DISCLAIMER: This recap of Bridgerton Season 3 Episode 1, “Out of the Shadows,” contains spoilers. Proceed at your peril.
Dearest Gentle Reader,
Bridgerton is back, and it’s Polin season, baby. “Out of the Shadows” lays the groundwork for the next great romance on the show’s docket. It’s a fun return for our fave steamy, sexy series. Everyone’s pretty; there are a lot of longing glances, charged looks and envy-inducing costumes. Shondaland is here to immerse us in lovey-dovey, aesthetically pleasing, flowery escapism. Plus, one can’t help but crave that drama with a capital “D.” We’re in for a ride this season, members of the ton.
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A New Season
We open with Lady Whistledown’s (Julie Andrews) narration. As a new season opens, members of the ton return to London after spending the off-season in the countryside. Lady Whistledown (ahem, Penelope) delivers glowing endorsements for every new debutante. Each young woman looks ecstatic to read Lady Whistledown’s remarks. Then, we see Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Lady Portia Featherington (Polly Walker) arriving in the city for the season.
Penelope stops by the shop of the ton’s favorite modiste, Madame Delacroix’s (Kathryn Drysdale). Both women compliment each other on how their respective businesses are flourishing. Meanwhile, at the Bridgerton house, Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), Eloise (Claudia Jessie), Benedict (Luke Thompson), Hyacinth (Florence Hunt) and Gregory (Will Tilston) wait for Francesca. Francesca is making her debut this season and will join her mother in being presented to Queen Charlotte.
Funeral March and Colin’s Sturdy Arrival
Viscount Anthony and Viscountess Kate Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley) arrive, and they look stunning, might I add. My Kanthony heart is content. Upon hearing someone playing the pianoforte, Kate states that Francesca must be the source of the music. Sure enough, the gang sees Francesca (Hannah Dodd) playing Mozart’s “Funeral March.” She’s too funny.
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Then, Penelope stands outside her home and watches the Bridgertons from across the street. Our titular family notices a group of debutantes crowding around someone. It’s none other than Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), who’s back from his global vacay and looking, in Benedict’s words, “sturdy.”
While the boys are en route to the queen’s debutante presentation, Colin changes his shirt in the carriage while Anthony, Benedict and Gregory pester him with questions. What did he do during the off-season? Where did he go? Sure, Colin spilled all last season regarding his trip to Greece, but he’s different now. He’s changed. Colin had his Eat, Pray, Love. He’s literally every guy in LA who goes to therapy once.
Francesca’s Debut
Anyway, at the palace, Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) looks bored by the new crop of debutantes. Reynolds (Hugh Sachs) asks her if she requires a refreshment. Colin joins Eloise in the crowd, winking at a few ladies admiring him from across the way. Side note: I love that this scene features British Sign Language.
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Francesca urges Violet not to worry about her navigating the season. She merely wants a practical attachment — a place where she can call home and find peace. She’s not in it for love. Of course, we know how Violet wants that “lightning strikes” kind of love for all her children. Francesca and Violet walk toward the queen. Reynolds reminds Her Majesty that she’s had great luck with Bridgertons. However, she leaves the presentation without naming a diamond of the season.
Dearly Departed Aunt Petunia’s Fortune
Meanwhile, at the Featherington house, Prudence and Harry Dankworth (Bessie Carter and James Phoon) and Philipa and Albion Finch (Harriet Cains and Lorn Macdonald) chat in the sitting room. Penelope reads in the window. Portia, accompanied by Mrs. Varley (Lorraine Ashbourne), rallies her family to attend the post-presentation event. Now that they have recouped their finances following Lord Featherington’s abrupt departure last season, they can be the bells of the ball again.
Next, Varley urges Portia to exercise caution when explaining their situation. Portia fabricated a story about them inheriting her late Aunt Petunia’s money to compensate for Lord Featherington absconding with their financial assets. However, Varley believes people will question why a spinster who owned very little had so much capital.
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Later, the Featherington/Dankworth/Finch clan arrives at the queen’s post-presentation event. Unfortunately, Her Majesty is MIA, which sets the mamas atwitter. Colin’s milkshake brings all the ladies to his yard, and he makes them swoon with the mere mention of his global travels. Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen) is awful to Penelope (What else is new?). However, Eloise pulls Cressida aside, distracting her. Despite Penelope and Eloise not being on good terms, the latter still clearly cares for her.
The Ladies Bridgerton
Meanwhile, Violet and Kate chat about having two girls participating in the season. Violet asserts she’ll move into a dower house eventually. Kate reassures her mother-in-law that she can stay as long as she wants. Aw, I hope we see more of these two bonding. Lady Agatha Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) joins the pair, revealing the queen might feel out of sorts after misnaming last season’s diamond.
Elsewhere, Lady Cowper (Joanna Bobin) doesn’t appear to be buying the Featheringtons’ story about Lord Featherington. Portia declares that before he fled, Lord Featherington signed a document. It claims that whichever of Portia’s daughters gives birth to a male heir first will inherit the estate. Well, the male heir, that is.
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Next, Pen and Colin finally reunite. Pen is still thinking about Colin’s hurtful comments to his pals at the Featherington ball about never entertaining the idea of courting her. Thus, their reunion is understandably cold. Before leaving the party, Portia urges Prudence and Philipa to start making heirs. She also expresses gratitude that Pen will always be there to take care of her. Uh-oh.
A New Mission
That night, Pen tosses and turns in bed. Her mother’s comments stirred something in her. She heads to the modiste the following day to get a new wardrobe. Pen never wants to see a citrus-colored garment again. Meanwhile, Colin bestows gifts upon his family, including a new watch for Violet and a book for Eloise. However, Eloise claims she’s reading Emma these days. Firstly, Eloise embraces ruffles, the latest fashion trend. Now, she’s reading romances? Who is this, and what has she done with Eloise?
Then, Pen and Eloise run into each other at the modiste. Pen apologizes for steering clear of Eloise all summer. Eloise mentions that she became BFFs with Cressida because at least the latter was there for her. Ouch. Meanwhile, Anthony, Benedict and Colin meet at Will Mondrich’s (Martins Imhangbe) club for a brotherly chat. Anthony compliments Benny for keeping the estate running while he and Kate were on their honeymoon.
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Next, Walter Dundas (Edward Bennett) pulls Will and Alice (Emma Naomi) aside. He states he works for The Crown. Alice’s great-aunt, Lady Kent, passed away. She left everything to their son, Nicholas. He’s now the Baron of Kent. That’s quite the societal upgrade. Welcome to the ton, Mondrich family.
Kanthony Love
Elsewhere, Kanthony have a little daytime roll in the hay. God, they’re so pretty. Like any husband worth his salt, Anthony goes downtown. However, Kate stops him when she hears the family outside their door.
Later, Pen prepares for Lady Danbury’s ball. The Bridgertons arrive to a resplendent affair. The settings in this series always take my breath away. The queen is also present, flanked by Lady Danbury and Reynolds. Then, the Featherington/Dankworth/Finch clan makes their grand entrance, but it’s not quite as grand as Penelope. She removes her cloak to showcase her new Parisian dress, complete with a new hairdo. Everyone takes notice.
She’s always been stunning. I’m looking at you, Colin. Time to wake up!
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Then, a few gentlemen approach Pen to chat with her. She’s nervous, and the conversation grows increasingly awkward. She’s me. Meanwhile, Eloise doesn’t find the discussion about stitching in her new friend group very engrossing. Elsewhere, Lady Danbury not-so-subtly pushes Queen Charlotte to name a diamond.
Francesca also struggles to converse with all the gentlemen. They prod her with uncomfortable questions. Side note: I love how Anthony watches them like a hawk. He’s such a protective big bro. Francesca excuses herself and asks Anthony if she can have some alone time. Then, he steals his wifey from Violet for an adorable dance.
This Is for the Wallflowers
Next, Francesca finds Pen, and they commiserate together about finding a husband. Francesca feels anxious about it. Pen mentions that once one sticks to the wall, it’s hard to become, well, unstuck. After they part ways, Pen meets Lord Alfred Debling (Sam Phillips), who also catches Cressida’s eye. Pen and Debling seem to hit it off before Cressida purposely steps on Pen’s dress, ripping it. Pen flees the ball.
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Colin discovers her outside, where he asks point blank if something is off about their friendship. She mentions his remarks to his friends about dismissing her as a dating prospect. She calls herself a spinster before leaving him. Once at home, we see Pen work on writing her next issue as Lady Whistledown.
The following day, Walter Dundas visits Portia. He reveals he knows about Lord Featherington’s supposed wish that one of her daughter’s male children will inherit the estate. The Crown will investigate this further. If they discover the document has been forged, it won’t end well for the Featheringtons. Well, we know how good Varley is at forging signatures.
Eloise and Cressida
Meanwhile, Eloise and Cressida go for a walk. Eloise states she thought what Cressida did to Pen was cruel and unnecessary. Cressida admits that society pits women against each other every season. She’s also not the kindest person around. However, she appreciates Eloise’s friendship. Cressida vows to leave Pen alone.
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Later, Kate and Anthony cozy up in the study before the former declares they should extend their honeymoon. Let Violet continue carrying out the Viscountess duties for a while. Plus, they have the rest of their lives to be the Viscount and Viscountess. Kate wants to make babies! Then, they get hot and heavy on the desk. As they should.
Violet asks Francesca if she enjoyed herself at Lady Danbury’s ball. Francesca insists she’s perfectly content with finding a match sans love. She believes what her parents have is rare. Her practical nature takes the wheel here. Just give Francesca Italian sheet music and a pianoforte, and she’ll be happy.
Pen’s New Teacher
Next, Colin calls on Pen to apologize for his behavior and remarks. They sit in the garden at Pen’s home. He decides to help Pen find a husband since she’s expediting that process this season. She doesn’t want to care for her mom or live at the whim of her sisters. Colin insists charm can be taught, so he plans to give her a crash course on it. Pen accepts the offer, declaring that they are, indeed, friends. Oh, honey. Just wait.
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Realizing she sent the latest pamphlet of Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers in haste, Pen watches as everyone reads her hurtful remarks about Colin. The Mondrich family moves into their new estate. The queen also reads Lady Whistledown’s summation of the season thus far. She prods the queen to make her next move.
Unfortunately, Colin reads what Pen wrote about him as Whistledown (well, to be fair, she was mad at him). Eloise asks if he has any inkling as to who Whistledown might be. Colin admits he doesn’t know, but if he finds out, he’ll make Whistledown’s life hell. Oh, my sweet summer child. If you only knew.
Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 is now streaming on Netflix.
Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: KATE SHARMA
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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