The Wallflower Finally Blooms—Review Of Historical TV Show, Bridgerton (Season Three)
Nothing makes a historical film or TV show fascinating than a slow burn romance. Having read the first three books in the Bridgerton novel series, I've been on board with the adaptation into a TV show by Shonda Rhimes and her team. Season one, two and the prequel are an absolute delight. So it's with much anticipation and excitement that I delved into season three which is based on Julia Quinn's fourth book, Romancing Mister Bridgerton.
The lead couple in this season: Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton have been good friends right from the first season. The audience clearly sees that there's something between these two that goes beyond friendship but Colin Bridgerton (played by Luke Newton), the son of a Viscount, is blind to it. He's an adventurer and enjoys travelling.
After many months away from London, Colin Bridgerton returns with much fervour and stories about his travels, garnering the attention of the many young ladies in the ton. Penelope Featherington (played by Nicola Coughlan) is still the shy wallflower of every ball. She sees Colin but he doesn't see her.
Unhappy, she returns home and determines to change her entire wardrobe to flattering colours becoming of a young lady ready for marriage. But she needs help to tear herself away from the wall and get the men's attention. Colin offers to teach her. Will he succeed in this endeavour and be satisfied seeing her with another eligible bachelor?
Another major subplot is the debut and presentation at court of Francesca Bridgerton, a shy and beautiful young lady. She's indifferent to the ceremony and eventually catches the Queen of England's attention as the ‘Sparkler’ of the season. The queen invites a marquess to the debutante ball so as to match him with Francesca. Will this matchmaking work?
Review
As always, Shonda Rhimes and her team regales their audience with a beautiful love story, intriguing subplots and steamy scenes. I very much enjoyed this season's plot. Unlike the past seasons where the focus is singularly on romance, this season includes some mystery—uncovering the identity of Lady Whistledown, the mysterious writer of London's popular gossip paper.
The audience knows the identity of this intriguing writer but we enjoy being on the edge of our seats and watch the mystery unfold. Keeping Lady Whistledown's identity becomes this season's major turning point as it's entwined with the lead couple's romance. In my opinion, this part of the plot makes this season rich and compelling. We see this gossip columnist who was previously regarded as a menace for spilling the ton's secrets now held in high esteem as a wielder of power, an instrument of change and empowerment in the society.
The cast's performance is outstanding. One character that gets my attention this season is Cressida Cowper. From the first season, she's been like a villain, always scheming ways to make other ladies look bad in her desperation to find a good match. In this season, we truly see Cressida Cowper and understand her plight better to the point of sympathy. Being subjected to society's patriarchal norms, she's forced to devise conning ways to make herself seen. I'm hoping her story doesn't end here. She deserves her happy ending too!
I enjoy the lead couple's acting, though I feel their romance wasn't given enough screen time to really blossom due to the inclusion of other subplots. Even their sex scenes were a bit toned down but I'm not complaining. The tension that eventually leads to the sensual scenes speak volumes. Also, it's good to see the Featheringtons have a happy ending for once and it's all thanks to Penelope, the child who wasn't seen by her mother.
The visuals, settings and costumes are always my highlight in this TV show and this season is not any different.
Overall, Bridgerton season three is worth binge-watching again and again. Shonda Rhimes and her team pulled off another success and I can't wait for the next season. I'll give this season 4 stars out of 5.
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Other images are screenshots from the series
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