Tick Tock – As this episode of Bridgerton begins, Lady Whistledown writes about surprises while Colin (Luke Newton) takes Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) home. Colin breaks the news to his family that he and Penelope are engaged. Hyacinth (Florence Hunt) and Violet (Ruth Gemmell) are thrilled, but Eloise (Claudia Jessie) doesn’t seem happy. Eloise excuses herself. Penelope follows her. Penelope insists this is something new. Eloise argues that she cannot marry him. She asks if Colin knows she’s Lady Whistledown. Penelope pleads with Eloise not to tell her. Eloise is confident he will find it. She goes on to say Colin can’t love her until she knows the real Penelope.

Penelope pleads for a little time and promises to tell him. Colin checks on her a few minutes later. In the morning, people read the last from Lady Whistledown. Benedict (Luke Thompson) and Tilley Arnold (Hannah New) get a copy as well. Benedict is surprised by the news. Lady Portia Featherington (Polly Walker) and her family learn as well. Penelope listens from nearby. Lady Agatha Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) tells Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis) that she is pleased by the news. As for Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel), she’s worried Lady Whistledown will compare her to a sour fruit. She makes Brimsley (Hugh Sachs) read it to her. She also learns that Francesca (Hannah Dodd) is setting her eyes on Lord John Stirling (Victor Alli). Kate (Simone Ashley) and Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) prepare to return to their family home.

Anthony is eager to tell his family that Kate is going to be the mother of his child. Violet and the others greet them when they arrive. Hyacinth tells them about Colin’s engagement to Penelope. Eloise tells Cressida (Jessica Madsen) that Penelope used her. She suggests their entire friendship was a ruse all along. Cressida reveals her parents are in the process of arranging a marriage proposal with Lord Greer. Although he’s older, he’s assured her father he is the picture of health. Cressida tries to look on the bright side since she’ll be able to use Lord Greer’s money to shop. Benedict and Anthony grill Colin about his engagement to Penelope. Colin tries to convince him that he’s not moving too quickly. Anthony urges Colin to tell her. Penelope approaches her mother, Portia, who isn’t happy about how she learned about the engagement.

Portia argues that Lord Debling was a secure match. She reminds her daughter that Colin is the most desired man of the season. Portia asks if Colin has said he loves you. Penelope admits he hasn’t used those words. Portia says the Bridgertons treated them like dogs when Marina’s scheme was uncovered. Colin interrupts and overhears Portia. He says Penelope did not entrap him. He proposed to her out of love. Penelope leaves with him. Colin takes her to the property that will be their home after their marriage. Penelope doesn’t think Colin knows how much that meant to her because no one has ever stood up for her like that before. Colin tells her he loves her. He makes her feel seen in ways he hasn’t been seen before. They end up getting naked and having sex.

Meanwhile, Anthony and Kate lie in bed together while Newton watches. Kate asks if they can keep their secret a little longer since his mother has her hands full. She admits she is very busy. She must plan the best betrothal party before they nominate someone else as viscountess. Francesca hangs out with John and talks to him about playing the piano. John asks if she’d be nauseated by the idea of marriage. Francesca wishes to be married, but she hopes her husband will not hide her piano stool from her. Kate joins Eloise who is still upset about Penelope. Kate urges her to talk to Colin about it. Mrs. Varley (Lorraine Ashbourne) checks on Portia. They talk about what Colin said. Varley thinks Portia should tell them she was only trying to protect Penelope.

She believes a connection to the Bridgerton family could help with the solicitor, Walter Dundas, poking around. Penelope begins to tell Colin the truth, but she’s interrupted when someone knocks on the door. Lady Danbury joins Queen Charlotte who claims they’re going to celebrate the demise of Lady Whistledown. Her plan is already in motion with her Royal Messengers marching through the streets. Colin stops the carriage so he can grab a message from the Queen. Charlotte offers a reward of 5,000 pounds for anyone who brings her evidence of Lady Whistledown’s identity. Colin believes that’s good news. He asks Penelope what she wanted to tell him. Penelope claims it’s not important now. Later, Eloise approaches Colin at home so they can talk. Colin apologizes for not telling her about his feelings for Penelope.

He insists he loves her. Colin reminds Eloise that she loved Penelope once too. It would mean the world to Colin to have Eloise’s blessing. Colin gives her the Queen’s letter and calls it a gift. Lady Cowper (Joanna Bobin) and Cressida sit with Lord Greer (Richard Durden) to speak about the marriage arrangement. Lord Greer goes through his rules, including the fact that he does not believe in music. He’d be happy with four or five children. Cressida has the letter from Queen Charlotte. Prudence (Bessie Carter) and Philipa (Harriet Cains) discuss the Queen’s offer. Penelope interrupts to say Whistledown is too good at hiding herself. Portia enters and claims they’ve all been acting in an uncouth way. She reminds them they support one another. Portia tells Penelope that she’ll stop being unkind. She intends to attend the engagement party with Penelope alone.

Penelope goes to her room to write as Lady Whistledown. Will (Martins Imhangbe) doesn’t pay attention as Alice (Emma Naomi) oversees Nicky’s lesson. Alice urges him to take some time off this week because his ledgers won’t miss him. Nicky (James Bryan) and the family go to the party where they’re greeted by Hyacinth and Gregory (Will Tilston). Gregory takes Nicky to see his new bow and arrow. Portia and Penelope arrive moments later. When Colin approaches them, Portia asks to put the past behind them. She leaves. Colin tells Penelope that Cressida invited herself. Marcus approaches Violet and Danbury as they talk about the couple. Cressida asks Eloise if she’ll help her avoid Lord Greer’s proposal. Eloise approaches Penelope when she’s alone to suggest she hasn’t told Colin. Penelope claims she’s waiting for the right time.

Eloise threatens to tell him and gives Penelope until midnight. Colin checks on Penelope. Kate speaks to Benedict and Tilley. Francesca asks John to tell her family the boots story. He struggles so Francesca pulls him away. Agatha tells Violet that they’re similar. Violet wonders if Francesca could use someone to bring her out of her shell. Colin speaks to the crowd about Penelope. Eloise makes sure to take a jab at Penelope. They play a game. Penelope and Eloise go back and forth. Colin hopes their history will finally be settled. Alice tells Will that Daisy finally mounted a horse this week. Cressida asks Eloise if she wants to hear her plan to avoid Lord Greer. She’s going to take a flat in Vienna with her own life using the reward money from identifying Lady Whistledown. Eloise doesn’t think she’ll ever find Whistledown. Cressida believes otherwise.

John or Lord Kilmartin returns to the group to tell them the story of his boots. Colin and the others begin talking about the unmasking of Lady Whistledown. Colin says being unmasked would spell ruin for her hopes of marriage. He follows Penelope when she storms out. Kate tells Anthony they should tell everyone tonight. Cressida listens to the others talk about Whistledown and whether she’d like to be unmasked. They mention that she wouldn’t have to marry. Colin continues searching for Penelope. He finds her and asks what’s going on with her. Penelope says she needs to tell him something. Eloise wants to tell him something as well. Penelope begins panicking. Anthony and Kate tell Violet the news. Cressida stands up and claims she’s Lady Whistledown. Penelope collapses.

 

Bridgerton Review

This episode of Bridgerton had a lot going on with the threat of exposure lingering over Penelope’s head. Queen Charlotte put out a reward for evidence regarding the identity of Lady Whistledown. Eloise learned about Colin’s relationship with Penelope. She urged Penelope to tell Colin and threatened to do so otherwise.

Cressida was being forced to marry Lord Greer so she decided to assume the role of Lady Whistledown and unknowingly save Penelope. The episode had some fun moments, but Netflix’s decision to split the season into two halves really halted its momentum. It took some time to become reacquainted with the characters and the story up until this point.

The episode was fairly predictable since it was easy to see what Cressida was going to do to avoid marrying Lord Greer. Her story was a bit more interesting than everything else in this episode, but it may not work out for her in the end. With everything going on, this sometimes feels a little long-winded. There are some storylines that viewers likely won’t care about as much as the main story which is Colin and Penelope’s relationship.

Certain performances in this episode were not particularly strong. This was a solid episode when it focused on what mattered and it also showed viewers where the other episodes are going. The episode scores a 6.3 out of 10. Recaps of Bridgerton can be found on Reel Mockery here.

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