Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 Review: Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton's Chemistry Rescues Their Formulaic 'Will-They, Won't-They' Romance (LatestLY Exclusive)

Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 Review: Sima Taparia would have been such a great fit in whatever universe and era Bridgerton is set. Three seasons and a spinoff in, the matchmaking obsession hasn't cooled down in this bright, colourful, and gaudy London in this Elizabethan drama, though they have dialled back some of the sensuality and nudity from the first season. Bridgerton returns for a season 3 - or half of it, to be exact - with the spotlight on the obvious romance between childhood buddies Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton). As Mohnish Behl famously said in Maine Pyar Kiya, "Ek ladka aur ek ladki kabhi dost nahi ho sakte..." Bridgerton Season 3: Here’s When and Where To Watch Luke Newton–Nicola Coughlan’s Series Online.

Even though Bridgerton is clearly experiencing fatigue in fitting its Mills & Boon romance within its period setting, and the plotlines are as predictably pale as they come, there is some steam left in these characters and their romantic dilemmas. Bridgerton still maintains its race-perfect era, where interracial romance and friendships are not frowned upon. A character that seems straight out of a KJo film, Miss Malhotra (our own Banita Sandhu debuting in the series), can mingle with the white ladies for gossip and suitor preferences. Since Indian lineage already had its spot under the sun last season with the Sharmas - the royals surely love the UCs - poor Miss Malhotra is rendered as nothing more than an extra in the new season.

Watch the Trailer of Bridgerton Season 3:

Of course, it is high time Bridgerton pays full attention to Penelope, one of the best characters of the show, and Nicola Coughlan has been quite a delight in the role. Even though this season sees Penelope mostly looking wistful about her lack of match prospects - girl, you deserve better - it is easy to be emotionally engaged with her underdog tale. It is a little disappointing that we miss her camaraderie with Eloise (a scene-stealing Claudia Jessie) due to their fallout at the end of last season.

As for Penelope's romance with Colin, there is hardly any freshness in the tale. To spice things up, they include a love rival in the form of Lord Debling (Sam Philips) - a character invented purely for the show - but the charming lord feels nothing more than a little tack on the road on romance that can be kicked away. What saves the track to a great extent is the conspicuous presence of likeable chemistry between the leads. I am sure Bridgerton wouldn't have survived even one season if it were not for casting good-looking actors who share great chemistry with each other.

The fourth episode ends with a major development in their 'will-they, won't-they' love story and with four more episodes to go, it doesn't take much of a genius to figure out that Penelope's Lady Whistledown persona is going to be a big impediment to wherever this romance is going. Just hoping that in the next set of episodes, the track is not diluted by the show's obsession with having way too many subplots.

Speaking of the other subplots, the Bridgerton matriarch Violet (Ruth Gemmell) is trying to debut her third daughter, a recast Francesca (Hannah Dodd), into the sea of suitors. While Francesca's idea of romance doesn't match the sensibilities of her suitors, she also finds herself entangled in a love triangle by the end of the fourth episode. Even Violet seems to find a potential romance that could threaten her friendship with Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh).

While Daphne and Simon - the le ads of the first season - do not return (the actors having grown too big for the show), Kate (Simone Ashley) and Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) - the leads of the second season - do return, albeit for an inconsequential period before they are forgotten. Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 Review: Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton's Performances in This Netflix Series Get Thumbs Up From Critics!

There are other tracks too, like Will Mondrich (Martins Imhangbe) and his wife Alice (Emma Naomi) who are trying to fit into 'society', but they feel more like fillers when the viewer is rather invested in Penelope and Colin finally caving into their feelings.

Final Thoughts on Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1

While clearly running out of sensual steam, Bridgerton's third season offers a mix of predictability and old-world charm, while giving much-deserved attention to fan-favourite Penelope Featherington. Despite the fatigue in its storytelling and some subplots feeling like filler, the undeniable chemistry between the leads and the delightful performances keep the Netflix series rolling on.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 17, 2024 05:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).