By Isabel S. Dieppa
The Bridgerton fandom has been patiently waiting over a year to know what will happen in the Ton next. Today the fandom has finally been given a small morsel for what is to come in season three of the series.
According to the trailer season three will focus on Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan), the writer–and real identity– of scandalous gossip queen of the Ton known only by her nom de plume, Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews).
Throughout the first two seasons Penelope has played more of a wallflower role. For the past two seasons she has also been deeply in love with her friend Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton). But Colin continues to not notice her. There was also some scandal in season one with the engagement of Colin and Marina Thompson.
That engagement didn’t last long after Lady Whistledown exposed Marina was already pregnant with another man’s child. ¡Escanaldo!
Season three will pick up where season two left off.
What happened in season two
In season two the story focus was on the eldest Bridgerton, Anthony Bridgerton(Jonathan Bailey) and his paramour, and later wife the headstrong Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley)–– their love affair has a very “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Taming of the Shrew” vibe to it.
Their love affair was scandalous with Anthony having been originally betrothed to Kate’s sister Edwina (Charithra Chandran). As any good enemy to lovers’ story, pragmatic Anthony’s heart was melted away by the passion and fire in Kate.
The two vexed each other, and complemented each other, and had many close encounters and much sexual tension–– but Regency era sexual tension, like the brushing of wrist, or intense eye contact while hiding behind a fan.
The engagement between Anthony and Edwina is broken at the altar, when it is clear Anthony has the hots for her sister. At the church Anthony and Kate are left perplexed and deeply horny, erm I mean burning for each other. However, nothing happens, I mean they are in a church, let’s be realistic––ok, well they kiss. There, happy?
After the broken engagement between Anthony and Edwina, Lady Whistledown uses her pen to come after Queen Charlotte. After all, the marriage was approved by the Queen, and Edwina was her diamond of the season.
Both the names of the Sharmas and the Bridgertons have been thrown in the dirt and the entire Ton wants nothing to do with such pariahs of society.
But to add to the tension, the Queen has had her lackeys searching to reveal the true identity of the infamous Lady Whistledown. The Queen suspects Lady Whistledown to be none-other than Eloise Bridgerton–– I know, she’s way off.
But Eloise is Penelope’s bestie and so to save Eloise she writes a scathing piece about Eloise fraternizing with “political radicals” in Bloomsbury. This seems like the best plan because Lady Whistledown would never write something scathing about herself, right?
Of course this is the regency era, and a woman’s reputation is everything. Naturally this plan goes south and Penelope may have ruined Eloise’s life with her piece–– she forgets the true power of the pen.
Lady Whistledown takes a small break after that and goes silent.
The Bridgertons throw a soiree with the Sharmas in an attempt to rebuild their names in society, but no one shows up. The two families decide to have a gay old time anyway and stop caring what the Ton thinks of them and party on their own.
This is when Anthony and Kate find each other in the gazebo where their sexual tension leads them to fight and finally give into their burning desire for each other. There in the gazebo during a warm rainy, steamy night they expose their true feelings for each other.
The next day Anthony wakes up alone and Kate has rode off with her horse. Anthony pursues her. Kate is knocked off the horse and knocked unconscious.
A few stern words are then given to Anthony, the playboy, about the need to marry for love, and this is what wakes him up–– metaphorically I mean.
And like any good romance story all’s well that ends well.
The Bridgertons are able to return to balls in society. Kate and Anthony have a dance, and the two star-struck lovers who were obviously meant for each other profess their love and eventually wed.
But, not all ends well for Penelope and this is where we come in on season three. By the end of season two Eloise has pieced together that Penelope is Lady Whistledown, and confronted her about it.
Penelope promises to never write the Lady Whistledown scandal sheets again, but it is too late. Eloise is done with Penelope as a friend and can’t forgive her.
Bridgerton season three
Season two has carefully and meticulously set up the stage for season three, perhaps the most scandalous season of all.
After all, dear reader, what happens when the pen turns to the writer? When the observer becomes the observed?
In season three we see Penelope attempting to wed, and seeking the help of her friend and long-time crush Colin Bridgerton (yes, that Colin). But another suitor is also interested in her.
Will Penelope find herself in a love triangle, and if my literary mind is correct, do I sense a bit of Pygmalion vibes?
And have we truly seen the last of Lady Whistledown?
So much to explore and uncover in Bridgerton season three. Bridgerton season three will premier in two parts. Part one, including episodes 1-4 premiering May 16. And Part two, including episodes 5-8 premiering June 13.
Learn more about Bridgerton season 3 here.
Images courtesy of Netflix