i get such energy boosts from being unhinged and all the fangirling, i feel like i traveled a decade back and am a teenage girl losing her mind over a fictional couple, makes you appreciate being alive! Polin, i'll be forever grateful to you💜💜💜💜
Yesss outlander has a subreddit for the series and another one for the books. During the pandemic I'd be all over the weekly book discussions they posted over there
I think "You are Pen. You do not count." is a perfect line because it can be interpreted differently depending on whose poinf of view are we focusing on. As you said in the video, if it's from Colin's POV - those words mean he regards her above everyone else, she's more than just a woman to him, so he doesn't count her just as a woman, a potential partner. But then if we think of Penelope's POV, an insecure girl, often mocked and almost always disregarded - it is completely understandable why she would take it as something negative, words that belittle her, because almost always she's being addressed in such a way, so it is more probable to her that Colin's words are disregarding, than putting her above everyone else.
It strips her of her desire to be seen as a woman, a romantic prospect which can make a person feel like a permanent child. Its heartbreaking to see her hopelessness but so awarding to finally see her glow up and be taken seriously and seen in a romantic light. I do wish they wouldve focused in that aspect more in S3 so that she does realised how desirable she actually is. But Colin really switched right up as soon as he was attracted to her.
The idea that Colin inadvertently doesn’t believe he’s earned what Pen feels for him is such a good analysis. His belief he is seen as lesser than his brothers and being compared to them, and how Penelope doesn’t view him in that context.. You’re right, your analysis has made me deadass bald.
I have interpreted the "You do not count, you are Pen," as Colin making an exception to his self made rule. She is a woman- but he wants to continue to be around her and talk with her, so he subconsciously made the exception to do so.
I like this take and the deeper meaning. She is Pen, not just any woman. Yea I can see how Pen interprets it but to him its obvious she means more than anyone other woman he knows.
Something I noticed immediately and has always stuck with me is that Colin first noticed the fake gems in Pen’s necklace, but the necklace he actively chose to take possession of and destroy belonged to Cressida. It’s a bold statement. Colin could have asked Pen for her necklace and she would have given it to him. At that point, I don’t see her capable of denying him anything. But he didn’t. I honestly think he took a moment in his planning to realize he may have to destroy the necklace to prove his point and decided he couldn’t destroy something Pen liked. Yes, his goal is to be her hero, but not at her expense. He couldn’t hurt her by destroying her necklace. I also appreciate how he doesn’t care how it looks for him to take and then destroy another lady’s necklace. He doesn’t care about Cressida’s potential feelings at all. Not one second of hesitation on his part about destroying Cressida’s necklace. Nor does he care that if he is wrong that he could damage the gems in her necklace or possibly his own reputation.
And people forget because it isn’t revealed until the end - or they never pick up on it at all - that Colin was actually spending the last few episodes trying to investigate and figure out how to deal with Jack Featherington. We just don’t see as much of his perspective alone in that season or confiding in a friend, but behind the scenes, he’s dealing with this similar high stakes dilemma to the things Pen and Eloise are always dealing with. We just see them working through those but only hear about his afterwards from little admissions like the fact that he practiced his confrontation speech for hours and he had to yell at Mondrich in front of Jack when he didn’t want to. And he found out that there were no ruby mines in Georgia. I like to think that, being the *extra* and insecure little nerd he is, he probably was trying to do his extra due diligence about the investment, and then he had this secret he was having to figure out how to manage while minimizing collateral damage to the people he cared about. It was actually a very Whistledown problem he was having, trying to figure out how to make the harmful party go away without bringing shame on the harmed.
Oh, didn’t know that! I always thought since she is a writer everyone calling her pen and not realizing she is whistledown was kinda a joke with the viewers.
I agree that Colin’s comment that, “You’re Pen. You do not count,” is more about the special category she occupies rather than dismissing or being mean. Good analysis of their relationship to this point!
I think this is the direction that they're going to go with his character in season 3. With underlying endearing meaning to some of his past words to her (hopefully!)
Así es, Colin sentía algo totalmente diferente por Pen y eso hacia que la tuviera en un lugar especial en su vida... Es cosa de recordar cuando Pen muy molesta le reclamo a Colín por su cruel comentario de hace un año en la fiesta de su mamá donde él les decía a sus "amigos" "yo nunca cortejaría a Penélope Feringthon ..." Esto descolocó a Colín mientras veía como se alejaba Pen. Tal fue la preocupación de Colín por como había hecho sentir a su Pen que la visito al día siguiente para disculparse por su lamentable comentario, aclarándole que "él nunca se avergonzaría de ella, que al contrario él siempre la busca porque ella lo hace sentir de formas que nadie más lo hace... Colín tardo pero finalmente se dió cuenta que Penélope era mucho más importante para él y todo gracias a algunos momentos de las lecciones que acordaron para Pen y al primer beso entre ellos...
Great analysis. One thing I'd like to add about the "I'd never court Penelope Featherington" scene: It's clear that many of the eligible bachelors of the ton view the marriage mart in a rather negative light. They are constantly having to fend off meddling mamas and interact with naïve young debutants who are mostly just parroting whatever their mamas tell them to do/say. Pen is such a good friend that Colin likely can't even envision putting her in the same category as the other young debutants, nor engaging in the highly contrived and performative process that is courting. I also think he sub-consciously understands that if he admits publicly to his attraction to her, that will signal to the other men that she's a desirable target for marriage. While he may not be ready to acknowledge his feelings for her, he certainly doesn't want to share her with others. He enjoys the attention she gives him and knows that he could lose that attention if she is engaged by other men. All that being said, it was still cruel to say those words aloud in public and open her up to ridicule. He is influential and the other members of the ton will follow his lead.
I also kind of took it as that subconscious overreaction to someone calling another person out on their crush. Like “hey, you like Penelope?” “Omg haha yeah right. No, never, absolutely not. Penelope? No way. Shes gross. 😅”
Especially since that's what exactly what happened when he turned his sights on Marina. All of a sudden, there's a swarm of suitors when he showed interest.
35:44 🎶"She is just Pen. Where she sees love, he sees a friend. What would it take for him to see the girl behind the yellow and fight for her?"🎶 Lol, sorry, I had to hahahaha😂
The way you worded almost all of my observations in an extremely thorough manner, I thank you! When I talk about these things, my friends think I am crazy for noticing such tiny things - so it is extremely satisfying to hear you word it out loud!
There are many reasons why Penelope and Colin and their relationship are special to me specifically, but I think what make them completely unique and special to the series is that their love and their romance is unlike any other we have seen or will see in the Bridgerton universe. We've seen them interact and form a bond since day one, making it a truly incomparable coupling. Every other Bridgerton romantic interest is someone that is new to the audience and the Bridgerton sibling, where as Penelope is as much a featured character as her Bridgerton sibling and the audience already has a connection to her. All this makes their romance such a better story to watch and has the best pay off, at least in my opinion. This video does an excellent job of pointing that out and highlighting why Polin and their season is going to be so exciting to see.
Penelope and Colin’s love story has always been this undercurrent running beneath the main plot of the show, and it can be hard to analyze and think about it when so much stuff is always going on around them. This video, in particular, MASTERFULLY puts together the pieces and provides context that I hadn’t previously put together or noticed. Your careful analysis and thoughtful opinions were so nice to listen to, and for me, it changed my mind about certain scenes and the dynamic within them. I think, most times, it can be easy to vilify a specific character for a specific action, because as viewers, again, with so much going on in the show, it can be hard to see it as anything other than what it is presented on the surface. Colin’s feelings for Penelope have evolved over the past two seasons and it will be FASCINATING to see the journey he goes on in season 3, and the mirroring (😏) of Penelope’s journey will be fascinating to watch as well. I think that Colin and Penelope needed to start this season off not being on good terms, because she had him on this pedestal and he had her on kind of one as well, and so starting on a somewhat equal playing field will lead, in my opinion, to the most interesting, and healthy journey that these two could go on. honestly we have no idea what’s in store for us, as all of the content we’ve gotten for them has been titillating, sure, but is short lived and leaves us wanting (which. Netflix I am in your fucking walls). This video was so good and I think you took it from a standpoint of loving both of these characters, but not adoring them to the point of idolatry. Its so fascinating to study the way that characters interact, and it’s so healthy to bring up their flaws, their shortcomings, or shitty things that they have done because at the end of the day, it makes them more human. ❤
Hear me out....We got Pirate Colin because Pen never wrote back to him the assurance he always got when he was away and the voice that always reminded he's good. Hence why he has this fake swagger that is never genuine. One of the first scenes I want to see is how many damn letters did he write to Pen? And I really hope that she never opened a single one. HEHEHE Additionally from the peaks we get of the first episode, Pen (his constant) brushes him off twice. This throws him off because of how much he regards her. He is losing "his constant" and add Lord Debling into the mix. Colin is going to be chasing while Pen is going to facing the music of her own chaos.
@namobobo I think you're right. According to some people that were able to zoom in on his journals, Colin was confused about himself during his journey because no one wrote to him, making him feel like he is a "needy" person. So to prove himself otherwise, he accepted a different persona, more like his brothers.
I hope we get to see Colin be the man of the house, writer, lover, father and mischievous in S4. I hope we get to see them both come full circle as lovers, friends and spouses 🥰
BEGGING YOU to do another type of breakdown like this after part one comes out! the way you talk about every scene so detailed it’s better explained than what i think on my own! you took the words out of my brain my mouth couldn’t say literally 😂loved this video
What I love about this analysis is you treating them as flawed people who make mistakes and also did some good as well. You can see why they are so comfortable even if they word things weirdly at times. I just hate when people treat them live the evil incarnate. They are not. Many of the characters aren’t. They are flawed as humans should be.
"You do not count. You are Pen" really does show how she is apart from the rest of humanity in his mind. Have you noticed that he never signs her dance card? He grabs her hand and pulls her out on the floor. He really does not ask her permission to dance on multiple occasions. I, too, noticed he holds her hand, which we all know was against the norm. He pulls her into rooms with the door closed. He can not fathom it being inappropriate. Later, in season 3, he doesn't ever flirt with her. He flirts with every other being in a skirt though. As for the ruby necklace. He can recount a piece of jewelery she wore? It just shows how much he notices her. I also think if he noticed the necklace that much, was he only looking at the necklace???
I find it interesting that he always calls her Pen but, the two time that they have a possible romantic moment (the "what a barb" scene and the dance in the Featherington ball) he calls her Penelope. Also, in the trailer for season 3, the only time he calls her Penelope is during the sexy dream scene. When he calls he Penelope, she is a woman and, when he calls her Pen, she is like his sister
I would love that we get a moment between Colin and debling after he made his proposal somewhat saying they leaving/going to live in the country after the marriage so Colin is „loosing“ her and he gets aware and tries to speak to Pen
I think it will be something along the lines of Debling politely putting Colin in his place - as in, "thanks for taking care of her, protecting her and helping her find a suitor, but I'll take it from here. Once Penelope and I are married, I expect you to back off as you are not actually brother and sister and to continue to be so close would be improper." But either way, I do think Colin realising he's not just lost his chance romantically but that he's losing Pen as a permanent fixture of his life will play a big part in his chaotic carriage chasing.
I love watching videos like these. It makes me appreciate the little things that can go unnoticed. I always hated doing essays but watching videos like this always makes me think that if something like Polin was my topic, it would be 20+ pages 😂
Love the analysis of Polin, a lot people overlooked the complexity of the relationship, it's refreshing to see how you took the time to explain a lot of their exchanges. And like you mention, he finds a comfort with her on many levels, and I think in season 3 he comes fully into that realization
Exactly! People sometimes forget that Colin was also young, he and Penelope has been friends since they were kids in the series. That he is not fully matured. He has yet to explore, learn, and know about himself, so there is a possibility that he did not hurt Penelope purposely with his words and actions. They were both growing up when Penelope caught feeling for Colin. Though it does not justify Colin's actions, it felt like he was pulling and pushing her with his actions and statements. P.s. You literally serve every time you are back, seriously. I loved how you put the name exactly to the feelings and emotions seen in Polin's scenes, his insecurity and her reassurance and respect. I'm grateful for that.
📚In the books, Eloise is not such a self-obsessed, one note, twit. She's as bright, interesting, & multi-dimensional as her other siblings. The Netflix series downplayed Eloise, her complexity & vibrancy. They reduced her role while making her bff feature more prominently. The friendship was mutual〰️ not one side taking advantage of the other. There's a lot of teasing & rivalry, but there's affection & camaraderie amongst the Bridgertons too. They were admired amongst society. Held in high regard. They love each other fiercely, & are protective of each other. Eloise & Penelope were practically inseparable, so〰️she simply became like another member of their big brood. Brothers don't typically make besties of their sisters, let alone their sister's friends. Except this was an unusual family. The three of them were very close. They entertained each other w/their clever repartee & observations. Most of society was aware of their unusual closeness, & were accepting of the Bridgerton's peculiarities. Penelope was always kinder toward Eloise's siblings. She showed more diplomacy, tact, & respect toward the Bridgerton men, esp. Colin. Aware of being an outsider, Penelope held a slightly different perception of them all. Colin clearly held Penelope in special regard. I could 100% see how such a romance would be a slow boil🔥 for him. 💚Bridget from Cali☘️ (using my pal's YT acct)
Rewatching this post-season 3! Man it's so wild to think that some fans having been saying things like "polin was rushed," "would have loved to see more of their friendship before they turned into lovers," and "not enough polin in season 3!!" LIsten, I would NEVER say no to more polin, would always love to see more of them!! (Though I would never raid the official netflix, shondaland, and bridgerton account for it because that's literally ridiculous). I could not disagree more with the first two sentiments. Rewatching this now, they truly did set us up quite well for all of the development polin had in season 3!
I think it is interesting that the 2 sweet graceful alternate love interests for Bridgerton men (Marina and Edwina-ooo just noticed the rhyme) both compliment Penelope and each time she says something in response to them mocking her. Each time they deny mocking and are confused why she thought they were mocking her. Each time Penelope is wearing a dress that she hates. And her sisters and mother are always mocking her about her looks, so it is hard for her to trust a compliment from someone that she witnesses as being beautiful and desirable and people you wouldn’t expect to be mean like a Cressida Calper would.
I loved that analysis SO MUCH. Honestly, it made me understand each other as character so much better. I understand Colin insecurities much more now and I get where Penelope is coming from with Whistledown. And their relationship is truly amazing. It makes me watch season 3 with a new perspective and i'm so here for it. Now I need an analysis on season 3 pleeaaaase! That fandom is crazy and i just love it! ❤️
I love that you took auch a logical approach to their relationship without just saying he had toxic masculinity and therefore is cruel to her bc he doesn’t reciprocate her feelings instantly. You can really see that he does love and appreciate her but is just confused and not yet seeing his love for her. You explained it beautifully!
Wow, I never connected together how much of a hero complex Colin has! And we are going to see it continue into season 3 with Colin trying to help Penelope find a suitor. He feels like he’s saving her from becoming a spinster. It’s also interesting seeing all of Colin’s interactions with his own family, especially with Eloise and Anthony and how they really don’t take him seriously. I’m excited to hopefully see him lean into the comfort he feels with Penelope. Next week can’t come fast enough 😁
In reference to the hero complex, I think Penelope's "need" for him is the only thing that makes him feel important in his life. Being the 3rd son makes a boy so small in the family and society et al. Penelope always makes a place for him, makes him feel necessary.
Truly fantastic insights and commentary! Seeing him deny his connection to Pen at the end of Season 2 is still heartbreaking but they do show Colin’s growth in Season 3, which is so meaningful. Thanks so much for this.
it's interesting to see Penelope's change as well, at least in the scenes that were released so far. The way she confronts Colin shows a growth for the character.
I wish u could interview them! Everybody is just asking the same questions. This is such a profound video of explaining what their relationship is. And I think it resonates so much because it is SO relatable in real life. And they portray it so so so well. I loved all of this, keep making in depth videos about them!!
I think Luke and Nicola would love it too. Whenever I see them interviewed about it I get the sense that they have talked about the relationship between their characters, what drives it, how they want to interpret it. I feel like they would appreciate someone else noticing all the small things they have done to bring the characters to life in such a meaningful way.
While you brought it up, it made me think. They both put each other on pedestals. (Some book spoilers) Colin does it in a platonic way. He always viewed her as a sweet, nice, kind of naive person who would never say something mean outside of their own gossip. He would never think she would be Lady Whistledown and when he finds out, he gets mad. Seeing she goes into seedy parts of town and her reporting the tons’ truths makes him so angry because he never saw her that way plus his jealousy of how she found her purpose. Penelope puts him on a pedestal in a romantic sense. Everyone sees his charm and kindness and Penelope eleveates it so when he gets a temper, it is so surprising to her. It is ironic because they know each other so well, but their rose tinted glasses don’t allow them to see all sides of them. However, how much of themselves did they hide. They are friends, but they do hide certain parts of themselves because they may not want to lose their friendship which can also happen in a romantic relationship.
This is absolutely BRILLIANT and SO well done!! Kudos to you!! And also my 2 cents: they did SO many things that were not appropriate or allowed during their time so casually that we as viewers also did not make a “big deal” out of it but it was DEFINITELY a big deal!! Rule breakers since day 1 yall….
Very great break down analysis of their moments in S1&2. It is crazy how they have such acknowledgment of each other, support and love but the timing is always never the right timing to take the next step. Agree, I am excited for how their relationship will grow further in S3. They already have such a great foundation in their friendship to lead them into a great romantic connection.
I enjoyed this breakdown of their relationship & it made me realize that it makes so much sense why she became lady whistledown. Her social hierarchy and invisibility in society drives her to open up as whistledown. Her writing as LW is so open and frank, a contradiction to how she is among the ton. The only ones who knows her thoughts and views on things is Eloise & Colin. This is just my pov
what a treat, i ate this analysis up. This gives such credit to the writers and actors to convey this gorgeous and lovely pairing for all their work and details
[SPOILER WARNING] I love how Colin and Penelope have consistently dodged social rules throughout the seasons, perhaps unconciously deciding not to care what others think about them holding hands in public, ignoring others to gravitate toward each other, interacting alone with out a chaperone .... in s3, the Mondrichs learn that in high society, married couples need not to worry about social customs, so long as they have each other. Pen and Colin have been symbolically married this whole time 😭
They are both childlike in their sensitivity, innocence and kindness. I think the ton overlooks their impropriety because they’re not taken seriously. :) Penelope is not considered attractive or eligible - therefore she is invisible and not worth noting. They dismiss her womanhood, much like Colin does but Colin is also a very naive young man. He has more in common with his younger siblings than the elder. Even after he travels and sees the world, has some segsual exploits and returns home with a shiny new exterior he is childlike at heart. This is actually the reason he’s perfect for Pen. Regardless of the exterior, their insides match!
Interesting that you see them so early as being as if married. In my head, they felt married at the end of the carriage scene, and consummated the marriage in the mirror scene. No other way to explain that despite Colin's fury and sense of betrayal upon learning Pen is Whistledown, there is never a moment when he considers calling off the wedding. You can't cancel a marriage when it's already taken place. The wedding is just the public performance of it.
a lovely analysis. watching all these clips together, i didn't realize how many shots there were of colin drinking alcohol in season 2. the flask at the wedding and the featherington ball in particular. it's striking me now how down he was in season 2 and i don't think any of his family really noticed. i do remember one scene of benedict asking him if he was alright, but other than that, i can't think of any other instance.
It's obvious that Penn and Colin always had a connection, but when such a bond forms during childhood it begins without the benefit of any knowledge or experience of romantic love. Boys tend to dismiss even the girls they like as "yucky" all the way up to puberty, while girls often start "crushing' on boys long before their hormones catch up. Either way, the transition from childhood friends to potential lovers doesn't happen overnight and tends to be a rocky road. Your little sister's best friend who lives across the street is rarely the subject of a teenage boy's first sexual fantasies. Men, especially very young men, tend to strictly compartmentalize their feelings towards women. There are the women they feel comfortable talking to and can be themselves around (usually their mothers, sisters, and other family members), and then there are the women they want to have sex with. I think Colin assigned Penn to the first category very early on and wasn't able to view her differently or even suspect that a woman could possibly occupy both roles until he kissed her. Although he obviously felt increasingly drawn to Penn, it practically took a slap in the face for him to see her as a potential love interest after years of familiarity and complacency. Once that shift happened he could never look at her the same way again, and it was such a collosal leap it tortured him for weeks trying to process it.
Thankyou! I feel that too many people ignore how Colin is young too. And that might lead to him being incredibly oblivious and annoying at times. I also see people constantly imply that he is only friends with Pen because she just worships him. But that logic doesn’t work because he is oblivious to her romantic feelings. He never fails to mention how he loves her wit and charm. Additionally, Colin clearly cares what Penelope of him. Marina rightly clocked that Colin is naive and views Pen as the literal personification of familial warmth. So he puts her on a pedestal like she does to him. Penelope is my favorite character, but I find that other Pen fans do unnecessary character assassinations of Colin, Eloise, and Marina. If we all rewatched the first seasons we would realize that Colin does care about Pen, but just doesn’t know how he feels about her or anything else in his life.
Girl thank you for making this video. I'm really looking fwd to season 3, but it wasn't due to Polin because 1. I don't love the friends to lovers trope, and 2. I didn't remember anything standing out about their friendship that led me to believe they were a great fit. But NOW lol, you've helped me see their relationship from another perspective by pointing out moments I forgot, or completely missed (and I didn't want to go back and watch season 1 😂). So thank you! Job well done 👏🏾
Im so glad the video was finally able to upload, I just finsihed it and I have to say this is the best polin analyis I've seen, your insight is so introspective of both Penelope and Colin and how they regard one another. I couldnt have explain it better if I tried 💛. I have to express my grauduite for your content and the effort put in, its been keeping me sane during the torturous wait (I will be adding this video to my polin rewatch cycle) 😭❤.
It's interesting too when Colin says "You would never forsake me" to Pen, as his interpretation of what Marina said to him. (SPOILER ALERT FOR SEASON 3) Then later on in season 3 we learn that she has in a sense... "forsaken him" , by not responding to any of his letters whilst overseas. Penelope is absolutely correct in reacting this way, after hearing his disparaging comments about her at the end of season 2, they needed to have this change in power dynamics in order for their relationship to develop, however it also acts to inform Colins later behaviour. He spoke of a "yearning to hear from home, from Penelope in fact" in his conversation with Cressida in season 3. How he says... "everyone was busy with their lives, without a need for me in them. So I attempted to harden myself into a man ...with no needs of his own" and he mentions how he wouldn't recommend it. The loneliness Colin felt during this journey abroad, without hearing from the one person in his life, his one true constant Pen, leads Colin down a path of creating someone he thinks will fit into the mould that society expects him to be, a cavalier man of the Ton. Gaining him seemly positive attention and acceptance from society, which is later shown to be very superficial and hollow in contrast to Penelope's insight into Colin. She truely sees him. Which leads us to the start of season 3.
Rewatching to get ready for season 3. I learned that Pen was okay with Mariana and voices it in LW. under she learns about Mariana's pregnancy and her love of George Crane. That is when she starts getting in the way. She wants him happy and in love and she knew Marian didnt love him
I've been waiting for someone to talk about this! Great analysis. It never felt like she wanted Colin all to herself. Just happy. Otherwise she would have been jealous of all those women he was sleeping around with on his travels. This makes so much more sense!
What a beautifully detailed and insightful critique of the Penelope/Colin relationship. I've always adored deconstructing what makes a story work so I enjoyed your articulate look at their relationship enormously. I love all the Bridgerton relationships but this one is dear to my heart as my husband of 37 years and I met when we were 12, became friends, and then took the step into something more. The friends to lovers trope gets o me every time, especially when it is portrayed as well as this one.
I believe you did this analysis before seeing s3. Now that s3 has come to its full fruition, once again, you’re on point with your predictions and insights based on your brilliant analysis here. I swear, your knowledge of the psychological/emotional/relational dynamics between these two is astounding. You’re truly the best at this with Polin. Hopefully you can do an extension of your relationship analysis that includes s3. Thanks for all the great work that you do here Sammy! Truly, you’re the best! 🙏
Bless you for this! I’ve already rewatched the seasons and was thinking of rewatching again but only Polin parts so I really appreciate his breakdown thank you so much!
You finally got the episode posted!! It was much anticipated and of course you pointed it out so many little details that folks might have missed. Thank you for the analysis and the time you took making and uploading it 😁💜
Never in my life have I ever been so intrigued with a couple to actually view an analysis all the way through! You did wonderfully Sammy! If anything was gonna help me get through these next 8 days it was this. I loved the way you so carefully went over so many details that I'd think of or overthink and shared it here with us. I am so ready to see where season 3 takes us with these two. ❤
Please please please do one of these analysis for season 3....soooo good!!!!! It helped me to better understand a past relationship, with the youngest of three brothers.
I never understood the whole hype of Bridgeton. But I recently saw Season 3 without watching 1 and 2....anddddd I kinda get it now 😅 With no prior knowledge about the series and I really enjoyed Polin. I wanted some "friends to lovers" content to balance out what I've been watching recently (*baseball and crime doc) I don't think I will watch the previous seasons so thank you for this recap. I learned alot about the characters and now waiting for the second part to come out 😅😅😅
I think that last scene could be an instance where we didn’t get to hear the full monologue but we also have to remember that he, like all men at that time, had a role to play where emotions couldn’t be shown really. He needs acceptance and he yearns to belong somewhere and in that moment he may have just needed to feel like he belonged
I know I would love for it to be a continuation of the “you’re Pen you do not count” sentiment. As in, “ I would never court her and risk the valuable friendship I have with her.” But alas I don’t think it was.
This!! This is the video that I have been wanting to watch! I wanted to go back and watch for Colin & Pen specific scenes but I didn't want to watch everything else. Thank you for doing this and making my life easier 👏🏼👏🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
Thanks so much for this vid... It made me understand why the third season felt so rushed... It's not Polin season ...it's Polin's season 3. it was about time❤❤ that's why... It's was always there... We just got distracted by Daphne and Anthony. I have to re-watch with this in mind
this video is so well done!! the way you articulate your sentences and express your thoughts is so good!! by far the best bridgerton videos i’ve watch ❤
Thank you for such a great analysis. I had to re-watch from the beginning to see everything again. I never noticed all the looks between Penelope and Colin. Wow -
![What a Barb! Episode 46 - What a Way to Gallop Along! [Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 Reaction]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/FZOF6ZeTY4Y/mqdefault.jpg)
Colin : I'd never dream of courting penolepe fetherntin
( Precedes to dream about courting pen )
He’s dreaming about more than courting her. Colin. You naughty naughty boy.
And about time too.
Life has a strange way or throwing those “nevers” at our faces :)
Yes... "Courting" ;)
He's about to dream of doing a lot more than courting pretty soon lol 😏
That's not what he dreamt about. lol
I've rarely been in such an unhinged fandom and I'm savoring every minute of it as much as it's eating at my braincells
We are insane and feral
The Outlander fandom is truly crazy. Bridgerton fans are mild compared to Outlander fans. 😂
i get such energy boosts from being unhinged and all the fangirling, i feel like i traveled a decade back and am a teenage girl losing her mind over a fictional couple, makes you appreciate being alive! Polin, i'll be forever grateful to you💜💜💜💜
Yesss outlander has a subreddit for the series and another one for the books. During the pandemic I'd be all over the weekly book discussions they posted over there
We’ve waited for sooooooo long 😂
I think "You are Pen. You do not count." is a perfect line because it can be interpreted differently depending on whose poinf of view are we focusing on. As you said in the video, if it's from Colin's POV - those words mean he regards her above everyone else, she's more than just a woman to him, so he doesn't count her just as a woman, a potential partner. But then if we think of Penelope's POV, an insecure girl, often mocked and almost always disregarded - it is completely understandable why she would take it as something negative, words that belittle her, because almost always she's being addressed in such a way, so it is more probable to her that Colin's words are disregarding, than putting her above everyone else.
Yeah Colin is sweet and trying to compliment her but also SO oblivious about how easily his words could be interpreted as an insult. Adorable idiot.
Very well said. ❤❤❤
It strips her of her desire to be seen as a woman, a romantic prospect which can make a person feel like a permanent child. Its heartbreaking to see her hopelessness but so awarding to finally see her glow up and be taken seriously and seen in a romantic light. I do wish they wouldve focused in that aspect more in S3 so that she does realised how desirable she actually is. But Colin really switched right up as soon as he was attracted to her.
@@kaz1819 I think we'll explore more of that in part 2 of season 3! 💜
The idea that Colin inadvertently doesn’t believe he’s earned what Pen feels for him is such a good analysis. His belief he is seen as lesser than his brothers and being compared to them, and how Penelope doesn’t view him in that context..
You’re right, your analysis has made me deadass bald.
💯
Snatched wig?
@@yulisagarcia2475wig!!!!!
@@yulisagarcia2475wig!!!
@@yulisagarcia2475 i did not connect those dots till you mentioned it
I have interpreted the "You do not count, you are Pen," as Colin making an exception to his self made rule. She is a woman- but he wants to continue to be around her and talk with her, so he subconsciously made the exception to do so.
I like this take and the deeper meaning. She is Pen, not just any woman. Yea I can see how Pen interprets it but to him its obvious she means more than anyone other woman he knows.
Something I noticed immediately and has always stuck with me is that Colin first noticed the fake gems in Pen’s necklace, but the necklace he actively chose to take possession of and destroy belonged to Cressida. It’s a bold statement.
Colin could have asked Pen for her necklace and she would have given it to him. At that point, I don’t see her capable of denying him anything. But he didn’t. I honestly think he took a moment in his planning to realize he may have to destroy the necklace to prove his point and decided he couldn’t destroy something Pen liked. Yes, his goal is to be her hero, but not at her expense. He couldn’t hurt her by destroying her necklace.
I also appreciate how he doesn’t care how it looks for him to take and then destroy another lady’s necklace. He doesn’t care about Cressida’s potential feelings at all. Not one second of hesitation on his part about destroying Cressida’s necklace. Nor does he care that if he is wrong that he could damage the gems in her necklace or possibly his own reputation.
dude i never even thought of this ur literally a genius
This!!!!
And this is why Colin is his mother's golden child.
And people forget because it isn’t revealed until the end - or they never pick up on it at all - that Colin was actually spending the last few episodes trying to investigate and figure out how to deal with Jack Featherington. We just don’t see as much of his perspective alone in that season or confiding in a friend, but behind the scenes, he’s dealing with this similar high stakes dilemma to the things Pen and Eloise are always dealing with.
We just see them working through those but only hear about his afterwards from little admissions like the fact that he practiced his confrontation speech for hours and he had to yell at Mondrich in front of Jack when he didn’t want to. And he found out that there were no ruby mines in Georgia. I like to think that, being the *extra* and insecure little nerd he is, he probably was trying to do his extra due diligence about the investment, and then he had this secret he was having to figure out how to manage while minimizing collateral damage to the people he cared about.
It was actually a very Whistledown problem he was having, trying to figure out how to make the harmful party go away without bringing shame on the harmed.
@@Cab1726 Precisely!
My adhd is being kept FED with Polin material …it’s single-handedly keeping all other aspects of my life afloat lately lolllllllll
I am also experiencing this 🤣🤣
Seriously!
Me, too. I call our ADHD hyperfixations “a whim of iron”. 😉
28:29 female Swans are called Pens so that’s probably a hidden meaning
Yaaaasss
Wow I didn't know that .❤
Oh, didn’t know that! I always thought since she is a writer everyone calling her pen and not realizing she is whistledown was kinda a joke with the viewers.
Ah, another hidden "Ugly Duckling to Graceful Swan" Easter Egg 😉
I love the Bridgerton levels. They're everywhere
I agree that Colin’s comment that, “You’re Pen. You do not count,” is more about the special category she occupies rather than dismissing or being mean. Good analysis of their relationship to this point!
Damn it really sucks to be told you're not like other girls though 😂
The irony.
I think this is the direction that they're going to go with his character in season 3. With underlying endearing meaning to some of his past words to her (hopefully!)
Así es, Colin sentía algo totalmente diferente por Pen y eso hacia que la tuviera en un lugar especial en su vida... Es cosa de recordar cuando Pen muy molesta le reclamo a Colín por su cruel comentario de hace un año en la fiesta de su mamá donde él les decía a sus "amigos" "yo nunca cortejaría a Penélope Feringthon ..." Esto descolocó a Colín mientras veía como se alejaba Pen. Tal fue la preocupación de Colín por como había hecho sentir a su Pen que la visito al día siguiente para disculparse por su lamentable comentario, aclarándole que "él nunca se avergonzaría de ella, que al contrario él siempre la busca porque ella lo hace sentir de formas que nadie más lo hace... Colín tardo pero finalmente se dió cuenta que Penélope era mucho más importante para él y todo gracias a algunos momentos de las lecciones que acordaron para Pen y al primer beso entre ellos...
I haven't been this obsessed over a fictional relationship since high school and Sammy is just feeding my obsession more😂
So it's not just me, then!
You too? 😂😂
kris jenner & the devil may work hard but sammy works harder
I feel seen. Also an obsessive girly
Also Portia Featherington!
Great analysis. One thing I'd like to add about the "I'd never court Penelope Featherington" scene: It's clear that many of the eligible bachelors of the ton view the marriage mart in a rather negative light. They are constantly having to fend off meddling mamas and interact with naïve young debutants who are mostly just parroting whatever their mamas tell them to do/say. Pen is such a good friend that Colin likely can't even envision putting her in the same category as the other young debutants, nor engaging in the highly contrived and performative process that is courting.
I also think he sub-consciously understands that if he admits publicly to his attraction to her, that will signal to the other men that she's a desirable target for marriage. While he may not be ready to acknowledge his feelings for her, he certainly doesn't want to share her with others. He enjoys the attention she gives him and knows that he could lose that attention if she is engaged by other men.
All that being said, it was still cruel to say those words aloud in public and open her up to ridicule. He is influential and the other members of the ton will follow his lead.
I also kind of took it as that subconscious overreaction to someone calling another person out on their crush. Like “hey, you like Penelope?” “Omg haha yeah right. No, never, absolutely not. Penelope? No way. Shes gross. 😅”
Especially since that's what exactly what happened when he turned his sights on Marina. All of a sudden, there's a swarm of suitors when he showed interest.
“What a barb” scene and “Lord Byron he is not” show that the *Whistledown* side of her is what he’s drawn to early on. 😂
35:44 🎶"She is just Pen. Where she sees love, he sees a friend. What would it take for him to see the girl behind the yellow and fight for her?"🎶
Lol, sorry, I had to hahahaha😂
Loved it haha
Loooooooolz 😂
Why has no one done this on SNL? Genius!
Awesome!!
LMAO at This after Luke on Fallon.
Polin brainrot is soooo real I need to inject season 3 into my veins now
OMG yes!!! 😂
I go to sleep at night thinking of penelopes pink and blue dress and wake up crying that someone would pour a drink on it
The colin singing scene was confirmed. It's intended to show the effect of Pen's presence to Colin. There is a clip about this specific scene.
Where did you find the clip explaining it? Is it on TH-cam
@@malena5026it was in an interview with Nic and Luke.. Luke explained Colin wavers during singing upon seeing Penelope
The way you worded almost all of my observations in an extremely thorough manner, I thank you! When I talk about these things, my friends think I am crazy for noticing such tiny things - so it is extremely satisfying to hear you word it out loud!
There are many reasons why Penelope and Colin and their relationship are special to me specifically, but I think what make them completely unique and special to the series is that their love and their romance is unlike any other we have seen or will see in the Bridgerton universe. We've seen them interact and form a bond since day one, making it a truly incomparable coupling. Every other Bridgerton romantic interest is someone that is new to the audience and the Bridgerton sibling, where as Penelope is as much a featured character as her Bridgerton sibling and the audience already has a connection to her. All this makes their romance such a better story to watch and has the best pay off, at least in my opinion. This video does an excellent job of pointing that out and highlighting why Polin and their season is going to be so exciting to see.
Penelope and Colin’s love story has always been this undercurrent running beneath the main plot of the show, and it can be hard to analyze and think about it when so much stuff is always going on around them. This video, in particular, MASTERFULLY puts together the pieces and provides context that I hadn’t previously put together or noticed. Your careful analysis and thoughtful opinions were so nice to listen to, and for me, it changed my mind about certain scenes and the dynamic within them. I think, most times, it can be easy to vilify a specific character for a specific action, because as viewers, again, with so much going on in the show, it can be hard to see it as anything other than what it is presented on the surface.
Colin’s feelings for Penelope have evolved over the past two seasons and it will be FASCINATING to see the journey he goes on in season 3, and the mirroring (😏) of Penelope’s journey will be fascinating to watch as well.
I think that Colin and Penelope needed to start this season off not being on good terms, because she had him on this pedestal and he had her on kind of one as well, and so starting on a somewhat equal playing field will lead, in my opinion, to the most interesting, and healthy journey that these two could go on. honestly we have no idea what’s in store for us, as all of the content we’ve gotten for them has been titillating, sure, but is short lived and leaves us wanting (which. Netflix I am in your fucking walls).
This video was so good and I think you took it from a standpoint of loving both of these characters, but not adoring them to the point of idolatry. Its so fascinating to study the way that characters interact, and it’s so healthy to bring up their flaws, their shortcomings, or shitty things that they have done because at the end of the day, it makes them more human.
❤
Im so happy that you were finally able to get this up cause i am running out of polin videos to watch
Pfttt.
Waiting for the countdown to end 👀🤪🤣🤣🤣
Hear me out....We got Pirate Colin because Pen never wrote back to him the assurance he always got when he was away and the voice that always reminded he's good. Hence why he has this fake swagger that is never genuine. One of the first scenes I want to see is how many damn letters did he write to Pen? And I really hope that she never opened a single one. HEHEHE
Additionally from the peaks we get of the first episode, Pen (his constant) brushes him off twice. This throws him off because of how much he regards her. He is losing "his constant" and add Lord Debling into the mix. Colin is going to be chasing while Pen is going to facing the music of her own chaos.
i really want to see the letters!! to see how much he really missed her
@namobobo I think you're right. According to some people that were able to zoom in on his journals, Colin was confused about himself during his journey because no one wrote to him, making him feel like he is a "needy" person. So to prove himself otherwise, he accepted a different persona, more like his brothers.
I hope we get to see Colin be the man of the house, writer, lover, father and mischievous in S4. I hope we get to see them both come full circle as lovers, friends and spouses 🥰
Su historia es hermosa... Pen y Colín ambos personajes son bellos y mis regalones 😅
BEGGING YOU to do another type of breakdown like this after part one comes out! the way you talk about every scene so detailed it’s better explained than what i think on my own! you took the words out of my brain my mouth couldn’t say literally 😂loved this video
What I love about this analysis is you treating them as flawed people who make mistakes and also did some good as well.
You can see why they are so comfortable even if they word things weirdly at times.
I just hate when people treat them live the evil incarnate. They are not. Many of the characters aren’t. They are flawed as humans should be.
Well said! A lot of people in the Fandom are quick to write off Penelope and Colin.
"You do not count. You are Pen" really does show how she is apart from the rest of humanity in his mind. Have you noticed that he never signs her dance card? He grabs her hand and pulls her out on the floor. He really does not ask her permission to dance on multiple occasions. I, too, noticed he holds her hand, which we all know was against the norm. He pulls her into rooms with the door closed. He can not fathom it being inappropriate. Later, in season 3, he doesn't ever flirt with her. He flirts with every other being in a skirt though. As for the ruby necklace. He can recount a piece of jewelery she wore? It just shows how much he notices her. I also think if he noticed the necklace that much, was he only looking at the necklace???
why is this the first time i'm noticing luke's smile. it's so fucking cute i'm crying
I find it interesting that he always calls her Pen but, the two time that they have a possible romantic moment (the "what a barb" scene and the dance in the Featherington ball) he calls her Penelope. Also, in the trailer for season 3, the only time he calls her Penelope is during the sexy dream scene. When he calls he Penelope, she is a woman and, when he calls her Pen, she is like his sister
good eye!
I always thought the opposite. When he calls her Penelope he thinks of her as a girl. When he calls her Pen he thinks of her as a woman
Well now that we’ve seen s3, he calls her Pen in their love scene so I guess not lol
I would love that we get a moment between Colin and debling after he made his proposal somewhat saying they leaving/going to live in the country after the marriage so Colin is „loosing“ her and he gets aware and tries to speak to Pen
I think it will be something along the lines of Debling politely putting Colin in his place - as in, "thanks for taking care of her, protecting her and helping her find a suitor, but I'll take it from here. Once Penelope and I are married, I expect you to back off as you are not actually brother and sister and to continue to be so close would be improper." But either way, I do think Colin realising he's not just lost his chance romantically but that he's losing Pen as a permanent fixture of his life will play a big part in his chaotic carriage chasing.
Do you think that will be too close to Anthony learning Kate is leaving the country?
I love watching videos like these. It makes me appreciate the little things that can go unnoticed. I always hated doing essays but watching videos like this always makes me think that if something like Polin was my topic, it would be 20+ pages 😂
Love the analysis of Polin, a lot people overlooked the complexity of the relationship, it's refreshing to see how you took the time to explain a lot of their exchanges. And like you mention, he finds a comfort with her on many levels, and I think in season 3 he comes fully into that realization
Exactly! People sometimes forget that Colin was also young, he and Penelope has been friends since they were kids in the series. That he is not fully matured. He has yet to explore, learn, and know about himself, so there is a possibility that he did not hurt Penelope purposely with his words and actions. They were both growing up when Penelope caught feeling for Colin. Though it does not justify Colin's actions, it felt like he was pulling and pushing her with his actions and statements.
P.s. You literally serve every time you are back, seriously. I loved how you put the name exactly to the feelings and emotions seen in Polin's scenes, his insecurity and her reassurance and respect. I'm grateful for that.
Yes, I never saw the “You are Pen” as dismissive, I think it speaks to his comfortability with her.
what you said about him taking her for granted in a sense that he sees her as family, someone who will always be there…period.
This ☝️💯💯💯
📚In the books, Eloise is not such a self-obsessed, one note, twit. She's as bright, interesting, & multi-dimensional as her other siblings.
The Netflix series downplayed Eloise, her complexity & vibrancy. They reduced her role while making her bff feature more prominently. The friendship was mutual〰️ not one side taking advantage of the other.
There's a lot of teasing & rivalry, but there's affection & camaraderie amongst the Bridgertons too. They were admired amongst society. Held in high regard. They love each other fiercely, & are protective of each other. Eloise & Penelope were practically inseparable, so〰️she simply became like another member of their big brood.
Brothers don't typically make besties of their sisters, let alone their sister's friends. Except this was an unusual family. The three of them were very close. They entertained each other w/their clever repartee & observations.
Most of society was aware of their unusual closeness, & were accepting of the Bridgerton's peculiarities. Penelope was always kinder toward Eloise's siblings. She showed more diplomacy, tact, & respect toward the Bridgerton men, esp. Colin. Aware of being an outsider, Penelope held a slightly different perception of them all.
Colin clearly held Penelope in special regard. I could 100% see how such a romance would be a slow boil🔥 for him.
💚Bridget from Cali☘️
(using my pal's YT acct)
Rewatching this post-season 3! Man it's so wild to think that some fans having been saying things like "polin was rushed," "would have loved to see more of their friendship before they turned into lovers," and "not enough polin in season 3!!" LIsten, I would NEVER say no to more polin, would always love to see more of them!! (Though I would never raid the official netflix, shondaland, and bridgerton account for it because that's literally ridiculous). I could not disagree more with the first two sentiments. Rewatching this now, they truly did set us up quite well for all of the development polin had in season 3!
I think it is interesting that the 2 sweet graceful alternate love interests for Bridgerton men (Marina and Edwina-ooo just noticed the rhyme) both compliment Penelope and each time she says something in response to them mocking her. Each time they deny mocking and are confused why she thought they were mocking her. Each time Penelope is wearing a dress that she hates. And her sisters and mother are always mocking her about her looks, so it is hard for her to trust a compliment from someone that she witnesses as being beautiful and desirable and people you wouldn’t expect to be mean like a Cressida Calper would.
I loved that analysis SO MUCH. Honestly, it made me understand each other as character so much better. I understand Colin insecurities much more now and I get where Penelope is coming from with Whistledown. And their relationship is truly amazing. It makes me watch season 3 with a new perspective and i'm so here for it. Now I need an analysis on season 3 pleeaaaase!
That fandom is crazy and i just love it! ❤️
I was about to say I would love this for season 3
I love that you took auch a logical approach to their relationship without just saying he had toxic masculinity and therefore is cruel to her bc he doesn’t reciprocate her feelings instantly. You can really see that he does love and appreciate her but is just confused and not yet seeing his love for her. You explained it beautifully!
Wow, I never connected together how much of a hero complex Colin has! And we are going to see it continue into season 3 with Colin trying to help Penelope find a suitor. He feels like he’s saving her from becoming a spinster.
It’s also interesting seeing all of Colin’s interactions with his own family, especially with Eloise and Anthony and how they really don’t take him seriously.
I’m excited to hopefully see him lean into the comfort he feels with Penelope. Next week can’t come fast enough 😁
In reference to the hero complex, I think Penelope's "need" for him is the only thing that makes him feel important in his life. Being the 3rd son makes a boy so small in the family and society et al. Penelope always makes a place for him, makes him feel necessary.
Thank you! I always felt like the "you do not count" line was another way of expressing adoration
I desperately need a break down like this for Season 3 part 1 and eventually 2. This is just perfection! 🙌
Truly fantastic insights and commentary! Seeing him deny his connection to Pen at the end of Season 2 is still heartbreaking but they do show Colin’s growth in Season 3, which is so meaningful. Thanks so much for this.
it's interesting to see Penelope's change as well, at least in the scenes that were released so far. The way she confronts Colin shows a growth for the character.
I wish u could interview them! Everybody is just asking the same questions. This is such a profound video of explaining what their relationship is. And I think it resonates so much because it is SO relatable in real life. And they portray it so so so well. I loved all of this, keep making in depth videos about them!!
I think Luke and Nicola would love it too. Whenever I see them interviewed about it I get the sense that they have talked about the relationship between their characters, what drives it, how they want to interpret it. I feel like they would appreciate someone else noticing all the small things they have done to bring the characters to life in such a meaningful way.
While you brought it up, it made me think. They both put each other on pedestals. (Some book spoilers)
Colin does it in a platonic way. He always viewed her as a sweet, nice, kind of naive person who would never say something mean outside of their own gossip. He would never think she would be Lady Whistledown and when he finds out, he gets mad. Seeing she goes into seedy parts of town and her reporting the tons’ truths makes him so angry because he never saw her that way plus his jealousy of how she found her purpose.
Penelope puts him on a pedestal in a romantic sense. Everyone sees his charm and kindness and Penelope eleveates it so when he gets a temper, it is so surprising to her.
It is ironic because they know each other so well, but their rose tinted glasses don’t allow them to see all sides of them. However, how much of themselves did they hide. They are friends, but they do hide certain parts of themselves because they may not want to lose their friendship which can also happen in a romantic relationship.
One thing I can say that this video taught me… that all this people are great actors and actresses
This is absolutely BRILLIANT and SO well done!! Kudos to you!! And also my 2 cents: they did SO many things that were not appropriate or allowed during their time so casually that we as viewers also did not make a “big deal” out of it but it was DEFINITELY a big deal!! Rule breakers since day 1 yall….
Very great break down analysis of their moments in S1&2. It is crazy how they have such acknowledgment of each other, support and love but the timing is always never the right timing to take the next step. Agree, I am excited for how their relationship will grow further in S3. They already have such a great foundation in their friendship to lead them into a great romantic connection.
I enjoyed this breakdown of their relationship & it made me realize that it makes so much sense why she became lady whistledown. Her social hierarchy and invisibility in society drives her to open up as whistledown. Her writing as LW is so open and frank, a contradiction to how she is among the ton. The only ones who knows her thoughts and views on things is Eloise & Colin. This is just my pov
what a treat, i ate this analysis up. This gives such credit to the writers and actors to convey this gorgeous and lovely pairing for all their work and details
This made me want to do a rewatch just to further look at these little moments and mannerisms. Such an awesome video!
[SPOILER WARNING]
I love how Colin and Penelope have consistently dodged social rules throughout the seasons, perhaps unconciously deciding not to care what others think about them holding hands in public, ignoring others to gravitate toward each other, interacting alone with out a chaperone .... in s3, the Mondrichs learn that in high society, married couples need not to worry about social customs, so long as they have each other. Pen and Colin have been symbolically married this whole time 😭
What a beautiful thought!!!! Makes me tear up 🥹🥹🥹I LOVE THIS 💜💜💜💜💜
That and/or they’re wallflowers and who notices wallflowers?
They are both childlike in their sensitivity, innocence and kindness. I think the ton overlooks their impropriety because they’re not taken seriously. :) Penelope is not considered attractive or eligible - therefore she is invisible and not worth noting. They dismiss her womanhood, much like Colin does but Colin is also a very naive young man. He has more in common with his younger siblings than the elder. Even after he travels and sees the world, has some segsual exploits and returns home with a shiny new exterior he is childlike at heart. This is actually the reason he’s perfect for Pen. Regardless of the exterior, their insides match!
Interesting that you see them so early as being as if married. In my head, they felt married at the end of the carriage scene, and consummated the marriage in the mirror scene. No other way to explain that despite Colin's fury and sense of betrayal upon learning Pen is Whistledown, there is never a moment when he considers calling off the wedding. You can't cancel a marriage when it's already taken place. The wedding is just the public performance of it.
@@katherinemaas6712 well he had already slept with her so he had ‘ruined her’. Marrying her was more a duty than anything else.
After finishing S3 part 2, this Polin analysis just hits so much harder. Excellent work 🫡
a lovely analysis. watching all these clips together, i didn't realize how many shots there were of colin drinking alcohol in season 2. the flask at the wedding and the featherington ball in particular. it's striking me now how down he was in season 2 and i don't think any of his family really noticed. i do remember one scene of benedict asking him if he was alright, but other than that, i can't think of any other instance.
It's obvious that Penn and Colin always had a connection, but when such a bond forms during childhood it begins without the benefit of any knowledge or experience of romantic love. Boys tend to dismiss even the girls they like as "yucky" all the way up to puberty, while girls often start "crushing' on boys long before their hormones catch up. Either way, the transition from childhood friends to potential lovers doesn't happen overnight and tends to be a rocky road. Your little sister's best friend who lives across the street is rarely the subject of a teenage boy's first sexual fantasies. Men, especially very young men, tend to strictly compartmentalize their feelings towards women. There are the women they feel comfortable talking to and can be themselves around (usually their mothers, sisters, and other family members), and then there are the women they want to have sex with. I think Colin assigned Penn to the first category very early on and wasn't able to view her differently or even suspect that a woman could possibly occupy both roles until he kissed her. Although he obviously felt increasingly drawn to Penn, it practically took a slap in the face for him to see her as a potential love interest after years of familiarity and complacency. Once that shift happened he could never look at her the same way again, and it was such a collosal leap it tortured him for weeks trying to process it.
Excellent comment
Thankyou! I feel that too many people ignore how Colin is young too. And that might lead to him being incredibly oblivious and annoying at times. I also see people constantly imply that he is only friends with Pen because she just worships him. But that logic doesn’t work because he is oblivious to her romantic feelings. He never fails to mention how he loves her wit and charm. Additionally, Colin clearly cares what Penelope of him. Marina rightly clocked that Colin is naive and views Pen as the literal personification of familial warmth. So he puts her on a pedestal like she does to him. Penelope is my favorite character, but I find that other Pen fans do unnecessary character assassinations of Colin, Eloise, and Marina. If we all rewatched the first seasons we would realize that Colin does care about Pen, but just doesn’t know how he feels about her or anything else in his life.
Soooo good. I was getting teary-eyed at the part about his subconscious desire to provide and protect.
Girl thank you for making this video. I'm really looking fwd to season 3, but it wasn't due to Polin because 1. I don't love the friends to lovers trope, and 2. I didn't remember anything standing out about their friendship that led me to believe they were a great fit. But NOW lol, you've helped me see their relationship from another perspective by pointing out moments I forgot, or completely missed (and I didn't want to go back and watch season 1 😂). So thank you! Job well done 👏🏾
Thank you. This is the best Polin relationship analysis. Looking forward to season 3.
Would you believe that I just thought of you, opened the TH-cam app & this video was the 1st one recommended!?
You’re doing amazing sweetie 👏👏👏
Ikrr me too
I enjoyed your recap. Some viewers believe the build up to Polin in season 3 was missed. However you have shown otherwise. 2 thumbs up
Im so glad the video was finally able to upload, I just finsihed it and I have to say this is the best polin analyis I've seen, your insight is so introspective of both Penelope and Colin and how they regard one another. I couldnt have explain it better if I tried 💛. I have to express my grauduite for your content and the effort put in, its been keeping me sane during the torturous wait (I will be adding this video to my polin rewatch cycle) 😭❤.
i haven't seen such a hype for a ship in a very long time and it makes the wait even more exciting
It's interesting too when Colin says "You would never forsake me" to Pen, as his interpretation of what Marina said to him.
(SPOILER ALERT FOR SEASON 3)
Then later on in season 3 we learn that she has in a sense... "forsaken him" , by not responding to any of his letters whilst overseas. Penelope is absolutely correct in reacting this way, after hearing his disparaging comments about her at the end of season 2, they needed to have this change in power dynamics in order for their relationship to develop, however it also acts to inform Colins later behaviour.
He spoke of a "yearning to hear from home, from Penelope in fact" in his conversation with Cressida in season 3.
How he says... "everyone was busy with their lives, without a need for me in them. So I attempted to harden myself into a man ...with no needs of his own" and he mentions how he wouldn't recommend it.
The loneliness Colin felt during this journey abroad, without hearing from the one person in his life, his one true constant Pen, leads Colin down a path of creating someone he thinks will fit into the mould that society expects him to be, a cavalier man of the Ton. Gaining him seemly positive attention and acceptance from society, which is later shown to be very superficial and hollow in contrast to Penelope's insight into Colin. She truely sees him.
Which leads us to the start of season 3.
I can’t believe you missed in S1 E8 Penelope’s near confession of her love!
Thank you for your service in the anticipation of this season. 9 days more guys ✨ 💙+💛
My first thought upon waking this morning was, we are in the single digits until Polin
Love it! Can’t wait for their relationship analysis of season 3! Please don’t make us wait to long...
Obsessed with your Polin videos ❤
Rewatching to get ready for season 3. I learned that Pen was okay with Mariana and voices it in LW. under she learns about Mariana's pregnancy and her love of George Crane. That is when she starts getting in the way. She wants him happy and in love and she knew Marian didnt love him
I've been waiting for someone to talk about this! Great analysis. It never felt like she wanted Colin all to herself. Just happy. Otherwise she would have been jealous of all those women he was sleeping around with on his travels. This makes so much more sense!
I def need your relationship breakdown of season three - I am lovin your insights, girl!
What a beautifully detailed and insightful critique of the Penelope/Colin relationship. I've always adored deconstructing what makes a story work so I enjoyed your articulate look at their relationship enormously. I love all the Bridgerton relationships but this one is dear to my heart as my husband of 37 years and I met when we were 12, became friends, and then took the step into something more. The friends to lovers trope gets o me every time, especially when it is portrayed as well as this one.
Thank you for this ! You articulate things so well. I LOVE Polin but I didn't noticed some things until I saw this video.
I can't wait to see this video updated with your analysis of season 3!
I believe you did this analysis before seeing s3. Now that s3 has come to its full fruition, once again, you’re on point with your predictions and insights based on your brilliant analysis here. I swear, your knowledge of the psychological/emotional/relational dynamics between these two is astounding. You’re truly the best at this with Polin. Hopefully you can do an extension of your relationship analysis that includes s3. Thanks for all the great work that you do here Sammy! Truly, you’re the best! 🙏
Bless you for this! I’ve already rewatched the seasons and was thinking of rewatching again but only Polin parts so I really appreciate his breakdown thank you so much!
You finally got the episode posted!! It was much anticipated and of course you pointed it out so many little details that folks might have missed. Thank you for the analysis and the time you took making and uploading it 😁💜
I have been WAITING for a new video! Your videos are the only thing keeping me alive until season 3
I'm here after watching S3 Pt 1 and I am DYING to hear your take!!!
Never in my life have I ever been so intrigued with a couple to actually view an analysis all the way through! You did wonderfully Sammy! If anything was gonna help me get through these next 8 days it was this. I loved the way you so carefully went over so many details that I'd think of or overthink and shared it here with us. I am so ready to see where season 3 takes us with these two. ❤
Please please please do one of these analysis for season 3....soooo good!!!!!
It helped me to better understand a past relationship, with the youngest of three brothers.
Thank you for your content. I am obsessed with Bridgerton, so now I have another place to enjoy it.
I was going to rewatch all polin scenes from seasons 1 and 2 but this is so much better 🤩🤩🤩
Thank you so much vor serving us best Polin content ❤
At this point I'm existing for sammy's Polin videos
Yes! Sometimes I rewatch them a couple times. It’s like a big gossip laugh fest talking about something we are all obsessing over 😂
I never understood the whole hype of Bridgeton. But I recently saw Season 3 without watching 1 and 2....anddddd I kinda get it now 😅 With no prior knowledge about the series and I really enjoyed Polin. I wanted some "friends to lovers" content to balance out what I've been watching recently (*baseball and crime doc) I don't think I will watch the previous seasons so thank you for this recap. I learned alot about the characters and now waiting for the second part to come out 😅😅😅
my jaw dropped when u mentioned the significance of dreams and how that may come in to play in season 3
I really enjoyed your summary of their relationship...you noticed so many details I missed ....
Thank you for your great observations
I think that last scene could be an instance where we didn’t get to hear the full monologue but we also have to remember that he, like all men at that time, had a role to play where emotions couldn’t be shown really. He needs acceptance and he yearns to belong somewhere and in that moment he may have just needed to feel like he belonged
I know I would love for it to be a continuation of the “you’re Pen you do not count” sentiment. As in, “ I would never court her and risk the valuable friendship I have with her.” But alas I don’t think it was.
this might actually be my favourite video of yours, it’s so good ☺️
This!! This is the video that I have been wanting to watch! I wanted to go back and watch for Colin & Pen specific scenes but I didn't want to watch everything else. Thank you for doing this and making my life easier 👏🏼👏🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
You are so eloquent in your analysis. Thank you for this pleasant break down of these two characters
I loved this! I caught so many details and insights, that I had missed in the shows. Great job!
Thanks so much for this vid... It made me understand why the third season felt so rushed... It's not Polin season ...it's Polin's season 3. it was about time❤❤ that's why... It's was always there... We just got distracted by Daphne and Anthony. I have to re-watch with this in mind
this video is so well done!! the way you articulate your sentences and express your thoughts is so good!! by far the best bridgerton videos i’ve watch ❤
You are so good at these analyses, ma’am. Just wonderfully perceptive and insightful.
Please do a season 3 part 1 analysis. I loved this! ❤
Absolutely brilliant! Can't wait for the 'Season 3' - based relationship analysis, and Polin's evolving interpersonal dynamic. Thank you :)
Thank you for such a great analysis. I had to re-watch from the beginning to see everything again. I never noticed all the looks between Penelope and Colin. Wow -
Me: omg another pilon episode?
Also me: YES. Please continue.
Beautifully beautifully done. I have scrolled for a while now looking for this exact type of content. Thank you for sharing.
And here comes the long-awaited MASTERPIECE 🤩🤩🤩