This video would've probably been published a day or two ago except 1) the jet lag I have right now is BAD and 2) I needed to go see Furiosa at the cinema for a third time because truly, it is peak cinema for the feminine rage girlies and people are SLEEPING! ON! IT! and I NEED to see more movies from George Miller in that universe!!! 🔥 If you’re new here, check out some of my other videos! 😍🎬✨ - Only Baz Luhrmann Could Make An ELVIS Biopic ✨CINEMA✨ (Video Essay - Starring Austin Butler) th-cam.com/video/Q_j8M4tok98/w-d-xo.html - Glen Powell + Sydney Sweeney ANYONE BUT YOU Interview on Rom Coms and Shakespeare! (+ Will Gluck!) th-cam.com/video/MjXMatL4M74/w-d-xo.html - Glen Powell & Sydney Sweeney's "ANYONE BUT YOU" and the Modern Literary Adaptation (Video Essay) th-cam.com/video/L-9HYwLKBKw/w-d-xo.html - Anyone But You (Starring Glen Powell & Sydney Sweeney): The Perfect Rom Com for Shakespeare Girlies th-cam.com/video/fMh1AlREMO4/w-d-xo.html - Anyone But You, Natasha Bedingfield, and the Art of the Rom Com Musical Needle Drop 🥰💋🎶🎞✨ th-cam.com/video/NinueP59Big/w-d-xo.html - The Sidelining of Kate Sharma (Netflix Bridgerton Analysis) th-cam.com/video/vasUwIqKnXM/w-d-xo.html - The Seismic Impact of the Colin Bridgerton / Penelope Featherington 'Break-up' (Bridgerton Analysis) th-cam.com/video/88yQwUAcID4/w-d-xo.html - WHAT HAPPENED to this Penelope Featherington / Colin Bridgerton Season 3 poster? (w/ itsdivya) th-cam.com/video/H7NaEMeKgFA/w-d-xo.html - Dead Boy Detectives SPOILERS Interview: George Rexstrew, Jayden Revri, Kassius Nelson, Yuyu Kitamura th-cam.com/video/S86XVqe-GDU/w-d-xo.html - The Idea of You (Starring Anne Hathaway & Nicholas Galitzine) is CARRIED by Chemistry (Review) th-cam.com/video/3EOeh99R_pQ/w-d-xo.html
I've been trying to drag my best friends to go see Furiosa with me (again) but they have some weird preconceived notions that it's Too Weird based on the poster and trailer and keep refusing. And I'm like nooo 😭😭😭 because if they would just give these movies a chance I KNOW they would be obsessed like me 😭 like it was MADE for us!!
@@roadrollerdio565 I’ve seen it 4 times at the cinema. Would’ve gone more but sadly it’s theatrical run has been cut short because SOME PEOPLE have no taste! 🙂↔️ Next step, I’m buying it on physical media! 🔥
I just don’t understand why they have to make every male lead an expert in the bedroom. It can still be sweet and hot to watch a couple learn together. We can have more than one archetype.
@@brynbailey7132 It's not, though. Men can have experience/knowledge without being rakes. In fact, most of Austin's end-game heroes are highly respectable. For some reason, this show thinks that they need red-hot sex appeal in a male lead to make him palatable to their audience, and that they can only build it by having him sleep around, a fact that's simply not true. In fact, when I first saw Colin's transformation in the trailer, I knew instinctively what they were trying to make me feel towards him, and it instantly turned me off. Luke did his best to sell it, but it simply wasn't doing it for me.
@kohlinoor I mean in the world of modern regency romance novels. Jane Austen is like her own thing. Bridgerton was written very differently than Austen.
This is the part of don’t mind. Back then it was quite the norm for men to go to brothels to lean from a young age while wealthy ladies remained virgins.
1. Main issue: editing. Once you see Polin's full wedding dance per Nicola, you realize how robbed we were. Also, the frequent Benedict cuts. Just bad editing all around. 2. Too few episodes and too many stories. 3. Dragging out the LW reveal makes both Pen and Colin act badly at times. 4. My personal ick: the lack of happy Polin post LW reveal. I need to see them editing his book together, cudding, smiling, happy. Just went from angst to baby in a snap. I did like the epilogue scene but we got too much exposition on what happened and not enough showing it.
Colin’s bad reaction to finding out Penelope is LW is a trauma response for him. It brings back all the feelings he felt after what happened with Marina. Feeling foolish & naïve after she duped him and that it’s happening again with Penelope.
@justinelord95 yes but the book reveal early lets him fully choose her despite LW before they get physical and feels trapped. I hated that he had to get retraumatized.
Whoever said NSFW Jane Austen and not Regency Grey's Anatomy is so on point. Shonda needs to move on from the Grey's Anatomy structure and embrace historical drama plots - for God's sake, if you're going to be smutty try to be like Sanditon!
What i really find ironic os the new showrunner is queer. And she made the creative choice of making Benedict pansexual by basically hoe-ing it up and be devoid of his charming personality. As a pan im getting really tired of this narrative. Sex with multiple people don't drive us, its their personalities.
For real! I find pan people to be way more invested in personalities, and it makes sense for Benedict in 1-2 given he's so emotionally attuned and romantic. What even happened in 3?? Who is this guy?
@@jangelorum if they wanted Benedict's scenes to really introduce him for S4 they should have let him share an intense deep kiss with Paul. And let Benedict introduce him to their family swing set where they just talk all night while showing how their conversations are slowly seducing Benedict. And then Paul prematurely breaks it off not wanting to hurt Benedict. But no, let's objectify the most crushed Bridgerton and insult our main audience by giving him the Simon sex montage treatment. 😮💨
Yeah, and remember how they left off Francesca’s storyline? So they made her either lesbian or bi, and they made Michael a woman. Ok fine, but did they need to make Francesca look so immediately attracted to Michaela right after her wedding? I don’t know, it threw john to the side, like they weren’t really in love, and made it look kind of unfaithful on Fran’s part. 😢
@@naveenakoneru9211this! It’s such a problematic stereotype that if someone is attracted to multiple genders then they cannot be trusted in a monogamous relationship. I am so disappointed.
Yes, please read Francesca’s book- not just to understand the controversy better, but to get an even better sense of how poorly season 3 was managed with respect to Colin.
More on Benedict: he was REALLY hurt when he found out Anthony paid his seat at the academy and… nothing??? Literally not even sadness in front of a canvas??? No contempt towards Anthony??? Shoddy writing. So terrible.
I remember at least one interview with Luke and Nicola where they said that the season starts very quickly because we’ve already been with these characters for 2 seasons. I’m pretty sure that means the writers thought “we’ve seen enough of Colin’s struggles with aimlessness so we don’t need to focus on that” and that somehow translated to not focusing on HIM. But I think a looot of people watching the show would’ve related to “I want to keep this hobby close to me because it is my safe space & don’t think it’s good enough to share with people because their criticism/disinterest could ruin it.” And that feeling would’ve made people empathize with him and his jealousy a LOT more
This! All of this. It really does feel like people are forgetting that Penelope and Colin have had a decent presence for 2 seasons already and as Polin will likely have a bit more in subsequent seasons considering their actor’s attachment to the show. Also, not ending Lady Whistledown entirely gives Pen a purpose for her continued presence. Though, yeah they fumbled Colin.
Can’t tell you how pissed I am that my least favourite side plot of this season is Benedicts, how did the creators do this. Just give him a sibling to banter with and I love him, but he was in bed nearly the whole second half of the season and with yet another random pointless love interest because apparently no one in the writer room knows any male historical romance stereotypes other than a rake. Either let him paint or run the household which he was supposedly doing when Anthony was away and he enjoyed
True! Also, it makes no sense to me, how they made him spend the whole season in bed, when he could've been shown running the household since Anthony was absent for the most part; what stopped them form giving us a-temporary-head-of-the-family Benedict, rather than what they gave us? I agree with you, and I think Benedict deserved better this season even if the next season will be focused on him (or at least I hope they don't push him and Sophie for a sideline like they did with Polin)
His story was rather pointless this season. I fast forwarded through it, wasn’t interested. He should have been doing more Anthony type stuff running the house not running to a bed. I was disappointed in this season.
@@satanspizza-dq6xfthe new show-runner Jess doesn’t know shit bout Bridgerton and she’s ruining a great show tbh and soon no one going to watch it if they don’t remove her 🤷🏾♀️
Hard facts: Romancing Mr Bridgerton is not a great book. None of the books are that good. And a lot of the set pieces and relationships are borderline problematic for modern audiences 20 years after it was first published. Colin revealing Pen is Lady Whistledown at the end for example takes all agency from her. However, in trying to fix things like this, the show’s writers fumble it. So much of the Lady Whistledown plot just didn’t make sense. Giving Cressida a sympathetic narrative only to then abandon it utterly makes no sense. Inventing an interesting character like Lord Gebling in the first half of the season and then having him fucking vanish into thin air in the second half make absolutely no fucking sense. Etc etc.
These are not facts just because you think so, it´s fine not liking any of the books , thinking they are bad, horrible or whatever, but that doesn´t make it a hard fact. Also the problematic of the stories to modern sensibilities is irrelevant given that they are period romance novels, so they work within the confinements of the time they are set in and people should learn to contextualize things, not want everything cattered to their modern mindset . Having said that, I agree with the rest of your points, and that ties in with what I said, for the time in wich the books are set, for instance, Colin would want to solve Lady W. conflict, it was natural and normal and not at all a question of Pen´s agency, but the show wants to be this weird hybird of period and modern story and ends up failing at both...almost all the changes they made so far in characters and storylines are ilogical and didn´t work if you think about them even a little bit.
Benedict: I completely agree with your points about Benedict. If they wanted to introduce him as a bisexual character, they should have taken their time and introduced a male love interest for him. His says “I have known men like Mr. Suarez but I myself have never felt tempted before” but during his next meeting, he fully engages in a threesome with him. That makes no sense to me. Francesca: Jess Brownell, who was a Producer on Inventing Anna and worked on Scandal, mentioned that “Because Francesca's book resonated [with her] in the way that it did, it felt like a natural adaptation.” This interpretation of Francesca as queer seems off, given that she is devoted to her husband in the original story. It feels like a shock-factor decision to introduce her as a lesbian, especially when Eloise would be a more fitting character for a queer storyline. Eloise’s love story in the books is more about friendship than an intense romance, making her a better candidate for this portrayal. Colin & Penelope: I also don’t understand why they didn’t allow Colin and Penelope to bond over their writing. This was a major part of their story in the books, where they really got to know each other and express their vulnerabilities. As a result, Colin’s character feels hollow and uninteresting in the show. In the books, he proudly reveals Penelope’s identity as Lady Whistledown, partly to protect her from the consequences. However, in the show, Lady Whistledown is far more vicious, ruining lives, and it doesn’t make sense that the ton would forgive her so easily. There were no real consequences for her actions.
That was me😊 I said the thing about Austen and Grey's Anatomy. Someone had mentioned it feeling like a soap opera and that popped into my head as the perfect description of what I felt was off with this season.
The thing about gender bending Francesca's love interest is that it shows how little thought is being put in. I truly dont think any part of her original book can be adapted with a female love interest. Also even the way she was introduced changed the dynamics of that relationship. And they couldn't even make her Scottish! I agree that if they wanted to have a Sapphic storyline they could have used the buildup they have for Eloise to do it. Giving this to Francesca feels like it was done for shock value.
Or maybe it was in part because they didn't want to have back-to-back queer love stories in Ben and Eloise's seasons, which is a terribly shallow reason. NO SPOILERS: And I agree - whereas Benedict's story works well with a male love interest (I think I might like it more, in fact), there are just structural reasons why Francesca's story doesn't work.
@@Hana9916 Everyone's harping on about how Francesca can't have her main book struggles with a sapphic love story, but I think it could actually heighten her distress in an interesting and refreshing way! It's just that most hetero people won't be able to relate to it so they're instantly turned off and upset. With that being said, I loved the way they built up the love between John and Francesca and celebrated quieter, rarer types of love (at least in terms of what is shown on-screen), so to have them throw it all away when Francesca meets Michaela made me pretty upset.
@@kohlinoor this exactly! I loved their quiet love, and to have violet make a speech about how it's just as beautiful and valid, only for it to be thrown away immediately after is basically confirming that either it's dramatic love at first sight, or it's not real love. I was so hoping Eloise would be the one to have a queer storyline
Chronicles of Noria and Deborah the explorer gave some interesting ideas about this and what can be done, but I still dislike it. I don't like the idea of a queer Eloise either because I don't get that vibe from her and I dislike the idea that if a girl isn't interested in marriage and/or is vocal about feminism then she doesn't like guys (and yes I remember Theo). But since her love story is one of the weakest imho I wouldn't be surprised. The fact that they went after Francesca considering the popularity of her book was a big surprise. I kinda like the idea of Benedict having a male love interest, especially considering how his bi/pan plotline sucked this season. Although I would be sad for the fans of that book.
As a pansexual woman, Benedicts story made me so uncomfortable. We don't really know anything about Lady & Lord Arnold or why he would start having feelings for both of them. They just turned it into pansexual character has sex with anyone. He was in bed the whole second half of the season. Colin was all of a sudden having sex (which took away from the little screen time Colin & Pen had together). No one in the writers room can write male characters in fictional historical romances if he's not a rake.
I feel what you’re saying, their “attempts” to include lgbtq relationships has fallen flat so far. Just sex scenes and instantaneous attraction (Francesca post-wedding).. it’s very surface level and I wish they didn’t even try. And it’s not even in line with the super romantic nature of Bridgerton
I would love to see you read Francesca's book. It is frustrating to me that any push back to the gender bend is automatically labeled as bigoted. It would be nice to be able to discuss an adaptation choice without being attacked. I agree that this season seemed to react to the criticism of last season for lack of spicey moments by saying you want spicy moments, we will give you spicey moments. However a lot of them did not seem to have the emotional buildup to support the moments. As someone who came into the season thinking Polin had no chemistry, I agree with your statement that Polin had chemistry in their build up scenes, but we just needed more of them.
Not changing genders would have been nice, but now that they’ve done it, they need to pull it off well. But they obviously messed up very quickly. Same with Benedict, I thought he could be bi in season 1 itself, but never imagined that came along with spending half the season screwing people.
Colin and Penelope were quite loveable in previous seasons, somehow the characters lost that individual charm(I blame it on the writing). None of the interactions this season made them look like actual, close friends, so dropping the steamy parts just looked steamy, not like they had an actual connection. I think if someone had not seen seasons 1 and 2, they would struggle to grasp that it’s a friends to lovers story.. I can’t blame much on the actors cause they were given very little to work with, Luke especially
@@naveenakoneru9211 I completely agree. The friendship did not land for me either. It felt like they had established her friendship with Eloise but not with Colin.
I agree. It would be nice if people could talk about the gender bend without immediately jumping to extremes. It's not about "being a bigot" or about "forcing the lgbt agenda down peoples' throats" bad faith arguments. There are those who are genuinely upset because they liked the book or the characters. There are others who are upset because they don't want to see a main story about two women falling in love. What frustrates me is when people immediately start throwing accusations or statements like "Bridgerton is ruined" because of a 30s scene and a story that hasn't happened yet.
@@naveenakoneru9211 I completely agree with you. I wish they would have not changed the genders. However, they did and there is no going back now. They can't change it without a lot of issues. Due to this they need to execute it well.
I hate what Season 3 did to Benedict. I thought the whole point of him meeting Tilly would be to all to prep him to know what he’s looking for in a life partner. * cough cough* Sophie.
They didn’t even do that because I still don’t know what he wants in a life partner and just like the end of all the other seasons, he is left lonely again. They did his character so dirty and he is the best one 🥺🥺
I have been waiting for your review for 7-8. I have my own strong feelings about this season, but I think you hit the nail on the head early on in this video. People who are fans of romance/ know the genre are absolutely going to lose it when you don't give them romance. I wrote my masters thesis on the romance genre in publishing, and it's very clear the higher-ups (and other fans) telling fans to get over it have zero clue how the genre works. If it was about money, they have seriously messed up. And before anyone comes at me, romance is the highest selling genre more than all other genres combined, selling into the billions every year. So, for those who think the romance girlies saying, "they'll never watch the show again" won't have an impact, get ready.
Oooh, may I read your thesis? I have not read any romance novels since Pride & Prejudice when I was a kid, so I’m very interested in revisiting that genre! I wanna go down the rabbit hole, haha! I’m especially interested in fantasies, and I enjoy different period settings and possibly some smut if doesn’t feel too cheesy, but to echo what someone else wrote on here, some of the sexual dynamics/dialogue in Quinn’s books don’t sit well with me.
I have spent a lot of time thinking about this season (probably too much 😅) and I think there are three points that have affected the main romance of the season. 1. Colin is woefully underdeveloped. You speak to this quite well in the video, so I don’t need to add much more, but the underdevelopment does a disservice to a satisfying watch. There are glimpses of his character, but not enough. And this makes understanding his motivations in the angsty parts more difficult. I have seen many character analyses and I think they’re great. But a characterization should be obvious. The subtext should add to it. 2. As you said, not enough time with the mains. The more I think about it, the more I wonder if the writers knew how to do a friends to lovers story. Friends afford perfect space for emotional intimacy and that then leads to romance. When did they get emotionally vulnerable with each other while falling in love? I can think of three times Penelope is “it has been vexing” in ep 1 “somewhere between my head and my mouth” in ep 2 and “your writing is very good” in ep 2. Colin never is until he’s confessing his feelings. Which is why I think so many people felt like it came out of nowhere. Most of their scenes ended before they even started. 3. The editing left so much to be desired. I don’t even have a lot of editing experience and I’m sitting there watching the first time thinking “what was that?” There were cutaways at crucial points, coverage on the wrong people, wide shots when we should have had close ups. Nicola Coughlan posted an uncut version of the wedding breakfast dance. The way they look at each other through the whole thing, but especially at the end… are you kidding me? Where was that in the final edit? I have so many examples of this and I find it almost to be the most frustrating thing, because they could have had it, but missed the mark. If you’ve read through all that, thank you. I think I’ve been desperately wanting to get all that off my chest. There are so many bits and pieces that I loved in the season, but the overall watch was dissatisfying unfortunately. Please do read Francesca’s book. I would appreciate your analysis of it. It was my favorite and the only male lead in the books I actually liked. (Personally, I just don’t understand people’s hatred towards the male lead in Eloise’s book, he wasn’t any worse than the others 🤷♀️)
You mentioned so many parts I agree with! The editing was horrible🙈... I would have loved more focus on polins faces, more intimacy for the dance parts... the "behind the scenes dance" which Nicola posted was a perfect example for what we wanted to see throughout the season.
I liken the season to Ted Lasso season 3, it's got some of the highest highlights, but the overall storytelling structure left me wanting so much more. I feel like the show often sacrificed good storytelling for drama
Okay so it took me AGES to watch Ted Lasso but when I finally did, the INSTANT they broke up Roy and Keeley I could feel myself check out of being invested in everything that came after that. I think I almost didn't even finish season 3 because I was happily binging the show until I got to season 3 and then it started to feel like A CHORE to watch. 👀😶
Agree so much with this comment. There were some things that I liked (really liked even) but those moments felt like scattered treats across a sea of "meh" or "eh?" Not enough indulging in Polin's love story and too much (unnecessary?) drama. I feel the same way about Ted Lasso s3 too. vis-a-vis Roy and Keeley. It felt like something broke in the show and it wasn't as refreshing and loveable anymore.
I liked the seson and I love Colin and Penelope, but I agree they spent too mutch time in part 2 in a bad state than a good one. Colin's entrapment coment was so uncalled for and we should have more time with polin healing the hurt and reconciling before the baby. They did not get screen time where they simply were happy and in love, exept the steamy sceens.
Seeing all this excessive melodrama in Polin's love story was just making me want to go watch the fun Regency films/series I already love and a whole bunch of Rom Coms to get my vibes back where I wanted them to be. 🤭 We should've had waaaaaaaaay more scenes of Polin making jokes and laughing with each other. Daphne and Simon had that cute laughing scene when Daphne was snorting over Friedrich's comment about the "exquisite dress" and Kate and Anthony had that cute laughing scene when they fell in the mud, so if Colin and Penelope are the 'friends to lovers' season THEY SHOULD'VE BEEN LAUGHING CIRCLES AROUND THE OTHER TWO SEASONS. Laughing together should've been their area of expertise! 😂
100% needed more banter, giggling, and plotting together to take down Cressida. They were both so SAD too much. I’m still grieving what could have been and trying to detox.
I feel like the show runner and writers decided this show has a formula and everyone’s story needs to fit it with a break or melodrama pulling the leads apart at end of episode 6 and then drama that brings them together briefly in episode 7 but then pulls them away again and then they reconcile in the final scene of 8, with an epilogue. But Polin is a square peg being shoved through a round hole. They had known each other for years, so it should have been Polin against the world after a fight at start of episode 7. He gave her lessons to talk to other people, if she wanted to stand on her own he still could have helped her rehearse her speech to the Queen or something to be supportive. The leaked script said he and family members were spread out for her to focus on while giving her speech, he could have come to her said that and a little pep talk before the Queen arrived and been cut to more often giving his encouragement. We had 2.5 seasons of him seaking her out or staring at her at balls and the 1 she really needed him at in their season he barely interacted with her until the end. My beloved Mr. Finch got up on that stage in support before Colin did. I saw that they were using the Psyche and Eros myth as a theme so it was Penelope alone going through the trials to win him back, but I would rather they be more faithful to the source material or at least it’s spirit.
They really focused more or the press tour rather than the actual season itself. It’s like they knew beforehand that the material they actually had on their hands was quite mediocre so they went all out with a 6 month long press tour, a PR stunt to get people hooked AND cut the season in half to keep building up hype for as long as possible. They didn’t care much if everyone was disappointed after watching because they actually fulfilled their purpose of fooling us all. They got their views they got their clicks and they got people talking even if it’s to rant about it all. For all those reasons I’ve been avoiding fandoms ever since I’ve been burned by twilight corporations only care about making as much money as possible, not pleasing audiences. And this is clear as day with how they handled things here. They don’t care about fixing any of the issues a fan would expect. The only thing I will never understand tho is how we’ve gotten from 15-21 episode seasons to only 8 in 2 years. If their whole plan is to push everything through marketing why do they need 2 years to film 8 episodes? This whole situation makes me wish I could just don’t give any fucks about this whole industry…
Agree! After all the PR strategy and the twists and melodrama in the story for shock value, I guess they will do anything to get people talking and boost the views EXCEPT producing a well written and edited season of romance TV. Their moto is “no press is bad press.”
No press tour is 6 months long. It may feel that long as interviews may be released in a staggered timeframe but it’s typically only a few days in the same hotel with a several outfit/style changes and perhaps a change of location within the same hotel to change up the background.
@@checksanity Yes, that’s how it normally goes, but Bridgerton S3 had the actors travelling the world for a couple of months, plus the press junket. 6 months might be a stretch, but it was at the very least 3 months pushing the show. (They had an event on Feb 14 with a sneak peek, that’s when the marketing really kicked off).
Also, to answer your question about episodes per season, it’s because Network television and streaming are two entirety different beasts (with cable being a slight blend of both). Also, the change of audience expectations that came with technology advancements-from filming and editing to the devices used to consume media. 13-22+ episode season shows were cheaper to make. They only reached ~1 million+ per episode for huge hits and long lasting shows like Friends or Grey’s Anatomy, and most of that money went to salary increases over the years. Streaming came along at the same time as the age of Premium/Peak TV-where a season was more like a 7-10hr movie. The promise of streaming was no commercials, which meant that the structure for tv storytelling was able to be changed up-to varying degrees of success or failure. TV show writers being able to adjust to audience complaints and demands is way more difficult to implement with the streaming model. It did, can, and still happens in network tv, because those episode production schedules have less of a gap from filming to screen. As in, it can be as little as a few weeks, especially for sitcoms. You ask why 8 episodes will take 2 years? It’s because a season of Bridgerton is treated like an 8 hr movie.
@@ThaMonteiro Nicola and Luke N, out of everyone, max spent maybe ~2 weeks total (including travel), doing press. My point is that it *feels* longer, but in reality it really is not. The majority of the effort goes towards the show. Just because fans may be disappointed, doesn’t not change that. The hope for the creatives creating the show is for most people to like it, knowing that can’t please *everyone* 100%.
It was being burned out by being forcibly stuck at the melodramatic cliffhanger of Colin discovering that Penelope is Lady Whistledown (and all the overly melodramatic storytelling choices that lead up to that), AND having more important things to be stressed out about in real life. By that point, watching episodes 7-8 was just a necessity to finally have completion/resolution. Bridgerton shouldn't feel like that; having new episodes to watch should feel FUN. 😂
I didn't like how much time Colin and Penelope spent apart from one another in the second half of the season. First, before the LW reveal, Penelope used her fainting incident to isolate herself from Colin because she didn't know how to tell him the truth. Then, the fight they had after the reveal. We never got to really enjoy seeing them together and happy. Pretty disappointing. I liked the scenes they DID have together (ie the mirror scene and the church scene), but there should have been more.
I HATED the showrunners made Penelope beg Colin to love her. I feel like that ruined the catharsis of Penelope‘s storyline. The satisfaction in her storyline is that she is a wallflower unseen by everybody, but Colin sees her. I hate that she hast to beg her husband to love her. The book seems to have a clear divide at the proposal with all internal conflicts in the relationship happening before the proposal and then Penelope/Colin team up to deal with the external factors after that. By continuing the internal conflict, the cute scenes where they’re connecting with each other feel cheap.
I do not think the new showrunner truly UNDERSTANDS Benedict's character. And ultimately, maybe watchers should have got the hint towards this when they decided to push Colin and Pen's story before Benedicts. While so many people were annoyed with Chris Van Dusen for his changes to Book 2, I appreciated it. I really enjoyed Season 2, story-wise. And I didn't mind the limited NSFW scenes. Now...there is a bunch of NSFW scenes but the plot is suffering because of it. The new showrunner sort of put herself in the story AS Francesca and is writing Francesca to fit her personal experiences, it seems. Write what you know. But ultimately, structure-wise to the story, I think Benedict's season would have been the better season to gender bend.
@@tins369 I don't want to get in to book spoilers or anything like that. But the HEA for Benedict is one where it is not necessarily impacted by the gender of the love interest. Francesca's story, like a lot of the story's regarding women in the regency era, really floats around the security that being married gives them...and the universe has already established that same sex marriages don't happen and need to be hidden. In that case, an unmarried man just has more freedom. Of course, the show may decide to do some heavy lifting and change things around, BUT the story that would require the least amount of BIG changes would have Benedict. But as I said, the showrunner doesn't understand or see herself in Benedict so she may not have seen this angle. Whereas, I do think Chris Van Dusen had a much better understanding of Benedict and built him over the course of two seasons in one direction while the new showrunner did an abrupt turnaround.
@@tins369 LOL...sorry. Just...ultimately, it's my opinion that it is easier to adapt Benedict's story because in that era, men were giving more freedom and his story change would not have as much large changes to the universe Bridgerton has established on the show.
@fizzychizzy yeah, that's a very good point. I haven't thought about that bc Bridgerton is so modern. I think it's definitely easier to make Benedict's story M/M or even Eloise's story F/F bc of their characters.
I will never forgive the writers and showrunners for ROBBING US of Colin and Penelope dancing in the rain!!!😭 it's like Bridgerton views love as side character when LOVE, TENSION, and PASSION were the main driving factors of the show! Plus it's crazy how season 3 felt like 3 seasons with the amount side plots they added. Idek who the main characters of season 3 are anymore 😭😭
Part 2 was far better than part 1. That being said, the writers did not do a great job of adapting Polin's story from the books. After watching the show, I don't know why either of them fell in love with each other. It seemed as if Penelope was always pining after Colin even after they married. In the book, it was clear why they were in love and they were equals. It was a reciprocal relationship, Penelope was not too meek to give Colin the business as needed. As she should, she is Lady Whistledown for crying out loud. Also, in the book, they tackled the Lady Whistledown issue TOGETHER. They really lost the plot during the adaptation.
I’m not a Polin fan, they just don’t do it for me though I do agree that much like S2 the main love story suffered due to extraneous subplots. It’s a big issue. I was here for the little bit of Kanthony and Franny since she’s been a non entity due to the former actress’ availability and was looking forward to Hannah Dodd’s take. What appealed to me were the Fran/John subplot which the showed totally ruined with Franny’s reaction to his kiss and then her reaction to Michaela. I actually liked Eloise and Cressida but that too was ruined and made pointless at the end. Kanthony were adorable whenever they were on screen but the constant sending them away got old and while the idea of the India thing is sweet it makes no sense. They established in S2that India is far enough away that it was unlikely Kate and Anthony would ever see each other again if she were to return. It felt like another way to just ship them off because the show doesn’t know what to do with them as this production doesn’t understand the romance genre. It’s ironic that the old snow runner who is a man understood it better than the current female snow runner and the EP who is also a woman.
i totally understand what you're saying about Kanthony, but I also know that the actor (Jonny) was extremely busy during the filming of this season. I think he may have been in more scenes, which would have made sense as head of the clan, but he had 3 projects he was doing all at the same time. There's an interview where he's talking about practicing his Wicked dances while waiting to go on set for Bridgerton. I don't think they should have gone to India, though. They could have just gone to Prussia to see her sister (is that a show detail or just a fanfiction- don't know).
Okay, but the montage at the end - the willow tree scene and the cake scene were everything! We should've gotten so much more of that: the longing, the awkwardness, the flustering. We definitely had higher expectations for this season, due to the previous seasons build up, but netflix also definitely underdelivered with all the side stories and bad writing/editing
@@LadyJenevia My life post-part 2 can be summarised as looking at fan edits across all socials and gaslighting myself into believing it wasn't really all that bad. And watching *only* Polin scenes makes it almost believable that it wasn't a complete clusterduck of a dumpsterfire. P.S. Would you be interested in rewriting season 3 😂 ? You could set it up as the same format people use for best-to-worst rankings (but a storyboard version) - have key plot points as still images with a title card and move them around to improve the flow/timing of events. There could be a Polin only storyboard or additional one for the side plots, where scenes can be added interchangeably to the main board on a need-to basis (maybe even with a timer running for an episode length consistency). And maybe a final side by side of the show's official edit and your edit to visualise the differences and improvements. I really want to do something like that myself, but I have neither the time, tools, skill nor patience to pull this off. I hope someone else does. 😂
I don’t care at all that they changed a character’s gender or that Francesca is a lesbian, what I do care about and hated is that they trashed the love between Francesca and Kilmartin in the last few minutes of the season. I feel like that just wasn’t the way to do it. I feel like they do share genuine love and I can understand if it’s platonic for her and she didn’t realize it until she met his cousin and experienced love at first sight, but damn, that was just so jarring imo.
There are a few people making it out to seem that the dislike for this season has to do with people "not understanding nuance" and wanting everything to be in your face, but as a fan of subtlety, that's not what happened with Polin this season. I don't know if it was the higher ups fearing that people wouldn't flock to watch a plus-size romance or what but they opted to inflate every episode with as much people/plots that weren't Pen and Colin so much so that I got more invested in Francesca even though it wasn't her season technically. Watching this season after their initial press tour my heart broke for Nikola and Luke because the more we moved away from them in the story, the more it showed me how little faith the showrunner/decision makers had in their ability to be compelling leads in their own right (which I fully believe they both could have excelled at).
Also, they didn't have to change who Colin was in order to make him more "attractive." In my opinion, it would have been a great contrast to other seasons to have a softer male lead who is not raking away the ton. I liked the exploration of trying to be someone he's not but I think that could have been focused around him trying to be a writer and struggling to find his voice.
@@capricosa222That's one of my biggest disappointments this season. They ruined show Colin vibes. I wanted to watch a softer, sensitive (if not always sensible) NOT-rake love story between romantics.
Absolutely spot on with your analysis. I was definitely left wanting after this season for much of the same reasons you listed. The biggest thing I felt cheated about was the lack of Polin as a united front, both of them proud of the other and desperately in love, instead of bickering and cold shouldering. I haven't even read the book, but that's what I expect from a "friends to lovers", "she fell first, he fell harder" trope fest. Also, I snorted so loudly at "You gotta put your fingers in the holes!" stinger at the end that my dog looked at me funny. Bravo!
This wasn’t Polin’s season. I’m sorry but they did not have anywhere near the time, depth of story or amount of scenes for this to be a credible season focusing on them and this just isn’t what Bridgerton is and what made me love it. It feels and looks completely different. Society rules are inconsistent, character values change season to season and episode to episode and no storyline actually gets the depth it deserves, let alone the romance that’s supposed to be at the heart of the show and what makes it unique 😕
This new show runner is terrible.. I really didn’t like this season. Also can Shonda and her team try not to dismiss every Bridgerton sibling once they are done with their own season cos Daphne not being in this season and Anthony being scarce.. it doesn’t make any sense.. why introduce new characters when you can simply show us each siblings and how they manage their own households and family. I’m so pissed!
Yes Jenevia! I am so here for you reading Francessca's book and hearing your thoughts on it and the adaption process 🙌🏻 You give such unique insights and analysis that would also be entertaining to watch. And I'd love to see you weigh in on the Michaela controversy 🤭 My problem with Michael becoming Michaela has nothing to do with being anti LGBTQ+ representation but entirely the fact that it won't allow the exploration of certain themes in the book which are powerful and rarely seen on screen. And Francessca's reaction to Michaela has completely changed her character and undermines her love story with John in the show
These are 2 big issues…I have wondered what a gender bend for Benedict’s or Gregory’s (I think they could get the essence of the books better than other options), but pivotal themes of Francesca and Michael get changed/can’t do by both the gender bend and the undermining of the love story with John…
I think the jealousy from Colin was unclear in the show, where as in the book it is obviously portrayed in his inner monologue so it was clear. Cressida does mention it once in the show but he denies it, I would have liked a scene between him and Eloise where he expressed it before him saying it to Pen. I will go back and watch it again from this perspective now that I have read the book.
He alludes to it in their argument outside the modiste, then Cressida says it and then he admits it in his final speech. But I absolutely agree, we needed that more fleshed out if they wanted it to be part of their conflict.
Not only was it very unclear. But they had set up, in s2, that it would be part of her conflict with Eloise. And it ambiguously is part of it. But that was also unclear and never truly resolved.
My only issue was I enjoyed the relationship of Franchesca and Sterling by bringing in what was obviously a potential love interest at the tail end where the entire season we were beat over the head over their style of love being valid. It felt like the entire point was a wash. They didn’t even make it that long as a couple on screen before it was and I oooop here’s a wrench!
On the topic of Francesca and her gender bent love story, my biggest issue is not that it is gender-bent. But we just watched a season in which she falls in love with someone, fights with her mother for the approval, stands up to and excited Queen to say sorry you were wrong your Majesty I'm marrying this man, move forward with her plans with starting her own life and family with her man, just the throw it away two seconds after getting married that she falls in love the way her mother explains how she should fall in love. The entire time her story was that falling in love and being in love can be shown and felt differently. She was very narrow Divergent / autism coded he finds someone that is just like her and gets her and appreciates her and does something to make her happy and the writers throw that all away the moment she sees someone else. The writers seemingly just under it all the screen time that they gave to her. And with such a multiplot-heavy season in which people are upset that the main couple didn't get enough screen time it feels like they threw it all away for nothing. This feeling of disappointment in the story line would go away if they change it to Michaela falling in love with Francesca First Sight and showing it. Francesca should not have zinged at the site of michaela. Makayla should have Zing at the side of francesca. That is book accurate, because Francesca does truly love john, but the writer's essentially made it seem like Francesca doesn't truly love john, she just likes that he is quiet like her Likes music like her and is nice therefore she doesn't understand what love is and is willing to go with this guy because she wants to get away from her family. And her family is a loving family, but she is The Quiet One, and therefore doesn't want to stay in an overstimulating environment. People actually done a little bit of research to figure out that yes McKayla can inherit the title because she's Scottish not english, and the writers can ride around the fact that Francesca and John will have for truly issues, and they're just going to move up the plot point of Francesca is going to be pregnant or have the baby before John dies. And then it's going to be Michaela and Francesca relationship. I'm just upset that we all love John and how Francesca and John's love story is written, and then last second like nope wrong person she's not really in love. At that point, the writer should have married her off in the first half to free up air time for the rest of the plots. There are way too many bridgertons Falling in Love for lust this season. It's supposed to be one per season, we even had the moment on the action. To be fair the time we started in Queen Charlotte, but we had benedict, colin, Francesca and violet starting up the relationships the season. Way too much they needed to figure it out and move him to Different Seasons or get them out of the screen time.
On top of that, the Aesthetics this season we're not it. I didn't like the monrich party decorations, little on the nose Wallflowers also that centerpiece was stupid and ugly. I didn't like the dress designs, crested it was horrible but I accepted that she's supposed to be the Mean Girl Fashionista. So it was okay for her to look ridiculous. But I didn't get the sleeves are her wings metaphor until someone told me. And I think a lot of the soft Regency looks that were the first two seasons it went away to Modern outrageous looks. I do not like the designer literally says he puts the two ugliest Fabrics together to make a design. The guy also doesn't know how to buy fabric and keep buying too little and fucking up designs making his subordinates figure it out because he keeps not buying enough fabric. He needs to make a little card that has a conversion chart on it! Meters and yards are very close in length, but he's a professional he should figure it out by now. You can't work in Hollywood and keep messing up like this, you can go back to any other country in this world besides America and like one small country somewhere else but I can't remember the name of that's also works off the inches. Go there!
I am very happy that you are finally un-muzzled and free to drag this show and criticize it in a very thorough, thoughtful manner. I want to support Michaela's actress and would like to see you read Francesca's book because people make a big deal about it. Colin and Penelope should've had way more screen time. I would've done away with the entire Cressida subplot and fixed Benedict's subplot so that he gets obsessed with a male muse. I have this theory that Benedict's season might involve a feminine-looking man who cross-dresses as a woman for the masquerade ball and the plot will take inspiration from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.
Very interesting theory about Benedict’s story. I personally think his “Sophie” is going to be Cressida. I can’t imagine why else they would focus so heavily on her this season. I’m actually a bit worn out on this show. I wanted romance and got so much drama I was exhausted after watching it. I don’t think I have it in me to remain interested for 2 more years for season 4. I loved the books and seasons 1 and 2, but season 3 was such a disappointment. However, I thoroughly enjoyed all the PR. 😂
Having read Ben's book, I feel like they are now hiding his romantic heart behind the rake persona that gets mentioned occasionally in the genre. I'm not sure I like it.
I'm blocking out everything of Benedict in season 3 from my memory except for him being confirmed as bi and that cute pep talk he gave John, and carrying on with my regularly scheduled viewing and creating itinerary. 😂
@@LadyJeneviaone moment I would add to that is when Benedict knows Colin is struggling but doesn’t want to talk about it, so he just hugs him and gives him some affection
I loved what he said to Eloise at the wedding reception, but it felt out of character for him to just head out early and no one even noticed he was gone when all the Bridgertons were being addressed by the Queen.
@@jenniferhaake9818 actually, Benedict always leaves early. He left his sisters ball in S1 and he wanted to leave the ball his own mother was throwing in S2. Doesn’t matter what it is, Ben will dip out early 😂
My issue with gender bending Michael is not with the change in sexuality (I myself am pansexual, bring on the representation)… my issue is 1- it made her love with John severely diminished, especially with the disappointed reaction to her first kiss with him, she is supposed to genuinely love him, and show that “quiet” love is just as romantic and 2- having him be a man highlights another very important issue for women that is not talked about enough (I won’t spoil). I like the gender bending, just not that character
I think season 3's Colin development could have focused on his relationship to his mother. There's a large gap between Colin and the older two brothers. Perhaps Violet lost some children before Colin's birth? He was a child when his father died and didn't get all of the responsibility of his older brothers to watch out for the siblings. Perhaps he spent a lot of time with his mother during her grief, which is why Violet sees him as being selfless. Season 3 could have focused on Colin separating from being the apple of his mother's eye, growing up, being responsible for someone else's life, his role as the oldest of the younger kids (as Ant is the pseudo-dad and Ben is the pseudo-mom), and much more of his and Pen's history. As we know, Pen and Colin have known each other for years! Where's their story? The silly things they did to prank the older siblings, the inside jokes, shared history, little moments that built up to their love. There could be some exploration about how Colin feels out of place in his family as the younger brother to A and B and older brother to the girls. It would have been fun to see more of his hero complex throughout the years and seen his writing (maybe as a way to connect with Pen) develop. Hey, maybe they even dream about traveling together and it could have been a plot point that Pen felt left behind when Colin chose to set out without her. The two actors have so much chemistry that the show would have been better if they had just put the actors in a room and let them figure out the story for themselves. The press tour is more compelling than the show (and this goes for all the actors) which is a really sad thing for all the effort that goes into making this type of show. I've also gotten much more story from the fanfiction in terms of character and story development (and I'm a bit obsessed).
When season 3 part 1 dropped, I really liked it except for rake Colin's character writing. However, part 2 was highly disappointing. As a huge fan of show polin, they've absolutely butchered their story. Although I'm not a huge fan of book Colin, show Colin was good in S1 & 2 but this season's writing for his character was meh. Running 50 different subplots, unnecessary screen time given to characters that add nothing to the season & cutting down polin screen time was so pointless. Nicola and Luke have such great chemistry but Brownell ruined their season. I skipped most of Benedict's scenes in part 2 because it felt so forced. S2 should've been the setup for his exploration but they somehow crammed it in S3 part 2 only for him to be the lead next season (hopefully). The focus should’ve been on how he ran things as the second son when Anthony was away on his multiple trips. There was no depth in his character writing at all. They’re only using him for his rare wholesome sibling interactions and numerous unnecessary bed scenes. The Featheringtons lowkey carried this season with their comedic scenes and their mama won me over in part 2. Eloise's character was also completely butchered. Looking forward to your future Bridgerton analysis videos they're so well-made!
I would love for you to read Francesca’s book. I have a feeling it’s going to be really different in the show and it 😮would be great to see how you would want to see the book be adapted as well as your thoughts on where her story should go in regards to the show.
For me, I think I love season 3 more than the other seasons simply because I like having male lead who is very sure about his woman (putting aside his insecurity about Pen's feelings for him), unlike Anthony and Simon who were too "insecure" and set in their toxic masculinity. I find Colin very sexy and romantic. However, while I get that the showrunners code Bridgerton as a ensemble show I think they forgot that people who tune in, tune in for Polin. So I would've been fine with less Benedict "storyline" and more Polin. I'm even fine with Fran and John because it's now setup for the future season and story coming. But holy... it was all too much. I also want to add: I agree with you about the Featheringtons. I think the whole "Let's be a happy family in the end" was a bit much. Like okay try to mend it over time. But they treated Penelope so bad that she couldn't believe Colin loves her that's messed up and solely her family's doing. The Mondriches... like the characters, don't care one bit about their plotline.
The gender swap would impact one of her plot lines / character development quite a lot and I kinda wanted them to try and cover this if they could do it with respect. Maybe they are swapping genders so they just don’t have to deal with it. I would love to see your take on this you’ll definitely know what it is when you read the book
I think you should read it. Her book is one of my favorites. I was arguably more angry about how this change played out in my first watch that it clouded my frustration over Polin’s resolution. It upends most of Fran’s plot points.
Totally agree about the missing vibes - Polin kept repeating that they're "friends" but we didn't see much evidence of their friendship, or of their friendship turning into love. Where's the laughter and fun? And the wedding was upsetting - Pen is basically crying as she walks down the aisle and has to wait for Colin's "approval" nod to know if they're really getting married. ICK. Horrible season all around - red lipstick, fake nails, glitter, Cressida's gargantuan sleeves. Just ICK.
As always, I love hearing your thoughts! I agree with pretty much everything you said. I wish Colin got more screen time so we could understand him better, and I wish Eloise and Benedict had storylines within the family (we love the banter and connection, that’s why Gregory and Hyacinth are so good this season!). Maybe Eloise could have been paired with Francesca to offer more insight for both characters, which would both feel lonely (Fran because she’s different, El because she’s heartbroken). And Benedict could be envolved in managing the household and his sister prospects (talking on Anthony’s role, but having a different emotional response, since his calling is art, and realizing how much he misses it). I love Kathony so I adore every scene they’re in. I believe the scene Colin talks to Daphne in the book has been replaced by the scene with Kate and Anthony the night before the wedding. I liked it. I would be interested in your video about Francesca’s book. It’s in my top 3 favorites, so I selfishly (as a hetero woman) wanted Michael. But I understand the sentiment behind the genderswap, however personally painful. I just don’t think adaptation is the word for Bridgerton going forward, but rather fanficfion. I’m not opposed to fanficfion, but it has to be BETTER than the original to justify this direction. S3 didn’t sell it very well.
I support you reading Francesca’s book. I’d love to hear your take on it before the next 2 years pass. Waiting for the show is , in Hilary Duff’s words, like ‘waiting on rain in a drought’.
Totally agree with all of it! And is it just me, or were the dialogues in season 2 soo much better than in season 3🤔?... I heard, that Shonda wasn't part of the writing team this time... big mistake, if thats true...
I wish we did get more Polin scenes and seeing them grow together and individually. I agree. I wanted him to stand with Penelope in the end holding her hand and smiling as she spoke. And I hate a lot of their growth ended with a bunch of dialogue instead of us seeing more conversations that led him to understand his jealousy. I know shows don’t need to be a shot for shot adaptation, but their book had a lot of stuff to choose from to develop their relationships and characters. And agree with everything you said except the featherington sub plot. I loved it.
I have loved the character Penelope since the first episode of season one, so I was _really_ looking forward to her and Colin finally getting together. To say I was disappointed is a massive understatement. They weren't the focus, which is terrible. There were too many unnecessary subplots, and none were compelling. Eloise was presented as a somewhat dumb and just as mean girl as Cressida. I initially loved Francesca and Lord Killmartin's "love" story when it seemed a victory for us introverted folks. But then they killed that, too, by making Michael a Michaela, and making Francesca seem like she was full of 💩 the whole time. I am so disappointed 😞.
Maybe instead of having their season now, they should have pushed their season further back? Maybe during other main character love stories we could have seen Colin and Penelope grow closer, being cute and just before their season (the finale of the previous season) Colin discovers Penelope is Mrs whistledown?
I think I would definitely like a video about Francesca's book and a discussion about gender-bending characters. If you feel comfortable in stating your opinion about it, due to the lack of character build-up for Benedict this season which Bridgerton sibling will be season 4? And what would be your preferred order (based on your knowledge of the show so far)?
Something I just noticed with the clips we see of Benedict from season 2, and how it’s (I’d say) incorrectly attributed to Colin in season 3 - which is, Benedict being the emotional rock of the family. Violet says to Colin just before he goes to the ball to convince Penelope not to accept Lord Debling’s proposal “you’re always so eager to help others emotionally, you neglect your own emotions, so now it’s time for you to put yourself first” (not those exact words of course). But…but that’s Benedict…isn’t it?! I don’t recall any instances of the show demonstrating Colin being the emotionally supportive one, at least in comparison to this clear compilation we see here of Benedict and his caring and emotionally supportive nature, his empathy. The showrunners dont seem to care about any sort of consistency in writing characters, my gosh! Butchered season 3 that’s for sure. Which is why season 2 remains the vastly superior season imho.
I cannot believe we have to beg a show about Romance, that was adapted from a book about Romance, to give us actual Romance. I am so perplexed. Romance is continuously disrespected despite being the biggest genre and I. Just. Do. Not. Understand. The incessant need for drama in this show is beyond me. The butchering of Benedict sealed my hopes for S4. Based on the way Jess talks about the characters and her decisions, my expectations are zero. I expect nothing but mess from her. And I'm actually scared that Sophie might be Steve, idk, I feel like Jess likes shock factor and has little investment in good writing and storytelling
To answer your question, yes, I think you should read When He Was Wicked. You would understand why Michael is so loved and how their story is so deep and touching on many levels.
yes read Francescas book. they can not tell her story book accurate in any way now thay micheal is micheala. i don't care that they switched a gender but Francescas story was not the one to do it with. it doesn't work for her story at all
Excited for you to read Fran’s book! I would really love to hear your thoughts on some of the discussions being thrown around online lmao but I’m holding back from sharing them here to keep it spoiler free for non-book readers😅
They messed up big time this season, the main leads were robbed of big romantic moments that we were hyped because of promotion. They completely destroyed Benedict, Eloise and Francesca characters which makes me wonder are they trying to get this show cancelled. I love these characters for five years but in this season many seems out of character or disinterested in those parts. The only highlight for me whenever Kanthony apeared as they stole the scenes, Gregory and Hyacinth were adorable and surprise surprise I really enjoyed Penelope and Fetherington in this season and i would not mind to call this season Fetherington's rather than Bridgerton..The another let down was Queen Charlotte, lady Danbury and Violet because after Queen Charlotte I was hoping more from these characters but i was sad we got nothing. Overall another lesson learn that never believe in promotional hype and also someone please fire Jess B because she is definitely trying to get this show cancelled.
I feel like omitting the Lady Danbury friendship was on purpose because it was never really established in previous seasons. They knew of each other but (I might be forgetting them, so forgive me) I can't remember any scenes that had them together one on one. It would seem out of nowhere for her to suddenly care about Penelope's prospects. Lady Danbury is observant so the scene with them in the last episode where she said she suspected it was Penelope because only she loves the Bridgertons as much as she, Lady Danbury, does made sense but anything else would seem like they were trying to force a relationship that was never there. Now for Lady Danbury to be into Fran's prospects makes sense because she seems to be protective of all the Bridgerton girls. I thought they filled the role that Lady Danbury played in the books by giving part of that role to Madame Delacroix. Someone who believes in Penelope even when she doesn't believe in herself. Someone to encourage her not to give up and stay true to herself. To make Lady Danbury be the one to clap for her when the awkward silence fell would have made sense too and not felt out of place sense she is always championing for women to be bold and carve their own place in society, but I guess they wanted to show sisters supporting sisters? Or whatever way people are trying to justify that distraction (I would've even preferred Mr. Finch starting the applause over that. They could've released the bugs after)
I was cool with the dramatic engagement party and Pen giving up on lady Whistledown, only to revive her for Eloise’s sake. I was also ok with Colin finding out and being angry. But he needed to come around much, much quicker in my opinion. The entirety of the second half was weighed down by their argument. It should have been them against Cressida, against the Queen, against the world, not against each other. Also, poor writing for Eloise I think. She usually has her opinion known on everything, but when one of her favourite siblings and her best friend are at odds because of something she asked for, she chooses not to get involved? How hard would it have been to have her tell Colin that hes being an idiot? Even Violet, usually all over the emotional lives of her children was strangely absent from the second half of their story. 🤷♀️ Strangely she was busier worrying about Francesca not being in love enough with a man she clearly adored than concern herself with Colin not talking to his bride.
I really don't like the books, so I'm not upset that things are different. What's upsetting is how rushed the season felt. All they did was squeeze multiple story line in the shortest time possible
Yes Lady Jenevia. Please read Francesca’s book and let us know what you think - your thoughts on how Francesca’s story was built up this season, the ramifications of genderbending, if the story can still be done with the genderswapped lead.
I completely agree with all you have said in your video. I would add to the criticism of the Polin season that they promoted that there was body positivity in the show. But in my opinion it wasn't enough. Penelope was gorgeous, but Colin didn't really cherish her body. There wasn't enough intimacy between the two and for me their sex scene was awkward, not sensual enough. Colin didn't help her to overcome her insecurities. I definitely would like to see a video about Francesca's book (I think her story is the best in the book series) and how the gender swap would affect her story.
Also, I had the impression that in this season the show wanted to tick all the boxes according to the 2024 standards, but it wasn't consistent and organically developed and it is getting rather ridiculous than really inclusive: - the Lord in the wheelchair (he appeared only once at a ball and we never saw him again, although he told Penelope that he would call on her and was a fan of Lady Whistledown, it would have been interesting to see his reaction to the revelation of her identity) - the deaf debutant (we didn't know anything about her just that she is deaf, how she feels in this society? what are her struggles? how she interacts with people other than her mother?) - the vegetarian Lord Debling who wants to save birds (and who disappeared in thin air after the first part) - the neurodivergent (or simply introvert?) Francesca (who at the end happens to be queer for the sake of a queer love story in the show although she fought and stood for the quiet and simple love with John just to flush it down to the toilet at the end) - the bi Benedict (I had the impression that the writers didn't have any idea how to develop his story, ok we know that he likes adventures and fun, but we don't know if he has any struggles, desires, fears and doubts about his identity, and as you said in your video, the show completely forgot his artistic, romantic and caring personality) - the overweight Penelope (with whom the show wanted to spread body positivity but who wasn't cherished and supported enough by her love interest) They wanted to include too much thing at the same time and failed to focus on the main couple. At the end, it was a weird mixture of Regency era constraints (the only prospect of a woman is to find a man to marry, Lords of high society can't keep their middle class job, people have to hide their sexual preferences) and the modern standards (inclusion and representation) which led to a total mess in this season in my opinion.
They made a mistake switching Benedict and Colin's seasons. Benedict was ready for his time to shine, Colin was not. Colin needed one more season to be fleshed out, Benedict didn't. That's why Ben's storyline in S3 is basically a dud.
You have put into words exactly how I feel about Season 3. I binged the first half on the day of release, but waited three days for the second half. I was scared to watch because I wasn't sure it could live up to my expectations. Polin is my favorite couple, but season 2 is my favorite realization of what a romance should be. All of that aside, your ending made me laugh out loud - chef's kiss!!!!! Love your content.
I’m new to your channel, but I’m in awe of you and feel like just listening to you could make me a better writer. I was working on a screenplay last year until I experienced a significant loss in my life, but even before that, there was so much anxiety built around writing and not feeling talented/good enough that it became too easy to abandon everything. But I hope I find it in me to write again. I WISH the writers/producers of the show would create a focus group with people like you and fans of the books for feedback. Obviously you can’t make everyone happy, but there’s been so much common feedback like much of what you mentioned on here that I HOPE it’s made its way to them so they can keep it in mind for the next season.
Also, I love that you mentioned Ruby Barker and the importance of taking care of the show’s cast. People assume that if you’ve made to a major show you have access to all you need, but unlike having a steady job, you don’t have the consistent support system you need in that industry, I’m assuming unless you’ve joined a union, but even then, I don’t know what all of that includes.
I feel like if they'd been able to hire help and then turn the club over to being an "investment" instead of his "work" then the Ton would have been more likely to shrug and move on. They just needed to hire someone on full time BEFORE they were gifted the title to their son.
Cressida's unnecessary plot-line is the side plot that irked me the most. I know some people liked that plot line and I'm not saying the plot in itself is bad. What's irksome is that they did not need to spend the season making her seem 'decent' in order to create a villain arc to use her as a foil to Penelope's plans. Her villain arc had already been established since season one. They did not need to 'turn her evil' in order to convince us that she would do those things to Penelope. She's BEEN doing those things to Penelope for 2 straight seasons. We didn't need more convincing to accept her acceleration in awfulness, since she's always been awful. Her plot-line in s3 is only worthwhile IF they redeemed her. Otherwise we just end up where we started, with nothing gained and a total waste of time.
We needed more Polin, and more happy in-love Polin, not sleeping on the couch drama. If I'm here for a romantic story, give me the romance. I don't even care about steamy scenes, I want romance, chemistry, and maybe some sexual tension (without the sex) is that too much to ask?
The implication that Colin and Eloise both are simply jealous of Pen and not hurt by the LW reveal seemed under cooked and rushed. Esp for Colin.. they should hv maybe shown Colin trying hard and failing to be published
As always I find your analyzis interesting. I appreciate the way you speak and your humour. I liked the montage at the end but was not expecting the last part 😂 There are many points I agree with. Some I would nitpick about. But mostly : thank you for speaking about the bad experiences the poc actors go through and the lack of support they receive from the show runners (the very people who choose to hire poc actors and should take responsibility and protect them). It never occurred to me that this was happening to them and I am appalled... They are talented, shouldn't it be all that matters?
It's happened before where I get pushback for being critical about things in the Bridgerton universe because they felt I should be giving it more grace because it's being more 'inclusive' in regards to hiring BIPOC actors and my larger point is that hiring isn't enough if the working conditions are causing harm and/or not providing the necessary healthcare for what the job entails! 👀🤷🏻♀️
My concerns with gender bending Michaela are not about if it is a queer story or not. It is more of the fact that by having a female/female romance in this show in particular you go against the rules the show have established for themselves in their world building. It’s like what you mentioned with Eloise spending 2 years looking for whistledown and Cressida finding who she is on one night and with the simplest action. The writers have established that queer romance is not accepted in the ton. That was established in the first season. It was also established that only males can inherit. It is something that comes up over and over again. So, by having Michael by Michaela and trying to stick to the original story you would have to throw away what you have established already. Or if you decide to change everything completely for us to have a queer romance, you cannot expect the book fandom not to be upset. Francesca is not my favorite character and her book is not my favorite either. I liked them, but my favorite is still Benedict and his book. So I am not one of the people upset because they are potentially changing their favorite book or male love interest. I just think that in any story you should establish how your world works and then make your characters navigate that world, if not, then there is no consistency and anything can happen just because. And then it’s when people say things feel rushed, out of nowhere or forced.
I love POLIN, so I enjoyed the season overall…. But I definitely did not like the the strung out drama, lack of conversations & happy moments for our couple. It definitely felt like Colin’s character development was sacrificed to focus more on Penelope. I can’t see how this overcrowding of the main characters isn’t going to continue. It seems like the nature of this ensemble cast. The keep adding characters, are they going to cut any? It’s the Bridgertons, they need to start focusing on the family as the main cast & everyone else is just guest appearances, not with separate storylines. I struggle to see how Benedict’s story is going to be adapted. Society & balls do not play a large part in it.
Yes, I think you should read Francesca's book. I do not mind that they made Michael into Michaela but I hated that they destroyed the whole seasons set up of Francesca and John slow burn (realistic) love story. For me, the best part of Fran's book is that she had two great loves. They were different but both were amazing. Right now it looks like they (the show) is setting up a love triangle where Fran is really in love with Michaela and not in love with John at all. I also think the whole season would have been better if Colin and learned the WD stuff before proposing like in the book. We need more Polin and less pointless side plots. I wanted more like the clips you showed at the end. Romance not s*x. As a fellow Benedict fan, this season was rough on him. It was out of character. The scene that keeps sticking out to me was when Paul asks him what he does. "Do you draw or paint?" Benedict - "No, I like to dance at balls." Like what!?? He just gave it all up because Anthony bought his spot in art school. It like the new show runner did not even watch the last two seasons. I agree that we need more Bridgerton sibling interaction always.
Season 3 Benedict was so far out of character in a way that made so little sense that my brain has basically rejected 95+ percent of it (keeping only small bits such as him being officially bi, his cute moments with Gregory and Hyacinth, and his pep talk for John).
I am not a fan of this season. Not enough Penelope and Colin talking! They are a couple who love writing each other and love writing!!! I need more words between them! Benedict’s story was predictable and repetitive and I will say it BORING! Kate and Anthony were lovely but they kept disappearing. Oh and they wrecked Francesca’s charming love story. I will not be rewatching this season. I am so disappointed and I am thinking about not watching the next season. Yes, you are right Lady Jenevia about Colin becoming more interesting and likeable like Anthony did is season two. And the splitting of the season was RUBBISH!!! Oh and Lady Jenevia I LOVE your new shirt!!! I would love to hear a travel video about your trip to the Mama Land!
this may be a unpopular opinion.. but, I didnt mind it. I think the divide of time should have been more about the couple. I did like the later episodes. Its not absolutely bad.. I think the appearance of michaela has been more controversial and i would have waited to introduce a change like that 🤷🏻♀️
Agreed, I also don't know why people complain about how dramatic season 3 was, + the couple not being nothing happy until the end as if season 2 doesn't exist
I had….a lot of thoughts on this season. All the weird, unnecessary steamy scenes really put me off. I already skip most steamy scenes because they make me uncomfortable and I don’t find them interesting. I also don’t believe Benedict, a romantic would participate in a casual threesome. I have always interpreted him as someone who desires a deep connection with a single person, not a threesome, but this is my own interpretation. I definitely think you should read Francesca’s story. Her arc and Michael’s were easily the most moving out of all the Bridgerton books, and I am definitely not a huge fan of the books. They touch on important and sensitive subjects I was looking forward to being adapted, and Michael’s arc is tied to his gender, which is why I was not a fan of the gender swap. I also just don’t understand why they would genderbend the most popular male character from the original books, especially when a gender swapped lead could have worked better narratively for other characters. Concerning Polin, I am in a state of complete and utter apathy, which is honestly worse than hatred. I have nothing to say because to me nothing of significance happened. I was just tired by the end. I sincerely hope the next season has a better show runner and writing team. I enjoy Bridgerton and I want to see it succeed as I enjoy consume dramas and want to see more.
I am one of the people who is a bit upset about the genderswap of Michaela at first. Mainly because the producer and the author JQ said that they will keep the couples the same with the book. So it built my expectation that they won't change anything about the couples. And I imagine that's also what the other bookreaders felt. And you are right this also happen in season one with the race swapping character of Simon, it also create controversy at the time. Because the idea of putting people of colours in regency era as english aristocrats sounds odd. Some of the bookreaders didn't even bothered to watch the shows until now because of it... But the producer hit a success with this changes about the race. It create a new fantasy that all people can enjoy and see themselves in this kind of life. So, I think it's a good change. So, based on this experience, I am determined to be open minded with the genderswap. Who knows what kind of progress created in the Bridgerton world. But I am also sceptical about the genderswap in the future seasons. Mainly because the writing... The quality of the writing is declining each season. I feel like I have to crawl to reach the end of Season 3. To much expositions in the dialogue and less banter. I agree with you on "show, don't tell." It should have been the mantra that they put in the writers room. I mean for example, they should have shown flashback of penelope and Colin when they first met instead of just talking about it. Or they should have show Colin chasing the carriage with a dramatic music in the background before the carriage scene (it will make the scene more dramatic and earned with the built up) . Or they should have make the scene after Colin caught Pen as Lady Whistledown, they should have shown Colin still care about her safety and angrily told her to get into the bloody carriage because no matter if she is lady whistledown, she is still his fiance. And this also would be fit with his character as a caring person. and their relationship after marriage is full of this angry banter instead of angsty, it should be sweet kind of angry with a bit of angsty. Because they both have their own reasons of why they felt angry with each other. This will show Pen and Colin already as an old married couple lol. They should have shown their relationship like this,, I mean they are friends to lovers, right? They can pour their feelings to each other as much as they like. And that's why I agree with the commenter who said the comment Jane Austen and Grey's Anatomy lol. The audience want more romance, and less drama. But instead, we get a "tell and don't show" Kind of writing. I am afraid it won't help to the queer community with the case of Michaela and benedict, if they can't fix their writing style. People will just think that the queer storylines are just another forced representations. And it also didn't help that the producer rarely listen to the critics especially the crucial one. people already criticized the writing since season 2, and after season 3 the quality is declining. I hope in the future seasons, they will improve the scripts so the new changes will get more justice. It will be a lot of work for the writers, but since they are brave enough to change the races and genders, they should be brave enough to write better.
I’m game for you reading Franny’s book and then doing a video on it. Literally yelled yes yes yes while watching this. IMHO the gender bending highly changes the story. They’ve already made changes to her relationship with John.
I’m game for you reading Franny’s book and then doing a video on it. Literally yelled yes yes yes while watching this. IMHO the gender bending highly changes the story. They’ve already made changes to her relationship with John.
LMAO I have 3-4 Bridgerton video topics on the to-do list (in-between other non-Bridgerton videos) and most of them are about things I LIKE from the show. 😂
It was frustrating how little Colin and Penelope were in season 3 when it was their season. I hope the writers didn’t give into the negative input from execs and social media that are too focused on traditional beauty. Women that are fuller bodied than the rest of the female romantic characters need to see themselves as lovable and f’able too!!
Technically if the genders were swapped and tilly was a male artist that he had discovered passion with and a woman was introduced as the third, him say that he loved male tilly while the man wasn't ready to be exclusively male and him eventually realizing that as well would've been more understandable, but yes Eloise would've made more sense as the bi bridgerton. They pissed me off with Francesca not even getting the love story with her husband before they just shipped her with another sex. Even if she got there eventually, it should've happened later, you know?
22:31 Benedict emotional labour scenes from season 3: 1. Drawing room before and after Colin arrives late for breakfast 2. With Colin the night before his wedding 3. At the wedding breakfast with Eloise 4. On the swings with Eloise In all fairness it’s nothing like season 2 but a compilation of them would be appreciated
This video would've probably been published a day or two ago except 1) the jet lag I have right now is BAD and 2) I needed to go see Furiosa at the cinema for a third time because truly, it is peak cinema for the feminine rage girlies and people are SLEEPING! ON! IT! and I NEED to see more movies from George Miller in that universe!!! 🔥
If you’re new here, check out some of my other videos! 😍🎬✨
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- Glen Powell + Sydney Sweeney ANYONE BUT YOU Interview on Rom Coms and Shakespeare! (+ Will Gluck!)
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- Glen Powell & Sydney Sweeney's "ANYONE BUT YOU" and the Modern Literary Adaptation (Video Essay)
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- Anyone But You (Starring Glen Powell & Sydney Sweeney): The Perfect Rom Com for Shakespeare Girlies
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- Anyone But You, Natasha Bedingfield, and the Art of the Rom Com Musical Needle Drop 🥰💋🎶🎞✨
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- The Sidelining of Kate Sharma (Netflix Bridgerton Analysis)
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I've been trying to drag my best friends to go see Furiosa with me (again) but they have some weird preconceived notions that it's Too Weird based on the poster and trailer and keep refusing. And I'm like nooo 😭😭😭 because if they would just give these movies a chance I KNOW they would be obsessed like me 😭 like it was MADE for us!!
@@roadrollerdio565 I’ve seen it 4 times at the cinema. Would’ve gone more but sadly it’s theatrical run has been cut short because SOME PEOPLE have no taste! 🙂↔️
Next step, I’m buying it on physical media! 🔥
I just don’t understand why they have to make every male lead an expert in the bedroom. It can still be sweet and hot to watch a couple learn together. We can have more than one archetype.
Well it's generally how these regency romances go. The girl is innocent and the guy is a rake
@@brynbailey7132 but it’s so boringgggg
@@brynbailey7132 It's not, though. Men can have experience/knowledge without being rakes. In fact, most of Austin's end-game heroes are highly respectable. For some reason, this show thinks that they need red-hot sex appeal in a male lead to make him palatable to their audience, and that they can only build it by having him sleep around, a fact that's simply not true. In fact, when I first saw Colin's transformation in the trailer, I knew instinctively what they were trying to make me feel towards him, and it instantly turned me off. Luke did his best to sell it, but it simply wasn't doing it for me.
@kohlinoor I mean in the world of modern regency romance novels. Jane Austen is like her own thing. Bridgerton was written very differently than Austen.
This is the part of don’t mind. Back then it was quite the norm for men to go to brothels to lean from a young age while wealthy ladies remained virgins.
Felt like the writers ,show runner, and directors put more effort into the world tour then the actual show. Actors were amazing tho.
And it seems like they’re STILL touring. I don’t blame the actors at all, only the higher up. What a mess!
They said they are back for season 4, apparently maybe we'll get a little more happy couple than we got in season 3
Oh my god this. Also, all the videos, photos, Tik Tok dances etc. STOP FOCUSING SO MUCH ON YOUR ADDITIONAL CONTENT THAT YOUR PRIMARY CONTENT SUFFERS.
This!!!!
So true.
The new showrunner didn’t understand the assignment with Polin and imposed her own ideas on the material. She STARVED us for whaaaaaaat???
I want a redo 😢 Polin needed more romance. JB said this season was supposed to be all romance but…. I’m not seeing it
1. Main issue: editing. Once you see Polin's full wedding dance per Nicola, you realize how robbed we were. Also, the frequent Benedict cuts. Just bad editing all around.
2. Too few episodes and too many stories.
3. Dragging out the LW reveal makes both Pen and Colin act badly at times.
4. My personal ick: the lack of happy Polin post LW reveal. I need to see them editing his book together, cudding, smiling, happy. Just went from angst to baby in a snap. I did like the epilogue scene but we got too much exposition on what happened and not enough showing it.
I thought the editing was just me being picky. There were a couple of scenes where Benedict was clearly still talking but his voice was gone.
Colin’s bad reaction to finding out Penelope is LW is a trauma response for him. It brings back all the feelings he felt after what happened with Marina. Feeling foolish & naïve after she duped him and that it’s happening again with Penelope.
@justinelord95 yes but the book reveal early lets him fully choose her despite LW before they get physical and feels trapped. I hated that he had to get retraumatized.
THIS
Whoever said NSFW Jane Austen and not Regency Grey's Anatomy is so on point. Shonda needs to move on from the Grey's Anatomy structure and embrace historical drama plots - for God's sake, if you're going to be smutty try to be like Sanditon!
That's was me and thank you for the new recommendation, I will have to check out Sanditon
YES I had to break this down slowly to my boyfriend but he fully agreed with it too haha
@@LauraSomeNumberSanditon ( all 3 series) are excellent
What i really find ironic os the new showrunner is queer. And she made the creative choice of making Benedict pansexual by basically hoe-ing it up and be devoid of his charming personality.
As a pan im getting really tired of this narrative. Sex with multiple people don't drive us, its their personalities.
For real! I find pan people to be way more invested in personalities, and it makes sense for Benedict in 1-2 given he's so emotionally attuned and romantic. What even happened in 3?? Who is this guy?
@@jangelorum if they wanted Benedict's scenes to really introduce him for S4 they should have let him share an intense deep kiss with Paul. And let Benedict introduce him to their family swing set where they just talk all night while showing how their conversations are slowly seducing Benedict. And then Paul prematurely breaks it off not wanting to hurt Benedict. But no, let's objectify the most crushed Bridgerton and insult our main audience by giving him the Simon sex montage treatment. 😮💨
Yeah, and remember how they left off Francesca’s storyline? So they made her either lesbian or bi, and they made Michael a woman. Ok fine, but did they need to make Francesca look so immediately attracted to Michaela right after her wedding? I don’t know, it threw john to the side, like they weren’t really in love, and made it look kind of unfaithful on Fran’s part. 😢
@@naveenakoneru9211 exactly. All the gay relationships have been strictly sexual and nor deep this season. It really hurts the show and the charectors
@@naveenakoneru9211this! It’s such a problematic stereotype that if someone is attracted to multiple genders then they cannot be trusted in a monogamous relationship. I am so disappointed.
Yes, please read Francesca’s book- not just to understand the controversy better, but to get an even better sense of how poorly season 3 was managed with respect to Colin.
More on Benedict: he was REALLY hurt when he found out Anthony paid his seat at the academy and… nothing??? Literally not even sadness in front of a canvas??? No contempt towards Anthony??? Shoddy writing. So terrible.
I remember at least one interview with Luke and Nicola where they said that the season starts very quickly because we’ve already been with these characters for 2 seasons. I’m pretty sure that means the writers thought “we’ve seen enough of Colin’s struggles with aimlessness so we don’t need to focus on that” and that somehow translated to not focusing on HIM. But I think a looot of people watching the show would’ve related to “I want to keep this hobby close to me because it is my safe space & don’t think it’s good enough to share with people because their criticism/disinterest could ruin it.” And that feeling would’ve made people empathize with him and his jealousy a LOT more
This! All of this.
It really does feel like people are forgetting that Penelope and Colin have had a decent presence for 2 seasons already and as Polin will likely have a bit more in subsequent seasons considering their actor’s attachment to the show. Also, not ending Lady Whistledown entirely gives Pen a purpose for her continued presence.
Though, yeah they fumbled Colin.
Yeah, fumble is the right word.. dear Colin didn’t get what he deserved, and being the male lead that too
Can’t tell you how pissed I am that my least favourite side plot of this season is Benedicts, how did the creators do this. Just give him a sibling to banter with and I love him, but he was in bed nearly the whole second half of the season and with yet another random pointless love interest because apparently no one in the writer room knows any male historical romance stereotypes other than a rake. Either let him paint or run the household which he was supposedly doing when Anthony was away and he enjoyed
True! Also, it makes no sense to me, how they made him spend the whole season in bed, when he could've been shown running the household since Anthony was absent for the most part; what stopped them form giving us a-temporary-head-of-the-family Benedict, rather than what they gave us? I agree with you, and I think Benedict deserved better this season even if the next season will be focused on him (or at least I hope they don't push him and Sophie for a sideline like they did with Polin)
They seem to think all males are rakes. Hench Colin's brothel visits. This really didn't do anything for Colin.
His story was rather pointless this season. I fast forwarded through it, wasn’t interested. He should have been doing more Anthony type stuff running the house not running to a bed. I was disappointed in this season.
@@satanspizza-dq6xfthe new show-runner Jess doesn’t know shit bout Bridgerton and she’s ruining a great show tbh and soon no one going to watch it if they don’t remove her 🤷🏾♀️
Hard facts: Romancing Mr Bridgerton is not a great book. None of the books are that good. And a lot of the set pieces and relationships are borderline problematic for modern audiences 20 years after it was first published. Colin revealing Pen is Lady Whistledown at the end for example takes all agency from her. However, in trying to fix things like this, the show’s writers fumble it. So much of the Lady Whistledown plot just didn’t make sense. Giving Cressida a sympathetic narrative only to then abandon it utterly makes no sense. Inventing an interesting character like Lord Gebling in the first half of the season and then having him fucking vanish into thin air in the second half make absolutely no fucking sense. Etc etc.
THIS. EXACTLY. 👏👏👏
These are not facts just because you think so, it´s fine not liking any of the books , thinking they are bad, horrible or whatever, but that doesn´t make it a hard fact. Also the problematic of the stories to modern sensibilities is irrelevant given that they are period romance novels, so they work within the confinements of the time they are set in and people should learn to contextualize things, not want everything cattered to their modern mindset . Having said that, I agree with the rest of your points, and that ties in with what I said, for the time in wich the books are set, for instance, Colin would want to solve Lady W. conflict, it was natural and normal and not at all a question of Pen´s agency, but the show wants to be this weird hybird of period and modern story and ends up failing at both...almost all the changes they made so far in characters and storylines are ilogical and didn´t work if you think about them even a little bit.
Benedict: I completely agree with your points about Benedict. If they wanted to introduce him as a bisexual character, they should have taken their time and introduced a male love interest for him. His says “I have known men like Mr. Suarez but I myself have never felt tempted before” but during his next meeting, he fully engages in a threesome with him. That makes no sense to me.
Francesca: Jess Brownell, who was a Producer on Inventing Anna and worked on Scandal, mentioned that “Because Francesca's book resonated [with her] in the way that it did, it felt like a natural adaptation.” This interpretation of Francesca as queer seems off, given that she is devoted to her husband in the original story. It feels like a shock-factor decision to introduce her as a lesbian, especially when Eloise would be a more fitting character for a queer storyline. Eloise’s love story in the books is more about friendship than an intense romance, making her a better candidate for this portrayal.
Colin & Penelope: I also don’t understand why they didn’t allow Colin and Penelope to bond over their writing. This was a major part of their story in the books, where they really got to know each other and express their vulnerabilities. As a result, Colin’s character feels hollow and uninteresting in the show. In the books, he proudly reveals Penelope’s identity as Lady Whistledown, partly to protect her from the consequences. However, in the show, Lady Whistledown is far more vicious, ruining lives, and it doesn’t make sense that the ton would forgive her so easily. There were no real consequences for her actions.
That was me😊
I said the thing about Austen and Grey's Anatomy.
Someone had mentioned it feeling like a soap opera and that popped into my head as the perfect description of what I felt was off with this season.
Very big brained description, thank you!!! 🔥
@@LadyJenevia 😂
The thing about gender bending Francesca's love interest is that it shows how little thought is being put in. I truly dont think any part of her original book can be adapted with a female love interest. Also even the way she was introduced changed the dynamics of that relationship. And they couldn't even make her Scottish! I agree that if they wanted to have a Sapphic storyline they could have used the buildup they have for Eloise to do it. Giving this to Francesca feels like it was done for shock value.
Or maybe it was in part because they didn't want to have back-to-back queer love stories in Ben and Eloise's seasons, which is a terribly shallow reason.
NO SPOILERS: And I agree - whereas Benedict's story works well with a male love interest (I think I might like it more, in fact), there are just structural reasons why Francesca's story doesn't work.
@@Hana9916 Everyone's harping on about how Francesca can't have her main book struggles with a sapphic love story, but I think it could actually heighten her distress in an interesting and refreshing way! It's just that most hetero people won't be able to relate to it so they're instantly turned off and upset.
With that being said, I loved the way they built up the love between John and Francesca and celebrated quieter, rarer types of love (at least in terms of what is shown on-screen), so to have them throw it all away when Francesca meets Michaela made me pretty upset.
@@kohlinoor this exactly! I loved their quiet love, and to have violet make a speech about how it's just as beautiful and valid, only for it to be thrown away immediately after is basically confirming that either it's dramatic love at first sight, or it's not real love. I was so hoping Eloise would be the one to have a queer storyline
Chronicles of Noria and Deborah the explorer gave some interesting ideas about this and what can be done, but I still dislike it.
I don't like the idea of a queer Eloise either because I don't get that vibe from her and I dislike the idea that if a girl isn't interested in marriage and/or is vocal about feminism then she doesn't like guys (and yes I remember Theo). But since her love story is one of the weakest imho I wouldn't be surprised. The fact that they went after Francesca considering the popularity of her book was a big surprise.
I kinda like the idea of Benedict having a male love interest, especially considering how his bi/pan plotline sucked this season. Although I would be sad for the fans of that book.
@@kohlinoor SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS It's not Francesca who can't have her book plot, it's Michaela... what with women not inheriting Earldoms.
As a pansexual woman, Benedicts story made me so uncomfortable. We don't really know anything about Lady & Lord Arnold or why he would start having feelings for both of them. They just turned it into pansexual character has sex with anyone. He was in bed the whole second half of the season. Colin was all of a sudden having sex (which took away from the little screen time Colin & Pen had together). No one in the writers room can write male characters in fictional historical romances if he's not a rake.
I feel what you’re saying, their “attempts” to include lgbtq relationships has fallen flat so far. Just sex scenes and instantaneous attraction (Francesca post-wedding).. it’s very surface level and I wish they didn’t even try. And it’s not even in line with the super romantic nature of Bridgerton
I would love to see you read Francesca's book. It is frustrating to me that any push back to the gender bend is automatically labeled as bigoted. It would be nice to be able to discuss an adaptation choice without being attacked. I agree that this season seemed to react to the criticism of last season for lack of spicey moments by saying you want spicy moments, we will give you spicey moments. However a lot of them did not seem to have the emotional buildup to support the moments. As someone who came into the season thinking Polin had no chemistry, I agree with your statement that Polin had chemistry in their build up scenes, but we just needed more of them.
Not changing genders would have been nice, but now that they’ve done it, they need to pull it off well. But they obviously messed up very quickly. Same with Benedict, I thought he could be bi in season 1 itself, but never imagined that came along with spending half the season screwing people.
Colin and Penelope were quite loveable in previous seasons, somehow the characters lost that individual charm(I blame it on the writing). None of the interactions this season made them look like actual, close friends, so dropping the steamy parts just looked steamy, not like they had an actual connection. I think if someone had not seen seasons 1 and 2, they would struggle to grasp that it’s a friends to lovers story.. I can’t blame much on the actors cause they were given very little to work with, Luke especially
@@naveenakoneru9211 I completely agree. The friendship did not land for me either. It felt like they had established her friendship with Eloise but not with Colin.
I agree. It would be nice if people could talk about the gender bend without immediately jumping to extremes. It's not about "being a bigot" or about "forcing the lgbt agenda down peoples' throats" bad faith arguments. There are those who are genuinely upset because they liked the book or the characters. There are others who are upset because they don't want to see a main story about two women falling in love. What frustrates me is when people immediately start throwing accusations or statements like "Bridgerton is ruined" because of a 30s scene and a story that hasn't happened yet.
@@naveenakoneru9211 I completely agree with you. I wish they would have not changed the genders. However, they did and there is no going back now. They can't change it without a lot of issues. Due to this they need to execute it well.
I hate what Season 3 did to Benedict. I thought the whole point of him meeting Tilly would be to all to prep him to know what he’s looking for in a life partner. * cough cough* Sophie.
They didn’t even do that because I still don’t know what he wants in a life partner and just like the end of all the other seasons, he is left lonely again. They did his character so dirty and he is the best one 🥺🥺
I have been waiting for your review for 7-8. I have my own strong feelings about this season, but I think you hit the nail on the head early on in this video. People who are fans of romance/ know the genre are absolutely going to lose it when you don't give them romance. I wrote my masters thesis on the romance genre in publishing, and it's very clear the higher-ups (and other fans) telling fans to get over it have zero clue how the genre works. If it was about money, they have seriously messed up.
And before anyone comes at me, romance is the highest selling genre more than all other genres combined, selling into the billions every year. So, for those who think the romance girlies saying, "they'll never watch the show again" won't have an impact, get ready.
Oooh, may I read your thesis? I have not read any romance novels since Pride & Prejudice when I was a kid, so I’m very interested in revisiting that genre! I wanna go down the rabbit hole, haha!
I’m especially interested in fantasies, and I enjoy different period settings and possibly some smut if doesn’t feel too cheesy, but to echo what someone else wrote on here, some of the sexual dynamics/dialogue in Quinn’s books don’t sit well with me.
@@Candid_cripple No but really Im on my knees is the thesis published anywhere?
I have spent a lot of time thinking about this season (probably too much 😅) and I think there are three points that have affected the main romance of the season.
1. Colin is woefully underdeveloped. You speak to this quite well in the video, so I don’t need to add much more, but the underdevelopment does a disservice to a satisfying watch. There are glimpses of his character, but not enough. And this makes understanding his motivations in the angsty parts more difficult. I have seen many character analyses and I think they’re great. But a characterization should be obvious. The subtext should add to it.
2. As you said, not enough time with the mains. The more I think about it, the more I wonder if the writers knew how to do a friends to lovers story. Friends afford perfect space for emotional intimacy and that then leads to romance. When did they get emotionally vulnerable with each other while falling in love? I can think of three times Penelope is “it has been vexing” in ep 1 “somewhere between my head and my mouth” in ep 2 and “your writing is very good” in ep 2. Colin never is until he’s confessing his feelings. Which is why I think so many people felt like it came out of nowhere. Most of their scenes ended before they even started.
3. The editing left so much to be desired. I don’t even have a lot of editing experience and I’m sitting there watching the first time thinking “what was that?” There were cutaways at crucial points, coverage on the wrong people, wide shots when we should have had close ups. Nicola Coughlan posted an uncut version of the wedding breakfast dance. The way they look at each other through the whole thing, but especially at the end… are you kidding me? Where was that in the final edit? I have so many examples of this and I find it almost to be the most frustrating thing, because they could have had it, but missed the mark.
If you’ve read through all that, thank you. I think I’ve been desperately wanting to get all that off my chest. There are so many bits and pieces that I loved in the season, but the overall watch was dissatisfying unfortunately.
Please do read Francesca’s book. I would appreciate your analysis of it. It was my favorite and the only male lead in the books I actually liked. (Personally, I just don’t understand people’s hatred towards the male lead in Eloise’s book, he wasn’t any worse than the others 🤷♀️)
You mentioned so many parts I agree with! The editing was horrible🙈... I would have loved more focus on polins faces, more intimacy for the dance parts... the "behind the scenes dance" which Nicola posted was a perfect example for what we wanted to see throughout the season.
3/3 to you, you’ve summed it up well! I have also spent way too much time thinking of this season, more than what it’s worth😅
I liken the season to Ted Lasso season 3, it's got some of the highest highlights, but the overall storytelling structure left me wanting so much more. I feel like the show often sacrificed good storytelling for drama
Okay so it took me AGES to watch Ted Lasso but when I finally did, the INSTANT they broke up Roy and Keeley I could feel myself check out of being invested in everything that came after that. I think I almost didn't even finish season 3 because I was happily binging the show until I got to season 3 and then it started to feel like A CHORE to watch. 👀😶
Agree so much with this comment. There were some things that I liked (really liked even) but those moments felt like scattered treats across a sea of "meh" or "eh?" Not enough indulging in Polin's love story and too much (unnecessary?) drama. I feel the same way about Ted Lasso s3 too. vis-a-vis Roy and Keeley. It felt like something broke in the show and it wasn't as refreshing and loveable anymore.
I liked the seson and I love Colin and Penelope, but I agree they spent too mutch time in part 2 in a bad state than a good one. Colin's entrapment coment was so uncalled for and we should have more time with polin healing the hurt and reconciling before the baby.
They did not get screen time where they simply were happy and in love, exept the steamy sceens.
Seeing all this excessive melodrama in Polin's love story was just making me want to go watch the fun Regency films/series I already love and a whole bunch of Rom Coms to get my vibes back where I wanted them to be. 🤭
We should've had waaaaaaaaay more scenes of Polin making jokes and laughing with each other. Daphne and Simon had that cute laughing scene when Daphne was snorting over Friedrich's comment about the "exquisite dress" and Kate and Anthony had that cute laughing scene when they fell in the mud, so if Colin and Penelope are the 'friends to lovers' season THEY SHOULD'VE BEEN LAUGHING CIRCLES AROUND THE OTHER TWO SEASONS. Laughing together should've been their area of expertise! 😂
100% needed more banter, giggling, and plotting together to take down Cressida. They were both so SAD too much. I’m still grieving what could have been and trying to detox.
Was very unhappy with Colin’s entrapment comment. Too many stories lines and not enough POLIN.
I feel like the show runner and writers decided this show has a formula and everyone’s story needs to fit it with a break or melodrama pulling the leads apart at end of episode 6 and then drama that brings them together briefly in episode 7 but then pulls them away again and then they reconcile in the final scene of 8, with an epilogue. But Polin is a square peg being shoved through a round hole.
They had known each other for years, so it should have been Polin against the world after a fight at start of episode 7. He gave her lessons to talk to other people, if she wanted to stand on her own he still could have helped her rehearse her speech to the Queen or something to be supportive. The leaked script said he and family members were spread out for her to focus on while giving her speech, he could have come to her said that and a little pep talk before the Queen arrived and been cut to more often giving his encouragement. We had 2.5 seasons of him seaking her out or staring at her at balls and the 1 she really needed him at in their season he barely interacted with her until the end. My beloved Mr. Finch got up on that stage in support before Colin did.
I saw that they were using the Psyche and Eros myth as a theme so it was Penelope alone going through the trials to win him back, but I would rather they be more faithful to the source material or at least it’s spirit.
@@reillybb1and we didn’t see him apologize for the worst things he said even when his character usually apologizes right away for smaller infractions.
It makes no sense to have the current head of the family and the next heir to go on a long and dangerous journey.
They really focused more or the press tour rather than the actual season itself. It’s like they knew beforehand that the material they actually had on their hands was quite mediocre so they went all out with a 6 month long press tour, a PR stunt to get people hooked AND cut the season in half to keep building up hype for as long as possible. They didn’t care much if everyone was disappointed after watching because they actually fulfilled their purpose of fooling us all. They got their views they got their clicks and they got people talking even if it’s to rant about it all. For all those reasons I’ve been avoiding fandoms ever since I’ve been burned by twilight corporations only care about making as much money as possible, not pleasing audiences. And this is clear as day with how they handled things here. They don’t care about fixing any of the issues a fan would expect. The only thing I will never understand tho is how we’ve gotten from 15-21 episode seasons to only 8 in 2 years. If their whole plan is to push everything through marketing why do they need 2 years to film 8 episodes? This whole situation makes me wish I could just don’t give any fucks about this whole industry…
Agree! After all the PR strategy and the twists and melodrama in the story for shock value, I guess they will do anything to get people talking and boost the views EXCEPT producing a well written and edited season of romance TV. Their moto is “no press is bad press.”
No press tour is 6 months long. It may feel that long as interviews may be released in a staggered timeframe but it’s typically only a few days in the same hotel with a several outfit/style changes and perhaps a change of location within the same hotel to change up the background.
@@checksanity Yes, that’s how it normally goes, but Bridgerton S3 had the actors travelling the world for a couple of months, plus the press junket. 6 months might be a stretch, but it was at the very least 3 months pushing the show. (They had an event on Feb 14 with a sneak peek, that’s when the marketing really kicked off).
Also, to answer your question about episodes per season, it’s because Network television and streaming are two entirety different beasts (with cable being a slight blend of both). Also, the change of audience expectations that came with technology advancements-from filming and editing to the devices used to consume media.
13-22+ episode season shows were cheaper to make. They only reached ~1 million+ per episode for huge hits and long lasting shows like Friends or Grey’s Anatomy, and most of that money went to salary increases over the years.
Streaming came along at the same time as the age of Premium/Peak TV-where a season was more like a 7-10hr movie. The promise of streaming was no commercials, which meant that the structure for tv storytelling was able to be changed up-to varying degrees of success or failure.
TV show writers being able to adjust to audience complaints and demands is way more difficult to implement with the streaming model. It did, can, and still happens in network tv, because those episode production schedules have less of a gap from filming to screen. As in, it can be as little as a few weeks, especially for sitcoms.
You ask why 8 episodes will take 2 years? It’s because a season of Bridgerton is treated like an 8 hr movie.
@@ThaMonteiro Nicola and Luke N, out of everyone, max spent maybe ~2 weeks total (including travel), doing press.
My point is that it *feels* longer, but in reality it really is not. The majority of the effort goes towards the show. Just because fans may be disappointed, doesn’t not change that.
The hope for the creatives creating the show is for most people to like it, knowing that can’t please *everyone* 100%.
When you said that the stress of life had totally taken you out of feeling the story--I FELT THAT. That's exactly how I felt.
It was being burned out by being forcibly stuck at the melodramatic cliffhanger of Colin discovering that Penelope is Lady Whistledown (and all the overly melodramatic storytelling choices that lead up to that), AND having more important things to be stressed out about in real life. By that point, watching episodes 7-8 was just a necessity to finally have completion/resolution. Bridgerton shouldn't feel like that; having new episodes to watch should feel FUN. 😂
I didn't like how much time Colin and Penelope spent apart from one another in the second half of the season. First, before the LW reveal, Penelope used her fainting incident to isolate herself from Colin because she didn't know how to tell him the truth. Then, the fight they had after the reveal. We never got to really enjoy seeing them together and happy. Pretty disappointing. I liked the scenes they DID have together (ie the mirror scene and the church scene), but there should have been more.
I HATED the showrunners made Penelope beg Colin to love her. I feel like that ruined the catharsis of Penelope‘s storyline. The satisfaction in her storyline is that she is a wallflower unseen by everybody, but Colin sees her. I hate that she hast to beg her husband to love her. The book seems to have a clear divide at the proposal with all internal conflicts in the relationship happening before the proposal and then Penelope/Colin team up to deal with the external factors after that. By continuing the internal conflict, the cute scenes where they’re connecting with each other feel cheap.
I do not think the new showrunner truly UNDERSTANDS Benedict's character. And ultimately, maybe watchers should have got the hint towards this when they decided to push Colin and Pen's story before Benedicts. While so many people were annoyed with Chris Van Dusen for his changes to Book 2, I appreciated it. I really enjoyed Season 2, story-wise. And I didn't mind the limited NSFW scenes. Now...there is a bunch of NSFW scenes but the plot is suffering because of it.
The new showrunner sort of put herself in the story AS Francesca and is writing Francesca to fit her personal experiences, it seems. Write what you know. But ultimately, structure-wise to the story, I think Benedict's season would have been the better season to gender bend.
Benedict or Eloise. But Francesca's book is the favourite for so many. They should stick to it.
@@tins369 I don't want to get in to book spoilers or anything like that. But the HEA for Benedict is one where it is not necessarily impacted by the gender of the love interest. Francesca's story, like a lot of the story's regarding women in the regency era, really floats around the security that being married gives them...and the universe has already established that same sex marriages don't happen and need to be hidden. In that case, an unmarried man just has more freedom. Of course, the show may decide to do some heavy lifting and change things around, BUT the story that would require the least amount of BIG changes would have Benedict.
But as I said, the showrunner doesn't understand or see herself in Benedict so she may not have seen this angle. Whereas, I do think Chris Van Dusen had a much better understanding of Benedict and built him over the course of two seasons in one direction while the new showrunner did an abrupt turnaround.
I'm not quite sure if I understand everything you've written, sorry. But I agree 100% to what you've said at first. I think. Sorry 😅
@@tins369 LOL...sorry. Just...ultimately, it's my opinion that it is easier to adapt Benedict's story because in that era, men were giving more freedom and his story change would not have as much large changes to the universe Bridgerton has established on the show.
@fizzychizzy yeah, that's a very good point. I haven't thought about that bc Bridgerton is so modern. I think it's definitely easier to make Benedict's story M/M or even Eloise's story F/F bc of their characters.
I will never forgive the writers and showrunners for ROBBING US of Colin and Penelope dancing in the rain!!!😭 it's like Bridgerton views love as side character when LOVE, TENSION, and PASSION were the main driving factors of the show! Plus it's crazy how season 3 felt like 3 seasons with the amount side plots they added. Idek who the main characters of season 3 are anymore 😭😭
Part 2 was far better than part 1. That being said, the writers did not do a great job of adapting Polin's story from the books. After watching the show, I don't know why either of them fell in love with each other. It seemed as if Penelope was always pining after Colin even after they married. In the book, it was clear why they were in love and they were equals. It was a reciprocal relationship, Penelope was not too meek to give Colin the business as needed. As she should, she is Lady Whistledown for crying out loud. Also, in the book, they tackled the Lady Whistledown issue TOGETHER. They really lost the plot during the adaptation.
I’m not a Polin fan, they just don’t do it for me though I do agree that much like S2 the main love story suffered due to extraneous subplots. It’s a big issue. I was here for the little bit of Kanthony and Franny since she’s been a non entity due to the former actress’ availability and was looking forward to Hannah Dodd’s take. What appealed to me were the Fran/John subplot which the showed totally ruined with Franny’s reaction to his kiss and then her reaction to Michaela. I actually liked Eloise and Cressida but that too was ruined and made pointless at the end. Kanthony were adorable whenever they were on screen but the constant sending them away got old and while the idea of the India thing is sweet it makes no sense. They established in S2that India is far enough away that it was unlikely Kate and Anthony would ever see each other again if she were to return. It felt like another way to just ship them off because the show doesn’t know what to do with them as this production doesn’t understand the romance genre. It’s ironic that the old snow runner who is a man understood it better than the current female snow runner and the EP who is also a woman.
i totally understand what you're saying about Kanthony, but I also know that the actor (Jonny) was extremely busy during the filming of this season. I think he may have been in more scenes, which would have made sense as head of the clan, but he had 3 projects he was doing all at the same time. There's an interview where he's talking about practicing his Wicked dances while waiting to go on set for Bridgerton. I don't think they should have gone to India, though. They could have just gone to Prussia to see her sister (is that a show detail or just a fanfiction- don't know).
Okay, but the montage at the end - the willow tree scene and the cake scene were everything! We should've gotten so much more of that: the longing, the awkwardness, the flustering. We definitely had higher expectations for this season, due to the previous seasons build up, but netflix also definitely underdelivered with all the side stories and bad writing/editing
That scene under the tree was sooooooo good, I wanted those vibes for a much longer portion of the run time. 😂
@@LadyJenevia My life post-part 2 can be summarised as looking at fan edits across all socials and gaslighting myself into believing it wasn't really all that bad. And watching *only* Polin scenes makes it almost believable that it wasn't a complete clusterduck of a dumpsterfire.
P.S. Would you be interested in rewriting season 3 😂 ? You could set it up as the same format people use for best-to-worst rankings (but a storyboard version) - have key plot points as still images with a title card and move them around to improve the flow/timing of events. There could be a Polin only storyboard or additional one for the side plots, where scenes can be added interchangeably to the main board on a need-to basis (maybe even with a timer running for an episode length consistency). And maybe a final side by side of the show's official edit and your edit to visualise the differences and improvements. I really want to do something like that myself, but I have neither the time, tools, skill nor patience to pull this off. I hope someone else does. 😂
I don’t care at all that they changed a character’s gender or that Francesca is a lesbian, what I do care about and hated is that they trashed the love between Francesca and Kilmartin in the last few minutes of the season. I feel like that just wasn’t the way to do it. I feel like they do share genuine love and I can understand if it’s platonic for her and she didn’t realize it until she met his cousin and experienced love at first sight, but damn, that was just so jarring imo.
There are a few people making it out to seem that the dislike for this season has to do with people "not understanding nuance" and wanting everything to be in your face, but as a fan of subtlety, that's not what happened with Polin this season.
I don't know if it was the higher ups fearing that people wouldn't flock to watch a plus-size romance or what but they opted to inflate every episode with as much people/plots that weren't Pen and Colin so much so that I got more invested in Francesca even though it wasn't her season technically.
Watching this season after their initial press tour my heart broke for Nikola and Luke because the more we moved away from them in the story, the more it showed me how little faith the showrunner/decision makers had in their ability to be compelling leads in their own right (which I fully believe they both could have excelled at).
Also, they didn't have to change who Colin was in order to make him more "attractive." In my opinion, it would have been a great contrast to other seasons to have a softer male lead who is not raking away the ton.
I liked the exploration of trying to be someone he's not but I think that could have been focused around him trying to be a writer and struggling to find his voice.
@@capricosa222That's one of my biggest disappointments this season.
They ruined show Colin vibes. I wanted to watch a softer, sensitive (if not always sensible) NOT-rake love story between romantics.
Absolutely spot on with your analysis. I was definitely left wanting after this season for much of the same reasons you listed. The biggest thing I felt cheated about was the lack of Polin as a united front, both of them proud of the other and desperately in love, instead of bickering and cold shouldering. I haven't even read the book, but that's what I expect from a "friends to lovers", "she fell first, he fell harder" trope fest.
Also, I snorted so loudly at "You gotta put your fingers in the holes!" stinger at the end that my dog looked at me funny. Bravo!
Please give your dog a big cuddle from me! 😊🫶🏻
This wasn’t Polin’s season. I’m sorry but they did not have anywhere near the time, depth of story or amount of scenes for this to be a credible season focusing on them and this just isn’t what Bridgerton is and what made me love it. It feels and looks completely different. Society rules are inconsistent, character values change season to season and episode to episode and no storyline actually gets the depth it deserves, let alone the romance that’s supposed to be at the heart of the show and what makes it unique 😕
This new show runner is terrible.. I really didn’t like this season. Also can Shonda and her team try not to dismiss every Bridgerton sibling once they are done with their own season cos Daphne not being in this season and Anthony being scarce.. it doesn’t make any sense.. why introduce new characters when you can simply show us each siblings and how they manage their own households and family. I’m so pissed!
Yes Jenevia! I am so here for you reading Francessca's book and hearing your thoughts on it and the adaption process 🙌🏻
You give such unique insights and analysis that would also be entertaining to watch. And I'd love to see you weigh in on the Michaela controversy 🤭
My problem with Michael becoming Michaela has nothing to do with being anti LGBTQ+ representation but entirely the fact that it won't allow the exploration of certain themes in the book which are powerful and rarely seen on screen. And Francessca's reaction to Michaela has completely changed her character and undermines her love story with John in the show
To add, they've also undemined Frannie's love story with *John*.
These are 2 big issues…I have wondered what a gender bend for Benedict’s or Gregory’s (I think they could get the essence of the books better than other options), but pivotal themes of Francesca and Michael get changed/can’t do by both the gender bend and the undermining of the love story with John…
Ah thanks, just edited it 😅
I was too impassioned and wrote the wrong name 😂
I think the jealousy from Colin was unclear in the show, where as in the book it is obviously portrayed in his inner monologue so it was clear.
Cressida does mention it once in the show but he denies it, I would have liked a scene between him and Eloise where he expressed it before him saying it to Pen. I will go back and watch it again from this perspective now that I have read the book.
He alludes to it in their argument outside the modiste, then Cressida says it and then he admits it in his final speech. But I absolutely agree, we needed that more fleshed out if they wanted it to be part of their conflict.
Not only was it very unclear.
But they had set up, in s2, that it would be part of her conflict with Eloise. And it ambiguously is part of it. But that was also unclear and never truly resolved.
My only issue was I enjoyed the relationship of Franchesca and Sterling by bringing in what was obviously a potential love interest at the tail end where the entire season we were beat over the head over their style of love being valid. It felt like the entire point was a wash. They didn’t even make it that long as a couple on screen before it was and I oooop here’s a wrench!
On the topic of Francesca and her gender bent love story, my biggest issue is not that it is gender-bent. But we just watched a season in which she falls in love with someone, fights with her mother for the approval, stands up to and excited Queen to say sorry you were wrong your Majesty I'm marrying this man, move forward with her plans with starting her own life and family with her man, just the throw it away two seconds after getting married that she falls in love the way her mother explains how she should fall in love. The entire time her story was that falling in love and being in love can be shown and felt differently. She was very narrow Divergent / autism coded he finds someone that is just like her and gets her and appreciates her and does something to make her happy and the writers throw that all away the moment she sees someone else.
The writers seemingly just under it all the screen time that they gave to her. And with such a multiplot-heavy season in which people are upset that the main couple didn't get enough screen time it feels like they threw it all away for nothing. This feeling of disappointment in the story line would go away if they change it to Michaela falling in love with Francesca First Sight and showing it. Francesca should not have zinged at the site of michaela. Makayla should have Zing at the side of francesca. That is book accurate, because Francesca does truly love john, but the writer's essentially made it seem like Francesca doesn't truly love john, she just likes that he is quiet like her Likes music like her and is nice therefore she doesn't understand what love is and is willing to go with this guy because she wants to get away from her family. And her family is a loving family, but she is The Quiet One, and therefore doesn't want to stay in an overstimulating environment. People actually done a little bit of research to figure out that yes McKayla can inherit the title because she's Scottish not english, and the writers can ride around the fact that Francesca and John will have for truly issues, and they're just going to move up the plot point of Francesca is going to be pregnant or have the baby before John dies. And then it's going to be Michaela and Francesca relationship. I'm just upset that we all love John and how Francesca and John's love story is written, and then last second like nope wrong person she's not really in love.
At that point, the writer should have married her off in the first half to free up air time for the rest of the plots. There are way too many bridgertons Falling in Love for lust this season. It's supposed to be one per season, we even had the moment on the action. To be fair the time we started in Queen Charlotte, but we had benedict, colin, Francesca and violet starting up the relationships the season. Way too much they needed to figure it out and move him to Different Seasons or get them out of the screen time.
On top of that, the Aesthetics this season we're not it. I didn't like the monrich party decorations, little on the nose Wallflowers also that centerpiece was stupid and ugly. I didn't like the dress designs, crested it was horrible but I accepted that she's supposed to be the Mean Girl Fashionista. So it was okay for her to look ridiculous. But I didn't get the sleeves are her wings metaphor until someone told me. And I think a lot of the soft Regency looks that were the first two seasons it went away to Modern outrageous looks. I do not like the designer literally says he puts the two ugliest Fabrics together to make a design. The guy also doesn't know how to buy fabric and keep buying too little and fucking up designs making his subordinates figure it out because he keeps not buying enough fabric. He needs to make a little card that has a conversion chart on it! Meters and yards are very close in length, but he's a professional he should figure it out by now. You can't work in Hollywood and keep messing up like this, you can go back to any other country in this world besides America and like one small country somewhere else but I can't remember the name of that's also works off the inches. Go there!
I am very happy that you are finally un-muzzled and free to drag this show and criticize it in a very thorough, thoughtful manner. I want to support Michaela's actress and would like to see you read Francesca's book because people make a big deal about it. Colin and Penelope should've had way more screen time. I would've done away with the entire Cressida subplot and fixed Benedict's subplot so that he gets obsessed with a male muse.
I have this theory that Benedict's season might involve a feminine-looking man who cross-dresses as a woman for the masquerade ball and the plot will take inspiration from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.
Very interesting theory about Benedict’s story. I personally think his “Sophie” is going to be Cressida. I can’t imagine why else they would focus so heavily on her this season. I’m actually a bit worn out on this show. I wanted romance and got so much drama I was exhausted after watching it. I don’t think I have it in me to remain interested for 2 more years for season 4. I loved the books and seasons 1 and 2, but season 3 was such a disappointment. However, I thoroughly enjoyed all the PR. 😂
Having read Ben's book, I feel like they are now hiding his romantic heart behind the rake persona that gets mentioned occasionally in the genre. I'm not sure I like it.
I'm blocking out everything of Benedict in season 3 from my memory except for him being confirmed as bi and that cute pep talk he gave John, and carrying on with my regularly scheduled viewing and creating itinerary. 😂
@@LadyJeneviaone moment I would add to that is when Benedict knows Colin is struggling but doesn’t want to talk about it, so he just hugs him and gives him some affection
I loved what he said to Eloise at the wedding reception, but it felt out of character for him to just head out early and no one even noticed he was gone when all the Bridgertons were being addressed by the Queen.
@@LadyJenevia I love this 😂 I just want my old, poetry loving and artsy Benedict omg. I need them to lock it in for S4
@@jenniferhaake9818 actually, Benedict always leaves early. He left his sisters ball in S1 and he wanted to leave the ball his own mother was throwing in S2. Doesn’t matter what it is, Ben will dip out early 😂
This season had its good moments but overall felt like Cressida Cowpers version of Lady Whistledown
My issue with gender bending Michael is not with the change in sexuality (I myself am pansexual, bring on the representation)… my issue is 1- it made her love with John severely diminished, especially with the disappointed reaction to her first kiss with him, she is supposed to genuinely love him, and show that “quiet” love is just as romantic and 2- having him be a man highlights another very important issue for women that is not talked about enough (I won’t spoil). I like the gender bending, just not that character
I think season 3's Colin development could have focused on his relationship to his mother. There's a large gap between Colin and the older two brothers. Perhaps Violet lost some children before Colin's birth? He was a child when his father died and didn't get all of the responsibility of his older brothers to watch out for the siblings. Perhaps he spent a lot of time with his mother during her grief, which is why Violet sees him as being selfless. Season 3 could have focused on Colin separating from being the apple of his mother's eye, growing up, being responsible for someone else's life, his role as the oldest of the younger kids (as Ant is the pseudo-dad and Ben is the pseudo-mom), and much more of his and Pen's history.
As we know, Pen and Colin have known each other for years! Where's their story? The silly things they did to prank the older siblings, the inside jokes, shared history, little moments that built up to their love. There could be some exploration about how Colin feels out of place in his family as the younger brother to A and B and older brother to the girls. It would have been fun to see more of his hero complex throughout the years and seen his writing (maybe as a way to connect with Pen) develop. Hey, maybe they even dream about traveling together and it could have been a plot point that Pen felt left behind when Colin chose to set out without her.
The two actors have so much chemistry that the show would have been better if they had just put the actors in a room and let them figure out the story for themselves. The press tour is more compelling than the show (and this goes for all the actors) which is a really sad thing for all the effort that goes into making this type of show. I've also gotten much more story from the fanfiction in terms of character and story development (and I'm a bit obsessed).
When season 3 part 1 dropped, I really liked it except for rake Colin's character writing. However, part 2 was highly disappointing. As a huge fan of show polin, they've absolutely butchered their story. Although I'm not a huge fan of book Colin, show Colin was good in S1 & 2 but this season's writing for his character was meh. Running 50 different subplots, unnecessary screen time given to characters that add nothing to the season & cutting down polin screen time was so pointless. Nicola and Luke have such great chemistry but Brownell ruined their season. I skipped most of Benedict's scenes in part 2 because it felt so forced. S2 should've been the setup for his exploration but they somehow crammed it in S3 part 2 only for him to be the lead next season (hopefully). The focus should’ve been on how he ran things as the second son when Anthony was away on his multiple trips. There was no depth in his character writing at all. They’re only using him for his rare wholesome sibling interactions and numerous unnecessary bed scenes. The Featheringtons lowkey carried this season with their comedic scenes and their mama won me over in part 2. Eloise's character was also completely butchered. Looking forward to your future Bridgerton analysis videos they're so well-made!
I would love for you to read Francesca’s book. I have a feeling it’s going to be really different in the show and it 😮would be great to see how you would want to see the book be adapted as well as your thoughts on where her story should go in regards to the show.
For me, I think I love season 3 more than the other seasons simply because I like having male lead who is very sure about his woman (putting aside his insecurity about Pen's feelings for him), unlike Anthony and Simon who were too "insecure" and set in their toxic masculinity. I find Colin very sexy and romantic. However, while I get that the showrunners code Bridgerton as a ensemble show I think they forgot that people who tune in, tune in for Polin. So I would've been fine with less Benedict "storyline" and more Polin. I'm even fine with Fran and John because it's now setup for the future season and story coming. But holy... it was all too much.
I also want to add: I agree with you about the Featheringtons. I think the whole "Let's be a happy family in the end" was a bit much. Like okay try to mend it over time. But they treated Penelope so bad that she couldn't believe Colin loves her that's messed up and solely her family's doing.
The Mondriches... like the characters, don't care one bit about their plotline.
I would love for you to give your opinion on the major change for Francesca's story.
I would need to read her book first! 🧐📚😊
The gender swap would impact one of her plot lines / character development quite a lot and I kinda wanted them to try and cover this if they could do it with respect. Maybe they are swapping genders so they just don’t have to deal with it. I would love to see your take on this you’ll definitely know what it is when you read the book
I think you should read it. Her book is one of my favorites. I was arguably more angry about how this change played out in my first watch that it clouded my frustration over Polin’s resolution. It upends most of Fran’s plot points.
i didn't like episodes 7 and 8. couldn't even enjoy the wedding with all the stress going on
Yeah me too, I was too focused on the drama going on to love the wedding
Totally agree about the missing vibes - Polin kept repeating that they're "friends" but we didn't see much evidence of their friendship, or of their friendship turning into love. Where's the laughter and fun? And the wedding was upsetting - Pen is basically crying as she walks down the aisle and has to wait for Colin's "approval" nod to know if they're really getting married. ICK. Horrible season all around - red lipstick, fake nails, glitter, Cressida's gargantuan sleeves. Just ICK.
As always, I love hearing your thoughts! I agree with pretty much everything you said. I wish Colin got more screen time so we could understand him better, and I wish Eloise and Benedict had storylines within the family (we love the banter and connection, that’s why Gregory and Hyacinth are so good this season!). Maybe Eloise could have been paired with Francesca to offer more insight for both characters, which would both feel lonely (Fran because she’s different, El because she’s heartbroken). And Benedict could be envolved in managing the household and his sister prospects (talking on Anthony’s role, but having a different emotional response, since his calling is art, and realizing how much he misses it).
I love Kathony so I adore every scene they’re in. I believe the scene Colin talks to Daphne in the book has been replaced by the scene with Kate and Anthony the night before the wedding. I liked it.
I would be interested in your video about Francesca’s book. It’s in my top 3 favorites, so I selfishly (as a hetero woman) wanted Michael. But I understand the sentiment behind the genderswap, however personally painful. I just don’t think adaptation is the word for Bridgerton going forward, but rather fanficfion. I’m not opposed to fanficfion, but it has to be BETTER than the original to justify this direction. S3 didn’t sell it very well.
I support you reading Francesca’s book. I’d love to hear your take on it before the next 2 years pass. Waiting for the show is , in Hilary Duff’s words, like ‘waiting on rain in a drought’.
That last clip you put in there had me spit out my food and almost choke. That was hilarious! 😂😂😂
I agree with a lot of what you say but Pen and her mom’s storyline was one of the best things in the whole season.
Totally agree with all of it! And is it just me, or were the dialogues in season 2 soo much better than in season 3🤔?... I heard, that Shonda wasn't part of the writing team this time... big mistake, if thats true...
I wish we did get more Polin scenes and seeing them grow together and individually.
I agree. I wanted him to stand with Penelope in the end holding her hand and smiling as she spoke.
And I hate a lot of their growth ended with a bunch of dialogue instead of us seeing more conversations that led him to understand his jealousy.
I know shows don’t need to be a shot for shot adaptation, but their book had a lot of stuff to choose from to develop their relationships and characters.
And agree with everything you said except the featherington sub plot. I loved it.
I have loved the character Penelope since the first episode of season one, so I was _really_ looking forward to her and Colin finally getting together. To say I was disappointed is a massive understatement. They weren't the focus, which is terrible. There were too many unnecessary subplots, and none were compelling. Eloise was presented as a somewhat dumb and just as mean girl as Cressida. I initially loved Francesca and Lord Killmartin's "love" story when it seemed a victory for us introverted folks. But then they killed that, too, by making Michael a Michaela, and making Francesca seem like she was full of 💩 the whole time. I am so disappointed 😞.
Maybe instead of having their season now, they should have pushed their season further back? Maybe during other main character love stories we could have seen Colin and Penelope grow closer, being cute and just before their season (the finale of the previous season) Colin discovers Penelope is Mrs whistledown?
I think I would definitely like a video about Francesca's book and a discussion about gender-bending characters. If you feel comfortable in stating your opinion about it, due to the lack of character build-up for Benedict this season which Bridgerton sibling will be season 4? And what would be your preferred order (based on your knowledge of the show so far)?
The show heavily implies next season is Benedict. :)
Something I just noticed with the clips we see of Benedict from season 2, and how it’s (I’d say) incorrectly attributed to Colin in season 3 - which is, Benedict being the emotional rock of the family. Violet says to Colin just before he goes to the ball to convince Penelope not to accept Lord Debling’s proposal “you’re always so eager to help others emotionally, you neglect your own emotions, so now it’s time for you to put yourself first” (not those exact words of course). But…but that’s Benedict…isn’t it?! I don’t recall any instances of the show demonstrating Colin being the emotionally supportive one, at least in comparison to this clear compilation we see here of Benedict and his caring and emotionally supportive nature, his empathy. The showrunners dont seem to care about any sort of consistency in writing characters, my gosh! Butchered season 3 that’s for sure. Which is why season 2 remains the vastly superior season imho.
I cannot believe we have to beg a show about Romance, that was adapted from a book about Romance, to give us actual Romance. I am so perplexed. Romance is continuously disrespected despite being the biggest genre and I. Just. Do. Not. Understand. The incessant need for drama in this show is beyond me. The butchering of Benedict sealed my hopes for S4. Based on the way Jess talks about the characters and her decisions, my expectations are zero. I expect nothing but mess from her. And I'm actually scared that Sophie might be Steve, idk, I feel like Jess likes shock factor and has little investment in good writing and storytelling
Agree.
As I wrote in another comment, I would like to see a romance with a bit of drama, not a drama with a bit of romance.
To answer your question, yes, I think you should read When He Was Wicked.
You would understand why Michael is so loved and how their story is so deep and touching on many levels.
I wanted more polin😭 they have such good chemistry and I felt like it was wasted on side plots. They also put Colin on the back burner which sucks.
yes read Francescas book. they can not tell her story book accurate in any way now thay micheal is micheala.
i don't care that they switched a gender but Francescas story was not the one to do it with. it doesn't work for her story at all
Excited for you to read Fran’s book! I would really love to hear your thoughts on some of the discussions being thrown around online lmao but I’m holding back from sharing them here to keep it spoiler free for non-book readers😅
Francesca story is one of my faves and I love michael .... would so enjoy your opinions and videos.
They messed up big time this season, the main leads were robbed of big romantic moments that we were hyped because of promotion. They completely destroyed Benedict, Eloise and Francesca characters which makes me wonder are they trying to get this show cancelled. I love these characters for five years but in this season many seems out of character or disinterested in those parts. The only highlight for me whenever Kanthony apeared as they stole the scenes, Gregory and Hyacinth were adorable and surprise surprise I really enjoyed Penelope and Fetherington in this season and i would not mind to call this season Fetherington's rather than Bridgerton..The another let down was Queen Charlotte, lady Danbury and Violet because after Queen Charlotte I was hoping more from these characters but i was sad we got nothing. Overall another lesson learn that never believe in promotional hype and also someone please fire Jess B because she is definitely trying to get this show cancelled.
If the show gets cancelled I will definitely feel it was done on purpose.
True that, everyone was so out of character, combined with the costumes I felt it was a parody
I feel like omitting the Lady Danbury friendship was on purpose because it was never really established in previous seasons. They knew of each other but (I might be forgetting them, so forgive me) I can't remember any scenes that had them together one on one. It would seem out of nowhere for her to suddenly care about Penelope's prospects. Lady Danbury is observant so the scene with them in the last episode where she said she suspected it was Penelope because only she loves the Bridgertons as much as she, Lady Danbury, does made sense but anything else would seem like they were trying to force a relationship that was never there. Now for Lady Danbury to be into Fran's prospects makes sense because she seems to be protective of all the Bridgerton girls. I thought they filled the role that Lady Danbury played in the books by giving part of that role to Madame Delacroix. Someone who believes in Penelope even when she doesn't believe in herself. Someone to encourage her not to give up and stay true to herself. To make Lady Danbury be the one to clap for her when the awkward silence fell would have made sense too and not felt out of place sense she is always championing for women to be bold and carve their own place in society, but I guess they wanted to show sisters supporting sisters? Or whatever way people are trying to justify that distraction (I would've even preferred Mr. Finch starting the applause over that. They could've released the bugs after)
I was cool with the dramatic engagement party and Pen giving up on lady Whistledown, only to revive her for Eloise’s sake. I was also ok with Colin finding out and being angry. But he needed to come around much, much quicker in my opinion. The entirety of the second half was weighed down by their argument. It should have been them against Cressida, against the Queen, against the world, not against each other. Also, poor writing for Eloise I think. She usually has her opinion known on everything, but when one of her favourite siblings and her best friend are at odds because of something she asked for, she chooses not to get involved? How hard would it have been to have her tell Colin that hes being an idiot? Even Violet, usually all over the emotional lives of her children was strangely absent from the second half of their story. 🤷♀️ Strangely she was busier worrying about Francesca not being in love enough with a man she clearly adored than concern herself with Colin not talking to his bride.
Been waiting for this video 😊
I know it took a while 🤭
I really don't like the books, so I'm not upset that things are different. What's upsetting is how rushed the season felt. All they did was squeeze multiple story line in the shortest time possible
I would LOVE to see your videos analysing Francesca's book yes please!!
Yes Lady Jenevia. Please read Francesca’s book and let us know what you think - your thoughts on how Francesca’s story was built up this season, the ramifications of genderbending, if the story can still be done with the genderswapped lead.
I completely agree with all you have said in your video. I would add to the criticism of the Polin season that they promoted that there was body positivity in the show. But in my opinion it wasn't enough. Penelope was gorgeous, but Colin didn't really cherish her body. There wasn't enough intimacy between the two and for me their sex scene was awkward, not sensual enough. Colin didn't help her to overcome her insecurities.
I definitely would like to see a video about Francesca's book (I think her story is the best in the book series) and how the gender swap would affect her story.
Also, I had the impression that in this season the show wanted to tick all the boxes according to the 2024 standards, but it wasn't consistent and organically developed and it is getting rather ridiculous than really inclusive:
- the Lord in the wheelchair (he appeared only once at a ball and we never saw him again, although he told Penelope that he would call on her and was a fan of Lady Whistledown, it would have been interesting to see his reaction to the revelation of her identity)
- the deaf debutant (we didn't know anything about her just that she is deaf, how she feels in this society? what are her struggles? how she interacts with people other than her mother?)
- the vegetarian Lord Debling who wants to save birds (and who disappeared in thin air after the first part)
- the neurodivergent (or simply introvert?) Francesca (who at the end happens to be queer for the sake of a queer love story in the show although she fought and stood for the quiet and simple love with John just to flush it down to the toilet at the end)
- the bi Benedict (I had the impression that the writers didn't have any idea how to develop his story, ok we know that he likes adventures and fun, but we don't know if he has any struggles, desires, fears and doubts about his identity, and as you said in your video, the show completely forgot his artistic, romantic and caring personality)
- the overweight Penelope (with whom the show wanted to spread body positivity but who wasn't cherished and supported enough by her love interest)
They wanted to include too much thing at the same time and failed to focus on the main couple. At the end, it was a weird mixture of Regency era constraints (the only prospect of a woman is to find a man to marry, Lords of high society can't keep their middle class job, people have to hide their sexual preferences) and the modern standards (inclusion and representation) which led to a total mess in this season in my opinion.
They made a mistake switching Benedict and Colin's seasons. Benedict was ready for his time to shine, Colin was not. Colin needed one more season to be fleshed out, Benedict didn't. That's why Ben's storyline in S3 is basically a dud.
I haven't rewatched the previous seasons, seeing through these clips how Benedict was in them just makes his story this season even worse
You have put into words exactly how I feel about Season 3. I binged the first half on the day of release, but waited three days for the second half. I was scared to watch because I wasn't sure it could live up to my expectations. Polin is my favorite couple, but season 2 is my favorite realization of what a romance should be. All of that aside, your ending made me laugh out loud - chef's kiss!!!!! Love your content.
🎳🤭
Would be interested in the Francesa book review
I’m new to your channel, but I’m in awe of you and feel like just listening to you could make me a better writer. I was working on a screenplay last year until I experienced a significant loss in my life, but even before that, there was so much anxiety built around writing and not feeling talented/good enough that it became too easy to abandon everything. But I hope I find it in me to write again.
I WISH the writers/producers of the show would create a focus group with people like you and fans of the books for feedback. Obviously you can’t make everyone happy, but there’s been so much common feedback like much of what you mentioned on here that I HOPE it’s made its way to them so they can keep it in mind for the next season.
Also, I love that you mentioned Ruby Barker and the importance of taking care of the show’s cast. People assume that if you’ve made to a major show you have access to all you need, but unlike having a steady job, you don’t have the consistent support system you need in that industry, I’m assuming unless you’ve joined a union, but even then, I don’t know what all of that includes.
I feel like if they'd been able to hire help and then turn the club over to being an "investment" instead of his "work" then the Ton would have been more likely to shrug and move on. They just needed to hire someone on full time BEFORE they were gifted the title to their son.
Cressida's unnecessary plot-line is the side plot that irked me the most. I know some people liked that plot line and I'm not saying the plot in itself is bad. What's irksome is that they did not need to spend the season making her seem 'decent' in order to create a villain arc to use her as a foil to Penelope's plans. Her villain arc had already been established since season one. They did not need to 'turn her evil' in order to convince us that she would do those things to Penelope. She's BEEN doing those things to Penelope for 2 straight seasons. We didn't need more convincing to accept her acceleration in awfulness, since she's always been awful. Her plot-line in s3 is only worthwhile IF they redeemed her. Otherwise we just end up where we started, with nothing gained and a total waste of time.
We needed more Polin, and more happy in-love Polin, not sleeping on the couch drama.
If I'm here for a romantic story, give me the romance. I don't even care about steamy scenes, I want romance, chemistry, and maybe some sexual tension (without the sex) is that too much to ask?
The implication that Colin and Eloise both are simply jealous of Pen and not hurt by the LW reveal seemed under cooked and rushed. Esp for Colin.. they should hv maybe shown Colin trying hard and failing to be published
As always I find your analyzis interesting. I appreciate the way you speak and your humour.
I liked the montage at the end but was not expecting the last part 😂
There are many points I agree with. Some I would nitpick about.
But mostly : thank you for speaking about the bad experiences the poc actors go through and the lack of support they receive from the show runners (the very people who choose to hire poc actors and should take responsibility and protect them).
It never occurred to me that this was happening to them and I am appalled... They are talented, shouldn't it be all that matters?
It's happened before where I get pushback for being critical about things in the Bridgerton universe because they felt I should be giving it more grace because it's being more 'inclusive' in regards to hiring BIPOC actors and my larger point is that hiring isn't enough if the working conditions are causing harm and/or not providing the necessary healthcare for what the job entails! 👀🤷🏻♀️
I read their story twice (polin). I really liked the book Colin and Penelope. I do love the actors though.
My concerns with gender bending Michaela are not about if it is a queer story or not. It is more of the fact that by having a female/female romance in this show in particular you go against the rules the show have established for themselves in their world building. It’s like what you mentioned with Eloise spending 2 years looking for whistledown and Cressida finding who she is on one night and with the simplest action. The writers have established that queer romance is not accepted in the ton. That was established in the first season. It was also established that only males can inherit. It is something that comes up over and over again. So, by having Michael by Michaela and trying to stick to the original story you would have to throw away what you have established already. Or if you decide to change everything completely for us to have a queer romance, you cannot expect the book fandom not to be upset.
Francesca is not my favorite character and her book is not my favorite either. I liked them, but my favorite is still Benedict and his book. So I am not one of the people upset because they are potentially changing their favorite book or male love interest.
I just think that in any story you should establish how your world works and then make your characters navigate that world, if not, then there is no consistency and anything can happen just because. And then it’s when people say things feel rushed, out of nowhere or forced.
I love POLIN, so I enjoyed the season overall…. But I definitely did not like the the strung out drama, lack of conversations & happy moments for our couple. It definitely felt like Colin’s character development was sacrificed to focus more on Penelope. I can’t see how this overcrowding of the main characters isn’t going to continue. It seems like the nature of this ensemble cast. The keep adding characters, are they going to cut any? It’s the Bridgertons, they need to start focusing on the family as the main cast & everyone else is just guest appearances, not with separate storylines. I struggle to see how Benedict’s story is going to be adapted. Society & balls do not play a large part in it.
They keep adding main characters, but haven’t retained the actual previous main characters.. I wanted to see at least Daphne😢
Yes, I think you should read Francesca's book. I do not mind that they made Michael into Michaela but I hated that they destroyed the whole seasons set up of Francesca and John slow burn (realistic) love story. For me, the best part of Fran's book is that she had two great loves. They were different but both were amazing. Right now it looks like they (the show) is setting up a love triangle where Fran is really in love with Michaela and not in love with John at all.
I also think the whole season would have been better if Colin and learned the WD stuff before proposing like in the book. We need more Polin and less pointless side plots. I wanted more like the clips you showed at the end. Romance not s*x.
As a fellow Benedict fan, this season was rough on him. It was out of character. The scene that keeps sticking out to me was when Paul asks him what he does. "Do you draw or paint?" Benedict - "No, I like to dance at balls." Like what!?? He just gave it all up because Anthony bought his spot in art school. It like the new show runner did not even watch the last two seasons.
I agree that we need more Bridgerton sibling interaction always.
Season 3 Benedict was so far out of character in a way that made so little sense that my brain has basically rejected 95+ percent of it (keeping only small bits such as him being officially bi, his cute moments with Gregory and Hyacinth, and his pep talk for John).
I am not a fan of this season. Not enough Penelope and Colin talking! They are a couple who love writing each other and love writing!!! I need more words between them! Benedict’s story was predictable and repetitive and I will say it BORING! Kate and Anthony were lovely but they kept disappearing. Oh and they wrecked Francesca’s charming love story. I will not be rewatching this season. I am so disappointed and I am thinking about not watching the next season.
Yes, you are right Lady Jenevia about Colin becoming more interesting and likeable like Anthony did is season two. And the splitting of the season was RUBBISH!!!
Oh and Lady Jenevia I LOVE your new shirt!!! I would love to hear a travel video about your trip to the Mama Land!
this may be a unpopular opinion.. but, I didnt mind it. I think the divide of time should have been more about the couple. I did like the later episodes. Its not absolutely bad.. I think the appearance of michaela has been more controversial and i would have waited to introduce a change like that 🤷🏻♀️
Agreed, I also don't know why people complain about how dramatic season 3 was, + the couple not being nothing happy until the end as if season 2 doesn't exist
I had….a lot of thoughts on this season. All the weird, unnecessary steamy scenes really put me off. I already skip most steamy scenes because they make me uncomfortable and I don’t find them interesting.
I also don’t believe Benedict, a romantic would participate in a casual threesome. I have always interpreted him as someone who desires a deep connection with a single person, not a threesome, but this is my own interpretation.
I definitely think you should read Francesca’s story. Her arc and Michael’s were easily the most moving out of all the Bridgerton books, and I am definitely not a huge fan of the books. They touch on important and sensitive subjects I was looking forward to being adapted, and Michael’s arc is tied to his gender, which is why I was not a fan of the gender swap. I also just don’t understand why they would genderbend the most popular male character from the original books, especially when a gender swapped lead could have worked better narratively for other characters.
Concerning Polin, I am in a state of complete and utter apathy, which is honestly worse than hatred. I have nothing to say because to me nothing of significance happened. I was just tired by the end.
I sincerely hope the next season has a better show runner and writing team. I enjoy Bridgerton and I want to see it succeed as I enjoy consume dramas and want to see more.
I am one of the people who is a bit upset about the genderswap of Michaela at first.
Mainly because the producer and the author JQ said that they will keep the couples the same with the book. So it built my expectation that they won't change anything about the couples. And I imagine that's also what the other bookreaders felt. And you are right this also happen in season one with the race swapping character of Simon, it also create controversy at the time. Because the idea of putting people of colours in regency era as english aristocrats sounds odd. Some of the bookreaders didn't even bothered to watch the shows until now because of it... But the producer hit a success with this changes about the race. It create a new fantasy that all people can enjoy and see themselves in this kind of life. So, I think it's a good change.
So, based on this experience, I am determined to be open minded with the genderswap. Who knows what kind of progress created in the Bridgerton world.
But I am also sceptical about the genderswap in the future seasons. Mainly because the writing... The quality of the writing is declining each season. I feel like I have to crawl to reach the end of Season 3. To much expositions in the dialogue and less banter. I agree with you on "show, don't tell." It should have been the mantra that they put in the writers room.
I mean for example, they should have shown flashback of penelope and Colin when they first met instead of just talking about it. Or they should have show Colin chasing the carriage with a dramatic music in the background before the carriage scene (it will make the scene more dramatic and earned with the built up) .
Or they should have make the scene after Colin caught Pen as Lady Whistledown, they should have shown Colin still care about her safety and angrily told her to get into the bloody carriage because no matter if she is lady whistledown, she is still his fiance. And this also would be fit with his character as a caring person. and their relationship after marriage is full of this angry banter instead of angsty, it should be sweet kind of angry with a bit of angsty. Because they both have their own reasons of why they felt angry with each other. This will show Pen and Colin already as an old married couple lol. They should have shown their relationship like this,, I mean they are friends to lovers, right? They can pour their feelings to each other as much as they like.
And that's why I agree with the commenter who said the comment Jane Austen and Grey's Anatomy lol.
The audience want more romance, and less drama.
But instead, we get a "tell and don't show" Kind of writing. I am afraid it won't help to the queer community with the case of Michaela and benedict, if they can't fix their writing style. People will just think that the queer storylines are just another forced representations.
And it also didn't help that the producer rarely listen to the critics especially the crucial one. people already criticized the writing since season 2, and after season 3 the quality is declining.
I hope in the future seasons, they will improve the scripts so the new changes will get more justice.
It will be a lot of work for the writers, but since they are brave enough to change the races and genders, they should be brave enough to write better.
I’m game for you reading Franny’s book and then doing a video on it. Literally yelled yes yes yes while watching this. IMHO the gender bending highly changes the story. They’ve already made changes to her relationship with John.
@@fromtheashess true, I don't like how they make Frannie hesitate after kissing John
I’m game for you reading Franny’s book and then doing a video on it. Literally yelled yes yes yes while watching this. IMHO the gender bending highly changes the story. They’ve already made changes to her relationship with John.
Omg it's finally here
I can't wait to watch this and even more videos of you complaining about Bridgerton because it soothes my soul
LMAO I have 3-4 Bridgerton video topics on the to-do list (in-between other non-Bridgerton videos) and most of them are about things I LIKE from the show. 😂
I think a lot of the girlies see their own situationships reflected in Pen and Colin’s story….And that explains a lot of the reactions.
It was frustrating how little Colin and Penelope were in season 3 when it was their season. I hope the writers didn’t give into the negative input from execs and social media that are too focused on traditional beauty. Women that are fuller bodied than the rest of the female romantic characters need to see themselves as lovable and f’able too!!
Technically if the genders were swapped and tilly was a male artist that he had discovered passion with and a woman was introduced as the third, him say that he loved male tilly while the man wasn't ready to be exclusively male and him eventually realizing that as well would've been more understandable, but yes Eloise would've made more sense as the bi bridgerton. They pissed me off with Francesca not even getting the love story with her husband before they just shipped her with another sex. Even if she got there eventually, it should've happened later, you know?
22:31 Benedict emotional labour scenes from season 3:
1. Drawing room before and after Colin arrives late for breakfast
2. With Colin the night before his wedding
3. At the wedding breakfast with Eloise
4. On the swings with Eloise
In all fairness it’s nothing like season 2 but a compilation of them would be appreciated