'Bridgerton' Delivers Despite Split-Season Woes

by Tyler Glover

Photo: Netflix

Dear Most Gentle Reader,
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All the members of the ton are abuzz with the latest scandals and gossip. They all seek to discover the identity of the anonymous whistleblower, Lady Whistledown. This author knows her identity and has waited far too long to learn what is to come next. Be rest assured, dear reader, everything reveals itself with time.

That time is about to come, "Bridgerton" fans, but not just yet. While it is such an exciting time for new episodes of "Bridgerton" to be streaming, Netflix decided to release the third season of their hit series in two parts.  Four episodes were released on May 16, leaving us with a massive cliffhanger. The last four episodes will be released on June 13.

Fans have criticized the move feeling they have waited long enough already. We are all anxious to know if our favorite best friends, Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) will end up together and what will happen once her massive secret is revealed. Will it ruin any chance that the couple could have to live happily ever after? We will know soon.

Netflix's "Bridgerton" has been an enormous hit for the streaming service. In its first season, it was the most-watched original series launch at the time of its premiere. The second season would go on to become the most-watched English-language series in a single week at the time. I'm sure the third season will also hit very high numbers as well.

The critics have also given the show favorable reviews throughout its run so far. The series is based on the books by Julia Quinn. Every season has and will follow each of the eight Bridgerton children: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, Hyacinth, Violet and Edmund as they find love in London during the Regency Era in the 1810s and 1820s.

The first season followed Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) and the second season followed Anthony (Jonathan Bailey). Now it is Colin Bridgerton's turn and this season is the one that I have anticipated the most. One thing this show does incredibly well is capture the longing and yearning for someone. Circumstances come in life that make it complicated to be with a person. This show makes us feel the intensity of the character's feelings through great writing and strong performances. While the first and second seasons captured this feeling of yearning so well, the third season is much more amplified. The show has been setting up this love story since the very first season. We have been waiting to see if our beloved  Penelope can get Colin to see her as something more for much longer. That is why the split of the season has divided fans.

It is a new courting season but the Queen seems to be having a difficult time trying to find the Diamond of the Season. All of the ladies and their Moms are trying their absolute best to get the Queen to see their daughters as the one to be the star of the season. It is to no avail though. Of the Bridgerton ladies, it is Francesca Bridgerton's (Hannah Dodd) first time to try her hand at landing a husband. Hannah Dodd took over the role of Francesca this season from Ruby Stokes, who portrayed her in the first two seasons. Dodd is a true catch for the show. She matches the elegance, curiosity, beauty and extreme intelligence of Daphne. Also, Penelope is looking to find a husband. She sees herself as a spinster even though it is only her third season out. She was devastated to overhear Colin saying he would never marry her. She decides to be a realist and just go for what is expected of her, forgetting love.

The first part of the third season is binge-worthy television. You are left on the edge of your seat with every twist and every turn. Penelope's best friend, Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) learned her friend's dirty secret and has severed ties with her but not divulged her life-changing bombshell to the ton. Francesca quickly finds herself in a dilemma and is Colin starting to see that he loves Penelope as more than a friend? This storyline is why I think the show is so successful. Most of us have had someone at some point in our lives that we loved but could not have. In some cases, we are with that person and sometimes, we have to let them go. Shows like this help us to believe that love can overcome any obstacle. A lot of times those obstacles could be societal pressures. If that is what is holding you back, go for them!

Let's give Lady Whistledown something to write about!