As soon as it was released, Bridgerton season 3 quickly became a phenomenon that covered all social networking sites. Still revolving around the “marriage market” of the London aristocracy in the early 19th century, but Bridgerton 3 contains deeper meanings than a romance.
The Bridgerton franchise is set in the Regency era in the early 1800s, revolving around the marriage of London’s aristocrats at that time, narrated by a mysterious woman, Lady Whistledown. Based on that romantic and dramatic quality, the series has created brilliant and splendid footage like fairy tales. In particular, season 3 focuses on developing the love story between Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan). Although they appeared in the previous two seasons, it is only now that the couple has truly become the main characters. Not only a love story, Bridgerton 3 also tells a complete story with friendship, family affection and self-love.
Is there a real friendship between the opposite sex?
Penelope (nicknamed Pen) has admired Colin, her best friend Eloise’s brother, since childhood. Besides reading and writing, the little girl likes to sit by the window, watching the neighbor’s house opposite because he is there. Colin is gallant, always loved by girls and comes from the prestigious Bridgerton family, while she is self-conscious about her unattractive appearance and introverted personality, so she is always overshadowed during the festive season. With such a big contrast, Pen just wants to keep her feelings quietly under the name of friends. However, when she accidentally heard Colin say that he would never pursue her with his group of friends, Pen was determined to give up her unrequited love to find a good husband who understands her identity as Lady Whistledown. Meanwhile, Colin, after returning from a long trip, was disappointed to see that the girl who always followed him had become cold. To get the attention of Miss Featherington, he offered to help her change and receive a worthy proposal. From here, Colin gradually realized his feelings, but for a long time he mistook it for pure friendship.
But the highlight of the plot is not only overcoming the boundary of friendship to be sincere with the love that is burning in their hearts, but also in the way they accept, sacrifice, and overcome difficulties together. Few people know that Penelope is Lady Whistledown, also the object that Colin hates bitterly, because many people he cares about and loves have been “destroyed” by her sharp pen. So between love and hate, what will win?
The appeal does not only come from the content
The theme of romantic love has never been less attractive, and becomes even more special when adding the flashy and splendid material of the Regency period. Like the strengths of previous seasons, Bridgerton 3 successfully recreates the most luxurious balls. The nobles wear gorgeous costumes, dancing together to melodious music at the majestic palace.
Besides the eye-catching footage, another special feature of Bridgerton is the British English accent of London’s powerful class with its refined and elegant use of language, making even normal conversations “aristocratic”. In addition, another commendable point in the film is the modern songs that are transformed into symphonies at the ball. Some very familiar songs mentioned in season 3 are: “Snow on the Beach” by Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey, “Dynamite” by BTS or “Happier Than Ever” by Billie Eilish,…
Focusing on depicting the noble people in the aristocracy of society, the Bridgerton producers did not completely colorize this period. Here, marriage becomes a real race and contains more calculations and benefits than true love. In reality, women become victims when the greatest purpose of the young ladies is only to have value in the marriage market. They are bound by the standards of beauty and etiquette. If they cannot find a suitable fiancé, their families will arrange it and sometimes the marriage partner is an old man old enough to be their father, as in the case of Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen).
However, in Bridgerton 3, viewers encounter women with their own opinions and passions. Eloise does not take marriage seriously and is bored with empty conversations with other young ladies. Meanwhile, Penelope is passionate about reading and writing. She has a illustrious publishing career that is enough to make her own money. Even contrary to the original, when faced with the threat of her identity being exposed, Pen is willing to confess and take responsibility to everyone instead of asking Colin for help. It can be seen that she represents progressive women in contemporary feudal society.
According to the original, Francesca would marry the Earl of Kilmartin, and fall in love with Kilmartin’s relative after his death. However, the producers of Bridgerton changed the character’s gender to female, becoming Michaela Stirling instead of Michael Stirling. In addition, many viewers also pointed out some other details that showed Francesca did not really love her fiancé when she hesitantly kissed him and developed feelings for her cousin Michaela, who she had just met.
In addition, in order to build the relationship between the main couple Polin (the combined name of Penelope and Colin), Benedict Bridgerton was also described as “a vagabond” instead of having a long-term marriage like in the novel. Despite mixed opinions, many fans of the series still expressed their excitement about these new developments.
