How Bright The Moon – As this episode of Bridgerton begins, Lady Agatha Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) speaks to Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) about the diamonds. Queen Charlotte is not worried about Lady Whistledown and what she has written about her. Charlotte doesn’t think the girls have done enough to earn her favor yet. Mrs. Varley (Lorraine Ashbourne) tells Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) she is glad her mom let her keep her dresses. The Baron of Kent and his family get used to their new residence. They’re told there are 27 rooms including the servants’ quarters. Nicky (James Bryan), Daisy (Ariella Warburton), and the others are shown their bedrooms. Will (Martins Imhangbe) and Alice (Emma Naomi) learn they’ll have separate rooms.

Portia (Polly Walker) isn’t happy to learn the Kent estate has gone to the son of a boxer. Varley tells her not to worry because one of the girls will make good. Eloise (Claudia Jessie) hangs out with Colin (Luke Newton) and Benedict (Luke Newton). Colin excuses himself and meets Penelope who asks where they begin. Penelope tells him not to worry about Lady Whistledown. Colin insists they will dance to Whistledown’s demise one day. He tells Penelope that she must engage in real life. Colin asks her to demonstrate for him, but her attempt does not go well. Lady Agatha speaks to Violet (Ruth Gemmell) about Lord Courtenay and whether he’d be a good match for Francesca (Hannah Dodd). Agatha reveals Lord Petri and Lord Godwin are supporters of the arts as well.

Queen Charlotte has not ended the season because she needs more time to choose her diamond. Portia speaks to Prudence (Bessie Carter) who talks about becoming lady of the house. Portia hopes Prudence or Philipa Finch (Harriet Cains) will be producing an heir soon. Prudence admits they’ve only had sex once. Portia urges her to try harder. Meanwhile, Colin makes out with two women. They ask him if he’ll come back at the same time tomorrow. Colin only says perhaps before leaving. Penelope catches up with him and suggests she is unteachable. Colin isn’t sure she needs to be taught. He talks about when they were children and didn’t care what other people thought about them. Colin warns Penelope that living for the estimation of others is a trap. Once she breaks free, the world will open up. Penelope isn’t sure it’s that easy though.

Penelope wants a husband so she can have her freedom. She used to be most at ease during Sunday teas at the Bridgerton House. It was one of the few places she could go without a chaperone and truly be herself. Colin says he’s sorry about whatever came between her and Eloise. Penelope says she needs to get back. Alice goes to the shop to speak to Genevieve Delacroix (Kathryn Drysdale) and to get a dress. Gene asks her about spending some of her fortune on something grander. Alice would prefer to show that not everything has changed. Eloise and Francesca go out with Violet. Francesca tells Eloise she wants to find a match and be done with it before her mother schemes to get the queen interested in her. Eloise says it may not matter what mama is scheming if others are vying for the queen’s attention.

She speaks to Miss Hartigan and Miss Malhotra because she has some information they might be interested in. Colin plays cards with Hyacinth (Florence Hunt) and others. He has to step away moments later because Penelope is there to see him. Colin invites her into the Bridgerton drawing room. Penelope isn’t comfortable here. Colin says they can pretend they’re at a ball. Penelope eventually relents and agrees to play along with Colin. She says something about his eyes before they hear Eloise and Francesca. Colin asks Penelope to hide in the study. While she’s alone, she reads from Colin’s journal about his travels. He catches her and scolds her before dropping a glass and cutting his hand. Penelope tends to it. She tells him that his writing is good. Penelope says he will see her tonight before she tries to leave Bridgerton House without being spotted.

Eloise spots her walking out. Alice checks out Lady Kent’s jewelry. In the carriage, Eloise tells Colin that she saw Penelope. He argues it’s difficult to know how to act when he doesn’t know what happened between them. Eloise is surprised that Penelope is looking for a husband. She doesn’t think it’s a good idea for Colin to help her. At the party, Violet tells Eloise should try to widen her circle so it’s more than just Miss Cowper. As for Francesca, she wants to know about the musically inclined suitor. Benedict and Colin are hounded by several women. Benedict asks Miss Stowell for a dance. Portia asks Albion Finch (Lorn Macdonald) and Harry Dankworth (James Phoon) where the ladies are. Penelope listens to them talk about their wives. She sees Colin nearby and approaches him. Penelope apologizes again but admits she’d like to read his writing one day if he’d let her.

He says he’ll consider it if she speaks to at least one lord tonight. Once she agrees, Colin tells her to speak to Lord Basilio. Penelope quickly strikes up a conversation with Lord Basilio who is distraught. She tells Colin that his horse recently died. Eloise watches them laugh at Basilio’s expense. Eloise tells Cressida about Colin helping Penelope look for a husband. Cressida tells her to alter her feelings towards Penelope. Benedict welcomes the Mondrich couple when they arrive. Will worries about being able to grasp all of society’s rules. Benedict insists they’re free once they get married because the rules just keep the marriage mart churning. Lord Petri is introduced to Francesca. They immediately begin talking about music. Violet admits to Agatha that she is fearful of pushing another daughter too hard.

Agatha recommends letting Francesca be in her natural sphere. Portia pulls her daughters to the side to speak to them about having sex with their husbands. She admits a woman’s pleasure is more subtle than a man’s. Philipa doesn’t seem to understand where her husband is supposed to insert himself. Portia learns that Mr. Finch never takes his breeches off. Queen Charlotte is ready to retire. Agatha tells her to look at a painting first. Eloise steps away. The other women ask about gossip. Cressida says she cannot think of anything at the moment. Penelope speaks to Lord Remington (Zak Ford-Williams) who admits he loves a little gossip. They talk about Lady Whistledown. Colin learns Remington has asked to call on her tomorrow. They overhear Miss Livingston talking about Penelope accepting Colin’s help. The gossip quickly begins spreading.

Colin asks them about it. He’s asked why he’d help a spinster find a husband. Penelope gets upset and leaves in a hurry. Colin questions Eloise about whether she told anyone. She admits she told Cressida. Colin can’t understand why she’s friends with Cressida instead of Penelope. Queen Charlotte hears Francesca playing and she’s impressed. Will checks on Alice in her room because he doesn’t want to sleep. He is adamant he will sleep with his wife regardless of what Mrs. Khanna says. Alice knows they haven’t done anything to earn this. Will suggests that’s true for every viscount, earl, and baron out there. They agree to do with old lady Kent’s clothes. Alice is going to keep the jewelry though. Penelope goes home and writes as Lady Whistledown. Agatha receives a letter. She wants Mrs. Walsh alerted that they’ll be having a visitor.

Lady Whistledown writes about Penelope and Colin’s scandal. Eloise reads about it and asks if that’s what Cressida wanted to happen. She asks if she can’t stop being cruel. Cressida insists she did not disclose the secret. She urges Eloise to look in the mirror. Portia asks Penelope about the rumor. She thinks Penelope is being unreasonable about what she can achieve. Portia insists being unmarried isn’t so bad. Later, Penelope receives a visit from Colin. Penelope believes she brought this on herself. She asks if Colin would kiss her. Penelope says it would not have to mean anything, but she’s never been kissed and isn’t sure she ever will be. Colin kisses her. Penelope thanks him before rushing back inside.

 

Bridgerton Review

This episode of Bridgerton was okay although many scenes seem a little long-winded. The core story focusing on Penelope and Colin’s relationship is actually enjoyable although it’s just sporadic and thinly scattered throughout. Some aspects of the story could be less clichéd, especially a lot dealing with the Mondrich family.

Clearly, this season didn’t need eight episodes and it certainly didn’t need to be spaced out by a month. That’s just a good way for viewers to lose interest and there’s really no reason for it except Netflix wanting to prolong the viewer jump for as long as possible. On one hand, the series is easily watchable and even enjoyable at times.

On the other, it’s becoming the same formula repeatedly without much setting the seasons apart. The series needs depth and variety. Otherwise, it’s just rich people worrying about marriage once again. As a result, the predictability is very high considering can see what is coming from a mile away. For instance, this episode just slowly beats down Penelope so there can be a happy moment when Colin picks her up.

That will probably be effective in the end, but this style means the series is very formulaic and swallow with some just okay performances throughout. At the very least, the series is a good guilty pleasure that will satisfy any soap opera fan. This episode scores a 6 out of 10. Recaps of Bridgerton can be found on Reel Mockery here.

Find out how to support our independent site at this link. Learn more about advertising with us here. Discuss this show at the Reel Mockery Forum.