The wheels of the carriage return the stylish suits to their London homes, the delivery men sell the latest editions of Mrs. Whistledown's Society papers, and new young women prepare to enter society. In other words, after two long years,bridgerton' is back with the first four episodes of its long-awaited third season (helmed by new showrunner Jess Brownell).
Since the trailer was released in April, Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) set the internet ablaze as fans prepared for a friends-to-lovers metaphor with a “She's All That”-esque makeover. And this season does not disappoint. It may even exceed fans' already high expectations.
I loved Daphne and Simon's fake date storyline in season 1 and Anthony and Kate's enemies-to-lovers development in season 2, but season 3's romantic comedy tropes are even better.
This season, in the tradition of the first two, begins with the debut of Bridgerton, the radiant Francesca (Hannah Dodd). But despite the similar structure, this season has raised the bar in almost every way. From the period-inspired, but mostly fantastical costumes (lots of ombre, embellishments, and layered fabrics) to the whimsical, flower-filled sets, to the complex relationship drama, fans will love the Everything you love about “Bridgerton'' has been exaggerated to create a fuller, more colorful work. , a world adorned with jewels. This world is clearly not a reenactment of the past or a mirror of the present moment, but a place to inhabit the imaginary space in between.
Here, the events of last season have changed everyone. The most obvious change is Colin, who returns from his adventures abroad. He is muscular, tanned and, as his older brother Benedict (Luke Thompson) describes him, “tough”. Colin has newfound confidence and hair to rival Shondaland favorite Dr. McDreamy. Thanks to his new sociability, he slips into rooms and flirts with countless groups of debutantes. But this new façade doesn't help her oldest friend Penelope, who is still furious after hearing her tell a group of men at the end of last season that she would “never court” them. The new armor he's donning to reintegrate into society will also make it more difficult to process the possibility that Colin has feelings for Penelope that go beyond friendship.
The second major change occurs on screen after Penelope decides that she must marry to escape her mother's household. To achieve his hope of achieving this, Penelope realizes that she must come out of the shadows and safety of the ballroom walls in which she has hidden. She replaced her citrus wardrobe with a stunning blue and green gown. The gown flatters her figure, shows off her fair skin, and highlights her stunning eyes.
In a Laney Boggs-like moment (teased in the trailer), Penelope descends the stairs of the season's important first ball, Lady Danbury's Ball (fans ofqueen charlotte“We know exactly what it took for Mrs. Danbury to achieve this honor), revealing her new aesthetic. However, Penelope's social anxiety and awkwardness soon make it clear that changing her appearance will not be enough to secure her husband. She must embody her confidence and strength in her alter ego, Lady Whistledown.
No one will be surprised that Colin is the obliging gentleman who offers Penelope's help. Her next three episodes explore the complications that will arise after his assistance pays off and she attracts the interest of the eccentric but highly qualified Lord Devring (Sam Phillips).
What makes this season special is that Colin and Penelope aren't the only ones struggling with their identities. All the characters struggle with change, with growing pains from both necessary and self-imposed evolution, and internal conflicts that are often a byproduct of denying parts of themselves. Masu.
Violet Bridgerton is navigating a new world where Kate (Simone Ashley) has returned (to the delight of fans) and become a Viscountess. Kate is set to take on the role of Violet's girlfriend, and it is expected that Violet will move into her dowager home away from her children. With both daughters out at the same time, Violet also learns that Anthony almost married the wrong person last year, as well as Eloise's dangerous friendship with boy Theo Sharpe (Callum Lynch) (and possibly She is trying to avoid the excesses of her mother, which she believes have caused her to suffer even more. From the print shop. However, Violet learns that taking a step back is not always the right thing to do, as a child, even a grown child, sometimes needs her mother's guidance. Also, as fans of Queen Charlotte know, Violet's garden is in full bloom, especially if she picks up the man's dropped glove at the perfect time and is carrying a gift. You may be ready to open up to someone. For conversation.
The other Bridgerton characters are also going through a period of major change. Benedict is trying to understand who he is after giving up art, Francesca wants to find her husband and move into a quiet family of her own, and Héloïse is trying to figure out who she is after giving up on art, and Héloïse is trying to figure out who she is because she has given up on art, and Héloïse is trying to figure out who she is because she has given up on art. I'm still recovering from the shock of discovering Penelope's work. lie. Eloise tries to conform to society's expectations, even wearing more glamorous dresses and tying ribbons in her hair and befriending the most unlikely of people: Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen). Regardless, she still has to grapple with her belief system and the truths she believes. Her former best friend is Lady Whistledown.
Some changes are reactionary, while others are necessary because of the rules that regulate tons. Portia Featherington (Polly Walker), Alice (Emma Naomi) and Will Mondrich (Martins Imhambe) face the pressures of the throne and the forces imposed on them to ensure that “the succession goes smoothly”. have to face the consequences of new regulations.
All this interpersonal conflict takes place within a paradoxical system that simultaneously “feeds the upstarts” and rejects social change. This tension gives Season 3 a level of complexity that Seasons 1 and 2 lacked.
Last May, I wrote about the Bridgerton spin-off, which is about the realities of marriage and its consequences, and how women (Queen Charlotte, Lady Danbury, Violet Bridgerton) fight for agency within the constraints imposed by society. I wrote about the beautiful depth of “Queen Charlotte.” on them. As much as I enjoyed watching “Bridgerton,” “Queen Charlotte” had a complexity that was missing from her first two seasons on the show. But its absence will no longer be felt.
In the Julia Quinn book series this show is based on, the novels themselves are very closed off. Each work primarily focuses on the experiences of the Bridgerton brothers and the person they eventually marry. Since the beginning, the show has been building on the world Quinn created, adding secondary characters and giving them larger ongoing storylines with their own arcs. Now, after two seasons and a spinoff, “Bridgerton'' has put the foundation it has built to good use, adding layers of meaning to every scene and line, creating the same richness as “Queen Charlotte.'' It allows you to explore themes. This effect is felt most noticeably with Brimsley (Hugh Sachs), Queen Charlotte (Golda Rochevel), and Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh), whose backstories resonate and all their interactions (The Queen and Whistle Even a seemingly silly game against Down has great meaning.
And unlike “Queen Charlotte,'' which was beautifully executed but had moments that were painful to endure, “Bridgerton'' accomplished this feat with a fun, fanciful romance.
Also, unlike Seasons 1 and 2, which relied on flashbacks to create emotional depth (Simon's father's abuse due to his stutter, Anthony's father's traumatic death), “Bridgerton” It also helps that the company relies on fans' existing investments. With Colin and Penelope. We have seen through the window how Penelope adores Colin. We heard Lady Crane (Ruby Barker) tell Colin that she takes Penelope for granted. Our hearts broke at the end of last season when Penelope heard Colin's mean comments after they finally danced together. All these moments are building to this season and we're ready for it.
In the opening scene, Lady Whistledown (Julie Andrews) says: “Whoever plays the best game this year, let's hope their pairings bring excitement.” These first four episodes are packed with especially hot scenes from the book (perhaps in a horse-drawn carriage). ), we can prove that we have laid the foundation for just that.
And in true Shonda Rhimes fashion, viewers are left wondering why Netflix would force viewers to endure an entire month to finish the season they've already watched, while episode 4 left them screaming at their TVs. will do. I've been waiting for 2 years.
I don't know why Netflix, dear viewers, but I can attest that these four episodes are an absorbing joy. Because, sure, the chemistry between Colin and Penelope is exciting, but the larger world in which their romance takes place is even better.
'Bridgerton' Season 3 Part 1 is now available on Netflix. The second part starts on June 13th.
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