This ‘Bridgerton’ Season, Penelope and Colin Are Missing Something

Spoiler Alert! The following contains details from season 3 of “Bridgerton.”

Dear Readers,

I have to admit that I expected more from this season. Perhaps I was spoiled by “Queen Charlotte” or the previous diamonds in Netflix’s “Bridgerton.” While the diamond of the season may be the lovely, quiet Francesca Bridgerton, this is really Penelope Featherington’s time to shine.

And she did, and brilliantly. Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) stepped out of the shadows, stood out from the crowd, and I’m here for it. She finally caught the eye of her best friend and longtime crush, Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), along with other eligible bachelors.

Penelope may have forgiven Colin for the horrible things he said about her, but I didn’t. I raised an eyebrow, wondering when he would prove himself worthy of such a hidden gem—or even more interesting than a traveler and a playboy and an accused writer—and continue to disappoint the queen (Golda Rosheuvel). After all, I wanted to be entertained.

Penelope wasn’t wrong when she confessed to him that she said horrible things about him because she was hurt and wondered where old Colin had gone. Me too, sis. The Colin we saw in the first season as he courted Marina (Ruby Barker) was bold, funny, kind, and supportive. In the second season, he even checked in on her to make sure she was happy.

Where is that same energy for pretty Pen?

But when he defends her against her evil mother (Polly Walker) and says he respects her, is attracted to her, and loves her, I finally melt a little. That’s a solid start, Mr. Bridgerton.

Now, dear reader, I have to apologize for perhaps coming off as lusty in the main arc, but I also wanted more intimate moments between Colin and Penelope. The plot is good, but the spice would have been nice.

“Bridgerton” doesn’t shy away from sexy scenes, especially those involving the season’s central couple. And not just the main event, um—you know, the lustful thrusts and such—but the powerful looks, the gentle touches, the longing, the beautiful words, and the heartfelt declarations.

We saw more of the love and intimacy of his brother Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and his new wife, Kate (Simone Ashley) on a daily basis. I may even be being a little hypocritical because in one scene between them, I muttered “stay away from her” as Anthony practically smothered her with affection and barely let her talk to anyone else at a party.

There were a lot of twists and turns to keep an eye on this season, and I appreciated the groundwork that set up future seasons (expect more of Benedict, played by Luke Thompson, and Francesca, played by Hannah Dodd, and see them explore their sexuality). Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) will applaud the strategy of keeping things interesting.

However, in the midst of Whistledown, something, something, could there have been more kisses? More sweet moments of what grew out of their years-long friendship? Did I miss an episode where more of this happened?
I want to see Colin worship Penelope, fight more for her, prove that he loves her mind and body instead of letting her do most of the work and then just accepting it.