Review: Bridgerton Season 3 Part 2 Could Have Been Better!

Bridgerton fans were anxiously anticipating the release of the second half of the third season and when it finally released on Jun. 13, they were over the moon. Netizens shared videos on Instagram of preparing to watch the new set of episodes or complained about going to work instead of staying in and watching the rest of the Bridgerton third season.

As shown in the second part’s trailer, the plot is more focused on the hunt for Lady Whistledown which thickens when Queen Charlotte announces a bounty hunt with a 5000-pound reward. This plotline certainly explains why Cressida Cowper is brought to the limelight this season, but it could have been more complexified.

Image source: @bridgertonnetflix. 

This subplot's developments were expected but could have been more intricate and nuanced. Also, the climax of this plotline was stereotypical and something out of a rom-com or chic flick, therefore the creators could have done something better with that.

The strain that Lady Whistledown puts on Penelope and her relationship with Colin is well-developed because it is relatable. She asks her mother, “What about my dreams?” to which Lady Featherington replies, “Ladies do not have dreams. They have husbands," which makes you understand Penelope's plight and sympathize with her.

The same is the case with Colin, you can understand his hurt, angst, and jealousy. In this part of the season, the soft Colin everyone’s missed after the release of the first half returned and I am sure fans were happy to have him back.

Image source: @bridgertonnetflix. 

Eloise took a backseat in the first half of the season, but in the second half, she is more involved when it comes to Lady Whistledown. She tells Penelope, “I will be merciful and reveal it to him myself”. However, fans’ disappointment with her arc this season was well-placed because it is so unlike her. Penelope tells her at the end of the second season that she is all talk but no show and Cressida repeats that sentiment in the third season, which is very true.

Their words should have pushed Eloise to find purpose, but she spends that time struggling to fit in or being upset by Colin's friendship with Penelope. This author hopes that Eloise puts her words into action when her season comes.

Francesca and Lord Kilmartin’s story continued to surprise with their swift engagement and wedding. They could have shared more sweeter moments together, their swift engagement leads to the conflict in the subplot, which is Francesca’s clash with Violet about her love and marriage. Francesca tells her, “Not every attachment must be dramatic and hard-fought…I love him, Mama. Even if it is not the love you want for me.”

The subplot advanced with sufficient nuance and subtlety; it had the right amount of drama to it and ended with a sweet moment of Francesca and her mother playing a duet on the piano in their drawing room after Francesca’s wedding ceremony while the rest of the family watches them.

Image source: @bridgertonnetflix. 

Although ‘Bridgerton’ has become a fan-favorite because of its fluffiness and romance, the creators can do so much more with the plot. The Lady Whistledown plot might have amped things up a bit, but there is so much more the creators can do with the cast. Anthony and Kate Bridgerton’s subplot simply involved them coming in and out; the only big wow moment with them was when they announced Kate’s pregnancy.

‘Bridgerton’ might border fantasy with its historically inaccurate costumes and instrumental renditions of pop music, but it is still set in the Regency era’s elite society, which had many challenges. The show cannot continue to run on steamy scenes that take up more screen time than necessary. The characters and the story have more potential and I hope the creators really exploit that in the upcoming seasons!