Bridgerton is back: Season 3, Episode 1
In the Season 3 premiere, another London Season is about to begin and all eyes are on Penelope Featherington.
***Contains spoilers***
‘Dearest gentle reader, we have been apart for far too long,’ remarks Lady Whistledown (brilliantly voiced as always by Julie Andrews, what would we do without her?), as this season’s opener gets underway.
The Ton have made their way to London. There are carriages, gorgeous Georgian buildings, the Bridgerton bee (the motif for the series) and newspaper boys handing out Whistledowns’ Society Papers. But who is this? The first main character that we see is Penelope Featherington. Yes everyone, this is Pen’s season and she’s front and centre as she follows her dear Mama around, delighted to see that all of society is enthralled by Lady Whistledown’s words. Quick recap for those of you who don’t know, Penelope is Lady Whistledown.
But this is Bridgerton, so where are the titular family? Congregating outside their sister Francesca’s bedroom waiting for her to dress for her debut at court. Francesca is the third Bridgerton daughter to begin a season this way, after Daphne in Season 1 (polished and elegant) and Eloise in Season 2 (reluctant and rebellious). Francesca is rather more relaxed. She is eventually discovered playing the piano, completely unfazed by her impending introduction to the Queen. Her choice of music may hint at her true feelings though - Mozart’s Funeral March.
As the Bridgerton’s prepare to leave for court the third son of the clan, Colin, arrives home from his travels in Europe. ‘Under what foreign sun did you apparently get so sturdy?’ asks Benedict when Colin takes his shirt off in the carriage for a quick change into court dress. And yes, Colin has returned from the continent somewhat buffer, more tanned and with a rather large quiff. He’s also learnt how to charm the ladies of the Ton and proceeds to make his way around all the debutantes with the purpose of making them swoon.
But one lady is not for turning - Penelope. After overhearing Colin tell people that he would never court her last season, she is determined to ignore her former crush. To add to Pen’s loneliness is the fact that she has fallen out with her best friend Eloise Bridgerton (who discovered her identity as Lady W) and Eloise is now friends with all round mean girl Cressida Cowper.
Meanwhile, we catch up with Penelope’s mother Lady Featherington, who is now independently wealthy thanks to the death of her husband in Season 1 and seeing off his rightful heir in Season 2. She’s thrilled to be back in society, ‘without any man telling us what to do’ and lets Penelope know that now both her sisters are married, she's relying on her for company.
‘I can’t live at home any longer’ - Penelope Featherington
The very idea of this scares the life out of Pen and she declares that she must find a husband. Cue a major glow up at the Modiste. We’re treated to a scene where Penelope discards the garish citrus dresses that have been her hallmark and instead puts on a magnificent emerald evening dress, diamonds, long black sheer full length gloves with Rita Hayworth curls and goes to Lady Danbury’s Four Season’s ball.
Of course she catches the eye of every man in the room, including Colin and Lord Debling, who when our heroine struggles to talk to other potential suitors, puts her at ease. However, when Cressida deliberately steps on Pen’s dress and it rips, she flees the ball. Followed by Colin he asks if he has upset her, as she has hardly spoken to him since he returned. Penelope angrily tells him that she heard his words last year and accuses him of being embarrassed by her. In a fit of rage, she goes home and picks up her Whistledown pen.
The next day Colin visits Penelope and apologises. He offers to help her conquer the marriage mart, as a sign of his friendship. She agrees that they are friends but there seems like there might be something more there…
Colin returns home and Lady Whistledown’s latest has been delivered. It’s a less than flattering read for him as Whistledown questions his change of personality and overall good character. While not concerned about himself, Colin remembers how the scandal sheet has taken down the reputations of his friends and family and vows to ruin her life if he discovers her identity.
Oh dear.
Coming up:
We recap Season 3, Episode 2 and see how Penelope fairs on the marriage mart with Colin’s help.
Penelope had quite the glow up, indeed! It was a fabulous start to the new season.