Old Friends – As this episode of Bridgerton begins, Portia (Polly Walker) and her daughters learn that Lord Debling has visited Penelope (Nicola Coughlan). Lord Debling (Sam Phillips) gives Penelope a gift. Philipa (Harriet Cains) and Prudence (Bessie Carter) can’t understand why he picked Penelope. They interrupt moments later. Violet (Ruth Gemmell) tells Colin (Luke Newton) that they’re expecting the Marquess Samadani to call on Francesca this morning. Violet asks if there is something more he wants to discuss with her regarding their conversation about friendship and love. Colin claims he just wants the best for Francesca. Benedict (Luke Thompson) visits Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New) to call on her although she doesn’t want to be called on.

Agatha (Adjoa Andoh) asks Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis) why he’s returned to London. Marcus explains he’s back because of the lack of society and ladies. Agatha tells him he’s free to meet with as many ladies as he likes. Queen Charlotte tells Brimsley (Hugh Sachs) she wants to arrange another gathering. He believes it’s a chance to secure a match for Francesca. Violet and the others prepare for Samadani’s arrival. Hyacinth believes it’s Lord Samadani but it’s not. Earl of Kilmartin John Stirling (Victor Alli) admits he’s there to call on Francesca (Hannah Dodd). They sit together while everyone watches them from nearby. Eloise (Claudia Jessie) and the others are surprised that they’re not even speaking. Then, they learn another caller has arrived. Lord Samadani enters the room. John says he doesn’t want to interfere before leaving.

Will (Martins Imhangbe) and Alice (Emma Naomi) talk about whether Will should quit working. Will is adamant he is going to keep his club. Portia tries to prevent Penelope from becoming distracted. Debling learns Penelope is reading about the Northwest Passage. Portia interrupts and urges Debling to explain it to them. Samadani arrives at the event with Eloise and Francesca. Colin sees Penelope with Debling. Eloise speaks to Cressida (Jessica Madsen) who is busy focusing on Penelope and Debling. Colin is invited to join two men and he agrees. Penelope tells Debling she always finds herself drawn to books about love. He asks if there are any novels in which the husband goes away for a long time while the wife is happy to tend to the estate. Penelope suggests they could be happy if the wife had her own interests in life.

She tells him he’d have to ask her mother. Debling questions whether she’d say yes. Penelope looks at Colin and hesitates to answer. She says she thinks he’d have to read the book. Later, Colin has fun with two women but seems preoccupied with something else. The next day, Violet speaks to Francesca about Samadani asking her to the dance. Francesca sees Lord Kilmartin nearby. She asks Violet about him and his family. Francesca rushes over to speak to him. She asks if he’s stopping to speak to them just to be polite, but Kilmartin reminds her she stopped him. He asks her about the music. Francesca tells him everything she doesn’t like about it. When Kilmartin leaves to enjoy the music, Francesca tells Violet she’s not interested in him.

Eloise visits Cressida who was waiting for someone else. Cressida’s father arrives and interrupts their conversations. Lord Cowper (Dominic Coleman) tells Cressida that she’s not to be seen with the Bridgerton girl again. Will tells Alice that two-thirds of the lords have closed their accounts. Colin hangs out with his new acquaintances. Lord Fife asks him about being gone for a while. Colin thinks the necessity imposed on them to remain cavalier is tiring. The men laugh when he asks if they find it lonely. A drunk Colin returns to his room later that night. The next day, Debling speaks to Penelope on his way out. Portia tells Penelope that Lord Debling has requested her permission to propose. She confirms she gave Debling her permission. She begins talking about Debling’s wealth and estate. Portia tells her not to become greedy in her success.

She pleads with Penelope to be smart. Later, Colin tells Violet he’d like to stay home tonight. Violet believes living to please others is not a good idea. She tells Colin he may miss the fruits of his labors since Penelope may be getting a proposal tonight. Penelope watches the performance with others. After the performance, Debling asks Penelope to dance. Marcus speaks to Violet about his sister who likes to meddle. He admits they’re becoming reacquainted. They talk about Francesca. Marcus reveals his wife died. He admits he’s envious that Violet had a chance to experience a love match. Queen Charlotte and Agatha talk about Francesca. Alice thanks Agatha for keeping her company. She says Will is having a difficult time relinquishing their old life. Agatha urges her to change his mind because Queen Charlotte won’t like him working in a bar.

Benedict talks about the ballet while watching Lady Arnold. She joins him and they talk about the male ballet dancer. Eloise asks Cressida if she should be seen with her. Cressida apologizes for her father. Meanwhile, Colin thinks about things at home. Marcus offers himself to Agatha since he heard she’s a molder of society. She doesn’t seem interested. Francesca dances with Lord Samadani. After the dance, she’s approached by Kilmartin who apologizes for rushing off before. He gives her something and explains he believes in the power of a gesture. Lord Samadani interrupts with lemonade. Francesca tells her mom she is eager to return home early. Queen Charlotte finds out what’s going on. Prudence and Philipa talk about their chests being sore. They believe they may be pregnant. Colin arrives outside.

Penelope asks Debling if love may grow one day. He doesn’t know. Eloise talks to Cressida about all the time they’d have if they didn’t have to think about marriage. Cressida notices Colin walking towards Penelope. Cressida rushes over to dance with Debling while Colin tries to convince Penelope she can’t marry him. Penelope says she’s going to accept Debling’s proposal. Colin can’t watch her make a mistake. Penelope says her only mistake was asking for his help. She rushes to catch up with Debling. He believes she watches out her window because she is waiting for Mr. Bridgerton. Penelope insists they’re friends and nothing more. Debling asks if he’s like more though. He hopes she finds what she’s looking for. Portia checks on Penelope once Debling leaves. Penelope rushes out of the building and cries. Violet returns home.

Francesca tells her that Kilmartin had the music rearranged just as she imagined it. Colin stops Penelope’s carriage so he can speak to her. Colin asks if Debling proposed. He insists Debling is not right for her before learning he rejected her. Colin suggests he may have feelings for her. Penelope admits she’d like to be more than friends. They begin kissing. When they reach the Bridgerton house, Colin thinks they should get the carriage driver to keep going. He invites her invites. Then, he asks if she’s going to marry him or not.

 

Bridgerton Review

The fourth episode of Bridgerton’s third season was a good way to end the first half of the season and build interest for the remaining episodes. The episode had a lot going on. Some of the stories were less effective than others. It seems this series would be far more effective if it’d just focus on the core story more.

Despite the popularity of the series, there isn’t much original here. It’s all been done before. In fact, it’s probably been done better before. Some aspects of the story are a little corny. Although Colin and Penelope’s relationship has been the highlight of the season, it was a little rushed in this episode.

It really needed more time. Not to mention, this formula has been rehashed billions of times so the writing isn’t original in the least. It’d be easy to lose interest during the month-long wait for new episodes to drop. This episode scores a 5 out of 10. Recaps of Bridgerton can be found on Reel Mockery here.

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