Why We Have Mixed Feelings About Bridgerton 3

It has been a few days since Part 2 of the third season of Bridgerton was released, but this author is not entirely done with her obsession with the show. Since its release, fans and critics alike have been grappling with a whirlwind of emotions. Frankly, this latest season and second part have left the audience with mixed feelings about its overall impact. Here are some possible reasons people are struggling;

The Departure from Book Order

The most contentious issue has been the show’s decision to deviate quite a lot from the book. While this has been going on since its first season, and admittedly, for certain extra effects and creative differences, TV adaptations will always deviate a little from the original story; some changes came as quite a shock.

One such dramatic change is Lord Kilmartin’s brother, Michael, becoming his cousin, Michaela, in the show. Needless to say, many were hoping for the romance that would blossom between Michael and Francesca after Lord Kilmartin’s death, as in the book. While many have speculated on the showrunners’ decision as a ploy to introduce more LGBTQ action, others think it a creative decision to focus less on Francesca going forward. She is, after all, happily wedded to Lord Kilmartin and living far away in Scotland. This author chooses not to dwell on whatever the plot of Benedict Bridgerton’s new sexual exploits was.

Less Polin, More Everybody Else

While we understand the need to give everyone adequate screen time, many audience members had grown used to each season being at least 90% about the choice couple, which, in this case, is Colin and Penelope, aka Polin. This season deviated from the norm and focused more on everybody else’s inner dealings than Polin. While we can understand how all these stories sort of tie in, it’s still nearly sad to think Penelope felt like a wallflower all this while, only to still be plastered up on that same wall in what should have been her season.

Forgettable Romance

Much unlike the previous seasons, Polin’s romance dwindled in light of all the other happenings. Of course, no one is questioning the extra flare that the drama of unravelling Lady Whistledown brought, but so much concern with everyone else’s reactions, family dynamics, little flings here and there, and even another love match and wedding took too much time and focus away from our beloved couple. We barely got intimate moments between them, many of them buried under the sea of drama. The most painful part was that there wasn’t a single memorable line in the love confessions. We remember “I burn for you” from the first season, “You are the bane of my existence and the object of all my desires” from the second season, and “I will stand with you between the heavens and the earth, I will tell you where you are, do you love me?” from ‘Queen Charlotte,’ but nothing from Polin.

Underdeveloped Love Matches

Character evolution has been another double-edged sword. Polin’s transition from friends to lovers hasn’t been seamless for everyone. Some fans have found the shift jarring, feeling that their relationship development’s pacing and depth were too swift and unconvincing. This author is going to further blame it on the very unnecessary decision to split the 8 episode season into two parts with a few weeks in between.

However, you should note that not everything is wrong with this season; it’s just not the best one so far.

As usual, the ton once again captivated us with elegant costumes, set designs, music and generally pleasurable production, continually offering the sumptuous visuals and romantic escapism that fans love.

One thing that is also clear, and this author would want all Bridgerton fans to note, is that this season’s message is quite clear: a woman can be more if only society lets her.

Penelope coming into ownership of herself and her power was a clear statement. Insisting against her Mama’s radical ideas that what she wanted wasn’t a man to provide ‘security’ and ‘a good name’ for her but rather one who would love her for all that she was, including recognising her wits, was powerful. Colin’s acceptance of that fact, that all he needed to do was love her and not necessarily protect or be a prince charming as society often demands, further cemented this season’s position as a worthy watch.

Eventually and slowly peeling off the walls and embodying what it truly meant to be the “diamond of the season,” Penelope’s final moments in this season were captivating and certainly thought-provoking.

Dearest Gentle Reader, while we may not have gotten in full the romance we had grown accustomed to with this series, this author maintains that this season carried perhaps the strongest and realest message of all its predecessors.