I wish we had seen more of Colin’s feelings towards pen. What changed? The kiss? I wish we could have seen him write in his journal and think about her. And what he is seeing different in her. What changed? Because I don’t see what made him change.
I definitely think that’s one of the difficulties of the adaptation in that we aren’t as tuned in to all the internal thoughts. I think it was the kiss but I would have loved to see the axis tilt a little more in that
@@bookishmelodyyes it was the kiss, and while the book states he has his realisation in the moment just BEFORE the kiss, the book itself absolutely underscores it only happened then. In fact, Collin’s guilt is the main reason he struggles with his feelings. Not the pressure to be someone he is not. It’s his shame at his jealousy (at her writing success as Lady W) and shame at his previous pity towards Penelope that make his sudden romantic feelings a bit more interesting. I still don’t love how Book Collin gets there. Very much “just a man” type nonsense.
@@bookishmelody I didn't like the kiss scene and the instrumental music. I like 'give me everything tonight' as an instrumental modern version, but it just didn't suit this couple. what have they done to this couple this season? I like Nicola's acting, it must be Luke's acting and the script that was available to them that didn't allow them to build up their feelings and their love story in screen.
More discussions please you’re the only person who’s actually seen the show the way I do and out of all the surface reviews and criticisms it is great to have these long breakdowns and explanations and be able to discuss the good and bad about the effort the show makes to do these two justice
@@bookishmelody Anything you want honestly you could break down more of their romantic scenes or how they’ve done their dynamics in the previous seasons to now, I loved the Eros and Psyche conversation did you notice how Lady whistle down taking all the attention from the queen and her insecurity with that which is what will lead her to trying to out lady whistle down dynamic mirrors Venus hate for psyche and the trials she sets for her to fail? The two sisters of psyche also mirror the two sisters getting married and Penelope feeling cursed per say to be single and alone, until Eros ie Colin shows up again as the right suitor, the masks off which you discussed seeing your lovers true face and truth, fighting head vs heart to fit in society and more, psyche messing up due to her doubts and her need to feel secure which mirrors Pens fight in part 2 to not lose her freedom of her dreams and purpose as whistledown also in the book? And anything else you want to talk about I just love breaking down the reasons for why they do what they do abit haphazardly like balloon scene when she’s meant to be frozen cause she’s shocked seeing him do heroic stuff and it causes her to be almost in danger whilst why he gains confidence and urgency to run tor he ballon is cause he sees her in front of it and notices she could be in danger etc and many more lol breaking down all their book scenes the positive and negative that was shown in the show, the lack of flashbacks to flesh out Colin and kinda again that whole lack of purpose and personality thing he’s afraid of because he isn’t as brooding and experienced as the other guys that had more dimension to them due to their traumas in their flashbacks, etc
All excellent possibilities and A+ analysis, especially on that Eros and Psyche breakdown! I definitely stayed pretty large picture here because I knew even then it would be long (and I was right!). I’ll ponder how best to tackle some of this!
Love this! I completely agree- I think Part 1 was like a whirlwind with so many ups and downs. Overall, I enjoyed it A LOT but there were things that could have been done better. Just a few thoughts based on what you said in the video: 1. I really think there needed to be more Polin scenes in Part 1. As with S2, too much of the screentime is spent with less important storylines and it felt like Colin and Pen barely interacted before they declare their love for each other. The "lessons" lasted for barely 1 episode and that was disappointing. I wanted to see more lessons or just chats between the two of them where Colin teaches Pen how to be confident. I would have liked to see more time spent with Pen ignoring Colin at the beginning. They became "friends" too quickly and that was not satisfying. We also could have used more flashbacks. I would have loved to see Colin and Pen becoming friends as a flashback rather than just a convo between them. 2. I loved the way they portrayed Eloise this season. Her 'holier-than-thou' I-am-not-like-the-other-girls schtick was getting really annoying and I was happy to see they finally gave her some growth. She actually listens to other people. I think the scene after Pen writes about Colin helping her find a husband in Whistledown is very well done. Eloise looks truly sad for Pen and I think also comes to realize that Whistledown writing about her and Whistledown writing about others is not the same. Pen is a wallflower and does not have the Bridgerton family name to protect her. She is shunned from society and has to deal with people gossiping about her in a way Eloise never did. I think Pen wins her respect there because she writes about herself knowing she will face harsher repercussions. I think her arc of realizing her privilege through her interactions with Pen and Cressida are really well done. I actually think that in Part 2, she will be Pen's biggest supporters when everyone finds out she is Lady Whistledown. 3. I loved Francesca's characterization. I like that she is not as marriage-obsessed as Daphne was nor is she as flippant as Eloise. She is pragmatic and her approach to the marriage mart is sensible. I also like that the Queen comes to like her because of her talents on the piano forte and not just for her appearance or her family name. 4. I GREATLY missed Kanthony. I know they did not want to steal Polin's thunder but their disappearance from the series feels a bit too contrived. I would have liked to see Kanthony being in the picture as Francesca deals with suitors or as Colin struggles with fitting into the mold of a "gentleman." Imagine a Anthony and Colin heart to heart- that would have been amazing. They are the heads of the Bridgerton household, and nothing would convince me that Kate and Anthony, being the devoted family people they are, would have missed these important milestones. 5. I am genuinely confused about what they are going to do with Benedict when his season comes along. They have had him floundering in weird and disconnected storylines for the past 2 seasons and S3 Part 1 seemingly continues that tradition. There seems to be very little character development with him beyond his sexual exploits. Still, I am a stan so eagerly awaiting part 2. I am so READY for the angst. 💕😅
I really hope you have more Bridgerton (TV) commentary, obviously part 2, but anything else you find interesting to / worth break[ing] down. I am a reader, so you’ve earned a subscription and I can’t wait to see what other works you review relevant to me. But I found your channel because of the show, and I’m not gonna lie, I teared up a little once or twice at your commentary. This is honestly the deepest / most intellectual analysis of the show so far that I’ve been able to find, and despite wont for a better expression, I’m here for it.
I’m not gonna lie either, I teared up a bit at this comment. Thank you for the kind words! I’m working on some ideas to hopefully have some weekly Bridgerton content (🤞🤞) leading up to Part 2 -and the wherever that leads. Likely will have a live to discuss part 1 as a group soon too. Thanks for being here!
Ever since the series has come out, I’ve been watching interview after interview, and then commentary after commentary and I have learned a lot of Easter eggs in the show that I missed the first time I saw it. One was whenever she’s with Lord Debling she is dressed in Bridgerton blue. Also, in the third episode after Penelope finished her cupcake, it flashes to Colin finishing a bite of cake. Fire, increasing in intensity or decreasing has a lot to do with the strength of the Bridgerton couple connection. At the end of episode four, the lamp on Collins desk, the candle goes out. It’s like Penelope has finally resolved her feelings about moving on from Colin. It’s heartbreaking.
Something you touched on, but I feel deserves shouting out a thought for... I decided after reading Romancing Mr. Bridgerton again that I could not go into the show expecting a perfect adaptation. We all know this as readers that it is rare for an adaptation to "get it perfect", all we can hope for is that they capture the spirit. These versions of Colin and Penelope in the show are not the same as the book. So for me, I believe I enjoyed it much more than others might have because I am viewing them completely as a separate entity from book Polin and anytime even a hint or a glimpse of something from the book is utilized I am delighted. Those who have only watched the show vs those who have read the book have such different expectations from it, and I wonder if those who have read RMB would benefit from letting go of the book and jumping in to the world of viewing it only from the perspective of a viewer without prior knowledge if they are having difficulties with the changes. Difficult to do, I know! However it helped me. I was personally not bothered by Colin's escapades because it does show more of his personal struggles with feeling true intimacy and the expectations of men in their society. But I agree eith your comment "Colin discovers toxic masculinity" 😂 I think it is a welcome change from Colin's rather physical anger in the book. It may have been over the top at times, but it also is an effective way to show his trying to fit in, or "people please" as you mentioned. Having watched the 4 episodes three times now over the course of the weekend, I am more certain now than ever that I will not be able to form a full opinion until after part 2 comes out. (Redundant, but true). I am so interested to see the LW reveal almost as much as their fully coming together as a couple. The fact that he knew when he proposed in the book vs his being in the dark still in the show is such an intriguing change.
I love how Mama Bridgerton always knows exactly what to say to make her children’s think to put them on the right path. All of those conversations between her and her ‘children’ are just beautiful.
Excellent recap of first part! I loved it! I thought they did a great job setting up the second half of the season. I am weary of the angst to come I hope they don’t sit in it too long. Both Pen and Colin are so funny and warm and I want to see them together this way.
I want a comedic reveal. Just over the too. I don’t want sadness especially after seeing the headline of Luke saying, “their happiness won’t last long”. That better mean eps. 5 and 6 only. Don’t hurt us Shondaland.
@@bookishmelody But disappointed they change who Collin is into a f_ _k boy, this just doesn't do his character justice TBH. I think they needed to be showing some possible dawning moments with Colin at least wondering about Penelope too. I too would have liked to have seen flashbacks from their childhood.
I agree that a lot of the tension and angst is set up for part 2. The lack of Lady Danbury and Penelope interaction kind of punctuated how alone Penelope was in trying to be more active in her life, even with the lessons with Colin. So we can really see how there is no wiser older character to guide her like Colin has with Violet for example. Much like Cressida, she has to make her way with the examples she's been given at home. But I do hope we get at least one Danbury/Penelope interaction in part 2. The Colin philandering I can see being contentious too. But I can see why they did it that way, an element of how he learns what social pressure vs his true wants and self are. And within the show, we have seen similar behavior with the other love interests. The choice to have him visit the establishment though ties into that sense of self-delusion or crafting an expected mask. And it did feel as though we get to see more of the mechanisms behind society in this part. We've seen how the debs hunt, and now through Colin we get a glimpse of how young men go through their own coming out in a sense. Even if it does feel cheap or seedy. I think we are now set up to see what real connection and intimacy are in part 2. Want to touch on Debling here. I think they did a great job making him a true contender. His and Penelope's first interaction felt like a moment of someone actually seeing her, in a way even Colin or Eloise hasn't really. I do hope it foreshadows a great triumphant moment for Penelope in part 2, especially as we've been teased through promo that a theme of the season is characters coming into their power.
Yes to all this! I definitely think Penelope’s isolation in the first part was important to the story arc and had me all kinds of emotional a lot of the time. And I think seeing her active and trying amidst this isolation made it hit that much more. I agree about Debling! It gets at the idea of who these characters truly are and how right now they’re in love with the idea of their person they clasped on to. But the HEA is coming. Wonderful thoughts; Thanks for sharing!
I always say that he comes back that way because he didn’t have Penelope, worrying to him on his travels to keep him levelheaded. It was almost cringy but I understand it
Portia intrigued me this season. I feel Portia does love her daughters in her odd way. She did expect Penelope to take care of her, but in an odd way, her tone felt like, I want you to. And she knows Prudence and Phillipa does not have a kinship to her. I feel her advice comes from how she is raised. I feel that her marriage wasn’t filled in love and that is what she is putting on Penelope. I feel she did try to make Penelope feel better by saying, “men aren’t everything”. It was one of the first scenes where you see how sad she is for her. Polly, your acting choices are chef’s kiss. Her advice in the library and about love comes from that patriarchal society that gets internalized and passed on. Portia is a little modern, but still has this backwards ideology. When Penelope cried asking, “do you only care if I have a lord’s ring on my finger”, portia ignored Prudence for the first time and looked broken hearted when Penelope left. Portia seems like the person who believes criticism is love and does not understand how her words hurt. She believes criticism is a way to toughen her girls up and become independent as well as be set in society. I may be overanalyzing, but this is the vibe I got from her.
No I think this is it and I think it’s everything her character has been leading to. She does love for Penelope but is still guilty of overlooking her/accidentally cutting her down with words. But we see that love come out in the scene at the window. It retains a lot of humor from the book, but it adds so much depth. I can’t wait to see what they do with part 2 and if Portia finds out just how much her daughter Penelope actually is. I feel like they’re setting it up.
Two scenario of friends to lovers that I really want to see played out on screen are: 1. Child Colin and Penelope in their first meet up where Pen started to fall in love with Colin due to his kindness. Ohh.. how it would melt hearts of Polin fans. 2. Colin formally courting Pen. With all the efforts Colin put into serenading Marina, Pen deserves so much so. Flowers, Promenades, daily calling in the house with intention of courtship. Pen truly deserves all these actions much as those sweet words in the carriage.
I’m unsure if we’ll get 1 since they referenced their first meeting in part 1 but maybe some flashbacks yet to come! On 2, with all the Lady Whistledown drama yet to come, and anticipating Colin not reacting well, I hope there are moments of him trying to woo her
You discussed subtleties. I feel these subtuitlties did show Colin making Penelope more daring and herself while Lord debling helped with her honesty. Colin’s recollection of how they first met and reassured her that she was always charming and witty and when she says “she is a lost cause”, he told her she isn’t and does have the skills, but just needs help bringing them about. Each suitor that he pushes her to talk to, the more she gains confidence to bring out that charm, wit, and personality she already has. Her lesson in the dressing room and him letting his facade down, she felt comfortable to reveal some of her feelings for her. The first kiss can be a thesis. Same with the carriage scene, but back to the kiss. Him just coming back to her and making sure she is ok gave her the courage to ask him for the kiss. She trusts him. He will do anything for her, but like that she doesn’t force him. I love that a big theme of the season is courage. Courage to be selfish when you put others ahead of yourself. Courage to be daring and honest, etc. Anyways, it is interesting that as soon as she has more power and confidence, his diminishes until like you said Violet encourages him to tell Penelope how he feels. One reason they work well is because they bring out the best in each other. They can be brave and vulnerable. They feel deeply and unintentionally hurt each other, but always manage to make up. Sorry this is so long.
Absolutely! Do not apologize thanks for the excellent thoughts! I’m definitely hoping to go back and track their interaction beats more specifically. I knew even talking generally we’d end up where we did length wide so appreciate more specifics!
Love your in depth comparison of the book and show. I appreciate that someone else has thought as much about the book vs show as I. 🤓Keep up the great work! Looking forward to going back to your previous season videos.
I definitely tried watching the show almost as if it was a fanfic of the book, cause of course they're gonna change stuff. And when book stuff came up, I squealed with joy. I did feel a bit sad though that we didn't get the Musicale and the Lady D/Pen friendship. But I have to just remind myself, the book is always there for me to reread lol I really enjoyed the show. I was honestly surprised that ppl were so upset about there being other storylines (It's always been an ensemble show, so that was confusing to me) And ppl also being upset that there wasn't enough Kanthony confused me as well. I assumed we'd get like one or two scenes of them like they did with daphne in season 2. I feel like there's already been more with them and it's only halfway through. Anyways, I loved hearing your analysis. It's nice to hear from someone who has read the books as well. 😊
So much to say! I am so happy to hear your thoughts! I was waiting for it. I cried so much while watching the 4 episodes, not always full tears, but misty-eyed and then finally at the crescendo of Ep. 4 I was screaming and then afterwards crying because I was so full of different emotions. I am beyond happy with the adaptation because while I also loved the book I wanted to see specific things updated. I love what they have done so far, and part 2 can't come soon enough! I did wish we had maybe seen a flashback to their first meeting, but the fact that they had Colin remember it in detail was really sweet. I missed certain lines from the book, but am beyond thrilled with the lines they did include. The first kiss scene was done very well for having to update it to the current shows timeline and circumstances that brought it about. I was pleasantly satisfied with all his staring at her from across a room. I also liked Debling as a character and thought it brought in a good dynamic for Colin to be jealous (omg the pining, the dreaming!) That was much needed for the drama of the show. The stakes were already high, but it was a good choice I feel to bring in Debling. I am definitely missing the Danbury/Penelope friendship, and I wonder if Debling's seeing her worth takes place of Danbury being impressed by her. I also feel the music was the weakest part of the show this season... some of the song choices were spot on, but I definitely felt that many were misplaced, like Jealous. However, Give Me Everything worked far better than I anticipated. I have hope for part 2 with the music, perhaps they are saving the best for the second half. (Also personal win... I convinced my mom to watch the show, she binged all of it S1-S3.5 in a weekend and now I have someone to actually talk about all of this with. So yay!)
Yessss for getting mom on board! Thoughts on point as always. I got teary so many times. I don’t think it had fully hit home to me how much I still related to Penelope. Which is why I got all kinds of emotional when she asked for that kiss. So glad that was kept. For the Wallflowers indeed!
Give me anything was perfect. And it ties in with the first kiss. When she says, “i may die tomorrow” i skip to the carriage scene in my mind, “we may not get tomorrow”. There are genius things that they added this season. Some needed work, but a lot of it was well written. I still love listening to the soundtrack. Wish jealous wasn’t as faint in the background because it suited Colin’s feelings and arc perfectly.
I meant to comment this the day it came out but I forgot. I actually found ‘snow on the beach’ in episode 4 a lot more narratively cohesive in that moment for Colin rather than Penelope. While I personally prefer Penelope’s journey in the first half of realising that she can want what she wants and accepting what her future holds, the show does try to center the Bridgerton in the pair. Colin building that courage to go up to Pen and Debling and society in general and bucking propriety to stop that dance is something that if reflected in the chorus of that song very beautifully, and even part of his inability to be as honest as he wanted mirrors the bridge of the song. As a person who was never really a Snow on the beach person, I think its usage in that scene has really made me appreciate the song more.
Ohhh really good insertion about the Mondrichs and tying the book piece. Seeing Colin’s aspect about nobilities and work through other characters. I really like some of the song selections and some were spot on and some were not like you mentioned. How about the Happier Than Ever one….even though Pen is approached by Colin, she feels like she needs to decide her future and not wait around for him despite whatever mixed signals she thinks he’s giving….he has been making her feel that way forever. I’m really enjoying your breakdowns and learning so much, too! Look forward to more content on season 3!
Happier Than Ever, abcdefu, and Give Me Everything I think were my favorite use of songs in Part 1. Thanks for being here; Looking forward to diving into more!
I love hearing book perspective compared to the show. You're so sweet and I very much enjoy listening to your thoughts and predictions for what's to come in part 2.
Also, unrelated.. Have you read the When women were warriors series by Cathrine M. Wilson ? They aren't super well known but the romance is so beautiful. I can not find one person who's read them or is discussing them. They are quick reads and I'd love to hear about what you thought of them. 😊
@@gabrielleduplessis7388 Honestly! Lady Danbury is priceless in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton! I really like this season so far, but the season's plot and the book's plot don't live in the same zip code.
Maybe! It’s probably a blessing I didn’t know about it in context of the length of this. I was sitting there editing like 😅 And thank you! That really means a lot!
Loved this discussion, please continue; dive deeper! I love the dissection in comparison to the novels. I’ve not read the books but I have looked up synopses online and use that information to round out the characters in the show. I have been hoping that the teaser for part 2 showing the Lady Whistledown plot was a misdirect and maybe Penelope would tell Colin right away about her secret identity, but after watching this I think you’re right and they will drag it out for at least a couple episodes. Sigh. It will be such a betrayal if they ‘do it’ before she tells him the truth. Can’t wait to watch more.
@@bookishmelody ah but I hate conflict so much! Lol I know we need it for drama but I just want everyone to get along >.< I had almost convinced myself that because Colin knows the secret when he proposes in the book, that the show would catch up and Pen would tell him immediately in part 2. Wishful. Thinking. I went back and watched your videos about S2; I hadn’t realized how different the story beats were to TVWLM, dragging out the Anthony and Edwina of it all until the last possible moment for the drama, so S3 will almost certainly do the same… hey it worked for Kanthony! I get nervous tummy thinking about it though lol
I'm glad I found your channel. Also, not sure whether it was intentional, but your top clmpliments your hair color so well! Reminds me of Pen's color palette in this season.
I FEEL THE SAME, WITHOUT EVEN READING ANY COMMENTS. IT WAS INSTANTLY , AS I WATCHED THE EPISODES, I KNEW THAT MANY PARTS WERE ODD AND I COULDN'T FEEL THEIR EMOTIONS , THEIR CONNECTION, THEIR CHEMISTRY, AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDED AT FAST PACE. THE SCRIPT WAS VERY POOR, NO MEMORABLE LINES, NOT ALLOWING LUKE TO GET OUT OF HIS COMFORT ZONE TO 'FALL IN LOVE ON SCREEN' OF PENELOPE, FIGHT FOR HER, EXPRESS HIS TRUE FEELINGS AND WHAT HE LOVED ABOUT HER, HOW HE CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT HER. HAVING SO MANY EXPECTATIONS AND KNOWING HOW FASCINATING BRIDGERTON CAN BE AND HOW MUCH POTENTIAL THERE WAS IN EVERY MISSED OPPORTUNITY, I WAS A BIT SHOCKED OF SEASON 3. THEY WERE MY FAVOURITE COUPLE. I DISLIKE THE CARRIAGE SCENE, THE PROPOSAL, I DON'T WANT TO SEE SEX NEXT, I WANT TO SEE HIM COURTING HER AND CONVINCING HER THAT HE IS WORTHY OF HER LOVE, THAT SHE MEANS THE WORLD TO HIM. THE THREESOME KILLED COLIN'S PERSONALITY. THIS COUPLE WAS VERY SPECIAL. THE TRANSITION FROM FRIENDSHIP TO GENUINE LOVE DOESN'T NEED PERFECT ADAPTATION OF THE BOOK, BUT SOME CREDIBLE SCENES AND DIALOGUE, SOMETIMES A LINE, A TOUCH, A LOOK, EVEN A KISS MEANS MORE THAN HAVING INTIMACY. WE KNEW SHE ALWAYS LOVED HIM, BUT WHEN DID HE FALL INLOVE WITH HER AND HOW DOES PENELOPE LOOK THROUGH HIS EYES AND WHAT HE MOST LOVES ABOUT HER? SO MUCH TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY FEEL THAT WAS NOT EXPRESSED ON SCREEN.
@Julie-hf4ch Yes and the most upsetting thing to me was what they did to Colin's character this season. I hate it and I don't care about the reasoning behind it. It could've been done differently. We got Mr Worldwide personality, brothel threesmes, brief moments with Pen, brooding, and then suddenly they were in the carriage. I liked the carriage scene but only because of their insane chemistry. There should have been deeper conversations and a lead-up to that scene and definitely before that proposal, if that's what you wanna call it. I know he said that in the book, but I hate it and think it didn't make sense for show-Colin. It just blows my mind that they've repeatedly described this season as the most romantic season and now we're all the way to a proposal and there has been zero romance. I won't be able to re-watch part 1 and that just makes me sad. *And I don't need anyone reading this telling me that I don't understand the friends to lovers trope or some nonsense about how romantic it actually is... I don't and will never agree with you. I love these characters so much and am disappointed.
I’m never going to begrudge a Taylor Swift song (except maybe Long Live at the end of the Buccaneers Season 1 because it made so little sense to me to ally or in terms of the storytelling moment especially when contrasted with a brilliant use of “Nothing New” earlier in the season) and it does absolutely still fit in this moment despite my tendency to lean toward august
Enjoyed this video. I'm not sure if what I'm going to say now makes any sense, and/or forgive me if you've already discussed this. I've often found myself thinking about the book to show changes, and what is happening lately. It seems to me that this season is largely resetting a lot about what bothered many book readers about the plots and characters after season 1 especially (and some season 2). It seems interesting to think about how the juggernaut that Bridgerton has become, was by no means a sure thing when it first came out. The writers and showrunner were trying to get maximum drama and plot plot plot, and in some instances made choices caused some interesting knots that they now seem to be trying to unravel. I'm happy to have a new showrunner. Oops, if we are going to get to Eloise's story, how do we fix the Philip Crane situation? They could've made any non-book character PC. Oh no, we seem to have (accidently?) queer coded both Eloise and Benedict? Let's give them hetero storylines. Oh no, now how do we move Eloise along and get rid of Theo? Too much angst and not enough HEA for Anthony and Kate, we need some married life. Making LW pen behind the Colin and Eloise dramas now needs unraveling, and it will be interesting to see how that all plays out. I really think that by the end of this season we will be a bit closer to the books - I hope in a good way, as I don't necessarily think that adhering too close to the source material is a good idea either. I also liked the way they used the brothel scenes. In the first we see Colin in the end game of being a rake. All physical no emotions. After he kisses Pen, he starts to go through the motions, but not only does he not partake, he can't even bring himself to watch. I've read more than one book with this scenario. Sorry this went on so long. Also - Justice for the Smyth-Smiths! (did you clock the Kenworthy name mention in Ep 1?)
Excellent thoughts! There’s a part of me that is forever in the moment of them announcing Bridgerton as part of Shondaland and me sitting there like “wait is there another Bridgerton?” And oh no I missed Kenworthy and I am due for rereads of the Smythe-Smith (and other non-Bridgerton books)!
Not having read the books, I thought they used the brothel scenes effectively, just as you say, to highlight the emptiness of that toxic male use of women for Colin. He's a romantic. The purposeless lifestyle of the Ton isn't lost on him. He wants more creatively, emotionally and romantically.
@@bookishmelody I remember when they first announced it. I thought, oh Shonda wants to take another crack at a period piece. She had a pilot fail (I know!?!) with a Gilded Age series called Gilded Lilys. Then, it took so long for anything else to come out that I wondered if it would happen. One of the debutantes mentioned by LW was a Miss Kenworthy.
I loved Francesca and John They had me giggling. They had less screen time but I felt more chemistry with them than with polin. But the carriage scene was great
Yes! Because Polin aren’t being their “true” selves yet…or maybe just because we just haven’t seen enough of that dynamic fleshed out. But either way, I love what we’ve been given of Francesca and John this season.
At the end of the last episode the carriage arrives to Bridgerton house. Not featherington. I always adored the book scene how Colin goes to the featherington Tuesday party and tells Portia he is marrying Penelope and defends her and mentions all the reasons he loves her. I wonder how that will Work with the new change. The preview of part 2 looks like that scene is going to be at Bridgerton house and like almost sinister.
Did you notice how it switched? Her carriage vs his. His house instead of hers. I think the trailer is like that to be more dramatic. It may be happier in the episode. I’ll be happier!!!!! Plus the scene where he defends Penelope against her mother is still supposed to happen.
I don’t understand what made Colin change his mind. Penelope acts the same still acts insecure. So I’m confused what made him now have feelings for her. I thought he would see her more confident and like over him.
I think you’re right in that the first part doesn’t have this clear moment of reversal for Colin. We are relying on the beats of the “rom com” structure rather than real revelation. And I wonder if this will come into play more in part 2 or be left dangling.
In my opinion, he always loved her, but given she is a family friend and him knowing her since she was young he is putting the gentleman wall where he doesn't really see her as a woman despite being in love, the kiss on the other hand broke that wall he had and he felt like he was allowed to look at her in that way, it's like being raised with someone so much you tend to forget that you are allowed to love them, so yeah he had a moment of awakening about his hidden feelings and love
Loved your analysis of the show (versus the book). Really enjoyed the first part, especially scenes taken from the book. Francesca's story is my favorite, but Colin's and Eloise's take second place (can't decide, but liked the storys of all the siblings, reread them several times in the last 15 years). Ok, Michael&Sir Phillip& Colin are my favorite men in the series. The kiss/carriage scenes were so romantic, sensual and heart-wrenching... Wonderful acting and the music really highlighted the emotions. Somehow the Lady Tilly part did not touch me, and as you, I thought she didn't seem to fit into the regency setting. Can't we just have a masquerade ball at the end of the season, with a glimpse of Sophie? As for the role Lady Tilly could possibly play in the future, wouldn't she be a bit older? And have daughters who live in the household? I am almost 60 and have been reading romances since I was about 12, especially Regency romances (also read other genres). These last few years the focus point has been more on non-fiction books, but you have reminded me to jump into the world of romances again, which I so love. 💗 Thank you and greetings from Germany! 🙂
What I love about romance series is we get to experience all the variations! Yes, you may be right about Lady Tilly, honestly I can overthink a lot. I’m not exactly seeing the vision yet but we’re only halfway through. 😂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts from Germany!
Thank you for another great analysis! I enjoyed the first part but did feel like they have about three stories too many! Let's see if they sort out in the next round though looking at the trailer, I think are getting more not less 😂
Thanks for tuning in again! And 😬. I guess we’ll see. I’d hoped they’d learned from some of the missteps of the last season. But I love that, like with the books, we can be giddy and celebrate the good and still have critiques.
@@bookishmelody Same! And some shows feel like they get a bit messy and then by the end, we are thrilled it happened that way. Fingers crossed for that!
A lover of books and movies, long ago I let go of wanting adaptations to "do" the book (except, of course for Shakespeare and Austen - don't MESS with my favorites!).
I agree with everything, i love this review and all the points you highlighted. Brilliant. And I agree with you about Snow on the beach...I mean...you're on your own kid was...right..there 😢
I think that what i have seen from the show us a lot if modernizing of the tropes. I think also they got the emotional stakes are higher for pen to take off her mask. I am interested to see what they do with Eloise's story and how much they lean into the Benedict bey mistress storyline. I also wonder how far they will lean into the Duke being related to Sophie etc. in the next season. I also wonder with the future building if the woman in the silver dress will show up later in the season. Using the break to the country to show the time jump. Like have it be a background event. Maybe even build the climax of Collin protecting pen's writing drama from hurting her and Benedict not playing his part because he is distracted by the silver dressed lady so this opens up the possibility of drama. I think that makes good visual tension. I think that is the biggest issue with romance book to screen. A lot of the tention and interest comes from being in the mind of the characters.
I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts! Not unexpectedly, I didn't enjoy cringey Colin. It really kind of made me dislike him. It was just too over the top. I do think the brothel scenes were gratuitous. Like they were trying to hit a nudity quota. Also, I would have much preferred meaningful scenes between Kate and Anthony instead of two sex scenes then they disappear. You didn't talk about the balloon scene. What do you think? They built it as Colin's heroic moment, but it just fell very flat to me. I didn't see it as particularly heroic at all. The camera angles felt off. Why did Penelope just fall over? But, they even put a hot air balloon in the opening credits.
Yeah; there is so much to talk about still considering I talked so dang much here 😂 One thing is for sure with Colin, man is gonna have an identity crisis. I just hope we actually see more of it? Though, to be fair, I guess we didn’t really in the first half of the book either- but they had the opportunity to fit it. Yeah, the balloon was, there. Honestly, I kind of laughed a little with the framing of it and then just seeing the basket kind of awkwardly swinging, but I get it. Idk if it fully accomplished what they wanted to but it was at least visually interesting and something new. I’m gonna have to keep thinking on it.
I do think violet noticed more than she let on. The way she looked at them kinda hinted towards it but she is also trying something new because of Eloise. She is trying to give her kids a little more space to discover their feelings on their own to avoid pushing them too hard.
I so appreciate your comparative analysis! You've aaalmost got me interested in reading this book. The tiniest bits that get printed of Quinn's writing, tbh, sound fairly awful.
I’m a lover of the genre (though of course Quinn’s voice is not representative of the entire genre) 🤷♀️ As I’ve alluded to here, it’s not a perfect novel. But I do enjoy getting into these character’s heads. And I do still enjoy it.
@@bookishmelody - Yes, "getting into these characters' heads"! I did my studies in psych/soc - the twists and turns of the human heart/mind are endlessly interesting.
If there’s one thing romance readers are locked into it’s signs of pregnancy I definitely feel pretty silly for missing that trailer in my giddiness about the carriage scene when I am sitting here speculating on things right there 😂
It would be a good way to set up the whole conflict. Colin finds out that she’s whistledown and plans to leave her. But then finds out that she’s pregnant with his child so stays out of honor.
Pen didn’t feel like a true romantic heroine. Bear with me, this is long. I think all the promotion over Pen’s ~transformation ~ set my expectations too high. All Pen’s efforts failed in the end (she was ridiculed) when she did it for herself not to win Colin. I get that the writers wanted to make it more about the inner transformation but we barely saw that. Everything was told, little was shown when it counted. A better example of a romantic heroine-as-spinster is in Mansfield Park. Here the character motivations were too subtle and the writer’s intentions were not clear until the very end. It did not build suspense or growth like they intended because the characters were all over the place. I agree the pacing was off; splitting it into two parts was a network decision that did not help. Part 1 could’ve easily been its own season. The kiss: I understand that Pen has to beg Colin because he respects Pen too much to ruin her like that. He knows if people found out, wooo. Both their families would be ostracized. That sense of risk was supposed to be romantic. My conditioning is so against pick me behavior now and I have to remind myself of the historical context. He could have outwardly explained that as a friend he has a duty to protect her and value her honor. He could never use her or hurt her ability to find someone who truly deserves her by compromising her. He would honor her request but he knows she is destined for an amazing deep love! Then he would say everything he loves about her unaware of his subconscious spilling out. That’s romantic! Instead of “YOu wOuLd bE DeAd aNyWay.” Debling: He obviously had a crush on Pen and found her attractive, even if it wasn’t love. (He knows it takes time and investment to develop love.) Why couldn’t they just give her that? He should’ve been a real romantic threat to Polin by keeping his vulnerability. There were a lot of scenes of them deeply connecting (the plant and library scene, wow). Then they undid that all in the end. Their last scene just needed a few tweaks. Like, I’m hurt and we both deserve better, so I will take myself out of the running for both our dignities (storms off). Then Pen feels conflicted. They sacrificed Pen’s win for drama. Someone else could’ve said the adulteress line, like a snobby relative ala Pride and Prejudice. Or Colin could have said, If you marry him I would have to do the right thing and move continents away. Because I could not keep myself away from you if by grace of God you grew to feel the same. Colin: This season was about both Pen and Colin fighting against their true Romantic natures. There should have been flashbacks of them growing up together, sensitive and too pure for this world. Maybe his brothers teased him for being so close to a girl. There should’ve been more references to earlier seasons. It’s too easy to forget the real Colin from previous seasons. He fell fast and hard, ready to sacrifice everything for Marina. He was a romantic like his dad, willing to go against social conventions for love, and he would’ve raised that child like his own. The writers showed he was lonely but not that he was desperately trying to protect his heart. Romantics do not need an active love interest because it is in their personalities. There should have been more struggle. The rake act was just too convincing. As a Bridgerton, he has too much power- money, reputation, looks. To me, the journal Pen read was supposed to be a foil of her LW writings. But it barely indicated he was coming into consciousnesses of his true self and did not unearth enough vulnerability to be a huge revelation. He needed to humble himself again to be worthy of Pen, not just inwardly but outwardly. They are both witty, sensitive intellectuals misunderstood by their friends/siblings and passionate writers. I wish Colin would have had a more reflective confession like - Pen, we are so alike that by trying to be practical we are not only denying ourselves true happiness, but the very nature of what sustains our beings. With a little more groveling after what he put her through. Desirability: Lastly, Pen never had the power to choose. There should have been two equally appealing options. Until the last scene it was really Debling or nothing. Daphne had options. Kate and even Eloise had options. They could comfortably choose singleness and real freedom. They are smart, fearless, and could rely on the financial support of caring siblings. Pen doesn’t have that privilege. Pen deserved to be shown as capable, desirable, and loved outside of Colin. It’s frustrating to have such a sad helpless heroine in Pen. I get loneliness was part of her story but there was no real recompense or pay off. Kate was also a lonely outsider but her vivacity was believable. The family was falling in love with her along with Anthony. I just wanted to see Pen win the appreciation of more people so the proposal wasn’t all she had. I wanted her to have more time in the lime light, real inner growth, and main character energy. At least a young male servant could have a secret crush on her (like with the shop boy/ Eloise). I’m sure that happened a lot in those times. Or maybe the servants all adored her even if society didn’t appreciate her (a la Mr. Darcy). A secret LW fan club, maybe. I loved the scene where a gentleman praised LW, I wish there was more of him. The only person who really saw her was Debling. It made sense that he was an outsider to their society and could see what they could not. I also appreciate that she went against “the girl waiting by the window” troupe (literally). She stepped away from the wall to go after her destiny. There could’ve been a scene where she sees a happy couple in the distance and internally struggles over saying yes to Debling. But the pivotal moments were things just happening to her and other people’s decisions. Bridgerton is popular for its depictions of modern feminine romance in a restrictive world. There just wasn’t enough show time devoted to Pen’s growing confidence, so it felt like she was waiting to be chosen. Maybe she could have confessed her residual feelings saying letting go is the right thing to do, and then walked away towards Debling. Or Colin could have confessed and Pen deny him thinking he only wanted her when someone else did. Have some pride, girl. Then Colin has to prove it in some way. For the real LW, I was expecting a grander love story and a stronger romantic heroine.
I don't really follow music, so I appreciate the notes regarding the musical cues. As for his womanizing? Meh. I don't know why audiences are so upset about that part. That's pretty historically accurate. Personally, I think it was a mistake to strip the first half of the season of the Whistledown conflict. The Whistledown conflict is THE essential conflict of the book. Further, part of why it is difficult to see Colin falling in love with Penn is that he doesn't really have to overcome any major obstacles apart from his own poor timing. In the book, as you mention, Colin knew about Whistledown in the carriage scene. He knows. He's proud of Penn's accomplishment as a writer (and also jealous of her success). He's angry about some of the things Penn has written, sure, but he's also deeply concerned for her social and physical well-being. The reader sees that Colin loves Penn, truly and deeply and perhaps rather recklessly, because he is willing (and eager) to dive into that whole maelstrom alongside her. He has conflicting feelings, but those feelings are what ultimately spur Colin to propose to Penn. It isn't just desire that drives him, but a need to protect her from all comers. Above all of his conflicting feelings, he loves her and wants to stand beside her even when he knows that she will, inevitably, be exposed as Whistledown and likely cast out from society - and him along with her. There is an active hunt for Whistledown, after all. Colin is willing to face exile for Penn - and he goes in with eyes open. That shows a truer love and devotion than we can see in the show. In the show, he's just kind of mopey and jealous. No wonder we don't buy it.
To be fair, this conflict doesn’t show up until about halfway through the book either. Sure, the Whistledown wager is introduced earlier, but it has no significant impact on Colin and Penelope’s story for the reader yet as the reader doesn’t know she’s Whistledown until halfway through the book either. I have personally always found this pacing a little off and there was the opportunity to fix it here, but it looks like we’ll have plenty of that in the second half. That is where the obstacles will test things.
I was so disappointed in the development of their relationship. And I agree the romantic comedy parts were just not funny they should have played it with Colin being over the top jealous. That is really funny. So overall I just feel robbed
Could some direct me to the Benedict theories. I would be curious to see what people think as his story feels the most out of place to me. Even pointless in some ways.
I have only seen glimpses but there have been theories Lady Tilley will be somehow connected to Sophie. I will admit I am having trouble making sense of his arc so far this season but we’ll see what part 2 brings.
I like this blip on mythology but I also think they will add in the gay we first had token blacks now we have cliche token gays. I think Eloise and credenza will be the token gay which is why they are masculating Eloise to an unbearable amount to counter the feminine of credenza
I think they will add a subplot but I don’t think they’ll go this direction with Eloise and Cressida specifically. I could be wrong. I don’t think they are making Eloise masculine as much as showing her frustrations with the mold of womanhood set by this specific part of society. I also don’t think they’re aiming to tokenize anyone, though we can of course analyze if that has happened in the storytelling. Still, the lack of queer stories within the books was always going to be a potential struggle to address.
Having never read the book, I am really enjoying the TV show. Wouldn’t their masks start to come off when they begin to fall in love? Then when he discovers she is lady Whistledown?
Absolutely; And we start to see little slips of them! But right now a lot of the emotional arc is being held back by the Lady Whistledown secret and we’re just at the start of falling in love. I definitely think it’s a tough balance.
There’s just too many things missing and other stuff going on at the same time besides Polin. Colin doesn’t know Colin knew she was Lady Whistledown yet. My daughter thought there was more sex than necessary. Somehow it didn’t work for me. I read the books lots of times but that was annoying because Benedict is doing something and Fran is doing nothing. There’s too much missing. The years missing after Colin comes back in the book is missing and Colin had already tried to elope with Marina Thompson in the first season. You kind of wonder if Colin is still immature. Only Eloise knew Pen was Lady Whistledown. It all happened much too soon. The first half of this season was oversexed and underwhelming for me anyway. Cressida is bipolar and I think they should do less sometimes to set up the other story lines. Too much too soon and not enough at the same time. I really liked the first two seasons but this one was head scratching. I miss the Smith-Smythe musicales. Arghhhh.
I don't know if it's important or not, but anyone noticed that Albion and Phillipa just kissed for two years and they tried the other stuff and were like "Oh. This is awesome." ?
I wish we had seen more of Colin’s feelings towards pen. What changed? The kiss? I wish we could have seen him write in his journal and think about her.
And what he is seeing different in her. What changed?
Because I don’t see what made him change.
I definitely think that’s one of the difficulties of the adaptation in that we aren’t as tuned in to all the internal thoughts. I think it was the kiss but I would have loved to see the axis tilt a little more in that
@@bookishmelodyyes it was the kiss, and while the book states he has his realisation in the moment just BEFORE the kiss, the book itself absolutely underscores it only happened then. In fact, Collin’s guilt is the main reason he struggles with his feelings. Not the pressure to be someone he is not. It’s his shame at his jealousy (at her writing success as Lady W) and shame at his previous pity towards Penelope that make his sudden romantic feelings a bit more interesting. I still don’t love how Book Collin gets there. Very much “just a man” type nonsense.
Right. I think those long looks at her bosom during the "lessons" were supposed to be a clue but it didn't land.
For one thing, her green dress.
And than then the new suitors before debling.
The kiss just confirmed them while awakening him.
@@bookishmelody I didn't like the kiss scene and the instrumental music. I like 'give me everything tonight' as an instrumental modern version, but it just didn't suit this couple. what have they done to this couple this season? I like Nicola's acting, it must be Luke's acting and the script that was available to them that didn't allow them to build up their feelings and their love story in screen.
More discussions please you’re the only person who’s actually seen the show the way I do and out of all the surface reviews and criticisms it is great to have these long breakdowns and explanations and be able to discuss the good and bad about the effort the show makes to do these two justice
Thank you for these very nice words!!! Anything in particular you’re interested in digging into more before we get part 2?
@@bookishmelody Anything you want honestly you could break down more of their romantic scenes or how they’ve done their dynamics in the previous seasons to now, I loved the Eros and Psyche conversation did you notice how Lady whistle down taking all the attention from the queen and her insecurity with that which is what will lead her to trying to out lady whistle down dynamic mirrors Venus hate for psyche and the trials she sets for her to fail? The two sisters of psyche also mirror the two sisters getting married and Penelope feeling cursed per say to be single and alone, until Eros ie Colin shows up again as the right suitor, the masks off which you discussed seeing your lovers true face and truth, fighting head vs heart to fit in society and more, psyche messing up due to her doubts and her need to feel secure which mirrors Pens fight in part 2 to not lose her freedom of her dreams and purpose as whistledown also in the book? And anything else you want to talk about I just love breaking down the reasons for why they do what they do abit haphazardly like balloon scene when she’s meant to be frozen cause she’s shocked seeing him do heroic stuff and it causes her to be almost in danger whilst why he gains confidence and urgency to run tor he ballon is cause he sees her in front of it and notices she could be in danger etc and many more lol breaking down all their book scenes the positive and negative that was shown in the show, the lack of flashbacks to flesh out Colin and kinda again that whole lack of purpose and personality thing he’s afraid of because he isn’t as brooding and experienced as the other guys that had more dimension to them due to their traumas in their flashbacks, etc
All excellent possibilities and A+ analysis, especially on that Eros and Psyche breakdown! I definitely stayed pretty large picture here because I knew even then it would be long (and I was right!). I’ll ponder how best to tackle some of this!
@@bookishmelody looking forward to it ☺️☺️
So true….looking forward to what you decide to break down further!
Love this! I completely agree- I think Part 1 was like a whirlwind with so many ups and downs. Overall, I enjoyed it A LOT but there were things that could have been done better. Just a few thoughts based on what you said in the video:
1. I really think there needed to be more Polin scenes in Part 1. As with S2, too much of the screentime is spent with less important storylines and it felt like Colin and Pen barely interacted before they declare their love for each other. The "lessons" lasted for barely 1 episode and that was disappointing. I wanted to see more lessons or just chats between the two of them where Colin teaches Pen how to be confident. I would have liked to see more time spent with Pen ignoring Colin at the beginning. They became "friends" too quickly and that was not satisfying. We also could have used more flashbacks. I would have loved to see Colin and Pen becoming friends as a flashback rather than just a convo between them.
2. I loved the way they portrayed Eloise this season. Her 'holier-than-thou' I-am-not-like-the-other-girls schtick was getting really annoying and I was happy to see they finally gave her some growth. She actually listens to other people. I think the scene after Pen writes about Colin helping her find a husband in Whistledown is very well done. Eloise looks truly sad for Pen and I think also comes to realize that Whistledown writing about her and Whistledown writing about others is not the same. Pen is a wallflower and does not have the Bridgerton family name to protect her. She is shunned from society and has to deal with people gossiping about her in a way Eloise never did. I think Pen wins her respect there because she writes about herself knowing she will face harsher repercussions. I think her arc of realizing her privilege through her interactions with Pen and Cressida are really well done. I actually think that in Part 2, she will be Pen's biggest supporters when everyone finds out she is Lady Whistledown.
3. I loved Francesca's characterization. I like that she is not as marriage-obsessed as Daphne was nor is she as flippant as Eloise. She is pragmatic and her approach to the marriage mart is sensible. I also like that the Queen comes to like her because of her talents on the piano forte and not just for her appearance or her family name.
4. I GREATLY missed Kanthony. I know they did not want to steal Polin's thunder but their disappearance from the series feels a bit too contrived. I would have liked to see Kanthony being in the picture as Francesca deals with suitors or as Colin struggles with fitting into the mold of a "gentleman." Imagine a Anthony and Colin heart to heart- that would have been amazing. They are the heads of the Bridgerton household, and nothing would convince me that Kate and Anthony, being the devoted family people they are, would have missed these important milestones.
5. I am genuinely confused about what they are going to do with Benedict when his season comes along. They have had him floundering in weird and disconnected storylines for the past 2 seasons and S3 Part 1 seemingly continues that tradition. There seems to be very little character development with him beyond his sexual exploits.
Still, I am a stan so eagerly awaiting part 2. I am so READY for the angst. 💕😅
I’m with you. These are *great* thoughts; thank you for sharing!
I really hope you have more Bridgerton (TV) commentary, obviously part 2, but anything else you find interesting to / worth break[ing] down. I am a reader, so you’ve earned a subscription and I can’t wait to see what other works you review relevant to me. But I found your channel because of the show, and I’m not gonna lie, I teared up a little once or twice at your commentary. This is honestly the deepest / most intellectual analysis of the show so far that I’ve been able to find, and despite wont for a better expression, I’m here for it.
I’m not gonna lie either, I teared up a bit at this comment. Thank you for the kind words! I’m working on some ideas to hopefully have some weekly Bridgerton content (🤞🤞) leading up to Part 2 -and the wherever that leads. Likely will have a live to discuss part 1 as a group soon too.
Thanks for being here!
Ever since the series has come out, I’ve been watching interview after interview, and then commentary after commentary and I have learned a lot of Easter eggs in the show that I missed the first time I saw it. One was whenever she’s with Lord Debling she is dressed in Bridgerton blue. Also, in the third episode after Penelope finished her cupcake, it flashes to Colin finishing a bite of cake. Fire, increasing in intensity or decreasing has a lot to do with the strength of the Bridgerton couple connection. At the end of episode four, the lamp on Collins desk, the candle goes out. It’s like Penelope has finally resolved her feelings about moving on from Colin. It’s heartbreaking.
There are so many little details people are so good at picking up on!
Something you touched on, but I feel deserves shouting out a thought for... I decided after reading Romancing Mr. Bridgerton again that I could not go into the show expecting a perfect adaptation. We all know this as readers that it is rare for an adaptation to "get it perfect", all we can hope for is that they capture the spirit. These versions of Colin and Penelope in the show are not the same as the book. So for me, I believe I enjoyed it much more than others might have because I am viewing them completely as a separate entity from book Polin and anytime even a hint or a glimpse of something from the book is utilized I am delighted. Those who have only watched the show vs those who have read the book have such different expectations from it, and I wonder if those who have read RMB would benefit from letting go of the book and jumping in to the world of viewing it only from the perspective of a viewer without prior knowledge if they are having difficulties with the changes. Difficult to do, I know! However it helped me. I was personally not bothered by Colin's escapades because it does show more of his personal struggles with feeling true intimacy and the expectations of men in their society. But I agree eith your comment "Colin discovers toxic masculinity" 😂 I think it is a welcome change from Colin's rather physical anger in the book. It may have been over the top at times, but it also is an effective way to show his trying to fit in, or "people please" as you mentioned.
Having watched the 4 episodes three times now over the course of the weekend, I am more certain now than ever that I will not be able to form a full opinion until after part 2 comes out. (Redundant, but true). I am so interested to see the LW reveal almost as much as their fully coming together as a couple. The fact that he knew when he proposed in the book vs his being in the dark still in the show is such an intriguing change.
Absolutely!
I love how Mama Bridgerton always knows exactly what to say to make her children’s think to put them on the right path. All of those conversations between her and her ‘children’ are just beautiful.
Excellent recap of first part! I loved it! I thought they did a great job setting up the second half of the season. I am weary of the angst to come I hope they don’t sit in it too long. Both Pen and Colin are so funny and warm and I want to see them together this way.
I *loved* seeing them laugh together and I want that for them in part 2 once all the artifice is over
I want a comedic reveal.
Just over the too. I don’t want sadness especially after seeing the headline of Luke saying, “their happiness won’t last long”.
That better mean eps. 5 and 6 only.
Don’t hurt us Shondaland.
@@bookishmelody But disappointed they change who Collin is into a f_ _k boy, this just doesn't do his character justice TBH. I think they needed to be showing some possible dawning moments with Colin at least wondering about Penelope too. I too would have liked to have seen flashbacks from their childhood.
I agree that a lot of the tension and angst is set up for part 2. The lack of Lady Danbury and Penelope interaction kind of punctuated how alone Penelope was in trying to be more active in her life, even with the lessons with Colin. So we can really see how there is no wiser older character to guide her like Colin has with Violet for example. Much like Cressida, she has to make her way with the examples she's been given at home. But I do hope we get at least one Danbury/Penelope interaction in part 2.
The Colin philandering I can see being contentious too. But I can see why they did it that way, an element of how he learns what social pressure vs his true wants and self are. And within the show, we have seen similar behavior with the other love interests. The choice to have him visit the establishment though ties into that sense of self-delusion or crafting an expected mask. And it did feel as though we get to see more of the mechanisms behind society in this part. We've seen how the debs hunt, and now through Colin we get a glimpse of how young men go through their own coming out in a sense. Even if it does feel cheap or seedy. I think we are now set up to see what real connection and intimacy are in part 2.
Want to touch on Debling here. I think they did a great job making him a true contender. His and Penelope's first interaction felt like a moment of someone actually seeing her, in a way even Colin or Eloise hasn't really. I do hope it foreshadows a great triumphant moment for Penelope in part 2, especially as we've been teased through promo that a theme of the season is characters coming into their power.
Yes to all this! I definitely think Penelope’s isolation in the first part was important to the story arc and had me all kinds of emotional a lot of the time. And I think seeing her active and trying amidst this isolation made it hit that much more.
I agree about Debling! It gets at the idea of who these characters truly are and how right now they’re in love with the idea of their person they clasped on to. But the HEA is coming.
Wonderful thoughts; Thanks for sharing!
I always say that he comes back that way because he didn’t have Penelope, worrying to him on his travels to keep him levelheaded. It was almost cringy but I understand it
Portia intrigued me this season.
I feel Portia does love her daughters in her odd way.
She did expect Penelope to take care of her, but in an odd way, her tone felt like, I want you to. And she knows Prudence and Phillipa does not have a kinship to her.
I feel her advice comes from how she is raised. I feel that her marriage wasn’t filled in love and that is what she is putting on Penelope. I feel she did try to make Penelope feel better by saying, “men aren’t everything”. It was one of the first scenes where you see how sad she is for her. Polly, your acting choices are chef’s kiss.
Her advice in the library and about love comes from that patriarchal society that gets internalized and passed on. Portia is a little modern, but still has this backwards ideology.
When Penelope cried asking, “do you only care if I have a lord’s ring on my finger”, portia ignored Prudence for the first time and looked broken hearted when Penelope left.
Portia seems like the person who believes criticism is love and does not understand how her words hurt. She believes criticism is a way to toughen her girls up and become independent as well as be set in society.
I may be overanalyzing, but this is the vibe I got from her.
No I think this is it and I think it’s everything her character has been leading to. She does love for Penelope but is still guilty of overlooking her/accidentally cutting her down with words. But we see that love come out in the scene at the window. It retains a lot of humor from the book, but it adds so much depth. I can’t wait to see what they do with part 2 and if Portia finds out just how much her daughter Penelope actually is. I feel like they’re setting it up.
The Featherington story arc about an heir was HILARIOUS
Two scenario of friends to lovers that I really want to see played out on screen are:
1. Child Colin and Penelope in their first meet up where Pen started to fall in love with Colin due to his kindness. Ohh.. how it would melt hearts of Polin fans.
2. Colin formally courting Pen. With all the efforts Colin put into serenading Marina, Pen deserves so much so. Flowers, Promenades, daily calling in the house with intention of courtship. Pen truly deserves all these actions much as those sweet words in the carriage.
I’m unsure if we’ll get 1 since they referenced their first meeting in part 1 but maybe some flashbacks yet to come!
On 2, with all the Lady Whistledown drama yet to come, and anticipating Colin not reacting well, I hope there are moments of him trying to woo her
100% AGREE
I like the way you talk about the book and series. Glad I found this channel again, I used to watch back during season 2.
That’s so sweet; glad you found your way back for Season 3! ☺️
You discussed subtleties.
I feel these subtuitlties did show Colin making Penelope more daring and herself while Lord debling helped with her honesty.
Colin’s recollection of how they first met and reassured her that she was always charming and witty and when she says “she is a lost cause”, he told her she isn’t and does have the skills, but just needs help bringing them about.
Each suitor that he pushes her to talk to, the more she gains confidence to bring out that charm, wit, and personality she already has.
Her lesson in the dressing room and him letting his facade down, she felt comfortable to reveal some of her feelings for her.
The first kiss can be a thesis. Same with the carriage scene, but back to the kiss. Him just coming back to her and making sure she is ok gave her the courage to ask him for the kiss. She trusts him. He will do anything for her, but like that she doesn’t force him.
I love that a big theme of the season is courage. Courage to be selfish when you put others ahead of yourself. Courage to be daring and honest, etc.
Anyways, it is interesting that as soon as she has more power and confidence, his diminishes until like you said Violet encourages him to tell Penelope how he feels.
One reason they work well is because they bring out the best in each other. They can be brave and vulnerable. They feel deeply and unintentionally hurt each other, but always manage to make up.
Sorry this is so long.
Absolutely! Do not apologize thanks for the excellent thoughts! I’m definitely hoping to go back and track their interaction beats more specifically. I knew even talking generally we’d end up where we did length wide so appreciate more specifics!
Love your in depth comparison of the book and show. I appreciate that someone else has thought as much about the book vs show as I. 🤓Keep up the great work! Looking forward to going back to your previous season videos.
Thank you; definitely will have more coming after Part 2!
I definitely tried watching the show almost as if it was a fanfic of the book, cause of course they're gonna change stuff. And when book stuff came up, I squealed with joy. I did feel a bit sad though that we didn't get the Musicale and the Lady D/Pen friendship. But I have to just remind myself, the book is always there for me to reread lol
I really enjoyed the show. I was honestly surprised that ppl were so upset about there being other storylines (It's always been an ensemble show, so that was confusing to me) And ppl also being upset that there wasn't enough Kanthony confused me as well. I assumed we'd get like one or two scenes of them like they did with daphne in season 2. I feel like there's already been more with them and it's only halfway through.
Anyways, I loved hearing your analysis. It's nice to hear from someone who has read the books as well. 😊
Thanks for your thoughts!
So much to say!
I am so happy to hear your thoughts! I was waiting for it. I cried so much while watching the 4 episodes, not always full tears, but misty-eyed and then finally at the crescendo of Ep. 4 I was screaming and then afterwards crying because I was so full of different emotions. I am beyond happy with the adaptation because while I also loved the book I wanted to see specific things updated. I love what they have done so far, and part 2 can't come soon enough!
I did wish we had maybe seen a flashback to their first meeting, but the fact that they had Colin remember it in detail was really sweet. I missed certain lines from the book, but am beyond thrilled with the lines they did include. The first kiss scene was done very well for having to update it to the current shows timeline and circumstances that brought it about. I was pleasantly satisfied with all his staring at her from across a room. I also liked Debling as a character and thought it brought in a good dynamic for Colin to be jealous (omg the pining, the dreaming!) That was much needed for the drama of the show. The stakes were already high, but it was a good choice I feel to bring in Debling. I am definitely missing the Danbury/Penelope friendship, and I wonder if Debling's seeing her worth takes place of Danbury being impressed by her.
I also feel the music was the weakest part of the show this season... some of the song choices were spot on, but I definitely felt that many were misplaced, like Jealous. However, Give Me Everything worked far better than I anticipated. I have hope for part 2 with the music, perhaps they are saving the best for the second half.
(Also personal win... I convinced my mom to watch the show, she binged all of it S1-S3.5 in a weekend and now I have someone to actually talk about all of this with. So yay!)
Yessss for getting mom on board! Thoughts on point as always. I got teary so many times. I don’t think it had fully hit home to me how much I still related to Penelope. Which is why I got all kinds of emotional when she asked for that kiss. So glad that was kept. For the Wallflowers indeed!
Give me anything was perfect.
And it ties in with the first kiss.
When she says, “i may die tomorrow” i skip to the carriage scene in my mind, “we may not get tomorrow”.
There are genius things that they added this season.
Some needed work, but a lot of it was well written.
I still love listening to the soundtrack. Wish jealous wasn’t as faint in the background because it suited Colin’s feelings and arc perfectly.
I meant to comment this the day it came out but I forgot. I actually found ‘snow on the beach’ in episode 4 a lot more narratively cohesive in that moment for Colin rather than Penelope. While I personally prefer Penelope’s journey in the first half of realising that she can want what she wants and accepting what her future holds, the show does try to center the Bridgerton in the pair. Colin building that courage to go up to Pen and Debling and society in general and bucking propriety to stop that dance is something that if reflected in the chorus of that song very beautifully, and even part of his inability to be as honest as he wanted mirrors the bridge of the song.
As a person who was never really a Snow on the beach person, I think its usage in that scene has really made me appreciate the song more.
That’s a great perspective!
I loved all these thoughts! So excited for part two. Hopefully we get more internal thought process in this part.
Thank you! I definitely think the internal v external is something I may dive into more
Ohhh really good insertion about the Mondrichs and tying the book piece. Seeing Colin’s aspect about nobilities and work through other characters.
I really like some of the song selections and some were spot on and some were not like you mentioned. How about the Happier Than Ever one….even though Pen is approached by Colin, she feels like she needs to decide her future and not wait around for him despite whatever mixed signals she thinks he’s giving….he has been making her feel that way forever.
I’m really enjoying your breakdowns and learning so much, too!
Look forward to more content on season 3!
Happier Than Ever, abcdefu, and Give Me Everything I think were my favorite use of songs in Part 1. Thanks for being here; Looking forward to diving into more!
I love hearing book perspective compared to the show.
You're so sweet and I very much enjoy listening to your thoughts and predictions for what's to come in part 2.
Also, unrelated..
Have you read the
When women were warriors series by Cathrine M. Wilson ? They aren't super well known but the romance is so beautiful. I can not find one person who's read them or is discussing them. They are quick reads and I'd love to hear about what you thought of them. 😊
Thanks so much for the kind words!
I haven’t; thank you for the recommendation!
Such a great, coherent and intelligent discussion! Thank you!
Thank you!
Just found you and love love love your analysis! So thoughtful and well put together. Thank you!
Thank you for being here!
I really love the Smythe-Smith Musicale scene in the book. It does a great deal of character and relationship building. Also, it's just really funny!
I love it so much! I will continue to hold out hope 😭
And I hate we don’t have the danbury/penelope friendship. I wanted that.
@@gabrielleduplessis7388 Honestly! Lady Danbury is priceless in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton! I really like this season so far, but the season's plot and the book's plot don't live in the same zip code.
@@marshmello3455 I would have liked to have seen them with a little more in common.
I enjoyed your analysis so much. Can't wait to hear your thoughts after Pt. 2 comes out.
Thank you! 💕
There is a teaser at the end of episode 4 for the remaining season. Looks like it will be heavily focused on the Whistledown of it all
Oh nooo how did I miss it I’ve rewatched multiple times 😱 (must have been distracted by that carriage)
@@bookishmelody, hehehe, another video about the teaser? I love your comments and observations of the serie
Maybe! It’s probably a blessing I didn’t know about it in context of the length of this. I was sitting there editing like 😅
And thank you! That really means a lot!
@@bookishmelodyI missed it, too! It looks like they're going to loop back to S1, but it's a new trailer.
I’m soooooo nervous about that. IF the leaked information is correct, the fact that she is LW will not come out until the later episodes.
Loved this discussion, please continue; dive deeper!
I love the dissection in comparison to the novels. I’ve not read the books but I have looked up synopses online and use that information to round out the characters in the show. I have been hoping that the teaser for part 2 showing the Lady Whistledown plot was a misdirect and maybe Penelope would tell Colin right away about her secret identity, but after watching this I think you’re right and they will drag it out for at least a couple episodes. Sigh. It will be such a betrayal if they ‘do it’ before she tells him the truth. Can’t wait to watch more.
It’s definitely going to be a tense navigation to the HEA but we’ll see how they handle it!
@@bookishmelody ah but I hate conflict so much! Lol I know we need it for drama but I just want everyone to get along >.< I had almost convinced myself that because Colin knows the secret when he proposes in the book, that the show would catch up and Pen would tell him immediately in part 2. Wishful. Thinking. I went back and watched your videos about S2; I hadn’t realized how different the story beats were to TVWLM, dragging out the Anthony and Edwina of it all until the last possible moment for the drama, so S3 will almost certainly do the same… hey it worked for Kanthony! I get nervous tummy thinking about it though lol
Listen, I feel you!
I'm glad I found your channel. Also, not sure whether it was intentional, but your top clmpliments your hair color so well! Reminds me of Pen's color palette in this season.
Glad to have you here; and thank you! As a fellow redhead I am definitely paying attention to Pen’s color scheme this season.
two minutes in and I'm already astounded that you don't have more subscribers. You have such a charisma with how you phrase yourself!
That’s very kind; thank you!
Sadly, i have nothing positive to say about part 1 and am disappointed. But as always i enjoyed hearing your thoughts. Thanks for sharing. 💛
I’m so sorry it was a letdown for you! ☹️
@molly828 you are not alone
I FEEL THE SAME, WITHOUT EVEN READING ANY COMMENTS. IT WAS INSTANTLY , AS I WATCHED THE EPISODES, I KNEW THAT MANY PARTS WERE ODD AND I COULDN'T FEEL THEIR EMOTIONS , THEIR CONNECTION, THEIR CHEMISTRY, AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDED AT FAST PACE. THE SCRIPT WAS VERY POOR, NO MEMORABLE LINES, NOT ALLOWING LUKE TO GET OUT OF HIS COMFORT ZONE TO 'FALL IN LOVE ON SCREEN' OF PENELOPE, FIGHT FOR HER, EXPRESS HIS TRUE FEELINGS AND WHAT HE LOVED ABOUT HER, HOW HE CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT HER. HAVING SO MANY EXPECTATIONS AND KNOWING HOW FASCINATING BRIDGERTON CAN BE AND HOW MUCH POTENTIAL THERE WAS IN EVERY MISSED OPPORTUNITY, I WAS A BIT SHOCKED OF SEASON 3. THEY WERE MY FAVOURITE COUPLE.
I DISLIKE THE CARRIAGE SCENE, THE PROPOSAL, I DON'T WANT TO SEE SEX NEXT, I WANT TO SEE HIM COURTING HER AND CONVINCING HER THAT HE IS WORTHY OF HER LOVE, THAT SHE MEANS THE WORLD TO HIM. THE THREESOME KILLED COLIN'S PERSONALITY. THIS COUPLE WAS VERY SPECIAL. THE TRANSITION FROM FRIENDSHIP TO GENUINE LOVE DOESN'T NEED PERFECT ADAPTATION OF THE BOOK, BUT SOME CREDIBLE SCENES AND DIALOGUE, SOMETIMES A LINE, A TOUCH, A LOOK, EVEN A KISS MEANS MORE THAN HAVING INTIMACY. WE KNEW SHE ALWAYS LOVED HIM, BUT WHEN DID HE FALL INLOVE WITH HER AND HOW DOES PENELOPE LOOK THROUGH HIS EYES AND WHAT HE MOST LOVES ABOUT HER? SO MUCH TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY FEEL THAT WAS NOT EXPRESSED ON SCREEN.
@Julie-hf4ch Yes and the most upsetting thing to me was what they did to Colin's character this season. I hate it and I don't care about the reasoning behind it. It could've been done differently. We got Mr Worldwide personality, brothel threesmes, brief moments with Pen, brooding, and then suddenly they were in the carriage. I liked the carriage scene but only because of their insane chemistry. There should have been deeper conversations and a lead-up to that scene and definitely before that proposal, if that's what you wanna call it. I know he said that in the book, but I hate it and think it didn't make sense for show-Colin. It just blows my mind that they've repeatedly described this season as the most romantic season and now we're all the way to a proposal and there has been zero romance. I won't be able to re-watch part 1 and that just makes me sad. *And I don't need anyone reading this telling me that I don't understand the friends to lovers trope or some nonsense about how romantic it actually is... I don't and will never agree with you. I love these characters so much and am disappointed.
Snow on the beach is truly one of my favorite songs I loveeeeeeed it being featured
I’m never going to begrudge a Taylor Swift song (except maybe Long Live at the end of the Buccaneers Season 1 because it made so little sense to me to ally or in terms of the storytelling moment especially when contrasted with a brilliant use of “Nothing New” earlier in the season) and it does absolutely still fit in this moment despite my tendency to lean toward august
Enjoyed this video. I'm not sure if what I'm going to say now makes any sense, and/or forgive me if you've already discussed this. I've often found myself thinking about the book to show changes, and what is happening lately. It seems to me that this season is largely resetting a lot about what bothered many book readers about the plots and characters after season 1 especially (and some season 2). It seems interesting to think about how the juggernaut that Bridgerton has become, was by no means a sure thing when it first came out. The writers and showrunner were trying to get maximum drama and plot plot plot, and in some instances made choices caused some interesting knots that they now seem to be trying to unravel. I'm happy to have a new showrunner.
Oops, if we are going to get to Eloise's story, how do we fix the Philip Crane situation? They could've made any non-book character PC. Oh no, we seem to have (accidently?) queer coded both Eloise and Benedict? Let's give them hetero storylines. Oh no, now how do we move Eloise along and get rid of Theo? Too much angst and not enough HEA for Anthony and Kate, we need some married life.
Making LW pen behind the Colin and Eloise dramas now needs unraveling, and it will be interesting to see how that all plays out. I really think that by the end of this season we will be a bit closer to the books - I hope in a good way, as I don't necessarily think that adhering too close to the source material is a good idea either.
I also liked the way they used the brothel scenes. In the first we see Colin in the end game of being a rake. All physical no emotions. After he kisses Pen, he starts to go through the motions, but not only does he not partake, he can't even bring himself to watch. I've read more than one book with this scenario.
Sorry this went on so long. Also - Justice for the Smyth-Smiths! (did you clock the Kenworthy name mention in Ep 1?)
Excellent thoughts! There’s a part of me that is forever in the moment of them announcing Bridgerton as part of Shondaland and me sitting there like “wait is there another Bridgerton?”
And oh no I missed Kenworthy and I am due for rereads of the Smythe-Smith (and other non-Bridgerton books)!
Not having read the books, I thought they used the brothel scenes effectively, just as you say, to highlight the emptiness of that toxic male use of women for Colin. He's a romantic. The purposeless lifestyle of the Ton isn't lost on him. He wants more creatively, emotionally and romantically.
@@bookishmelody I remember when they first announced it. I thought, oh Shonda wants to take another crack at a period piece. She had a pilot fail (I know!?!) with a Gilded Age series called Gilded Lilys. Then, it took so long for anything else to come out that I wondered if it would happen.
One of the debutantes mentioned by LW was a Miss Kenworthy.
I loved Francesca and John
They had me giggling. They had less screen time but I felt more chemistry with them than with polin.
But the carriage scene was great
Yes! Because Polin aren’t being their “true” selves yet…or maybe just because we just haven’t seen enough of that dynamic fleshed out. But either way, I love what we’ve been given of Francesca and John this season.
At the end of the last episode the carriage arrives to Bridgerton house. Not featherington. I always adored the book scene how Colin goes to the featherington Tuesday party and tells Portia he is marrying Penelope and defends her and mentions all the reasons he loves her.
I wonder how that will
Work with the new change.
The preview of part 2 looks like that scene is going to be at Bridgerton house and like almost sinister.
Yes that is one of my favorite scenes as well! I’m 🤞 we still get a Featherington version.
Did you notice how it switched? Her carriage vs his. His house instead of hers. I think the trailer is like that to be more dramatic. It may be happier in the episode. I’ll be happier!!!!! Plus the scene where he defends Penelope against her mother is still supposed to happen.
I don’t understand what made Colin change his mind.
Penelope acts the same still acts insecure. So I’m confused what made him now have feelings for her.
I thought he would see her more confident and like over him.
I think you’re right in that the first part doesn’t have this clear moment of reversal for Colin. We are relying on the beats of the “rom com” structure rather than real revelation. And I wonder if this will come into play more in part 2 or be left dangling.
In my opinion, he always loved her, but given she is a family friend and him knowing her since she was young he is putting the gentleman wall where he doesn't really see her as a woman despite being in love, the kiss on the other hand broke that wall he had and he felt like he was allowed to look at her in that way, it's like being raised with someone so much you tend to forget that you are allowed to love them, so yeah he had a moment of awakening about his hidden feelings and love
Loved your analysis of the show (versus the book).
Really enjoyed the first part, especially scenes taken from the book.
Francesca's story is my favorite, but Colin's and Eloise's take second place (can't decide, but liked the storys of all the siblings, reread them several times in the last 15 years).
Ok, Michael&Sir Phillip& Colin are my favorite men in the series.
The kiss/carriage scenes were so romantic, sensual and heart-wrenching...
Wonderful acting and the music really highlighted the emotions.
Somehow the Lady Tilly part did not touch me, and as you, I thought she didn't seem to fit into the regency setting.
Can't we just have a masquerade ball at the end of the season, with a glimpse of Sophie?
As for the role Lady Tilly could possibly play in the future, wouldn't she be a bit older?
And have daughters who live in the household?
I am almost 60 and have been reading romances since I was about 12, especially Regency romances (also read other genres).
These last few years the focus point has been more on non-fiction books, but you have reminded me to jump into the world of romances again, which I so love. 💗
Thank you and greetings from Germany! 🙂
What I love about romance series is we get to experience all the variations!
Yes, you may be right about Lady Tilly, honestly I can overthink a lot. I’m not exactly seeing the vision yet but we’re only halfway through. 😂
Thanks for sharing your thoughts from Germany!
Thank you for another great analysis! I enjoyed the first part but did feel like they have about three stories too many! Let's see if they sort out in the next round though looking at the trailer, I think are getting more not less 😂
Thanks for tuning in again! And 😬. I guess we’ll see. I’d hoped they’d learned from some of the missteps of the last season. But I love that, like with the books, we can be giddy and celebrate the good and still have critiques.
@@bookishmelody Same! And some shows feel like they get a bit messy and then by the end, we are thrilled it happened that way. Fingers crossed for that!
Exactly; We’ll see where it’s going!
A lover of books and movies, long ago I let go of wanting adaptations to "do" the book (except, of course for Shakespeare and Austen - don't MESS with my favorites!).
@@greentara291 Ha! Agree with that - leave the Austin and Shakespeare alone!
I agree with everything, i love this review and all the points you highlighted. Brilliant.
And I agree with you about Snow on the beach...I mean...you're on your own kid was...right..there 😢
Thank you!
I want the scene when Colin speaks to Portia to be Penelope looking out the window and locking eye with Colin coming to the house❤❤
I think that what i have seen from the show us a lot if modernizing of the tropes. I think also they got the emotional stakes are higher for pen to take off her mask. I am interested to see what they do with Eloise's story and how much they lean into the Benedict bey mistress storyline. I also wonder how far they will lean into the Duke being related to Sophie etc. in the next season. I also wonder with the future building if the woman in the silver dress will show up later in the season. Using the break to the country to show the time jump. Like have it be a background event. Maybe even build the climax of Collin protecting pen's writing drama from hurting her and Benedict not playing his part because he is distracted by the silver dressed lady so this opens up the possibility of drama. I think that makes good visual tension. I think that is the biggest issue with romance book to screen. A lot of the tention and interest comes from being in the mind of the characters.
Great thoughts all around!
Ooo I love Penelope inspired look!
☺️
FINALLY someone has actually explained the “carriage scene” and why everyone is screaming about it in the comments of alll bridgerton videos lol
Some storylines should be cut
And for us to focus on polin
While I wasn’t as frustrated by the side quests this go around, we really could use some more authentic Polin screen time in this first half!
Loved your analysis! I hope you’re right about the thematic beats!
Thanks so much! And me too; I need something to cling on to as the second half will surely put us through it
I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts! Not unexpectedly, I didn't enjoy cringey Colin. It really kind of made me dislike him. It was just too over the top. I do think the brothel scenes were gratuitous. Like they were trying to hit a nudity quota. Also, I would have much preferred meaningful scenes between Kate and Anthony instead of two sex scenes then they disappear.
You didn't talk about the balloon scene. What do you think? They built it as Colin's heroic moment, but it just fell very flat to me. I didn't see it as particularly heroic at all. The camera angles felt off. Why did Penelope just fall over? But, they even put a hot air balloon in the opening credits.
Yeah; there is so much to talk about still considering I talked so dang much here 😂
One thing is for sure with Colin, man is gonna have an identity crisis. I just hope we actually see more of it? Though, to be fair, I guess we didn’t really in the first half of the book either- but they had the opportunity to fit it.
Yeah, the balloon was, there. Honestly, I kind of laughed a little with the framing of it and then just seeing the basket kind of awkwardly swinging, but I get it. Idk if it fully accomplished what they wanted to but it was at least visually interesting and something new. I’m gonna have to keep thinking on it.
I would’ve rather have more Anthony and Kate instead of the Mondrichs. They’re my favorite couple ❤
I do think violet noticed more than she let on. The way she looked at them kinda hinted towards it but she is also trying something new because of Eloise. She is trying to give her kids a little more space to discover their feelings on their own to avoid pushing them too hard.
I joke but I will never underestimate Violet Bridgerton; excellent points!
Amazing analysis!
Thank you!
August girly power!!! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
✨
Ok but Eloise and Cressida I ship it?
Love their storyline
The biggest surprise of the season!
I still don’t know if I can trust Cressida. 🤨
I so appreciate your comparative analysis! You've aaalmost got me interested in reading this book.
The tiniest bits that get printed of Quinn's writing, tbh, sound fairly awful.
I’m a lover of the genre (though of course Quinn’s voice is not representative of the entire genre) 🤷♀️ As I’ve alluded to here, it’s not a perfect novel. But I do enjoy getting into these character’s heads. And I do still enjoy it.
And also thank you!
@@bookishmelody - Yes, "getting into these characters' heads"! I did my studies in psych/soc - the twists and turns of the human heart/mind are endlessly interesting.
Oooh, yes; that’s a fascinating angle!
My first thought when there was the clip in the trailer for Part 2 of Penelope fainting was that she might be pregnant.
If there’s one thing romance readers are locked into it’s signs of pregnancy
I definitely feel pretty silly for missing that trailer in my giddiness about the carriage scene when I am sitting here speculating on things right there 😂
It would be a good way to set up the whole conflict. Colin finds out that she’s whistledown and plans to leave her. But then finds out that she’s pregnant with his child so stays out of honor.
Woof I could see it happening but man that might hurt more than his oblivious anger in the book. Though it would mirror then season 1 😬😬
It would be funny if her sisters have girls and she has a boy first 😁
Pen didn’t feel like a true romantic heroine. Bear with me, this is long. I think all the promotion over Pen’s ~transformation ~ set my expectations too high. All Pen’s efforts failed in the end (she was ridiculed) when she did it for herself not to win Colin. I get that the writers wanted to make it more about the inner transformation but we barely saw that. Everything was told, little was shown when it counted. A better example of a romantic heroine-as-spinster is in Mansfield Park. Here the character motivations were too subtle and the writer’s intentions were not clear until the very end. It did not build suspense or growth like they intended because the characters were all over the place. I agree the pacing was off; splitting it into two parts was a network decision that did not help. Part 1 could’ve easily been its own season.
The kiss: I understand that Pen has to beg Colin because he respects Pen too much to ruin her like that. He knows if people found out, wooo. Both their families would be ostracized. That sense of risk was supposed to be romantic. My conditioning is so against pick me behavior now and I have to remind myself of the historical context. He could have outwardly explained that as a friend he has a duty to protect her and value her honor. He could never use her or hurt her ability to find someone who truly deserves her by compromising her. He would honor her request but he knows she is destined for an amazing deep love! Then he would say everything he loves about her unaware of his subconscious spilling out. That’s romantic! Instead of “YOu wOuLd bE DeAd aNyWay.”
Debling: He obviously had a crush on Pen and found her attractive, even if it wasn’t love. (He knows it takes time and investment to develop love.) Why couldn’t they just give her that? He should’ve been a real romantic threat to Polin by keeping his vulnerability. There were a lot of scenes of them deeply connecting (the plant and library scene, wow). Then they undid that all in the end. Their last scene just needed a few tweaks. Like, I’m hurt and we both deserve better, so I will take myself out of the running for both our dignities (storms off). Then Pen feels conflicted. They sacrificed Pen’s win for drama. Someone else could’ve said the adulteress line, like a snobby relative ala Pride and Prejudice. Or Colin could have said, If you marry him I would have to do the right thing and move continents away. Because I could not keep myself away from you if by grace of God you grew to feel the same.
Colin: This season was about both Pen and Colin fighting against their true Romantic natures. There should have been flashbacks of them growing up together, sensitive and too pure for this world. Maybe his brothers teased him for being so close to a girl. There should’ve been more references to earlier seasons. It’s too easy to forget the real Colin from previous seasons. He fell fast and hard, ready to sacrifice everything for Marina. He was a romantic like his dad, willing to go against social conventions for love, and he would’ve raised that child like his own. The writers showed he was lonely but not that he was desperately trying to protect his heart. Romantics do not need an active love interest because it is in their personalities. There should have been more struggle. The rake act was just too convincing. As a Bridgerton, he has too much power- money, reputation, looks. To me, the journal Pen read was supposed to be a foil of her LW writings. But it barely indicated he was coming into consciousnesses of his true self and did not unearth enough vulnerability to be a huge revelation. He needed to humble himself again to be worthy of Pen, not just inwardly but outwardly.
They are both witty, sensitive intellectuals misunderstood by their friends/siblings and passionate writers. I wish Colin would have had a more reflective confession like - Pen, we are so alike that by trying to be practical we are not only denying ourselves true happiness, but the very nature of what sustains our beings. With a little more groveling after what he put her through.
Desirability: Lastly, Pen never had the power to choose. There should have been two equally appealing options. Until the last scene it was really Debling or nothing. Daphne had options. Kate and even Eloise had options. They could comfortably choose singleness and real freedom. They are smart, fearless, and could rely on the financial support of caring siblings. Pen doesn’t have that privilege. Pen deserved to be shown as capable, desirable, and loved outside of Colin. It’s frustrating to have such a sad helpless heroine in Pen.
I get loneliness was part of her story but there was no real recompense or pay off. Kate was also a lonely outsider but her vivacity was believable. The family was falling in love with her along with Anthony. I just wanted to see Pen win the appreciation of more people so the proposal wasn’t all she had. I wanted her to have more time in the lime light, real inner growth, and main character energy. At least a young male servant could have a secret crush on her (like with the shop boy/ Eloise). I’m sure that happened a lot in those times. Or maybe the servants all adored her even if society didn’t appreciate her (a la Mr. Darcy). A secret LW fan club, maybe. I loved the scene where a gentleman praised LW, I wish there was more of him. The only person who really saw her was Debling. It made sense that he was an outsider to their society and could see what they could not. I also appreciate that she went against “the girl waiting by the window” troupe (literally). She stepped away from the wall to go after her destiny. There could’ve been a scene where she sees a happy couple in the distance and internally struggles over saying yes to Debling. But the pivotal moments were things just happening to her and other people’s decisions.
Bridgerton is popular for its depictions of modern feminine romance in a restrictive world. There just wasn’t enough show time devoted to Pen’s growing confidence, so it felt like she was waiting to be chosen. Maybe she could have confessed her residual feelings saying letting go is the right thing to do, and then walked away towards Debling. Or Colin could have confessed and Pen deny him thinking he only wanted her when someone else did. Have some pride, girl. Then Colin has to prove it in some way. For the real LW, I was expecting a grander love story and a stronger romantic heroine.
I don't really follow music, so I appreciate the notes regarding the musical cues. As for his womanizing? Meh. I don't know why audiences are so upset about that part. That's pretty historically accurate.
Personally, I think it was a mistake to strip the first half of the season of the Whistledown conflict. The Whistledown conflict is THE essential conflict of the book. Further, part of why it is difficult to see Colin falling in love with Penn is that he doesn't really have to overcome any major obstacles apart from his own poor timing. In the book, as you mention, Colin knew about Whistledown in the carriage scene. He knows. He's proud of Penn's accomplishment as a writer (and also jealous of her success). He's angry about some of the things Penn has written, sure, but he's also deeply concerned for her social and physical well-being. The reader sees that Colin loves Penn, truly and deeply and perhaps rather recklessly, because he is willing (and eager) to dive into that whole maelstrom alongside her. He has conflicting feelings, but those feelings are what ultimately spur Colin to propose to Penn. It isn't just desire that drives him, but a need to protect her from all comers. Above all of his conflicting feelings, he loves her and wants to stand beside her even when he knows that she will, inevitably, be exposed as Whistledown and likely cast out from society - and him along with her. There is an active hunt for Whistledown, after all. Colin is willing to face exile for Penn - and he goes in with eyes open. That shows a truer love and devotion than we can see in the show. In the show, he's just kind of mopey and jealous. No wonder we don't buy it.
To be fair, this conflict doesn’t show up until about halfway through the book either. Sure, the Whistledown wager is introduced earlier, but it has no significant impact on Colin and Penelope’s story for the reader yet as the reader doesn’t know she’s Whistledown until halfway through the book either. I have personally always found this pacing a little off and there was the opportunity to fix it here, but it looks like we’ll have plenty of that in the second half. That is where the obstacles will test things.
I was so disappointed in the development of their relationship. And I agree the romantic comedy parts were just not funny they should have played it with Colin being over the top jealous. That is really funny. So overall I just feel robbed
Could some direct me to the Benedict theories. I would be curious to see what people think as his story feels the most out of place to me. Even pointless in some ways.
I have only seen glimpses but there have been theories Lady Tilley will be somehow connected to Sophie. I will admit I am having trouble making sense of his arc so far this season but we’ll see what part 2 brings.
I like this blip on mythology but I also think they will add in the gay we first had token blacks now we have cliche token gays. I think Eloise and credenza will be the token gay which is why they are masculating Eloise to an unbearable amount to counter the feminine of credenza
I think they will add a subplot but I don’t think they’ll go this direction with Eloise and Cressida specifically. I could be wrong. I don’t think they are making Eloise masculine as much as showing her frustrations with the mold of womanhood set by this specific part of society. I also don’t think they’re aiming to tokenize anyone, though we can of course analyze if that has happened in the storytelling. Still, the lack of queer stories within the books was always going to be a potential struggle to address.
Having never read the book, I am really enjoying the TV show. Wouldn’t their masks start to come off when they begin to fall in love? Then when he discovers she is lady Whistledown?
Absolutely; And we start to see little slips of them! But right now a lot of the emotional arc is being held back by the Lady Whistledown secret and we’re just at the start of falling in love. I definitely think it’s a tough balance.
Hot take - I think Portia Featherington is an actual BAMF who just desperately wants her daughters taken care of
I support this heat-while I can have fun with gossipy-a little more flat-book Portia, I find show Portia so interesting!
There’s just too many things missing and other stuff going on at the same time besides Polin. Colin doesn’t know Colin knew she was Lady Whistledown yet. My daughter thought there was more sex than necessary. Somehow it didn’t work for me. I read the books lots of times but that was annoying because Benedict is doing something and Fran is doing nothing. There’s too much missing. The years missing after Colin comes back in the book is missing and Colin had already tried to elope with Marina Thompson in the first season. You kind of wonder if Colin is still immature. Only Eloise knew Pen was Lady Whistledown. It all happened much too soon. The first half of this season was oversexed and underwhelming for me anyway. Cressida is bipolar and I think they should do less sometimes to set up the other story lines. Too much too soon and not enough at the same time. I really liked the first two seasons but this one was head scratching. I miss the Smith-Smythe musicales. Arghhhh.
I don't know if it's important or not, but anyone noticed that Albion and Phillipa just kissed for two years and they tried the other stuff and were like "Oh. This is awesome." ?
Luqⁿ k