I’ve finished part two of season 3 of Bridgerton. This post is my honest response and is in no particular order. There will be spoilers, so if you don’t wish to know what happens in certain parts of season three, please don’t read further. Also, I was not a perfect student of season one, so if I misquote something regarding Benedict Bridgerton, please let me know what I got incorrect in the comments. I will first discuss how the series does not seem to know what to do with Benedict Bridgerton.
If my memory serves me correctly, Benedict showed some sexual and romantic interest in men in season one. I don’t remember much regarding this matter, but it seemed that this topic was entirely abandoned in season two. This season, he meets Lady Tilley Allen, who might be polyamorous. He has a threesome with her and another man, who I think is named Thomas. After this threesome, Ladey Tilley expresses a desire to explore a monogamous relationship with Benedict. He admits that she is an impressive individual but wishes to remain free. My question is, free of what? I think he has been free to explore whatever he likes since season one.
I enjoyed watching him progress as an artist and ultimately enter the Art Insitute until he discovered his brother had donated to secure his admission. Upon learning this information, he drops out and, from what I can tell, does not paint again. Giving up on a hobby he enjoyed so much, simply because his brother donated to secure his admission, is not a good enough reason to give up this passion. At the beginning of season three, he admits to managing the family’s affairs while firstborn son Anthony gives him a much-desired purpose. At the end of series three, Antony and his wife, Kate, are off to India and preparing for their first child’s arrival. Since they will be in India for a long time, it occurred to me that it would be natural for Benedict to resume managing the family affairs in his brother’s absence. There is no mention of this as season three draws to a close. When he rejects Lady Tilley’s suggestion of a monogamous and severe relationship, he says he wishes to be free, but I am unsure what he is trying to escape. He hasn’t had the pressure of Antony and has engaged in casual relationships in two seasons. From what I have observed, he doesn’t have any hobbies after giving up painting, and he has successfully avoided the ton’s mamas every season. If he’s already engaged in casual relationships and has not been pushed to resume responsibilities in his brother’s absence, what will he do with all his free time? As wild and fun as the sex he has in the show looks, indeed, that would become boring after a while. What is his purpose? What growth has he shown in the past season? I applaud him for discovering that he wishes to “be free,” but I don’t know what being free means to him. I hope season four will explore what he’s hoping to find and his further character development, which I hope will become more evident as the series continues.
I greatly appreciated the portrayal of Francesca’s love story this season. Her picking the man she loved and not simply trying to please those around her was moving and quite brave on her part. It was poignant how she and her mother mended their relationship after Violet admitted she was wrong for her initial judgment of her and Lord Kilmartin’s relationship. Seeing someone who did not enjoy being the center of attention and simply wanted a quiet escape from a busy life is something I could relate to. There have often been times when I have attended large gatherings and wished I could escape to a place of my own, especially in childhood. Seeing how Francesca simply wants to marry a kind man and have her own space, both pretty simple requests, serve as a good reminder that there is nothing wrong with wanting what is wholesome and good in life, even if it doesn’t strike those around you as ambitious or as desirable. She is true to herself and has a happy ending.
I have yet to mention the central love story of the season, Colin and Penelope. What I enjoyed the most about Penelope this season was not her love story but how brave she became over time and how she endeavored to hold onto her writing. Many in her life tell her that because she now has Colin, she should give up writing as Lady Whistledown. Her mother speaks of the pain of not having a loving or secure match and encourages her to give it up so she can have a life that her mother could only dream of having. Colin encourages her to give it up because she has previously written harmful and hurtful things. I understand Colin’s anger and hurt at discovering his wife is Lady Whistledown. While I empathize with him, I don’t think his demanding that she give it up was fair or proper. She deserved to continue to express herself if she wished to do so. Penelope’s solution was vulnerable as much as it was courageous. She sends a letter to Queen Charlotte inviting her to the ball her sisters are hosting. At the ball, she gives a speech in which she addresses those she has wronged, why she began writing the column, and her desire to continue writing. Even though we are now two hundred years ahead of when Bridgerton takes place, women are often told the most important thing a woman can be is a wife and a mother. Penelope reminds us that the most important thing a woman can be is to be self-fulfilled, and at the same time, she can find love and have a child.
Living on the Spectrum 
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