I don’t think Bridgerton season 3 lived up to its book counterpart, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton. The season has impressive numbers, including landing on Netflix’s all time most viewed shows list in less than three months. Rotten Tomatoes gave the season an 87%, while the audience score was 76%, the highest of all three seasons. I really enjoyedBridgerton season 3, but I did find some issues with it, such as the surprising focus on Cressida Cowper. Nevertheless, I still consider it a favorite because of the compelling side plots and family dynamics.

However, when I start thinking about Bridgerton season 3’s book counterpart, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, I keep finding more critiques on the adaptation. The Lady Whistledown reveal was underwhelming; Anthony and Kate’s lack of screentime was disappointing despite their critical role in the reveal. Colin proposed to Penelope before he learned about her Lady Whistledown identity, something I genuinely disliked. But there was one aspect about Bridgerton season 3 that ultimately made me realize that while I did enjoy the season, it did not live up to the expectations set by the book.

The Problem With Bridgerton’s Colin and Penelope

Colin And Penelope Are Not As Well Written As Their Book Counterparts

Bridgerton season 3 reminded me of a crucial fact: the show’s characterizations of Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington fell flat. While Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton are perfect for the roles, the traits they display in the show don’t match what’s established in the book. For the most part, Bridgerton does an excellent job with the characters, making them even more compelling than they are in the source material. Marina Thompson is a fleshed-out character rather than just a plot device used to demonize mental illness. Bridgerton greatly improved Kate Sharma from the books, which deepened Kate’s dynamic with her family and her relationship with Anthony.

Even Anthony was not likable in The Viscount Who Loved Me, but Bridgerton gave him the growth he needed to become a fan favorite. However, Bridgerton didn’t do as much with Penelope and Colin as it could have. On the show, Colin does not have a personality outside of Penelope. The show ignored his arc and made it seem like it was Penelope’s story only, even though Colin and Penelope both have compelling arcs in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton. Penelope is more intelligent and observant in the books, but most importantly, she critiques the ton without weaponizing Lady Whistledown for her personal gain.

Bridgerton Season 3 Could Never Be As Good as Romancing Mr. Bridgerton

Colin And Penelope’s Characterizations In Earlier Seasons Had To Be Fixed

Unfortunately, Bridgerton season 3 was never going to be as good as Romancing Mr. Bridgerton because of how the narrative cemented Colin and Penelope’s characterizations in the first two seasons. The show portrayed Penelope as a shy wallflower looking for her voice, which was true to the books, but it also portrayed her as a jealous and mean person, something her book counterpart was not. In fact, the books commented on the subject, with one passage suggesting that she’d be mischaracterized as “mean, and petty, and jealous” if Penelope’s Lady Whistledown identity was exposed.

Bridgerton actually turning Penelope into someone “mean, petty, and jealous” effectively defeats the purpose of her character, meaning the show had to fix Penelope so that the audience could find her likable enough to root for her. As for Colin, the first two seasons did not give him a deep personality. In the books, Colin is funny and charming; he always knows how to cheer up someone, and he is perceptive. However, his show counterpart did not portray any of these qualities.

Bridgerton cannot bring Colin and Penelope to their starting point and execute their love story at the same time. However, the show attempted to do both, which effectively rushed their romance and made it less compelling than it was in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton.

This is demonstrated by the notion that Bridgerton had to use a huge chunk of its third season to establish Colin’s character and turn Penelope into someone we can root for. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton had already established Colin and Penelope’s personalities, so the actual narrative focused on their relationship and further character development. Bridgerton cannot effectively bring Colin and Penelope to their starting point and execute their love story at the same time. However, the show attempted to do both, which effectively rushed their romance and made it less compelling than it was in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton.

Season 3 Saved Colin And Penelope For Future Bridgerton Seasons

There Is More Potential For Colin And Penelope’s Individual Characters

Although Bridgerton season 3 did not live up to my expectations, the season still ended on a hopeful note that leaves room for further character development. Now that Penelope is writing under her own name, she can hold herself accountable and learn how to critique the ton without weaponizing her column. Furthermore, Colin and Penelope’s happy ending also means that Colin can have an individual storyline that focuses on his writing career. Although future Bridgerton seasons will not center them, there are always side plots, which creates the opportunity for further character development on Colin and Penelope’s end.

Despite these issues, Bridgerton season 3 is still a favorite. The show executed some of Colin and Penelope’s scenes really well, such as the mirror scene, which was better than I expected. I also adored Benedict’s sexuality exploration and Francesca and John’s story, the latter of which we did not get in the books. Michaela Stirling’s introduction was unexpected, but I loved the change. However, the best part about Bridgerton season 3 was Penelope and Eloise’s reconciliation. Their relationship was the heart of the season, and I am excited for their new and improved friendship in future seasons.