Falling in love with a television series is similar to starting a romantic relationship. The initial flirtation concludes with deciding whether to commit to the plot and characters, with the show's atmosphere deepening or stagnating through each subsequent season. For Netflix's Bridgerton, the charm seems to be fading into familiarity as it leaves behind its early days of narrative courtship with its fans, heading into its third season.
Although the latest season faithfully maintains its staple elements, such as the virginal heroine, rakish hero, high-society scandal, and orchestral pop covers, it is starting to feel more familiar than exciting.
The narrative of this season, helmed by showrunner Jess Brownell (who replaced Chris Van Dusen), centers on Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) - the seemingly unnoticed girl who secretly manipulates the ton's scuttlebutt as Lady Whistledown, the unidentified author of the scandalous society notes.
Despite the triteness, the intricate relationship between Penelope and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), and their charismatic presence in their lead roles considerably saves this instalment from descending into blandness. However, the enigmatic charm that has been the hallmark of Bridgerton is significantly reduced by the lack of obstacles between Penelope and Colin. The simmering tension between the couple is undermined by the predictability of their romantic trajectory.
Furthermore, we are given little insight into their initial friendship before their transition into lovers, making this season's romantic spotlight feel unbalanced.
Interestingly, the most moving romantic tale of the season might be the friendship between Penelope and Eloise (Claudia Jessie). The childhood comrades find their relationship strained due to Eloise's discovery of Penelope’s Lady Whistledown adventures. The bond between the two women creates a captivating subplot that further highlights the shallowness of the main romantic storyline.
Ultimately, it seems as though the third season of Bridgerton has gone a bit off track, making it less appealing than previous seasons. Nevertheless, it does introduce varied romantic dynamics, as evidenced by Francesca's (Hannah Dodd) storyline, a character who seeks a peaceful, tranquil connection rather than a drama-filled one.
This highlights an evolution in the show's approach to storytelling, but only time will tell whether this change will enhance or hinder their relationship with its fans.
