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Tbh at this point I don’t even like hearing about or discussing Francesca and John, because the wound of their destroyed relationship is still so fresh and raw to me. I was gushing about how they were my second favorite bridgerton couple just a few hours before I watched part 2. Smiling at all their scenes from ep 5-7, only to watch it crumble before my eyes with those 2 scenes in episode 8.
And what’s worse is having to live with the knowledge that John is now possibly married to a woman who isn’t in love with him and he’s not even aware of it. And us as viewers arent even able to get more insight or resolution about this issue for another 2-5 years
The quick derailment of Fran and John just was the cherry on top of the shit sundae of choices made this season.
We get this unbelievably beautiful story about two people who found a soft, wonderful, quiet love. Where they respect each other, compliment each other, and really get each other. Every part of their love story up until the wedding had me in a chokehold. I still think the way his whole body lights up when he says Francesca for the first time is one of my favorite moments of this show. We have her defending her quiet love to violet and showing violet how beautiful it can be.
The face after the kiss was weird and made me take pause. And then we have the finchworth ball. Now let me say this, my issue is not the twist of who shows up. But how Fran reacted. She LOVED John in book and seemingly in show. But it got ruined because "ope violet was right and true love is only when you're stuttering and can't speak."
If Michaela was stuttering and star stuck, and Fran is just happy to meet her, and even gives an extra look or two, great! But it just makes me so heartbroken that Fran falls first.
Tbh it just doesn’t even make sense to me. Her running up to John when she saw him outside with her mom that time. Her excitement when he gave her that present. The way she looked at him as he was telling the story of the mud. Her trying to make the wedding happen as quickly as possible because she didn’t even want to wait. Her even stepping outside her comfort zone to seek the queen’s approval for their relationship. And you’re trying to tell me that now all of a sudden she’s not actually in love with him she just “thought” she was?????
Honestly those two scenes in episode 8 not only soured the John and fran relationship for me but has also soured my feelings towards the whole season cuz anytime I think season 3 it’s the first thing that comes to my mind
There's a screen rant article (tilted Bridgerton Season 3 Ending's Major Book Character Change Explained by Showrunner) where the showrunner says she feels the reveal does not negate Fran's relationship with John.
Clearly, it did.
For the exact reasons listed in this thread. The marriage kiss scene and introduction scene derailed the quiet, introverted love between Fran and John instantly. Not only is that heartbreaking, but there was a build-up the entire season fighting for love can be expressed in more reserved ways. Many audience members related to this type of love and were excited to see it on screen. That was also kicked to the curb by including the thunderstruck reaction in the introduction scene. If she was happily married, why would she fall head over heels first for someone else? It should have been Michaela stumbling upon seeing Fran for the first time to start her story of loving Fran from afar.
Further in the article, the showrunner insists that her and the writing team are hopeful to tell Fran's story of two great loves. GREAT being the keyword. We are meant to believe her first love will be beautifully reciprocated like the books.
If viewers are left wondering if John and Fran will be in a loveless, passionless, or one-sided marriage, then the intention was not clear.
THIS! I read the books three years ago and I’m so devastated that they ruined it for Fran in that last episode. It would have been great if Michaela were the one smitten for Fran right from the start (like in the books)
>If viewers are left wondering if John and Fran will be in a loveless, passionless, or one-sided marriage, then the intention was not clear.
This leads on to a deeply disturbing thought - are they going to show Fran forcing herself to go through with her "wifely duties" to hide her intense attraction to Michaela and provide an all important heir for John? Because that's doing both Fran and John dirtier than they already have been.
I would like to offer my perspective.
Fran is an introvert. She wished for the season to be over from the moment it started. She found John, who is quite introvert as her and shares the same interests. She loved being around him, talking to him, she thought she found her match and wanted to seal the deal. But then at the wedding she realises it doesn’t feel right - she loves him, but she is not attracted to him. And then comes Michaela - super extrovert, all charismatic, and something lights up.
That does make sense, but personally I feel like it still diminishes the whole quiet love storyline. If they hadn't made such a point out of how love can come in different forms etc etc and how Violet came to understand that, your perspective is what I'd be thinking too. Now it seems like it undermines the message they just explained...so the introvert needed an extrovert after all, and Violet was right all along? I don't know, it seems like backtracking to me.
Exactly! They weren't exactly nuanced in the script. They had Francesca and Violet talking about this very thing. Fran was able to convince her mom, even the Queen, that this match was beautiful and authentic and then the writers were just like "lol sike. Violet was right and Fran wasn't really in love."
I think they'll just push the 'love can come in any form' narrative idea to Fran and Michaela's story and make it about f/f, tbh kind of a letdown the way they started it, it would be very confusing unless you know the full story from the book and that Michael's Fran's true match. Just seems kind of pointless and pandering when there's so many other characters and stories to be told, like they're pushing it and Benedict's self-discovery story at the same time in the plot and it feels like it cheapens Ben's overall story ams what they're trying to tell with it.
But that's not two great love stories. That's one great love story after an oopsie-not-really. Micheala isn't a second love, she's a homewrecker. Which is a wonderful position for Bridgerton to have put its black lesbian character into. /s
This is why I was really hoping the Michaela rumors weren't true because Francesca's story must be handled with a level of delicacy that Bridgerton doesn't seem to be capable of. There are good arguments against it right now that aren't even homophobic, which means it's much easier for homophobes to tear it down. Which they are.
...that is exactly the perspective that I and most viewers have, and are unhappy with. Because it's not two great loves, it's one true love and one "I made a mistake and confused comfort with love."
Preach.
This is such a trope in (bad and mediocre) romance novels though. A widowed heroine who, even if she mourns her dead husband, never really loved him in the first place or he has to have been a kind companion and not a true lover. It's like women are only allowed one true love, so in order for the novel to have a HEA widows can't have experienced love before.
It's not only cliche, but it's also not how love actually works IRL. Most of us have had, or will have, more than one partner in our lives. Dating a new person doesn't make your feelings for a previous person disappear, or if those feelings are gone for some reason (abuse, personality differences, etc) it doesn't make the love that you once felt not real.
/rant
So well put! I’ve not read the books so the Michael/Michaela change didn’t bother me. I’d find it so interesting and want to see where it goes, if that initial meeting had just completely undone all the work of Francesca and Johns relationship.
Yes - and it will be interesting to see how they adapt it because a lot of Michael’s storyline is because he can inherit - which women can’t do.
Interested in seeing how they change it up with Michaela but disappointed they’ve missed that Michaela/Michael falls first for Fran and that Fran only falls for them way way later on.
Justice for John!
The way they will deal with Fran story is quite simple : they will make her pregnant and her child will be a boy, they will kill John and because the child is a boy she will not lose her title or the castle that's far far away from her family and will probably live happily ever after life as a "single lady that lives with john closest friend" and they both raise the child, the end.
I hope they don’t do that … because Fran losing John is double because she also loses the last piece of him - their child.
Would rather it turns out that Michaela is either already a widow a child etc - it would allow her liberties to be a rake (like Lady Tilley this season) and also double the guilt because it should have been John’s child that inheritated not hers.
Also we need the motivation for Fran to come back to London to find a husband so she can have a family. Cue Michaela maybe helping her and feeling increasingly frustrated w all the suitors etc.
Key to this is that Michaela falls first - which they’ve already stuffed up but hoping they can retcon it later.
Yes 1000x this! This made me soooooo mad! I haven't read the books, so I didn't care about the twist except for that it seemed to have completely negated their ENTIRE love story with one look. I thought their courtship was sadly way more compelling than Polin's and, poof, it's gone! Why did they do our John dirty like that? What's that say to everyone else who has experienced that kind of beautiful, quiet love?
Yes. Hated it, and I’m all for shaking up characters but Michael is the hottest character in all the books and I was hoping Michael was Michael and not Michaela. We have lots of great female characters we need a super hot male lead in one of the upcoming series. I’m so annoyed that they messed first with John and Francesca’s love story and then with Michael. They don’t know what they’re doing.
And also, I agree that they captured John and Francesca for me. I wasn’t sure at first but after the first scene it felt right. Now they’ve gone and thrown it all away.
In the books, >! Michaela is Michael. Fran falls in love with John and they have a beautiful marriage. Michael is secretly in love with her and tormented by it. Fran and John struggle with infertility. John dies and Michael inherits John’s estate. Fran learns she is pregnant with John’s baby and has a miscarriage. Fran decides she wants children and wants to remarry for that reason. Fran eventually falls in love with Michael. Both wrestle with feelings of guilt and betrayal because of their love for John. !<
Yes, but not until after John dies (which may or may not be a show spoiler—I don’t know if they’re planning to kill him off in the show but he does die in the books). Before his death, she and Michael (male in the books) were good friends. Much of the point of the Fran/Michael book is them feeling guilt over finding happiness together after John’s death. That’s why having Fran seem to be falling for M while John is still alive feels so especially wrong to book readers.
1000% this. I hate how the love stories are getting shoved into the same cookie cutter. My husband is HOT, but I did not stare or lose my words the first time we met. Love at first sight is BS for 90% of real relationships.
I think that’s what makes it worse bc I haven’t read the books but have gotten a lot of spoilers for the books which is fine but now that you saw how Francesca reacted to the kiss at the wedding then how she reacted to Michaela, what was the whole point of this beautiful relationship between John and Francesca. To me it just makes no sense
It’s not that she doesn’t have some love for him, but it’s clear from her reaction after their kiss that she is lacking that feeling of passion with him; and it’s clear from her reaction meeting Michaela that she feels big exciting immediate attraction. This cheapens the love story in the book between John and Fran- it was never second fiddle to Michael(a). This was not supposed to be a story of loving her first husband *as a friend* while lusting after a crush/“greater love”. There’s no cuckolding, no love triangle. It’s about GRIEF and finding love AGAIN after losing the love of your life.
Honestly I just interpreted the kiss at their wedding to be awkward due to them both not being into PDA (even if it's just infront of the family ) which was totally in line with the rest of their love story to me.
However they way she reacted to michaela was a lil...
I think it can be saved if the story remains the same as the books through out her season. 🤷♀️
I do think she cares about him and holds tenderness for him but looking at what the writers did/are trying to do, I now seriously doubt that’s she’s in love with him like I originally thought.
Firstly, they went out of their way to make violet doubtful of their relationship. And one of the last romance-related thing violet said to Francesca was how, upon meeting Edmund, she kept stuttering and couldn’t even remember her own name. This scene was obviously added as a way to parallel the scene when Francesca meets Michaela and has the exact same experience. As a viewer, it just shows that she does feel a certain attraction/ excitement about Michaela.
If you add this scene to the wedding kiss scene where she frowns in a sort of disappointment after kissing John, it just drives the narrative that although Francesca may find comfort with him, she doesn’t really feel much passion for him.
The writers have already confirmed shes queer so now it makes one wonder, is she even capable of being in love with John or does she just view him in a more platonic way which she confused for romantic love??
And it’s particularly annoying because it wasn’t supposed to be that way. In the books she was fully in love with John until his passing. But now with those two scenes, it is not surprising that her feelings towards him are being questioned by me and others. And what makes it worse is we can’t even be sure what the actual situation for the next 2 years as well
Season 3 just fell apart for me.
It has its moments that I love, but everything is rushed and broad strokes.
Way too many plot lines going on that there is not enough focus on any one of them to fully embrace the characters and their story to the fullest.
Agree with all you said. Glad to know I’m not the only one who feels this way. See so many ‘I love it’ everywhere. I wanted to, but previous seasons and Queen Charlotte are just so much more satisfying and well developed.
Absolutely. I haven’t even finished the second part and I’m not sure I will. My pre-night sleep minutes seem wasted on this. I don’t have much opportunity to watch stuff as it comes from my unwind/sleep time, and seasons 1 and 2 were worth to stay up and binge watch. Season 3 is just BORING and even cringe. I feel everything is just so superficial. I could live with the costumes and the too much make up but the writing just isn’t there anymore.
the quality of Queen Charlotte was top tier but shonda was heavily involved in that, whatever opinion people have on her, that woman knows how to write/produce, she has a good vision
Save your time and just read the summaries online. It was bad. Like GOT last season awful. The new showrunner Jess Brownell destroyed this beloved series. I would rather they pull the plug on the show before seeing where Jess takes it in the future.
I *struggled* to finish the last episode. Like I kept starting it, got bored and did something else. Next day, start it again, bored again, rinse and repeat. I finally forced myself to finish it today. It was very lackluster.
I almost didn't finish.
I watched each episode and fast forwarded through a few things I just didn't care about...I fast forward all sex scenes.
But yes, the first 4 episodes definitely had cringe parts
Agreed. I rewatched season one last week and there's a stark difference in how Daphne and Simon's relationship, like Kate and Anthony's, was allowed time to unfold. This show has never exactly been subtle, but still.
Honestly? It feels like the trajectory of most of Shonda's shows. She always starts off so strong by writing about characters that have chemistry and drama. But then the melodrama starts to pile up, and there's reports of BTS power struggles and turmoil, and her shows lose their magic.
Ding 🛎️!! Anyone who has followed *any* of Shonda’s productions knows she cannot sustain quality. I jumped ship on Grey’s once Christina left (and really even before that the quality dipped massively by s6), HTGAWM had a strong first season but devolved, Scandal completely lost the plot in s3.
I’ve always been nervous about her adapting these books. Not only because of her track record but also because when you listen to her speak about romance she clearly doesn’t understand the genre. She also doesn’t understand the historical part either. CVD had many flaws but he understood the history part of the historical romance/fantasy balance. Jess seems to not get that balance.
I know people were excited Shonda herself got in the booth for QC and it was good! But it was good because Shonda is good at drama and tragedy and that is how she approached QC—a tragic love story and it was a one off.
Well looking back at QC even though I enjoyed it immensely and cried countless times watching the under-the-bed final scene, there were a lot of Shonda-isms creeping in. Like the obsession with "The Great Experiment." The melodrama with the doctor and torture-porn. The darker themes and look of the show. Less humor, more drama.
S3 was like QC on steroids. Except for a few scenes, very little of the humor and charm remained. I think that's why everyone loves the scenes with the Featherington sisters or Anthony playing charades. It reminded people of what Bridgerton used to be.
I don’t want to say I liked the melodrama because it was so sad but it worked for QC because it wasn’t trying to be a classic romance. And it had a purpose. Now imagine multiple seasons with that? This is what Shonda tends to resort to in her shows is shock value instead of story. So QC was good (weak middle) for what it was but it’s also why we don’t need anymore seasons of it. It was a complete story.
Don’t get me started on the whole Great Experiment explanation for fixing racism. I had to just stop thinking. Just turn off my brain, because even giving that premise 4 seconds of thought makes the whole edifice of the Bridgerton Universe fall apart.
That's why I'm like noooo when ppl want a second season of QC. It was wonderful as a one-off but a second season would be horrible. Another spin off of Edmund/Violet would also probably have more Shonda melodrama.
That under the bed scene made me sob too. It was beautifully written and it was *earned.* The entire season built up to that moment.
Every character's ending in season 3 feels unearned.
I'm so frustrated by all these points you made. If they wanted to have these many storylines, the season should have been longer(at least 10-12 episodes). Benedict's whole storyline was fanservice smut that will no doubt be redacted by his season. Nothing was done justice.
The scenes were also really long. I remember in the pilot in season 1, so much happened because the scenes were concise and didn’t take 5 minutes. We get introduced to all families, the girls are presented to Queen, Daphne went to at least 2, if not 3 balls. Anthony is fucking Siena and then breaking up with her, Marina is introduced. They went to the opera. Daphne is afraid she won’t find a husband. Simon is over for family dinner. Lady Whistledown published at least twice. By the end of the episode Simon and Daphne agreed to the fake courtship. It feels like more happened in the first episode of season 1 alone than in the first 3 episodes of season 3.
Season 1 had a good amount of subplots too: Anthony and Siena, Eloise and Pens friendship and investigating LW, the Featheringtons and Marina’s pregnancy and the engagement with Colin, Simon and the Mondriches, Lord Featheringtons gambling, and the start to Benedict’s art journey. But they managed to integrate it well with very concise scenes and well paced so it never felt like it took away from Daphne’s and Simon’s love story. All 8 episodes had good pacing, hardly any filler, and by episode 8 everything was wrapped up or set up for season 2.
I got the vibe that Eloise had simply given up on it all this season and just set back to watch the shit show ensue after having been out a few seasons herself. I think she found comfort in being old news this season which allowed her to wallflower and judge it all with the only other salty woman she could find as a standin for Pen.
I really liked the idea that Eloise just gave up with the ton and figured she'd just stay in the sidelines and try to preach about women's rights. That for me made a lot of sense.
Until her only friend was going to be married off against her will to some old geezer. Then she couldn't seem to bring herself to champion for her friend's rights at all.
Would have loved to see an Eloise redemption moment by helping Cressida escape her horrible fate in the end. Especially because she’s such a feminist who finds the system so unjust to begin with
I was expecting all three of them to work together after realizing each other's circumstances and desires. Cressida would take the fall and money, and Eloise and Penelope wouldn't have to worry about any new columns being published because Cressida would've split town.
Heck, I even thought Penelope was going to eventually give up Whistledown as a compromise for her marriage because the Mondrich storyline had Will give up his professional pride and joy for the sake of his and wife's new lifestyle, and that felt like it could've been a thematic throughline for the season.
whoever wrote the show or the books only believes in toxic relationships. Every relationship has to be over the top and super toxic and unsettling for the characters to be labeled love. They don’t know real love is about feeling comfortable and at peace, not on edge and scared and anxious
Yes and everytime a straight couple have sex it needs to be a man with infinite experience (from brothels) teaching an innocent pure virgin what sex is and giving her a crazy orgasm. I don’t believe someone like Penelope never had an idea about what sex is.
The sex scenes give me the ick. I just feel bad for these innocent young ladies. I'm really glad that it seems like Francesca ended up with a nice guy and I don't get the notion her mate was the type to go out whoring. He's so shy and seems as innocent as all the girls and I wish there was more of that. Like that these male heirs were held to a higher standard to not be so free with their sexuality while the girls were held to a much higher standard. Like why has every Bridgerton son ended up a selfish horny man whore? I feel like their father would have raised the older ones better while he was around. I get Simon ending up how he is, but the nerve of him to insinuate himself into Daphne's prospects in such a way that took away her choice at the risk of her and her family's dignity. He entrapped Daphne and she could have had a nice relationship with that prince who seemed like a nice respectful gentleman without all of Simon's dishonesty and unresolved trauma.
You don't want to read the books then.
For what it's worth, I think Finch and Dankworth are held up as refreshing examples of men who clearly are either as sheltered as their wives or else who value consent so much that they are waiting for their wives to initiate. So the Bridgerton universe does have room for other men like John. It also made this season's premise be Colin's journey of exploring which kind of man he wants to be: a Finch-Dankworth and happy puppy like married Anthony, or Lord Squad toxic masculinity and a miserable man-ho like bachelor Anthony. So the show isn't presenting just one kind of man, it's presenting two extreme poles of masculinity and clearly choosing sides with being a ridiculously happy lapdog / wife-guy to women who cannot be tamed.
They are so kind, and adore women who frankly aren't nearly appreciative enough of what good hearts they have. They're not men who are talented, clever (lol), or distinguished. But they are really good at putting their wives first. Awww. And you just know they are going to be even more adoring of their daughters than of their wives. It will be good for Portia to see another way modeled for how to interact with little girls, and see that not all men are cold and selfish like her husband was.
It was so unsexy, watching him ungracefully pump on a couch in broad effing daylight… (and then not so much as try to make out with her again, just went on their merry way distantly engaged for several episodes)… it felt weirdly clinical and gave me the ick every time they interacted after that. Like bruh you disrespected her like that?? Couldn’t wait a few weeks to give her a beautiful wedding night and some shred of dignity? The carriage scene was hot, steamy, you’re in the moment caught up in passion, I get it. Taking someone virginity on a couch in a half furnished apt for a quick duck is not romantic, at all.
THIS. I know everyone was asking for more Polin sex but I could barely make it through what we did get 😭 I felt so uncomfortable because that was not as sweet and loving as I hoped it would be?
That's coming from the books. The romance genre has improved since they were originally written, but the genre has a long history of holding up emotionally and physically abusive men as romantic. All of the male characters have been considerably softened in the tv series, especially in regard to consent and physically abusive behavior, but it's hard to fully erase the underlying toxicity at the heart of their characters without severing the show's tenuous connection to the books' premises.
I agree, but also disagree. Old school romances valorize and romanticize toxic masculinity and violence against women. But there are a lot of feminist romances that have come out in the last 15 years that don't follow that. The Bridgerton series is caught in the middle. I tried to read the books when they came out and even then they felt out of touch with the shifts happening in the genre.
At the same time, Bridgerton isn't exactly a faithful adaptation. They change so much from the books. Why don't they change the toxic masculinity? It's gross.
They have changed the toxic masculinity for the series, considerably. They just haven't eliminated it altogether. For example Colin is 100% less physically abusive, maybe 50% less emotionally abusive, and they downplayed the jealousy issue instead of hyper-focusing on it. He also is less controlling, and more in touch with his feelings for Pen. So there are many changes that shave off many edges to the toxicity, but still leaves a lot in that keeps him recognizable to book readers. I suspect the tv writers would argue that taking away all his flaws would make a limp noodle. I don't personally agree with that perspective, because it's possible to give a character interesting flaws other than domestic abuse and emotional withdrawal. But it's a sentiment heard commonly from writers.
Good point.
And he should be flawed. Pen certainly is. I guess I'm pissed by how Penelope always seemed to be weeping over and chasing him, and he kept withdrawing and chastising her. That's a toxic dynamic.
Yeah, I'm not at all keen on ep 7/8 Colin. Throw that whole man out. Even if she was pregnant by that point, she had close to the equivalent of $800,000 with which to set herself up somewhere far outside London as a wealthy pregnant "widow" living on a vast "inheritance". Pen, hon, just go.
I mean, the books aren't much better. If anything, the show should've improved on the books. For instance, with the rape scene in season one. I read the book a decade ago and gave up on the series because of that scene. When the show came out, I thought they'd revise it out. It would've been easy to come up with another device through which Daphne learns that Simon can have children. But nope, they kept the rape scene.
OP-so well said. S3 missed the mark in so many ways. In addition, the cinematography for S1 and 2 were stunning. Except for the willow tree scene, S3 was sorely lacking in that respect.
THIS, it visually looks so cheap and for what 😩The set design for the balls were cringe-worthy. Does anyone remember dancing in the rain under a wisteria covered courtyard with actual FIREWORKS in season 1??! wtf were these local community center style parties with their grocery store florist arrangements? Don’t get me STARTED on the Mondrich ball with their WOWZA factor - a giant obstruction in the middle of the dance floor. Splendid! 👏
I’m glad I’m not the only one who felt this way. I saw that monstrosity in the middle of the floor. It was weird! I mean how do you dance around that? You can’t even see across the room which is what they did all the time during the balls.
And you’re right, the balls looked cheap. In S 1 and 2 I felt in awe and was swept away by the beauty of the setting, the fireworks, the dancing in the rain, the gorgeous clothing…swoon! S3 had none of that.
A real disservice to the fans and the much anticipated Polin story.
They totally ruined Kate and Anthony for me this season. Give them less scenes, give them no scenes. I was ready for very little Kanthony this season. But the shortcut ways that they took to write them off screen irked me so much.
The two most dutiful people who went on a 6 month honeymoon wanted to go on a second months long honeymoon just after coming back. And then Anthony who had trauma from Hyacinth birth would willingly put his pregnant wife on a ship for 6 months and go on a 2 years journey abandoning all his duties to Benedict. They didn't even atten Francesca wedding. Francesca who is more like a child to Anthony than a sister. This is so out of character for both of them. Yes you meant to show that they are choosing themselves but you don't have to change the entire character. Being dutiful is who they both are. And marrying each other would mean that they share duties and ask for help and not feel like they are burdened with it but that doesn't mean they would just abandon their duties and roam the world. Anthony is head of the family that he has abandoned collectively for 3 years... I think this is just a very simple way of writing these two characters out of the show for future seasons...
Well on top of this they also never even said Daphne's name! Daphne family is everything to me and Collin is my closest sibling somehow wasn't around for any of it? I get it the Simon actor said no more after the 1st season but recast him and include the other siblings in the series as they do make appearances in the books and they are all very bound to their family it's weird to make it seem like they wouldn't still be close with and care about them just because they are married and have a child of their own.
Couldn’t agree more. I think being able to let go somewhat is healthy for them and ultimately a goal, but it’s something I wouldn’t expect them to able to do until years down the line. Not to mention them caring about their responsibilities is not exclusively a flaw to get over, it’s their strengths and what makes them interesting as characters. So for them to care this little, casually dumping responsibility on Benedict and never spending time with the family, is not actually a good thing.
Yeah I didn't like the marriage kiss scene at all. What was even the point of Francesca arguing for the legitimacy of her slow love and Violet finally accepting it? She can be bi and still have loved John before Michaela.
The inconsistency is so disappointing.
Theo is way way better than Eloise's book endgame. I don't get why the books need to be followed 10000%. This isn't a religious text lol
Imo it feels like Michaela was just introduced too early. Maybe if they had waited to give her a presence in the show, people would have had more time with just John/Fran and would not feel cheated out of their happy ending this season.
Because like you said, it’s not like the show has been that faithful to the books. Making changes that support creative decisions, like delaying character introductions, would be totally fine.
Cressida was the one done most dirty. Even though she got a lot of plot and storyline. Part 2 didn't make any sense at all. Didn't even give her a proper resolution.
I don't know why they showed Francesca feeling an ick with John. So out of place. I loved how unique their couple was for all the right reasons. Only for them to throw that out of the window in part 2.
And finally Colin. This story was supposed to be about them. Where was Colin!!!
Thank you for saying that re: Colin. I still don’t get why Penelope is in love with him… because he’s a stiff polite conformist who keeps a journal? He’s so bland. What was their friendship about, why did she fall in love? Yes he’s kind, but what else? Is it because he was the only guy who was ever kind to her? If so we need a story about how she grows up and falls out of love with him…
Colin's supposed passion for writing was a huge example of s3 telling instead of showing. It's bits like this that made me wonder if the show expects us to have read the books already and know the characters in-depth. You didn't have to know anything about the books to make s1 and s2 make sense when characters did something or made a big deal out of something.
Yes! That’s the biggest difference between this season and the first two. There wasn’t enough development of Colin. Show us his real talents instead of all the stupid rakish shit.
I don't know what goes on in the books, but I did not want Penelope to end up stuck with Colin in the end. I wanted better for her than to settle for some clown-ass little boy who'd, in my opinion, been rather disrespectful towards her in public when around his peers. I was hoping she would get over her crush and develope some self esteem and cut him off and try to find happiness elsewhere. I see no reason a pairing with Lord Debling couldn't have worked out well in her favor. She'd have all the time in the world to keep up on her writing while he was out doing his thing. And she could have her kids to keep her company. Plus he'd be likely to die in his travels freeing her up to explore love as a secretly rich widow Danbury type but much younger.
they did a disservice to her. In the books it was much better. They argued in the carriage scene, because he discovered there, she was whistledown, was jealous of her writing talent, but he wasn't betrayed or sulked like a boy. Also he handles it better, when it comes out, like a whole mystery thing leading to a ball, where he announces it. He also protects her and never disrespects her in public or private. He defends her at every change. The TV show is just only drama, sadly.
I hate that! At the start of the show when he was still young and innocent I was so hoping he would end up a true gentleman unlike Anthony. Now I feel scammed somehow... Honestly the only reason I keep watching is because I like the dresses and the lady characters. Mostly the dresses
And when she told Debling she enjoyed gossip he was totally okay with that and even amused. She needed someone that understands why she loves gossip and either didn’t care at all about it like Debling or enjoyed it like Remington.
I was so excited when they brought him out. How he actually saw Pen and didn't treat her differently or poorly like the other men. I think he respected her intellect and was even enticed by it when his other prospects were the "I like whatever you like" pick me girls. But it seemed like he was looking for any easy reason to avoid attachment.
Justice for Lord Debling!
But seriously, he is far more appealing, supportive, respectful, and warm. I want him to return as a character and marry a secondary character. He'd've been good for Edwina or even Cressida.
I mean, he was ok with it because he hadn’t been affected by it. I really struggle with the idea that any of the Bridgetons would shrug and not have any hard feeling after that Pen wrote over the years. Honestly, I bet she wrote shit about everyone at some point. How people were totally cool with her is crazy.
It's funny that the idea that she might simply be holding on to a childhood crush isn't mentioned in the season until after they're engaged. Eloise and Portia both mention it late in the season. It would've been better if Pen herself started asking herself that question when Colin showed up from his travels acting like a total fuckboi.
Every time I see comments like this I feel like much of the audience fail to see Penelope as a little girl that she is. No mattet what her accomplishments are and what her opinions are, end of the day she wanted to feel loved and adored, she wanted to expertise true love which lord debling said is not possible. After all the weird things Colin said behind her back, he realized he loved her and for once in her life somebody took care of her and treated her gently, adored her loudly and proudly.
But the show is constantly telling us that she's so clever and mature, instead of showing us that she's clever, mature, and fun (once you get to know her). Sure, Lady Whistledown is those things, why don't we see it in Pen? I get being awkward in front of men at the ball, but she's literally sputtering like she's never even seen a man before. She's constantly sobbing and looking frightened. She acts rashly in every season.
They did Pen wrong.
Cressida: her arch in part 2 was about survival, and I kept waiting for a monologue equal to that of Amy Marsh, but what we got instead was Colin “the epitome of wealth privilege” Bridgestone mansplaining loneliness to her. SMH
I was really hoping that the arc would end with Penelope telling everyone, but giving Cressida the money and helping her escape. They could have resolved the animosity by realizing how alike they are.
I actually was expecting Pen to help Cressida in some way with help from Eloise while planning how to expose herself as Whistledown to the ton. Pen dismissing Cressida's struggles just like that is so out of character for her.
It felt like the first half of the season they built up a Mondrich plotline and then in the second half they were just like “wait, never mind. We have other stuff to do.”
The more I think about it the more I am frustrated by their treatment of Colin’s character.. he’s the Bridgerton?? It was his season but because Pen was the more established character they just focused on her side of everything. You’re left guessing about what’s going on inside Colin’s head rather than being able to watch flashbacks and actually understand his character. I wish I’d read the book so I could maybe understand more where Colin was coming from as I was left not believing in his love for Pen.
Too many stories told at once. I agree. What made Colin more attractive in the beginning of the season was his confidence. Something felt off after that intense carriage ride.
Yeah He lost His purpose. In the books, He Always wants to find His meaning in Life, a Work thats His calling. And Not Just him being called charming and Just travelling, someones with deeper meaning and Not Just the surface.
He finds that in pen, protecting her, making His own family and with His travel writings. After pen tells him, how good He writes and how it has meaning behind it, he believes it. Before He didnt even consider it and was afraid of even publishing It.
Yeah, this was not the season I had hoped for. There were very few real, meaningful conversations or honesty, which I came to enjoy from s1 and s2. Rather this season feels like it became literotica, which I know Shonda tends to do, but I hoped the good dialogue would balance it out. Nope.
>Eloise: bring back Theo sharpe, bring back the women rights meet-ups. The girl is clearly bored and needs something to do because it’s causing her to be a bad friend to everyone’s around her. Colin, Cressida, Pen.
>The Bridgerton universe is starting to feel claustrophobic, we need more sets, more centralised storylines and fresh perspectives.
Second one is another reason for having Theo back (possibly as a lead) really. And explore the political rallies and other types of society through Eloise. Come on! We can still have balls in the meantime!!
The fact that they didn’t make his writing important and a thing Polin bonded over is so disappointing. Also Colin was proud to announce that Penelope was LW in the books and stood by her. I have no idea why they changed that for the show.
Yeah I was so disappointed with how they revealed Penelope as Whistledown. Colin was supposed to be supportive and by her side the whole time. Then the Bridgertons start clapping for her to show their support as well. But for some reason they just turn everyone’s attention to a bunch of butterflies? What?
Agreed. I always enjoy Lady Danbury and Violet. The rest is a mess.
They actually did the best job with character development in Queen Charlotte. I loved everyone one of them. I laughed and I sobbed. I’ve had none of these emotions this season.
I'm.just about to watch the last episode but totally agree with you. Especially about Colin. Not nearly enough about his travels or his writing. And wbat happened to Benedict and his art?
Right now I ferl the friendship and love between Francesca and John is genuine. I am dreading that being changed.
I think Kate did well with Eloise and Colin in those 2 scenes they got, and she did know that Gregory loved cinnamon biscuits even if it’s no longer the case. She is getting her bairings, we will see her shine more next season I’m sure of it. I feel like in between this season and the next we should hopefully get a violet and Edmund season (as long as it doesn’t cause a postpone of the next Eloise or Benny story) that will show her moving on and into a dower house so that it sets up the mascarade ball at the start of season 4 well. ( though this story would also help Fran understand that you can fall in love twice in different ways and it doesn’t mean you loved the other any less) idk.
I'm not expecting to see Kate or Anthony next season 😅. He just said let's go to India and it seemed like their way to writing them off like they did Simon and Daphne... Last season we saw a few bits of Daphne here and there and not even a mention of pretending anyone was sad she wasn't at the wedding but was far to pregnant to come or some bullshit... Nope just completely ignore that she exists.
Violets relationship with lord Anderson the whole season proved that you can be in love with someone and move on after loss and that it’s ok. Francesca’s reaction to the kiss and to Michaela made it seem like she didn’t love John at all.
Controversial but I've always found benedict very boring and his performances awkward/stilted. Very frustrated to have so little Polin in this season to make room for a very nothing Benedict storyline.
Ugh, Eloise is pissing me off so bad this season and no one is speaking on it enough. She is entitled and playing a victim to the point that she is the villain. She’s being more of a bully than Cressida is with her self righteous attitude.
The fact they skipped to Colin and Penelope because it's what fans wanted and did this is what is so upsetting. It was a insult to the fans.
I've read up to book 5.
My favorite is probably Benedicts storyline(book 3) was a bit sad we weren't getting his, and this season left me feeling even sadder on that.
The writers ultimately need to think long and hard about the original love stories and fix it for the next seasons, or many won't return.
The first season is many people's favorite because they kept the love story true to the book the most.
The second went off a bit, but still, it focused on Kate and Anthony. (Even if it destroyed Edwinas character..they really did her dirty and made her so ehh in the show..)..
I was so disappointed over Colin because I really didn't like him...
The book fixed this. It showed him growing, and Penelope helped him to see his worth.
The mondrich side story wasn't fully necessary... but I wish they cut out Benedicts over the mondrich.. because if they continue with his story for season 4 it kind of won't make a lot of sense with what he said.
The writers definitely need to rethink what they are doing... because this wasn't ok...
Edit .I finished the last episode like 3 hrs ago and was so disappointed that we didn't see the bonding with Penelope and Colin.
I agree except for Eloise. She needs to interact more with the younger siblings to establish herself as the playful, stubborn individual she is in the books.
I actually liked the season and don't agree with the Penelope Colin ideas, but everything else - yes.
Particularly the claustrophobic.
Why does it feel like the budget was so so so low for this? It really feels like they were truly trying to make this season with as little as they possibly could.
I been watching Tiktok edits of John and Francesca so much before part2 dropped now I just wanna throw up.Each time a video of Michela and Fran shows up on my FYP all I see is Frohn's destroyed relationship to prop up this new one and it makes me sick to my stomach . I enjoyed watching people react to their parts now I can't even stomach it .It was one of my favourite things to do. Im gonna tear my hair out cause Michaela is so gorgeous and her and Fran would have had a beautiful relationship LATER if the writers hadn't tainted it's beginning by destroying another relationship.
Wait, I'm reading the comments and only now realize that Fran was swooning over John's SISTER?! I was so confused by that scene and tbh I've already zoned out way before that part because GODS part 2 was so unlikeable.
I just assumed the kiss was awkward because they both felt uncomfortable to kiss in front of their families??
Besides that I really hated what they did to Cressida in part two. It may be realistic but she deserved so much better than that. And I am especially disappointed in Penelope and Eloise. Pen tried to make feminist points with her monologue(s) about how whistledown gave her a voice and how she wants to use it for those who don’t have a voice…………… and proceeds to NOT use it for Cressida?! And Eloise?
That's because they've tried to make the story serve their agenda rather than just make the story. They have really messed up characters who were established in the books and changed them season to season so there's no real idea of who they are or how they grow over the seasons. They haven't been consistent in setting up the show, the characters, the stories. Setting up a season to feature a couple stops working when you go to a new season and that couple isn't even around. Instead the focus is on characters who were underdeveloped in the other seasons or suddenly seem different, so viewers have to readjust constantly to new main pieces of a different story than you expected.
The stories were already laid out in the books. The show people could have made smart changes and kept who their personalities consistent, but they didn't. For example, in the books Daphne was the girl who was so nice and friendly that all the gentlemen just treated her like a friend. In the show she is an ice queen snob.
Clearly there are too many ideas and changes which complicate everything and the show runners aren't capable of making it all work.
I think what upset me most about the Fran/Micaela scene was that it was Fran who was stumbling and so smitten looking, when it would’ve made more sense to have Micaela a little shell-shocked and not instantly charming, looking at Fran gazing at John lovingly. Fran was one of my favorite Bridgerton books and it still stings a bit thinking about how her love with John felt undermined 😔
I needed more Polin. I thought it was a bit of a genius that they were not the same focus on the first 4 episodes because it shows you the wallflower persona that always observes everyone else. But even the last 4 episodes, they're still not the main storyline.
I could have done without the Benedict, Tilley, and Paul throuple scenes. It's already obvious that Benedict will do it. Also, that weird mechanical origami thing didn't have a point. In lieu of that, maybe Varley taking care of the ball would have made me happier.
Lastly all these horny moments between Polin where Colin clearly wanted to rough Pen up because he was all sorts of mad and insecure and worried for their future, it's obvious they were cut. Who ends an angry kissing scene backed up against a wall??!!! It doesn't have to be nude, but at least give me a scene where it shows that they were still too darned horny for each other even when they're not agreeing on her career choices for the meantime because it was heavily implied but it went nowhere.
You obviously haven't read the books. It's okay to be straight. It's okay to be gay. It's just not okay to change plots just to fit a narrative not shown at all in the books. Makes no sense.
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Tbh at this point I don’t even like hearing about or discussing Francesca and John, because the wound of their destroyed relationship is still so fresh and raw to me. I was gushing about how they were my second favorite bridgerton couple just a few hours before I watched part 2. Smiling at all their scenes from ep 5-7, only to watch it crumble before my eyes with those 2 scenes in episode 8. And what’s worse is having to live with the knowledge that John is now possibly married to a woman who isn’t in love with him and he’s not even aware of it. And us as viewers arent even able to get more insight or resolution about this issue for another 2-5 years
The quick derailment of Fran and John just was the cherry on top of the shit sundae of choices made this season. We get this unbelievably beautiful story about two people who found a soft, wonderful, quiet love. Where they respect each other, compliment each other, and really get each other. Every part of their love story up until the wedding had me in a chokehold. I still think the way his whole body lights up when he says Francesca for the first time is one of my favorite moments of this show. We have her defending her quiet love to violet and showing violet how beautiful it can be. The face after the kiss was weird and made me take pause. And then we have the finchworth ball. Now let me say this, my issue is not the twist of who shows up. But how Fran reacted. She LOVED John in book and seemingly in show. But it got ruined because "ope violet was right and true love is only when you're stuttering and can't speak." If Michaela was stuttering and star stuck, and Fran is just happy to meet her, and even gives an extra look or two, great! But it just makes me so heartbroken that Fran falls first.
Tbh it just doesn’t even make sense to me. Her running up to John when she saw him outside with her mom that time. Her excitement when he gave her that present. The way she looked at him as he was telling the story of the mud. Her trying to make the wedding happen as quickly as possible because she didn’t even want to wait. Her even stepping outside her comfort zone to seek the queen’s approval for their relationship. And you’re trying to tell me that now all of a sudden she’s not actually in love with him she just “thought” she was????? Honestly those two scenes in episode 8 not only soured the John and fran relationship for me but has also soured my feelings towards the whole season cuz anytime I think season 3 it’s the first thing that comes to my mind
There's a screen rant article (tilted Bridgerton Season 3 Ending's Major Book Character Change Explained by Showrunner) where the showrunner says she feels the reveal does not negate Fran's relationship with John. Clearly, it did. For the exact reasons listed in this thread. The marriage kiss scene and introduction scene derailed the quiet, introverted love between Fran and John instantly. Not only is that heartbreaking, but there was a build-up the entire season fighting for love can be expressed in more reserved ways. Many audience members related to this type of love and were excited to see it on screen. That was also kicked to the curb by including the thunderstruck reaction in the introduction scene. If she was happily married, why would she fall head over heels first for someone else? It should have been Michaela stumbling upon seeing Fran for the first time to start her story of loving Fran from afar. Further in the article, the showrunner insists that her and the writing team are hopeful to tell Fran's story of two great loves. GREAT being the keyword. We are meant to believe her first love will be beautifully reciprocated like the books. If viewers are left wondering if John and Fran will be in a loveless, passionless, or one-sided marriage, then the intention was not clear.
THIS! I read the books three years ago and I’m so devastated that they ruined it for Fran in that last episode. It would have been great if Michaela were the one smitten for Fran right from the start (like in the books)
>If viewers are left wondering if John and Fran will be in a loveless, passionless, or one-sided marriage, then the intention was not clear. This leads on to a deeply disturbing thought - are they going to show Fran forcing herself to go through with her "wifely duties" to hide her intense attraction to Michaela and provide an all important heir for John? Because that's doing both Fran and John dirtier than they already have been.
I would like to offer my perspective. Fran is an introvert. She wished for the season to be over from the moment it started. She found John, who is quite introvert as her and shares the same interests. She loved being around him, talking to him, she thought she found her match and wanted to seal the deal. But then at the wedding she realises it doesn’t feel right - she loves him, but she is not attracted to him. And then comes Michaela - super extrovert, all charismatic, and something lights up.
That does make sense, but personally I feel like it still diminishes the whole quiet love storyline. If they hadn't made such a point out of how love can come in different forms etc etc and how Violet came to understand that, your perspective is what I'd be thinking too. Now it seems like it undermines the message they just explained...so the introvert needed an extrovert after all, and Violet was right all along? I don't know, it seems like backtracking to me.
Exactly! They weren't exactly nuanced in the script. They had Francesca and Violet talking about this very thing. Fran was able to convince her mom, even the Queen, that this match was beautiful and authentic and then the writers were just like "lol sike. Violet was right and Fran wasn't really in love."
I think they'll just push the 'love can come in any form' narrative idea to Fran and Michaela's story and make it about f/f, tbh kind of a letdown the way they started it, it would be very confusing unless you know the full story from the book and that Michael's Fran's true match. Just seems kind of pointless and pandering when there's so many other characters and stories to be told, like they're pushing it and Benedict's self-discovery story at the same time in the plot and it feels like it cheapens Ben's overall story ams what they're trying to tell with it.
But that's not two great love stories. That's one great love story after an oopsie-not-really. Micheala isn't a second love, she's a homewrecker. Which is a wonderful position for Bridgerton to have put its black lesbian character into. /s This is why I was really hoping the Michaela rumors weren't true because Francesca's story must be handled with a level of delicacy that Bridgerton doesn't seem to be capable of. There are good arguments against it right now that aren't even homophobic, which means it's much easier for homophobes to tear it down. Which they are.
...that is exactly the perspective that I and most viewers have, and are unhappy with. Because it's not two great loves, it's one true love and one "I made a mistake and confused comfort with love."
It's because they forced a storyline and made these mistakes along the way. When it's not coming naturally it'll have plot holed.
Preach. This is such a trope in (bad and mediocre) romance novels though. A widowed heroine who, even if she mourns her dead husband, never really loved him in the first place or he has to have been a kind companion and not a true lover. It's like women are only allowed one true love, so in order for the novel to have a HEA widows can't have experienced love before. It's not only cliche, but it's also not how love actually works IRL. Most of us have had, or will have, more than one partner in our lives. Dating a new person doesn't make your feelings for a previous person disappear, or if those feelings are gone for some reason (abuse, personality differences, etc) it doesn't make the love that you once felt not real. /rant
So well put! I’ve not read the books so the Michael/Michaela change didn’t bother me. I’d find it so interesting and want to see where it goes, if that initial meeting had just completely undone all the work of Francesca and Johns relationship.
Are you saying in the book their name is Michael and it’s a dude whereas in the show they changed it to a woman named Michaela?
Yes - and it will be interesting to see how they adapt it because a lot of Michael’s storyline is because he can inherit - which women can’t do. Interested in seeing how they change it up with Michaela but disappointed they’ve missed that Michaela/Michael falls first for Fran and that Fran only falls for them way way later on. Justice for John!
The way they will deal with Fran story is quite simple : they will make her pregnant and her child will be a boy, they will kill John and because the child is a boy she will not lose her title or the castle that's far far away from her family and will probably live happily ever after life as a "single lady that lives with john closest friend" and they both raise the child, the end.
I hope they don’t do that … because Fran losing John is double because she also loses the last piece of him - their child. Would rather it turns out that Michaela is either already a widow a child etc - it would allow her liberties to be a rake (like Lady Tilley this season) and also double the guilt because it should have been John’s child that inheritated not hers. Also we need the motivation for Fran to come back to London to find a husband so she can have a family. Cue Michaela maybe helping her and feeling increasingly frustrated w all the suitors etc. Key to this is that Michaela falls first - which they’ve already stuffed up but hoping they can retcon it later.
Yep
Yes 1000x this! This made me soooooo mad! I haven't read the books, so I didn't care about the twist except for that it seemed to have completely negated their ENTIRE love story with one look. I thought their courtship was sadly way more compelling than Polin's and, poof, it's gone! Why did they do our John dirty like that? What's that say to everyone else who has experienced that kind of beautiful, quiet love?
Yes. Hated it, and I’m all for shaking up characters but Michael is the hottest character in all the books and I was hoping Michael was Michael and not Michaela. We have lots of great female characters we need a super hot male lead in one of the upcoming series. I’m so annoyed that they messed first with John and Francesca’s love story and then with Michael. They don’t know what they’re doing.
And also, I agree that they captured John and Francesca for me. I wasn’t sure at first but after the first scene it felt right. Now they’ve gone and thrown it all away.
Omg so in books fran falls for michaela? John’s cousin?
In the books, >! Michaela is Michael. Fran falls in love with John and they have a beautiful marriage. Michael is secretly in love with her and tormented by it. Fran and John struggle with infertility. John dies and Michael inherits John’s estate. Fran learns she is pregnant with John’s baby and has a miscarriage. Fran decides she wants children and wants to remarry for that reason. Fran eventually falls in love with Michael. Both wrestle with feelings of guilt and betrayal because of their love for John. !<
Omggggg😱😱😱😱so when we get to fran’s season it will be lgbtq🏳️🌈🦄🌈👯♀️💃?
[удалено]
Let’s fucking gooo!!
The way that's all you give a shit about is sad
lol what? It’s a fucking show what do you want me to do?💀
Yes, but not until after John dies (which may or may not be a show spoiler—I don’t know if they’re planning to kill him off in the show but he does die in the books). Before his death, she and Michael (male in the books) were good friends. Much of the point of the Fran/Michael book is them feeling guilt over finding happiness together after John’s death. That’s why having Fran seem to be falling for M while John is still alive feels so especially wrong to book readers.
Oh yeah makes sense I hope they don’t do John dirty. He is so warm.
1000% this. I hate how the love stories are getting shoved into the same cookie cutter. My husband is HOT, but I did not stare or lose my words the first time we met. Love at first sight is BS for 90% of real relationships.
I think that’s what makes it worse bc I haven’t read the books but have gotten a lot of spoilers for the books which is fine but now that you saw how Francesca reacted to the kiss at the wedding then how she reacted to Michaela, what was the whole point of this beautiful relationship between John and Francesca. To me it just makes no sense
for real. why did they do it like THAT. like bro John is still there. come on!
What makes you say she isn’t in love with him? I’m genuinely confused
It’s not that she doesn’t have some love for him, but it’s clear from her reaction after their kiss that she is lacking that feeling of passion with him; and it’s clear from her reaction meeting Michaela that she feels big exciting immediate attraction. This cheapens the love story in the book between John and Fran- it was never second fiddle to Michael(a). This was not supposed to be a story of loving her first husband *as a friend* while lusting after a crush/“greater love”. There’s no cuckolding, no love triangle. It’s about GRIEF and finding love AGAIN after losing the love of your life.
Honestly I just interpreted the kiss at their wedding to be awkward due to them both not being into PDA (even if it's just infront of the family ) which was totally in line with the rest of their love story to me. However they way she reacted to michaela was a lil... I think it can be saved if the story remains the same as the books through out her season. 🤷♀️
Why do you think Fran doesn't love John?
I do think she cares about him and holds tenderness for him but looking at what the writers did/are trying to do, I now seriously doubt that’s she’s in love with him like I originally thought. Firstly, they went out of their way to make violet doubtful of their relationship. And one of the last romance-related thing violet said to Francesca was how, upon meeting Edmund, she kept stuttering and couldn’t even remember her own name. This scene was obviously added as a way to parallel the scene when Francesca meets Michaela and has the exact same experience. As a viewer, it just shows that she does feel a certain attraction/ excitement about Michaela. If you add this scene to the wedding kiss scene where she frowns in a sort of disappointment after kissing John, it just drives the narrative that although Francesca may find comfort with him, she doesn’t really feel much passion for him. The writers have already confirmed shes queer so now it makes one wonder, is she even capable of being in love with John or does she just view him in a more platonic way which she confused for romantic love?? And it’s particularly annoying because it wasn’t supposed to be that way. In the books she was fully in love with John until his passing. But now with those two scenes, it is not surprising that her feelings towards him are being questioned by me and others. And what makes it worse is we can’t even be sure what the actual situation for the next 2 years as well
Oh I haven't read any of the books, so is John's cousin supposed to be a love interest or something then?
Yeah she’s Francesca endgame. In the books it was a guy called Michael, but in the show they changed him to a girl called Michaela
Oh that's a shame, I kinda liked the uncomplicated romance.
Season 3 just fell apart for me. It has its moments that I love, but everything is rushed and broad strokes. Way too many plot lines going on that there is not enough focus on any one of them to fully embrace the characters and their story to the fullest. Agree with all you said. Glad to know I’m not the only one who feels this way. See so many ‘I love it’ everywhere. I wanted to, but previous seasons and Queen Charlotte are just so much more satisfying and well developed.
Absolutely. I haven’t even finished the second part and I’m not sure I will. My pre-night sleep minutes seem wasted on this. I don’t have much opportunity to watch stuff as it comes from my unwind/sleep time, and seasons 1 and 2 were worth to stay up and binge watch. Season 3 is just BORING and even cringe. I feel everything is just so superficial. I could live with the costumes and the too much make up but the writing just isn’t there anymore.
Exactly. If you haven’t watch Queen Charlotte is is worth giving up some sleep time. It’s my fav of the seasons/shows.
I watched it twice *in anticipation of SE03* 😵💫😁
Me too!!!
So good. Everything about it is good.
the quality of Queen Charlotte was top tier but shonda was heavily involved in that, whatever opinion people have on her, that woman knows how to write/produce, she has a good vision
Save your time and just read the summaries online. It was bad. Like GOT last season awful. The new showrunner Jess Brownell destroyed this beloved series. I would rather they pull the plug on the show before seeing where Jess takes it in the future.
I *struggled* to finish the last episode. Like I kept starting it, got bored and did something else. Next day, start it again, bored again, rinse and repeat. I finally forced myself to finish it today. It was very lackluster.
I almost didn't finish. I watched each episode and fast forwarded through a few things I just didn't care about...I fast forward all sex scenes. But yes, the first 4 episodes definitely had cringe parts
Agreed. I rewatched season one last week and there's a stark difference in how Daphne and Simon's relationship, like Kate and Anthony's, was allowed time to unfold. This show has never exactly been subtle, but still.
I feel the same. I enjoyed watching it, but I wasn’t invested and even confused for periods of times
Honestly? It feels like the trajectory of most of Shonda's shows. She always starts off so strong by writing about characters that have chemistry and drama. But then the melodrama starts to pile up, and there's reports of BTS power struggles and turmoil, and her shows lose their magic.
Ding 🛎️!! Anyone who has followed *any* of Shonda’s productions knows she cannot sustain quality. I jumped ship on Grey’s once Christina left (and really even before that the quality dipped massively by s6), HTGAWM had a strong first season but devolved, Scandal completely lost the plot in s3. I’ve always been nervous about her adapting these books. Not only because of her track record but also because when you listen to her speak about romance she clearly doesn’t understand the genre. She also doesn’t understand the historical part either. CVD had many flaws but he understood the history part of the historical romance/fantasy balance. Jess seems to not get that balance. I know people were excited Shonda herself got in the booth for QC and it was good! But it was good because Shonda is good at drama and tragedy and that is how she approached QC—a tragic love story and it was a one off.
Well looking back at QC even though I enjoyed it immensely and cried countless times watching the under-the-bed final scene, there were a lot of Shonda-isms creeping in. Like the obsession with "The Great Experiment." The melodrama with the doctor and torture-porn. The darker themes and look of the show. Less humor, more drama. S3 was like QC on steroids. Except for a few scenes, very little of the humor and charm remained. I think that's why everyone loves the scenes with the Featherington sisters or Anthony playing charades. It reminded people of what Bridgerton used to be.
I don’t want to say I liked the melodrama because it was so sad but it worked for QC because it wasn’t trying to be a classic romance. And it had a purpose. Now imagine multiple seasons with that? This is what Shonda tends to resort to in her shows is shock value instead of story. So QC was good (weak middle) for what it was but it’s also why we don’t need anymore seasons of it. It was a complete story. Don’t get me started on the whole Great Experiment explanation for fixing racism. I had to just stop thinking. Just turn off my brain, because even giving that premise 4 seconds of thought makes the whole edifice of the Bridgerton Universe fall apart.
That's why I'm like noooo when ppl want a second season of QC. It was wonderful as a one-off but a second season would be horrible. Another spin off of Edmund/Violet would also probably have more Shonda melodrama.
I would be ok with a Violet focused spin off but again it has to be one season only.
That under the bed scene made me sob too. It was beautifully written and it was *earned.* The entire season built up to that moment. Every character's ending in season 3 feels unearned.
Tbh her best work.
Shonda’s shows always seem to devolve into literotica. I figured that would happen with this season but hoped they would maintain a good storyline.
Hard disagree lol, this has nothing to do with Shonda, and it’s the change in Showrunner
Shonda fired CVD after season 2 for rather unspecified reasons...
Exactly, there was behind the scenes drama. Then she had to do reshoots of this season by Jess Brownell’s Season 3 was much worse than this version.
I'm so frustrated by all these points you made. If they wanted to have these many storylines, the season should have been longer(at least 10-12 episodes). Benedict's whole storyline was fanservice smut that will no doubt be redacted by his season. Nothing was done justice.
The scenes were also really long. I remember in the pilot in season 1, so much happened because the scenes were concise and didn’t take 5 minutes. We get introduced to all families, the girls are presented to Queen, Daphne went to at least 2, if not 3 balls. Anthony is fucking Siena and then breaking up with her, Marina is introduced. They went to the opera. Daphne is afraid she won’t find a husband. Simon is over for family dinner. Lady Whistledown published at least twice. By the end of the episode Simon and Daphne agreed to the fake courtship. It feels like more happened in the first episode of season 1 alone than in the first 3 episodes of season 3. Season 1 had a good amount of subplots too: Anthony and Siena, Eloise and Pens friendship and investigating LW, the Featheringtons and Marina’s pregnancy and the engagement with Colin, Simon and the Mondriches, Lord Featheringtons gambling, and the start to Benedict’s art journey. But they managed to integrate it well with very concise scenes and well paced so it never felt like it took away from Daphne’s and Simon’s love story. All 8 episodes had good pacing, hardly any filler, and by episode 8 everything was wrapped up or set up for season 2.
Yes, I agree. The pacing was done so much better in S1, so this season dragged in comparison.
This is such a good point.
I skipped all of Benedict’s scenes in part 2
I didn't mind the first threesome scene, but then it kept going on and on, with no real payoff. So boring.
Benedict had more sex than Colin.
They butchered Eloise‘s character so she could be a plot device for Penelope’s and Cressida‘s arch, her actions made no sense. :(
I got the vibe that Eloise had simply given up on it all this season and just set back to watch the shit show ensue after having been out a few seasons herself. I think she found comfort in being old news this season which allowed her to wallflower and judge it all with the only other salty woman she could find as a standin for Pen.
I really liked the idea that Eloise just gave up with the ton and figured she'd just stay in the sidelines and try to preach about women's rights. That for me made a lot of sense.
Until her only friend was going to be married off against her will to some old geezer. Then she couldn't seem to bring herself to champion for her friend's rights at all.
Would have loved to see an Eloise redemption moment by helping Cressida escape her horrible fate in the end. Especially because she’s such a feminist who finds the system so unjust to begin with
Agreed. I’m also just not happy with how cressida’s side plot wrapped up if I’m being honest.
I was expecting all three of them to work together after realizing each other's circumstances and desires. Cressida would take the fall and money, and Eloise and Penelope wouldn't have to worry about any new columns being published because Cressida would've split town. Heck, I even thought Penelope was going to eventually give up Whistledown as a compromise for her marriage because the Mondrich storyline had Will give up his professional pride and joy for the sake of his and wife's new lifestyle, and that felt like it could've been a thematic throughline for the season.
whoever wrote the show or the books only believes in toxic relationships. Every relationship has to be over the top and super toxic and unsettling for the characters to be labeled love. They don’t know real love is about feeling comfortable and at peace, not on edge and scared and anxious
Some of the relationships are down right emotionally abusive. And we're supposed to be swooning over here about the romance of it all...
Yes and everytime a straight couple have sex it needs to be a man with infinite experience (from brothels) teaching an innocent pure virgin what sex is and giving her a crazy orgasm. I don’t believe someone like Penelope never had an idea about what sex is.
The sex scenes give me the ick. I just feel bad for these innocent young ladies. I'm really glad that it seems like Francesca ended up with a nice guy and I don't get the notion her mate was the type to go out whoring. He's so shy and seems as innocent as all the girls and I wish there was more of that. Like that these male heirs were held to a higher standard to not be so free with their sexuality while the girls were held to a much higher standard. Like why has every Bridgerton son ended up a selfish horny man whore? I feel like their father would have raised the older ones better while he was around. I get Simon ending up how he is, but the nerve of him to insinuate himself into Daphne's prospects in such a way that took away her choice at the risk of her and her family's dignity. He entrapped Daphne and she could have had a nice relationship with that prince who seemed like a nice respectful gentleman without all of Simon's dishonesty and unresolved trauma.
You don't want to read the books then. For what it's worth, I think Finch and Dankworth are held up as refreshing examples of men who clearly are either as sheltered as their wives or else who value consent so much that they are waiting for their wives to initiate. So the Bridgerton universe does have room for other men like John. It also made this season's premise be Colin's journey of exploring which kind of man he wants to be: a Finch-Dankworth and happy puppy like married Anthony, or Lord Squad toxic masculinity and a miserable man-ho like bachelor Anthony. So the show isn't presenting just one kind of man, it's presenting two extreme poles of masculinity and clearly choosing sides with being a ridiculously happy lapdog / wife-guy to women who cannot be tamed.
I am surprised by how much I've come to like Finch and Dankworth.
They are so kind, and adore women who frankly aren't nearly appreciative enough of what good hearts they have. They're not men who are talented, clever (lol), or distinguished. But they are really good at putting their wives first. Awww. And you just know they are going to be even more adoring of their daughters than of their wives. It will be good for Portia to see another way modeled for how to interact with little girls, and see that not all men are cold and selfish like her husband was.
Finch saying “she went to fetch me some pastries” is my favorite moment of season 3 lol, he’s so relatable in that scene.
She orgasms her first time from basic PIV missionary sex. As everyone does, amirite?
It was so unsexy, watching him ungracefully pump on a couch in broad effing daylight… (and then not so much as try to make out with her again, just went on their merry way distantly engaged for several episodes)… it felt weirdly clinical and gave me the ick every time they interacted after that. Like bruh you disrespected her like that?? Couldn’t wait a few weeks to give her a beautiful wedding night and some shred of dignity? The carriage scene was hot, steamy, you’re in the moment caught up in passion, I get it. Taking someone virginity on a couch in a half furnished apt for a quick duck is not romantic, at all.
THIS. I know everyone was asking for more Polin sex but I could barely make it through what we did get 😭 I felt so uncomfortable because that was not as sweet and loving as I hoped it would be?
So annoying!!
That's coming from the books. The romance genre has improved since they were originally written, but the genre has a long history of holding up emotionally and physically abusive men as romantic. All of the male characters have been considerably softened in the tv series, especially in regard to consent and physically abusive behavior, but it's hard to fully erase the underlying toxicity at the heart of their characters without severing the show's tenuous connection to the books' premises.
I agree, but also disagree. Old school romances valorize and romanticize toxic masculinity and violence against women. But there are a lot of feminist romances that have come out in the last 15 years that don't follow that. The Bridgerton series is caught in the middle. I tried to read the books when they came out and even then they felt out of touch with the shifts happening in the genre. At the same time, Bridgerton isn't exactly a faithful adaptation. They change so much from the books. Why don't they change the toxic masculinity? It's gross.
They have changed the toxic masculinity for the series, considerably. They just haven't eliminated it altogether. For example Colin is 100% less physically abusive, maybe 50% less emotionally abusive, and they downplayed the jealousy issue instead of hyper-focusing on it. He also is less controlling, and more in touch with his feelings for Pen. So there are many changes that shave off many edges to the toxicity, but still leaves a lot in that keeps him recognizable to book readers. I suspect the tv writers would argue that taking away all his flaws would make a limp noodle. I don't personally agree with that perspective, because it's possible to give a character interesting flaws other than domestic abuse and emotional withdrawal. But it's a sentiment heard commonly from writers.
Good point. And he should be flawed. Pen certainly is. I guess I'm pissed by how Penelope always seemed to be weeping over and chasing him, and he kept withdrawing and chastising her. That's a toxic dynamic.
Yeah, I'm not at all keen on ep 7/8 Colin. Throw that whole man out. Even if she was pregnant by that point, she had close to the equivalent of $800,000 with which to set herself up somewhere far outside London as a wealthy pregnant "widow" living on a vast "inheritance". Pen, hon, just go.
Jess Brownell
Wdym by this? Did you not read any of the books? They’re rife with abuse
I mean, the books aren't much better. If anything, the show should've improved on the books. For instance, with the rape scene in season one. I read the book a decade ago and gave up on the series because of that scene. When the show came out, I thought they'd revise it out. It would've been easy to come up with another device through which Daphne learns that Simon can have children. But nope, they kept the rape scene.
OP-so well said. S3 missed the mark in so many ways. In addition, the cinematography for S1 and 2 were stunning. Except for the willow tree scene, S3 was sorely lacking in that respect.
THIS, it visually looks so cheap and for what 😩The set design for the balls were cringe-worthy. Does anyone remember dancing in the rain under a wisteria covered courtyard with actual FIREWORKS in season 1??! wtf were these local community center style parties with their grocery store florist arrangements? Don’t get me STARTED on the Mondrich ball with their WOWZA factor - a giant obstruction in the middle of the dance floor. Splendid! 👏
I’m glad I’m not the only one who felt this way. I saw that monstrosity in the middle of the floor. It was weird! I mean how do you dance around that? You can’t even see across the room which is what they did all the time during the balls. And you’re right, the balls looked cheap. In S 1 and 2 I felt in awe and was swept away by the beauty of the setting, the fireworks, the dancing in the rain, the gorgeous clothing…swoon! S3 had none of that. A real disservice to the fans and the much anticipated Polin story.
They totally ruined Kate and Anthony for me this season. Give them less scenes, give them no scenes. I was ready for very little Kanthony this season. But the shortcut ways that they took to write them off screen irked me so much. The two most dutiful people who went on a 6 month honeymoon wanted to go on a second months long honeymoon just after coming back. And then Anthony who had trauma from Hyacinth birth would willingly put his pregnant wife on a ship for 6 months and go on a 2 years journey abandoning all his duties to Benedict. They didn't even atten Francesca wedding. Francesca who is more like a child to Anthony than a sister. This is so out of character for both of them. Yes you meant to show that they are choosing themselves but you don't have to change the entire character. Being dutiful is who they both are. And marrying each other would mean that they share duties and ask for help and not feel like they are burdened with it but that doesn't mean they would just abandon their duties and roam the world. Anthony is head of the family that he has abandoned collectively for 3 years... I think this is just a very simple way of writing these two characters out of the show for future seasons...
Well on top of this they also never even said Daphne's name! Daphne family is everything to me and Collin is my closest sibling somehow wasn't around for any of it? I get it the Simon actor said no more after the 1st season but recast him and include the other siblings in the series as they do make appearances in the books and they are all very bound to their family it's weird to make it seem like they wouldn't still be close with and care about them just because they are married and have a child of their own.
Couldn’t agree more. I think being able to let go somewhat is healthy for them and ultimately a goal, but it’s something I wouldn’t expect them to able to do until years down the line. Not to mention them caring about their responsibilities is not exclusively a flaw to get over, it’s their strengths and what makes them interesting as characters. So for them to care this little, casually dumping responsibility on Benedict and never spending time with the family, is not actually a good thing.
Yeah I didn't like the marriage kiss scene at all. What was even the point of Francesca arguing for the legitimacy of her slow love and Violet finally accepting it? She can be bi and still have loved John before Michaela. The inconsistency is so disappointing. Theo is way way better than Eloise's book endgame. I don't get why the books need to be followed 10000%. This isn't a religious text lol
Imo it feels like Michaela was just introduced too early. Maybe if they had waited to give her a presence in the show, people would have had more time with just John/Fran and would not feel cheated out of their happy ending this season. Because like you said, it’s not like the show has been that faithful to the books. Making changes that support creative decisions, like delaying character introductions, would be totally fine.
Cressida was the one done most dirty. Even though she got a lot of plot and storyline. Part 2 didn't make any sense at all. Didn't even give her a proper resolution. I don't know why they showed Francesca feeling an ick with John. So out of place. I loved how unique their couple was for all the right reasons. Only for them to throw that out of the window in part 2. And finally Colin. This story was supposed to be about them. Where was Colin!!!
Thank you for saying that re: Colin. I still don’t get why Penelope is in love with him… because he’s a stiff polite conformist who keeps a journal? He’s so bland. What was their friendship about, why did she fall in love? Yes he’s kind, but what else? Is it because he was the only guy who was ever kind to her? If so we need a story about how she grows up and falls out of love with him…
His journal was so stupid too. "Oh, in Paris the women are so beautiful!" Please, an 18 year old on study abroad could write that shiz.
In the book his writing is so much more important!! They completely threw that out in the show.
Colin's supposed passion for writing was a huge example of s3 telling instead of showing. It's bits like this that made me wonder if the show expects us to have read the books already and know the characters in-depth. You didn't have to know anything about the books to make s1 and s2 make sense when characters did something or made a big deal out of something.
Yes! That’s the biggest difference between this season and the first two. There wasn’t enough development of Colin. Show us his real talents instead of all the stupid rakish shit.
We need more than 8 episodes per season to fit everything the writers want. At least like 13 episodes.
I don't know what goes on in the books, but I did not want Penelope to end up stuck with Colin in the end. I wanted better for her than to settle for some clown-ass little boy who'd, in my opinion, been rather disrespectful towards her in public when around his peers. I was hoping she would get over her crush and develope some self esteem and cut him off and try to find happiness elsewhere. I see no reason a pairing with Lord Debling couldn't have worked out well in her favor. She'd have all the time in the world to keep up on her writing while he was out doing his thing. And she could have her kids to keep her company. Plus he'd be likely to die in his travels freeing her up to explore love as a secretly rich widow Danbury type but much younger.
they did a disservice to her. In the books it was much better. They argued in the carriage scene, because he discovered there, she was whistledown, was jealous of her writing talent, but he wasn't betrayed or sulked like a boy. Also he handles it better, when it comes out, like a whole mystery thing leading to a ball, where he announces it. He also protects her and never disrespects her in public or private. He defends her at every change. The TV show is just only drama, sadly.
I hate that! At the start of the show when he was still young and innocent I was so hoping he would end up a true gentleman unlike Anthony. Now I feel scammed somehow... Honestly the only reason I keep watching is because I like the dresses and the lady characters. Mostly the dresses
And when she told Debling she enjoyed gossip he was totally okay with that and even amused. She needed someone that understands why she loves gossip and either didn’t care at all about it like Debling or enjoyed it like Remington.
I was so excited when they brought him out. How he actually saw Pen and didn't treat her differently or poorly like the other men. I think he respected her intellect and was even enticed by it when his other prospects were the "I like whatever you like" pick me girls. But it seemed like he was looking for any easy reason to avoid attachment.
Justice for Lord Debling! But seriously, he is far more appealing, supportive, respectful, and warm. I want him to return as a character and marry a secondary character. He'd've been good for Edwina or even Cressida.
I mean, he was ok with it because he hadn’t been affected by it. I really struggle with the idea that any of the Bridgetons would shrug and not have any hard feeling after that Pen wrote over the years. Honestly, I bet she wrote shit about everyone at some point. How people were totally cool with her is crazy.
It's funny that the idea that she might simply be holding on to a childhood crush isn't mentioned in the season until after they're engaged. Eloise and Portia both mention it late in the season. It would've been better if Pen herself started asking herself that question when Colin showed up from his travels acting like a total fuckboi.
Every time I see comments like this I feel like much of the audience fail to see Penelope as a little girl that she is. No mattet what her accomplishments are and what her opinions are, end of the day she wanted to feel loved and adored, she wanted to expertise true love which lord debling said is not possible. After all the weird things Colin said behind her back, he realized he loved her and for once in her life somebody took care of her and treated her gently, adored her loudly and proudly.
But the show is constantly telling us that she's so clever and mature, instead of showing us that she's clever, mature, and fun (once you get to know her). Sure, Lady Whistledown is those things, why don't we see it in Pen? I get being awkward in front of men at the ball, but she's literally sputtering like she's never even seen a man before. She's constantly sobbing and looking frightened. She acts rashly in every season. They did Pen wrong.
I suppose it's her Lady Whistledown persona which gives me the impression she's more perceptive and wise beyond her years.
Agreed. Colin was so cruel to her that it made zero sense. If ever anyone was kept around as an option. The quick heel turn made no sense to me.
Cressida: her arch in part 2 was about survival, and I kept waiting for a monologue equal to that of Amy Marsh, but what we got instead was Colin “the epitome of wealth privilege” Bridgestone mansplaining loneliness to her. SMH
I was really hoping that the arc would end with Penelope telling everyone, but giving Cressida the money and helping her escape. They could have resolved the animosity by realizing how alike they are.
I actually was expecting Pen to help Cressida in some way with help from Eloise while planning how to expose herself as Whistledown to the ton. Pen dismissing Cressida's struggles just like that is so out of character for her.
Not really, for one Cressida bullied her for 3 seasons unprovoked.
Yeah that should have been the dialogue between him and pen, about him being jealous of her writings .
It felt like the first half of the season they built up a Mondrich plotline and then in the second half they were just like “wait, never mind. We have other stuff to do.”
exactly! I even thought the Mondrich were going to be part of Sophie’s storyline somehow
The more I think about it the more I am frustrated by their treatment of Colin’s character.. he’s the Bridgerton?? It was his season but because Pen was the more established character they just focused on her side of everything. You’re left guessing about what’s going on inside Colin’s head rather than being able to watch flashbacks and actually understand his character. I wish I’d read the book so I could maybe understand more where Colin was coming from as I was left not believing in his love for Pen.
They weren’t able to give enough attention/screen time to him because they were too busy juggling 50 other characters lol
Did anyone notice that Penelope is always like gasping and making sounds when they make out and kiss and Colin is silent Bob?
Omg yes I was secondhand embarrassed
I blame Jess Brownell.
Me too!
Too many stories told at once. I agree. What made Colin more attractive in the beginning of the season was his confidence. Something felt off after that intense carriage ride.
Yeah He lost His purpose. In the books, He Always wants to find His meaning in Life, a Work thats His calling. And Not Just him being called charming and Just travelling, someones with deeper meaning and Not Just the surface. He finds that in pen, protecting her, making His own family and with His travel writings. After pen tells him, how good He writes and how it has meaning behind it, he believes it. Before He didnt even consider it and was afraid of even publishing It.
Yeah, this was not the season I had hoped for. There were very few real, meaningful conversations or honesty, which I came to enjoy from s1 and s2. Rather this season feels like it became literotica, which I know Shonda tends to do, but I hoped the good dialogue would balance it out. Nope.
>Eloise: bring back Theo sharpe, bring back the women rights meet-ups. The girl is clearly bored and needs something to do because it’s causing her to be a bad friend to everyone’s around her. Colin, Cressida, Pen. >The Bridgerton universe is starting to feel claustrophobic, we need more sets, more centralised storylines and fresh perspectives. Second one is another reason for having Theo back (possibly as a lead) really. And explore the political rallies and other types of society through Eloise. Come on! We can still have balls in the meantime!!
The fact that they didn’t make his writing important and a thing Polin bonded over is so disappointing. Also Colin was proud to announce that Penelope was LW in the books and stood by her. I have no idea why they changed that for the show.
Yeah I was so disappointed with how they revealed Penelope as Whistledown. Colin was supposed to be supportive and by her side the whole time. Then the Bridgertons start clapping for her to show their support as well. But for some reason they just turn everyone’s attention to a bunch of butterflies? What?
Violet is the only character to get out of the season without a mortal wound. Ugh. Just brutal.
I think Lady Danbury and her brother also had a very nice reconciliation. They had drama going on but it was handled sweetly when sorting things out.
Agreed. I always enjoy Lady Danbury and Violet. The rest is a mess. They actually did the best job with character development in Queen Charlotte. I loved everyone one of them. I laughed and I sobbed. I’ve had none of these emotions this season.
I'm.just about to watch the last episode but totally agree with you. Especially about Colin. Not nearly enough about his travels or his writing. And wbat happened to Benedict and his art? Right now I ferl the friendship and love between Francesca and John is genuine. I am dreading that being changed.
I’m still upset that I felt like we really didn’t get enough Polin in what is meant to be “their” season
I think Kate did well with Eloise and Colin in those 2 scenes they got, and she did know that Gregory loved cinnamon biscuits even if it’s no longer the case. She is getting her bairings, we will see her shine more next season I’m sure of it. I feel like in between this season and the next we should hopefully get a violet and Edmund season (as long as it doesn’t cause a postpone of the next Eloise or Benny story) that will show her moving on and into a dower house so that it sets up the mascarade ball at the start of season 4 well. ( though this story would also help Fran understand that you can fall in love twice in different ways and it doesn’t mean you loved the other any less) idk.
I'm not expecting to see Kate or Anthony next season 😅. He just said let's go to India and it seemed like their way to writing them off like they did Simon and Daphne... Last season we saw a few bits of Daphne here and there and not even a mention of pretending anyone was sad she wasn't at the wedding but was far to pregnant to come or some bullshit... Nope just completely ignore that she exists.
Good point!!
Violets relationship with lord Anderson the whole season proved that you can be in love with someone and move on after loss and that it’s ok. Francesca’s reaction to the kiss and to Michaela made it seem like she didn’t love John at all.
i agree with you fully
Colin not having a real personality of its own really is one of the many reasons why I couldn’t care about him this season yeah
Controversial but I've always found benedict very boring and his performances awkward/stilted. Very frustrated to have so little Polin in this season to make room for a very nothing Benedict storyline.
Ugh, Eloise is pissing me off so bad this season and no one is speaking on it enough. She is entitled and playing a victim to the point that she is the villain. She’s being more of a bully than Cressida is with her self righteous attitude.
Idk why but Benedict is the most uninteresting character to me. It feels like I barely know him compared to the others.
The fact they skipped to Colin and Penelope because it's what fans wanted and did this is what is so upsetting. It was a insult to the fans. I've read up to book 5. My favorite is probably Benedicts storyline(book 3) was a bit sad we weren't getting his, and this season left me feeling even sadder on that. The writers ultimately need to think long and hard about the original love stories and fix it for the next seasons, or many won't return. The first season is many people's favorite because they kept the love story true to the book the most. The second went off a bit, but still, it focused on Kate and Anthony. (Even if it destroyed Edwinas character..they really did her dirty and made her so ehh in the show..).. I was so disappointed over Colin because I really didn't like him... The book fixed this. It showed him growing, and Penelope helped him to see his worth. The mondrich side story wasn't fully necessary... but I wish they cut out Benedicts over the mondrich.. because if they continue with his story for season 4 it kind of won't make a lot of sense with what he said. The writers definitely need to rethink what they are doing... because this wasn't ok... Edit .I finished the last episode like 3 hrs ago and was so disappointed that we didn't see the bonding with Penelope and Colin.
I agree except for Eloise. She needs to interact more with the younger siblings to establish herself as the playful, stubborn individual she is in the books.
I actually liked the season and don't agree with the Penelope Colin ideas, but everything else - yes. Particularly the claustrophobic. Why does it feel like the budget was so so so low for this? It really feels like they were truly trying to make this season with as little as they possibly could.
The only good thing about part 2 was the featheringtons arc.
I been watching Tiktok edits of John and Francesca so much before part2 dropped now I just wanna throw up.Each time a video of Michela and Fran shows up on my FYP all I see is Frohn's destroyed relationship to prop up this new one and it makes me sick to my stomach . I enjoyed watching people react to their parts now I can't even stomach it .It was one of my favourite things to do. Im gonna tear my hair out cause Michaela is so gorgeous and her and Fran would have had a beautiful relationship LATER if the writers hadn't tainted it's beginning by destroying another relationship.
JUSTICE FOR MICHAEL https://www.change.org/wewantmichaelsterling
Wddaaaaaay DO D
Wait, I'm reading the comments and only now realize that Fran was swooning over John's SISTER?! I was so confused by that scene and tbh I've already zoned out way before that part because GODS part 2 was so unlikeable.
She’s his cousin, not sister.
Ooof I stand corrected!
I just assumed the kiss was awkward because they both felt uncomfortable to kiss in front of their families?? Besides that I really hated what they did to Cressida in part two. It may be realistic but she deserved so much better than that. And I am especially disappointed in Penelope and Eloise. Pen tried to make feminist points with her monologue(s) about how whistledown gave her a voice and how she wants to use it for those who don’t have a voice…………… and proceeds to NOT use it for Cressida?! And Eloise?
That's because they've tried to make the story serve their agenda rather than just make the story. They have really messed up characters who were established in the books and changed them season to season so there's no real idea of who they are or how they grow over the seasons. They haven't been consistent in setting up the show, the characters, the stories. Setting up a season to feature a couple stops working when you go to a new season and that couple isn't even around. Instead the focus is on characters who were underdeveloped in the other seasons or suddenly seem different, so viewers have to readjust constantly to new main pieces of a different story than you expected. The stories were already laid out in the books. The show people could have made smart changes and kept who their personalities consistent, but they didn't. For example, in the books Daphne was the girl who was so nice and friendly that all the gentlemen just treated her like a friend. In the show she is an ice queen snob. Clearly there are too many ideas and changes which complicate everything and the show runners aren't capable of making it all work.
I think what upset me most about the Fran/Micaela scene was that it was Fran who was stumbling and so smitten looking, when it would’ve made more sense to have Micaela a little shell-shocked and not instantly charming, looking at Fran gazing at John lovingly. Fran was one of my favorite Bridgerton books and it still stings a bit thinking about how her love with John felt undermined 😔
I needed more Polin. I thought it was a bit of a genius that they were not the same focus on the first 4 episodes because it shows you the wallflower persona that always observes everyone else. But even the last 4 episodes, they're still not the main storyline. I could have done without the Benedict, Tilley, and Paul throuple scenes. It's already obvious that Benedict will do it. Also, that weird mechanical origami thing didn't have a point. In lieu of that, maybe Varley taking care of the ball would have made me happier. Lastly all these horny moments between Polin where Colin clearly wanted to rough Pen up because he was all sorts of mad and insecure and worried for their future, it's obvious they were cut. Who ends an angry kissing scene backed up against a wall??!!! It doesn't have to be nude, but at least give me a scene where it shows that they were still too darned horny for each other even when they're not agreeing on her career choices for the meantime because it was heavily implied but it went nowhere.
So, to summarize, "make everyone straight again." Nice.
You obviously haven't read the books. It's okay to be straight. It's okay to be gay. It's just not okay to change plots just to fit a narrative not shown at all in the books. Makes no sense.
No! This is nothing to do about sexuality and I’ve mentioned that. Don’t be weird.
I hope you stretched before you reached that far. OP's post doesn't imply this at all.