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Brace yourselves, Regency Romance fans! The Temple of Geek Podcast is dissecting the juicy first half of Bridgerton’s scandalous Season 3! Our hosts, Kari, Maria, and JJ, are sharing their thoughts on the season so far.

Bridgerton whisks us back to the opulent chaos of Regency London’s elite. Picture glittering ballrooms, aristocratic power struggles, and a web of social etiquette so intricate it would make your head spin. This season centers on the charismatic Bridgerton family, eight siblings determined to find love and navigate the treacherous marriage market.

Review: Bridgerton Season 3, Part 1

Fans of Bridgerton eagerly awaited the first four episodes of season 3, but the wait may not have been entirely worth it. Hosts Kari, Maria, and JJ shared their thoughts on the new season, and while there were glimpses of enjoyment, a feeling of disappointment prevailed.

This season, Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) is done pining over Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) after his cruel words last season. She craves independence from her overbearing family and hatches a plan to snag a husband. But with her confidence shattered, her attempts at finding a match are hilariously disastrous. Colin returns from his travels a changed man – swaggering and self-assured. But he’s shocked to find Penelope, the one person who always appreciated him, giving him the cold shoulder. Desperate to win back her friendship (and maybe a little more?), Colin offers to be Penelope’s confidence coach. Little does he know, his lessons might spark feelings he never expected.

JJ, a huge Bridgerton fan, expressed that the season fell short of the expectations set by the trailers. They felt the show sidelined the central romance between Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington in favor of focusing on numerous subplots. Additionally, the development of their relationship felt rushed, leaving JJ wanting more emotional build-up. Maria chimed in with a similar sentiment. She agreed that the pacing seemed off and attributed it to the unusual format of a split season. Believing the creative team needed to create a cliffhanger for the upcoming part 2, Maria felt this resulted in a rushed plot that sacrificed character development.

Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth: The Case for Fewer Storylines

Kari echoed Maria’s point, emphasizing how there was an overwhelming number of storylines including:

• Anthony‘s story (briefly mentioned)
• The boxer and his wife, Juliana
• Eloise and Cressida
• Benedict and Lady Tilly
• The Featheringtons (including Francesca’s surprise pregnancy)
• Lady Violet and Lady Danbury’s potential romance
• Penelope’s secret identity as Lady Whistledown
• Colin and Penelope

Kari argued that eight storylines in just four episodes were excessive, especially since some received significant focus. They suggested the season needed more episodes to properly develop each plot without sacrificing the central romance.

The consequence of this overcrowded season, according to the hosts, was a feeling that Colin and Penelope felt like side characters in their own story. They argued that the fast pacing between them, combined with the numerous subplots, left no room for genuine character development or emotional build-up.

Double Trouble: Balancing Love, Friendship, and a Secret Identity

Penelope’s friendship with Eloise (Claudia Jessie) hits a snag as Eloise finds a surprising new confidante. As Penelope gains popularity in society, keeping her secret identity as the gossip queen, Lady Whistledown, becomes even trickier.

Despite the pacing issues, both JJ and Maria acknowledged finding some enjoyment in the new season. However, the feeling of “it could have been better” lingered. They yearned for a slower burn, allowing the characters and their relationships to breathe. Overall, Bridgerton season 3 seems like a mixed bag. While some aspects may entertain fans, the rushed plot and underdeveloped romance leave room for improvement in the upcoming part 2.

Overall, Bridgerton season 3 seems like a mixed bag. While some aspects may entertain fans, the rushed plot, underdeveloped romance, and excessive storylines leave room for improvement in the upcoming part 2.

About our Guest

JJ is a Nerd who likes to talk about Marvel, Star Wars, A Song of Ice and Fire, Lord of The Rings, and other geeky things. You can find her on TikTok as @ladydragonjj and you can check out her linktree for more.