Dearest gentle reader, the third season of the critically acclaimed Netflix adaptation of the Regency Era romance novels, “Bridgerton” has made its return. To the dismay of many viewers, only half of the season — the first four episodes of the normally eight-episode-long series — was released.
Fans thankfully only have to wait a little less than a month to see the remainder of the season, as the latter four episodes are set to release June 13. Since its debut, the show has consistently remained in the “Top 10” list and currently sits at number one on Netflix.
“Bridgerton” by Julia Quinn, is a multi-book series that follows the lives and romances of the eight siblings in the Bridgerton family: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory and Hyacinth. The original series is eight books long, one for every Bridgerton child, with an epilogue collection as well as the story of Queen Charlotte and King George III. Netflix has thus far only created shows based off four of Quinn’s books, three in the “Bridgerton” series and one featuring the queen and king.
The Netflix show’s third season follows the events of the fourth book, “Romancing Mister Bridgerton,” and follows the blooming love from childhood friends to lovers in a tantalizing slow burn for readers and viewers. In previous seasons, Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) was seen as an outcast and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) repeatedly made it clear he didn’t like her in the romantic way she liked him, forcing Featherington to swallow her feelings.
The first episode, “Out of the Shadows,” follows hot on the heels of the last season, where the ladies of Featherington house reel from the loss and then replacement of their fortune. Featherington quickly realizes if she is to get out of the house where she feels stifled and belittled by her mother and sisters, she has to find a husband in her third season out in society.
In her efforts to do so, she decides to completely revamp her style, creating the effect of a new woman for suitors to gawk at. While all seasons of Bridgerton pull from a wide variety of Regency Era fashions, the costuming for this half of the season allows for each character to truly shine in their individuality.
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In the first episode, viewers are reintroduced to Colin, who has freshly returned from a summer abroad — also supposedly renewed. The strained relationship between Featherington and former best friend Eloise (Claudia Jessie) elevates the stakes of a continued friendship between Featherington and Colin, Eloise’s older brother.
In the second episode, “How Bright the Moon,” tensions rise as Featherington and Colin agree to have her be tutored by him in the art of flirting, so she may gain a husband. The chemistry and the tension between Newton and Coughlan’s characters is dazzling, even before their relationship boils over.
One of the many strengths of the series is its writing and dialogue. Most book to television series or movie adaptations find themselves lacking in the writing department, however, this is not the issue with “Bridgerton.” Readers-turned-watchers have praised the series’ rather faithful book to screen translation.
The next two episodes currently out for viewer consumption follow Colin and Featherington’s mixed feelings for each other, as well as the continued meddling and writings of Lady Whistledown.
While the majority of the characters in the series, besides Eloise, are clueless to the identity of Whistledown — the writer of the gossip leaflets which streamline the plot of the show — the identity of Whistledown is revealed to viewers at the end of season one.
Although the focus of the series seems to be primarily on the slow burn romances and semi-overdramatic reveals, the interwoven narrative of the importance of marrying for love in an era that prioritized marrying for the status quo was welcome.
This writer, dear reader, is not normally a romance fan, but diving deep into the “Bridgerton” series’ depths has shown a promising introduction to the genre.
As viewers eagerly anticipate the arrival of the last four episodes, they can be sure to expect even more steamy scenes in the TV-Mature series, expertly written 19th Century based dialogue and gorgeous scenery and costuming. Although the split season is less than ideal, especially ending upon a cliffhanger, the next four episodes are sure to be more than worth the wait.
