys me :') I love how they completely turn the archetype of old married couple who can't stand each other on it's head. They're not perfect but there's clearly so much genuine love and adoration between them. That cliffhanger left them in a VERY interesting position, I'm very excited to see where season 4 is going to take their relationship.

my NOTP: I know some people ship Laszlo and Colin and while I don't really have a problem with it, it's DEFINITELY not for me aksdj. I really loved their friendship though!!

favorite episode: This is such a hard question, I'm really not sure I can narrow it down. These are my favorites from each season (for now): Manhattan Night Club (s1), Witches (s2), and The Portrait (s3)

saddest death: That one week we lost Colin 😔

favorite season: Again, it's really difficult to pick. I want to say season 2 but I'm not 100% settled on that. Less happened plot wise, it was more just Guillermo gradually discovering himself all throughout, but I really liked the more chill episodes where they're just kind of goofing off at home! The Curse and Colin's Promotion are absolutely hysterical and they both revolve around the house.

least favorite season: I think I have to say season 3, although I still loved it. The start was a little shaky, but it found it's footing pretty quickly. The writers did a great job exploring new character dynamics and putting them in new environments. However (connected to the last answer), I think it's a shame we didn't get to spend as much time at the house. Some of the funniest episodes (for me personally) are when they just get to interact in close quarters and be ridiculous, rather than trying to do lots of huge actiony stuff or pushing the plot forward.

character that everyone else in the fandom loves, but i hate: I'm going to stretch the question here. Jackie Daytona isn't an individual character, and I definitely don't hate him (I love On the Run) but I really don't want to see him in another episode. I feel like a lot of people are asking for his return (more on the reddit side of the fandom where I lurk occasionally) but I think that would run the joke into the ground :/

my ‘you’re piece of trash, but you’re still a fave’ fave: Simon the Devious is a horrible slimeball and I hope he's still out there in the Staten Island sewers somewhere.

my ‘beautiful cinnamon roll who deserves better than this’ fave: This is more in relation to the fandom, but people on the subreddit are so mean to The Guide >:( she's a queen and I love her

my ‘this ship is wrong, nasty, and makes me want to cleanse my soul, but i still love it’ ship: I'm sorry but once again I don't have anything aksjks. I kinda mostly focus on the canon ships (although I would like to take a moment to preach the gospel of nadja/lilith).

my ‘they’re kind of cute, and i lowkey ship them, but i’m not too invested’ ship: Tbh this is how I felt about Nandor/Guillermo at the begining, especially before s3. Like I saw it but I didn't particularly care if it happened. Now that the writers are actually addressing it I'm definitely more invested and excited to see where it goes!!