#also that whole scene + the one of penelope pointing out how privileged colin is.... chef's kiss

[myfairstarlight]

now between this, the eros and psyche line, and her calling out eloise, cressida really was just clocking the bridgertons the whole season huh

[hopepaigeturner]

Hope's Review of S3: Creloise

Eloise Storyline…

For me it started well. Eloise started to realise how to be a true friend, and understand the privileges and flaws in her character. I HOLLERED at the screen when Cressida finally called Eloise out.

And then part 2 happens and it all got dropped like a dead fish. (see more below in my chat about Cressida).

It makes complete sense that Eloise went back to Pen. It was quite obvious. And I liked all the titbits and moments of build up to the reconciliation.

I do like that Eloise was protective of Colin and pushed Penelope to tell him. Was it done in the 100% best way? Perhaps not.

However, there seemed to be a complete 180 of Eloise with Cressida. No empathy. No sympathy. No understanding. “An absolute viper”, Hun, Pen sat in your drawing room for years and purposefully wrote about your sisters prospects to the point she was almost forced to marry Nigel Berbrooke. Where’s your empathy? Where's the Eloise that visited Cressida during calling hour to check if she was alright?

I like Eloise as a character and this season could have seen some real foundational growth. I had such hopes for her, for she is a character with such potential. But part 2 dashed my hopes…maybe next season?

I did like that she returned to wishing to change the world. I’m glad she’s leaving for Scotland and will hopefully be able to grow up a bit next season.

Cressida storyline.

For me it started so well. Cressida and Eloise’s friendship I thought was very good for both of them. Eloise called Cressida out. Cressida called Eloise out.

And then part 2…

They gave the set up, the screentime and background and then relegated Cressida to a simple antagonist.

Honestly, I feel that Cressida’s storyline suffers from the season being split in two.

For if you watched the season in continuity then you would see the overarching arc of a girl who had the potential to change, but instead descends into greater desperation and cruelty in an attempt to fight against the walls that are closing in on her. And the tragedy? Is that part 1 showed that Cressida could change if not for the stifling oppression bared down by her situation. Cressida did not have to be a mere antagonist; she could have been a tragic antagonist.

But with the series split, they literally ‘split’ Cressida. Part 1 Cressida showed a positive redemption arc for her. Then we had a break. And when we got back, we saw Cressida the antagonist, so I think her arc felt disjointed.

I also think that if one saw the overarching scenes, then the whole of Cressida's backstory scenes do have the purpose of setting up the blackmail plot. It would not be enough to just suddenly have Cressida find out about Whistledown. But again with the season split in two I feel that continuity was lost. With the ending we got, I'm not sure they needed that many scenes to set this plot point up.

Now, I must say that this does not excuse her behaviour. It does not mean Cressida's slate should be wiped clean. Even if she returns, she needs to actively make amends and apologise.

But the fact that she just gets carted off at the end of the season?

Hey? You know what would have been interesting? You know what would have been #girlboss and #feminisim? Eloise understanding that Cressida’s actions are wrong and harmful, yet having some actual empathy and understanding that Cressida is merely trying to save her freedom and future. The very things Eloise wishes to champion in women!!!! And so, helping Cressida escape. And Pen could show how she has overcome her past pain that festered in Whistledown and she will be the bigger person and use Whistledown to help Cressida. Or even use her wiles and Whistledown resourcefulness to mask Cressida's escape? Why not have Pen have this last word over Cressida? Why not show that Eloise is willing to actually do something for once?

You know what that’s called?

Gosh how they handled that infuriated me. The onyl reason I can think of to send Cressida away (as if she deserved her fate) is because they want her as a *shock* reveal in a future season.

In the meantime, I’m going to write a little plot for S4 that not only brings Cressida back in a productive way, but also showcases Sophie’s nature, and how Sophie is a BADASS + kicks Eloise up the butt for her character development. Oh, and links with the main plot. As the purple grape once said.

[theothergal]

Here I am to defend Eloise, just like I did for Marina!

Let's start break down all the main reasons why people hate her.

SHE'S A "NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS"

I've seen a lot of people say that, and I don't understand why. "Not like other girls" nowdays seems to be a convenient term to mock every single female character who isn't 100% gender conforming because I don't see how else Eloise Is a nlog.

By definition, not like other girls are girls and women who put down other girls/women in order to emerge/get noticed (usually by men).

She doesn't do that. She very much likes the company of other women, she reaches out to other women and she defends them (do you remember that scene in season 2 when that gentleman compliments her by putting down other ladies and she calls him out? That Is totally the opposite of nlog behavior).

Her best friend Is another girl, whose company she seeks and enjoy, she tries to make friends with Kate and bond over the fact that neither of them want to marry, she talks about how unfair the diamond system Is FOR WOMEN AS WHOLE, not just for her. Hell, she even defends Marina when she discovers that Penelope Is lady Whistledown, even thought She KNEW that Marina wanted to marry her brother Colin while pregnant with another man's children (and thing I don't blame her for, but if Eloise was really a nlog she would bash Marina like others did).

All this to say that Eloise DOESN'T HATE OTHER GIRLS. Quite the opposite.

I've seen many people Say that she dismisses and mocks women who want to get married and have children, as if her family doesn't do the exact same thing to her for NOT wanting these things (but somehow this Is fine and dandy).

Plus, for most of the times, she doesn't do that she just complains that she and other women has no other alternative EXCEPT get married and have babies which Is totally right.

I mean, It must be hard to live in a society that wants you to follow a strict gendered role and have NOBODY close to you take you seriously when you point out how fucked up it is.

Which brings me go the other point.

SHE'S A BAD FEMINIST.

I agree that Eloise has a lot to learn about women's rights and her own privileges, but you know what?

She WANTS and she ACTIVELY TRIES TO.

We've seen that with Theo. She may be sheltered and naive, but when she has the opportunity to learn and be better, she takes It!

Honestly, the same people that complain that she's a bad feminist, also complain when she goes to the political radicals meetings which make me wonder...do you hate that she's a bad feminist or do you hate that she's a feminist at all?

Can she be too on the nose with her feminism? Yes, but she's a teen girl surrounded by people who constantly dismiss her very valid concerns about her condition as a woman in a patriarchal society. Of course she's going to lash out. It's not ideal but it's human.

Overall, she has shown several times that she Is willing to put her ego and privilege aside, when faced with the opportunity to learn, despite her ignorance.

Being ignorant but willing to learn doesn't make her a bad feminist, just someone who needs more experience.

SHE'S A BAD FRIEND TO PENELOPE

Is she? Because personally I would think that the bad friend Is the One who uses her popularity to slander my sister, my brother, my sister in law and me behind my back.

When was Eloise a bad friend to Penelope?

When she defended her in front of Cressida? When she consoled her when she was crying? When she actively tried to include her in the search for lady Whistledown, a thing that means a lot for Eloise, so much that she wants to share it with her best friend.

I've seen many people say that Eloise always wants to be at the spotlight and treats Penelope as a sidekick but...when has ever Eloise enjoyed being at the spotlight?

NEVER! In fact, whenever she can, she tries to get away from It. Between the two, she's definitely not the one who seeks attention.s

As for the sidekick thing...what? Just because she has a more extrovert personality It doesn't mean that she doesn't treat Penelope as her equal. She does! Whenever she has a doubt, whenever she's up to something, she always reaches out to Penelope. It's clear that she values her company.

And I recognise she's not perfect. She doesn't seems to aknowledge Penelope's distress about not being able to conform to society expectations, and this Is something that should fix.

But this doesn't make her a straight up BAD friend. A flawed one, maybe.

And again, between the two of them, Penelope has way more things that she needs to make amends for.

This Is the end, I think I said everything.

OVERHATED CHARACTERS POLL: Eloise Bridgerton (Bridgerton)

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