Romance Movies & Series

Once the first kiss happens, he was literally slapped in the face with the extent of his feelings and he did not try to surpress them. He did not cling onto his rake persona straight away, that only happened after the Willow tree screne where he thought he got friendzoned. And at the end of episode 3, he could just not gather enough courage to confess and he tried to slip right back into his old habits again, but he was basically a ruined man after that first kiss. He knew all along that it was a losing battle.

He did not once suspect that what he felt for Penelope could be anything other than love (which was a nice deviation from the book). That man was begging to be trapped after the kiss.

As someone who has a sister, I would consider that whole plotline a major unforgivable betrayal. The season was hard for me to watch because of that. And the fact that they let Edwina get all the way to the altar is absurd.

A lot of the subreddit has seemed to blame Edwina for failing to notice or for marrying for business reasons.

I feel like the person who wrote that plotline doesn’t have a sister.

This is the woman behind Grey’s Anatomy. A show full of tear-worthy moments. If it made her cry it must be INCREDIBLE.

This is what she said on the Today show, I saw it quoted in several different articles.

“We’re very secretive about it but I will say it is sexy and surprising in many ways,” Rhimes revealed. “And also, I cried at the end. I found it very moving — and I don’t always cry. So I really got into it. I think it’s a beautiful story.”

What do you think is so particularly moving it drove Shonda Rhimes to tears?

My bet is the final love confession and the delivery by Luke and Nicola

The scene where it cuts from Brimsley dancing with Reynolds to him dancing alone may be one of the saddest moments of the entire franchise in my opinion. I just broke down crying. I have binged the seasons after starting just over a week ago and wow. Just beautiful and sad. I’m sure it’s been sad many times before but I just adored that scene.

This isn't a hate post on season 3 - it was okay, I'm not a huge fan but I enjoyed it and I think it's alright. Nicola is carrying this season and I want to see more of her. My problem is... I don't think Bridgerton works anymore because it forgot what kind of show it's supposed to be. Yes, yes, we all know it, it was never a historical show, more like a historical fantasy, but still, framing it in the Regency era context was what made it stand out. And I'm not talking about the costumes or styling (although that changed for the worse, too) but more about the society aspect of it all.

At the beginning of the show, everything was so serious and formal. From the way they spoke to the way they behave. It was so easy to cross the "scandal" line and be cast aside from the society, which made everything matter that much more. When Simon and Daphne kissed in season 1, Anthony literally challenged him to a duel because he disrespected her. Their literal LIVES were on the stake. Let me repeat: THEY COULD HAVE BOTH DIED BECAUSE SIMON AND DAPHNE KISSED WITHOUT BEING MARRIED. It was that big of a deal. Oh, and they were forced to get married because of that one kiss.

And now? Everybody's making out at every corner, people are running away from the altar like it's no big deal, and literally nothing bad happens. Don't get me wrong, the show is still enjoyable. It's just... There's literally pretty people walking around in full-blown 2024 makeups with no repercussions whatsoever. They talk about what will happen if the "ton" finds out and how big it's supposed to be, but then... There's no real consequence (like after LW wrote about Eloise and Theo, for example). I like season 3 alright but I'm just not that invested in anything anymore because there are no stakes. And again - I realize Bridgerton is not historically accurate and never pretended to be. But if we just forego every element about the Regency era, then what's the point of this show? Most people will tell me they are here for the romance, but even the romance storylines work precisely because they were framed in those times. The conflict and the tension stems from the fact that they were supposed to live in times when they just couldn't bang it out and date like normal people. So that hardly works now, too.

So let me preface that I watch the show without subtitles. I read what it says too fast so it ends up kind of spoiling the scene because I know what they’ll say before they say it…if that makes sense? 😅

ANYWAY. So I’m on my 5th rewatch of Part 1 and I JUST realized Penelope asks Madame Delacroix to dress her like what they’re wearing in Paris. This entire time I thought she said “Palace” like referring to colors the Queen wears (I realize now that probably would have made no sense). But now her makeover scene hits so different knowing she was trying to emulate Parisian fashion, something Colin just told her he liked.

My heart 🥹

We've talked about the carriage scene in depth, and yet, I keep having this nagging feeling that Penelope's interpretation of Colin's confession may not be coming across to her in the same way Colin intends it, or as the audience reads it on the surface impression. (And let's be honest -- we're all so excited that they're finally getting together that everyone gets a little lost in the excitement.)

Colin thinks he's running there to see if Debling proposed and if he has a shot. Penelope, meanwhile, is even more miserable and angry than she was before the first kiss.

Let's inventory Penelope's state of mind:

• Her overarching goal is to escape her family home so she doesn't end up as her mother's slave with one of her sisters as Lady Featherington. (This is what causes her to get the makeover and try to get a husband, not a pursuit of Colin.) Penelope decided she wasn't going to accept this fate and needs to escape no matter what it takes. Conversation with Genevieve during her makeover: "But what has brought about this sudden desire for change?" Pen: "I cannot live at home any longer. It’s been hard enough living under my mother’s rules. But my sisters… To live at the whim of either the most cruel or the most simple person I know…I must take a husband before that happens."

• Colin is the last person she wants to see because she thought he had her best interests at heart and knew she wanted to escape her mother, and then at the last minute, he ruins it, which destroys the trust he'd regained.

• Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised that in that angry and hopeless state in the carriage, she's decided she's going to take her LW money and just peace out. She's called out her mother for the first time and also has no marriage prospects.

• Even though Debling isn't perfect -- he doesn't love her, wouldn't ever to be able to love her, and would leave -- this is better than being stuck with her mother. She likely does not believe she is worthy of love, so a loveless marriage to Debling -- just like her parents had -- seems like the most reasonable possible option. She would have her own place to escape to, and being alone in Debling's house would be better than being in her family's house.

• Cracks in Penelope's Debling armor start to show when her mother says "Can you imagine the kind of influence that will give you? The kind of influence it will give… all of us?" Penelope realizes, oh shit, I might get out of here, and then she would still be all up in my life, and use his title for her own gain.

• Penelope is deeply insecure with low-self worth (thanks, Portia). Colin would never pursue her. This is a foregone conclusion to her.

• Penelope tells Colin explicitly in the market scene that she wants to marry so that she can escape her family and have her freedom.

• Colin publicly declared that he would never court her. He apologizes, but says he's different now, but also doesn't try to court her. His reaction to this to instead help her find someone else.

• Penelope does not feel like society respects her or sees her as a valid marriage prospect. She says in S3E1 that "I am the laughingstock of the ton, even when I change my entire wardrobe."

• Penelope does not have examples of what love looks like from her parents or her family. Her father was an alcoholic, a gambler, and largely absent. Her mother is emotionally abusive. Her sisters pile on their mother's abuse. She only knows what romantic love looks like from books.

Ok, let's get into it.

COLIN: I need to know. Did he propose?

PENELOPE: It is odd. When I asked for your help in finding a husband, I did not realize that also meant you might try to deny me one as well.

COLIN: It is my business because I care about you. You cannot marry that man. He will leave you, and he is too particular. And he is… He is just not right for you, Pen.

PENELOPE: He did not propose. In fact, he rejected me because of you. The scene you caused led him to believe you have feelings for me. An idea so preposterous, I do not know what to do besides laugh. Now, will you please let us ride home in silence and leave me alone.
COLIN: I cannot.

PENELOPE: Please!

COLIN: I cannot.

Let's pause here for a moment. Pen's goal is to get a husband -- any husband, really -- so she can escape the control of her mother and sisters and be free. She has told Colin about this multiple times -- at Anthony's wedding and at the market scene. She's given up on love and just wants out. To her, Colin saying he cares about her sounds to her "like a friend" and "like a friend" does not give him any right to control her future. So this rings completely hollow to her, rather than coming across in the protective, loving way that Colin intends it. She is exasperated with him.

COLIN: Because… What if I did have feelings for you?

PENELOPE: What?

And now our poor Pen's brain short-circuits. He's made it clear she's a friend and that he would never court her (even if he apologized, his "apology" was helping her find someone else, which doesn't exactly come across as flirtatious). He was awkward under the willow rather than telling her his feelings. He froze in the ballroom rather than asking her to dance. There's no reason for her to think he has feelings, or feelings he would want to make public. Most of the time he talks to her, it's out of public view -- at night or in secret. He says he isn't ashamed of her, but I don't think she fully believes him. (Remember: this woman has been made to feel less-than by her family her entire life, him saying he'd never court her was confirmation of what she held to be a fundamental truth about herself.)

So then he starts his confession. Which many of us, myself included, interpret as quite romantic. But the more I think about it, the more I'm not so sure. I find myself going back to this given how bewildered Pen looks after the proposal and in the Bridgerton drawing room. So let's dissect this a bit.

COLIN: I have spent so long trying to feel less, trying to be the kind of man society expects me to be.

Pen's POV on this: Ok, so this year he's been trying to be what society expects, and is succeeding. Lots of admirers. Most sought-after bachelor. Hot body, saves the day with his heroism, etc etc. Not sure what this has to do with feelings for me but idk good for you Colin? I've already told you how much this drives me insane that you can just glide right in here and it's so easy for you. Fucking pretty Bridgertons, honestly.

COLIN: And for a moment, I thought I had succeeded.

Pen's POV: You did, didn't you? Still not sure how this relates to me and you having feelings for me, but sure, go on.

Remember, we the audience know he has been struggling, but she does not.

COLIN: But these past few weeks have been full of confounding feelings. Feelings like a total inability to stop thinking about you.

Pen's POV: So you thought you were succeeding at being who society wanted... and then you developed feelings for me. Those two things are opposites of one another? Huh? Thinking about me is socially deviant, because you're ashamed of me (even if you claim not to be) and you would never court me? So you have feelings for me that are somehow tied to you defying what society wants? Ooooookay.

COLIN: ...About that kiss. Feelings like dreaming of you when I’m asleep. And in fact preferring sleep because that is where I might find you.

Pen's POV: Oh... so you think about kissing me. That's what you mean by "feelings." You’re talking about the “feelings” I read about you having for women in France. And that's why these feelings are somehow in defiance of what society wants. They did all make fun of me when it became known I was trying to seek a husband so, got it. So you're attracted to me, but you feel guilty about it, and know it's against the social norm.

COLIN: A feeling that is like torture. But one which I cannot, will not, do not want to give up.

PENELOPE: Please. Do not say things you do not mean.

Pen's POV: Where exactly is he going with this? He has feelings for me but knows that wouldn't be accepted by society? And he isn't going to give up those feelings? What options does that leave us with? Colin, I gave up on my feelings for you a long time ago, and I am done with being secret friends.

COLIN: But I do mean it. It is everything I have wanted to say to you… for weeks.

PENELOPE: But… Colin, we are friends.

This point to me, in very "Colin and Pen will answer a question with an answer to a question they didn't answer earlier, in a conversation that may have been with someone else," almost seems to me like Pen answering Debling's question beforehand, which she didn't answer. It's more like she's reciting a definition rather than replying to what he's saying.

LORD DEBLING: I am speaking of Mr. Bridgerton…and the feelings between the two of you.

PENELOPE: I can assure you, Colin Bridgerton would never ever have feelings for me. It is laughable to think as much. We are friends, nothing more.

LORD DEBLING: Would you like it to be more?

PENELOPE: I do not…That is not even…That is not a possibility.

LORD DEBLING: I did not ask if it was a possibility. I asked if you’d like it to be.

PENELOPE: <stunned silence and unable to answer>

And Penelope, at this point, is so emotionally exhausted that she has nothing left. In the last 20 minutes, she's gone from thinking she would be proposed to by a lord who would leave her alone and being fine with that, to Colin bursting in for no reason saying it was a mistake and ruining it, to lord not proposing because of her unrequited love of Colin, to now Colin saying he has feelings for her but knows they wouldn't be accepted by society.

COLIN: Yes, but we…Forgive me. Um…I do not know what I was thinking.

Pen sees his face, and how much it falls. Perhaps he was going to say "But we kissed"? Or "but we could be more"? She has no idea. And she has no reserves left. She's felt betrayed and angry and cried and now is getting this kind of insulting compliment that Colin wants to kiss her again even though it's against "what society wants him to be" or whatever the fuck he means by that. (Remember, we are in her POV right now.)

And she has no reserves left. Her armor is down, her vulnerability is fully on display. So she answers the question that Debling asked her earlier, with the raw honesty of someone who has cried out every last drop of their emotional filter:

PENELOPE: But I’d very much like to be more than friends. So much more.

And this comes across as a statement from her. It's just a raw, honest statement. She wants to be more than friends. She doesn't know what that is in a world where Colin dreams about kissing her yet doesn't want to be with her. But she has nothing left, and she leans into the feeling.

For anyone who has ever been friends-with-benefits-zoned by someone you liked, you know exactly what this feeling is. You can't have them all the way, but what you can have is good enough, and maybe their feelings will change some day, maybe. But even a fraction of them, of them only being sexually attracted, is good enough.

(To be clear: I think Pen is fully consenting during the intimacy. She has so many different emotions running through her body at this point and all she knows is that Colin is her comfort person and he's here and he wants her physically at least and she just enters that moment and escapes.)

> [insert sexy fun times here]

PENELOPE: Oh! Colin! We are at your house.

COLIN: What? Oh God. Could the carriage driver not keep on driving?

At this point, Colin looks around somewhat wildly. In my opinion,

But Pen interprets that quite differently:

PENELOPE: Do you think anyone saw us? I was not paying much attention to anything.

Pen says this still thinking they need to hide being together. They kissed at midnight in a garden. Their meetings together were all in secret or out of view, and even somewhat on the down low if they were at a ball. She still thinks he's embarrassed of her.

And then he starts fixing her dress. Is he trying to cover up the evidence?

PENELOPE: What are you doing?

He fixes himself, puts on a serious face, and then hops out of the carriage... without saying anything. Is he regretting what just happened? Is he just going to leave? Is he treating her like one of his courtesans—which she knows he visits from reading his journal? What are they now? What about what they just did? Is this going to be like when they kissed, and it was incredibly awkward after that? Does he want to do this again? Is she just going to be like one of his French girls that he sleeps with and then continues on with his life? Is she just going to be a spinster and his mistress? WTF is going on!

PENELOPE: Colin?

He looks her up and down like she's a snack.

COLIN: Are you coming with me?

She now knows what him looking her up and down means. And she thinks he's asking her up to continue what they've been doing... in secret. Just like the kiss, just like the other times they've seen each other this season.

PENELOPE: What? Your… Your family will see me.

Colin, WTF are you thinking, seriously.

COLIN: For God’s sake, Penelope Featherington. Are you going to marry me or not?

Pen: Holy fuck what?

And thus we get her beautifully bewildered face.

The more I think about it, the more confusing of a "confession of love" it is. Imagine if you had a crush on someone forever, and they started their profession of feelings with a meandering discussion of how they no longer cared about being what society expected them to be. That would leave you feeling like them having feelings for you was against social expectations and something they were ashamed of. It's confusing and a bit weird, quite frankly.

And the reason I bring this up is because of the Part 2 trailer, which I'll now hide behind spoiler tags.

That bewildered face seems to stay with her into the Bridgerton drawing room. She seems to be in a complete daze at that point and really not sure what to think of all of this. At that point, I'm not sure she really believes this is all happening. And given that she seems to get the engagement announcement out that night, this has me wondering whether that's her trying to make sure this really is real and making it so he can't back out. He's saying he isn't ashamed of her, so that could be her making him make it public rather than her being his “secret wife” or something to that effect.