Bridgerton Season 3 (Cass’s Version) Episode Three

Episode Three, Old Friends

This is where I start to make the really big changes. For starters, I have flipped the titles and a lot of the events from eps 3 and 4 to what I think will flow significantly better for the narrative. It keeps the pace moving for the subplots as well as allows for more development for Colin and Penelope, both individually and together, before they move into the next big steps of their relationship. A lot of the scenes and visuals I have reworked here as I think there’s a ton of good, but I did play with the order a lot here.

The Lady Whistledown pamphlet talking about Penelope and Colin’s lessons comes out, and she has the disappointing conversation with her mother.

Eloise meets up with Lady Tilley, who notices something is off, El confesses to feeling bad about stuff with Cressida and Penelope. Tilley tells her to just go talk to them and apologize.

As Eloise leaves, she runs into Benedict showing up to see Tilley with a bouquet of flowers. El certainly notes it, but leaves them to it.

Lady Tilley calls Benedict on his crap and tells him to gain some courage, saying “Mr. Bridgerton, I suggest you stop wasting everyone’s time and go to the person you actually wish to see.”

Eloise goes to see Penelope and apologizes, notes how difficult it is to have LW write about oneself. The conversation is loaded and tense.

Penelope and Colin meet under the tree, he apologizes for what happened, but she says it was her own fault (irony that we get but Colin misses). He tells her he wants her to read his journal just as she says their lessons can’t continue.

Colin is a little confused about this and why he should be so upset by it, but he says he wants her to read his writing still, and Pen heartily agrees.

The Queen and Lady Danbury have a conversation about suitors for Francesca, and the Queen declares she will bring Lord Samadani to her ball, the theme of which she is a bit mysterious about, even to Lady D. 

Francesca is waiting for suitors to call, but it’s John, who doesn’t have a formal introduction, but it plays out as the show and they sit together in silence.

Eloise meets up with Cressida in the garden alcove. Eloise apologizes, and Cressida forgives her, then puts her hand on Eloise’s. When El doesn’t pull away, Cressida leans in to kiss her, but El jumps up. Cressida runs off, mortified, and Eloise is upset by how they left things.

Will and Alice face pressure to sell the club as other lords and ladies discover that they are working despite having a title.

At the Featherington house, Varley brings in the baby boy making juice and has the Featherington girls drink it.

Penelope reads Colin’s journal and is so impressed. We hear his voiceover as she reads, explaining his incredible experiences, the beautiful women he has met, the things he has learned. But there is an abiding sense of listlessness, loneliness, until he finally comes to the conclusion that all he really wants is a sense of purpose. Of home.

At the library viewing, it is Pen’s first outing in some time. She falls flat with some suitors, who judge her based on the LW report.

When Colin and the Bridgertons arrive, Pen wants to tell Colin that she adored his journal, but she runs into Lord Debling first. They have a great conversation and note the bucks on the wall as well as the books, talking about both. He doesn’t read LW and admires Pen’s taste in books. 

Lord Debling hints at wanting more from his and Pen’s relationship especially as his expedition is starting soon, and she seems receptive.

Colin sees them talking and feels confused and jealous. The men of the Ton try to get him to come out with them, but he dismisses it, is more honest about his own experiences and what he wants, which is not aligning with their values.

Colin has a conversation with Violet about friendship being the best foundation for love, and he clearly is looking at Pen, which Violet notices.

Colin has a sexy dream about Pen that plays out like we see in the show, when he wakes up, Benedict notices something off and teases him.

Will and Alice meet their neighbors, the Smythe-Smiths, who are very nice with a full, fun house, children who are a bit older than Will and Alice’s, including some girls who are getting ready to debut.

Eloise goes to visit Cressida to try and smooth things over, but it’s the first time she has ever been to the house, and it’s foreboding.

Cressida and El manage a short conversation before her father barges in and brushes Eloise off. As Eloise leaves, she overhears Cressida’s father scolding Cressida about not hanging out with “that Bridgerton girl” and his chastising Cressida for her “unnatural desires.”

Lord Debling comes to the Featherington house, talks to Portia in the drawing room, leaving Pen surprised, excited, and a little anxious. Portia tells her how well she’s done.

Everyone is leaving for the ball, but Colin doesn’t plan to go, conversation with Violet plays out like usual, she alludes to the possible proposal for Penelope.

Colin is clearly distressed by this, the moment where the candle is flickering out, then he jumps up and as he moves by it, it suddenly flickers back to life

The Queen throws her ball, the Crown Jewels ball, surprising everyone by calling each young lady up and giving her a piece of jewelry with a gem with particular meaning, highlighting the beautiful and individual qualities.

Each lady is thrilled with the thoughtfulness, Pen is named an emerald, Francesca a ruby, and so on, however Cressida’s mom is hard on her when she is only gifted a semi-precious stone even though the piece is gorgeous.

Francesca is set up by the Queen with Lord Samadani, but she is looking for John the whole time. She dances with Lord Samadani.

Colin arrives, looking very fraught and angsty. His eyes finally light on Penelope, and he goes to talk to her. 

Francesca is alone while Lord Samadani fetches them lemonade, and she practically runs over to John when she sees him. They have a really similar interaction as they do on the street in the show, and he darts off when she tells him about how she would want the music.

Penelope is glad to see Colin, but she sees Cressida honing in on Lord Debling and is worried her one chance at getting away from her family will be lost to her.

However, Debling breaks away from Cressida to come claim his dance with Penelope.

Colin protests this, though, says he needs to talk to Pen, so Debling politely bows out to let them talk.

Colin leads Penelope to the floor. He tries to talk to her, but she is fuming and isn’t listening to him. Colin is getting more desperate as he tries to say something that he doesn’t seem entirely sure of himself.

Lord Debling dances with Cressida, and they are both looking at Colin and Pen, whispering about them. Pen growing more self-conscious.

Penelope sees Lord Debling slip out of the ballroom, and she dashes off to follow him, leaving Colin standing shocked and alone on the floor. Shocked.

Pen catches up to Debling and he says that he thinks there’s something going on with her and Colin. She assures him that there’s nothing of the kind happening, when he presses, Pen confesses she used to have some feelings but she doesn’t anymore, that Colin has been out flirting all over the Ton and that’s not the kind of guy she’s looking for. She wants something pragmatic, not romantic.

Debling isn’t convinced, especially given her reading material, and when Colin shows up to check on Pen, Debling leaves. Pen tells Colin to leave her alone, and Portia shows up to chastise Pen, like we see in the show.

Penelope leaves the ball, obviously upset, Colin follows her. Finding her outside, Colin stops her and Pen yells at him that he has ruined things because Debling thinks they have feelings for each other

Colin sees his opening and tries to say that he does have real feelings for her, but Penelope tells him not to say things he doesn’t mean.

Colin says if she doesn’t believe his words, she should believe his actions. He goes to kiss her, but she pulls away and says she can’t, and that he’s just confused.

Penelope flees in a carriage and Colin is left confused and frustrated.