Charm & Scandal: Analyzing Bridgerton Season 3 Episode 2

This episode of Bridgerton highlights the dynamic of Penelope and Colin. After accepting Colin’s help, Penelope has truly started to change her life. Her new look has helped her aesthetically, but now she has to figure out the rest. This situation is layered with Penelope’s feelings toward Colin that she has to hide and her broken friendship with Eloise, who is responsible for a major plot point in this episode.

Before reading part 2, make sure you have read part 1, which can be found here.

Bridgerton season 3 Episode  2: How bright the moon

Major events:

• Colin’s charm lessons
• Penelope tries out her new charm skills
• Penelope gets into a scandal for asking a man’s help
• Colin and Penelope kiss

Key interactions:

• Penelope-Portia: Portia dismisses Penelope most of the time. She doesn’t think Penelope has a chance of finding a husband anymore, as she is in her third season.
• Penelope-Colin: Colin is very keen on helping Penelope find a husband. He cares about her and wants her to be happy.
• Penelope-her sisters: her sisters are already discussing how they will move or completely throw out Penelope’s books once one of them becomes the heir’s mama. They would probably throw Penelope out if they could.
• Eloise-Cressida: Eloise is quick to accuse Cressida of spreading the rumor about Penelope. She has not seen Cressida’s improvement in character and still thinks of her as the mean girl.

Character arcs:

• Cressida – We start to empathize with her because we see the reason she is always so mean. Her own mother is strict with her. It seems Cressida doesn’t get much kindness or love from her mother. The most important thing is that Cressida is open to positive change, which starts with not spreading gossip about Penelope.

Bridgerton season 3 Episode 2 breakdown

The truth is… that which some dismiss as common rock, time reveals to be precious stone.

Lady Whistledown (Bridgerton season 3)

Lady Whistledown starts this episode by naming several young ladies who were deemed spinsters but managed to get married later than what society considers normal. One good example was Kate Sharma from season two, who married Anthony Bridgerton at the age of 26. If Penelope is labeled as a lost cause at the age of 19, imagine what people were saying about Kate.

Lady whistledown points out that women should not be dismissed so quickly after not being successful in making their match in their early (first/second) seasons. This is obviously a reference to Penelope, though I would like to assume that it helped other young ladies in the Bridgerton universe. Interestingly enough, in the books, Daphne Bridgerton marries Simon in her third season out. Even Daphne, the diamond of the season, was not successful in her first two seasons.

A quick shout-out to Mrs. Varley, who admires Penelope’s beauty: “I am glad your mama let you keep your dresses. A looking glass does not lie.“

Unknowingly, she gave Penelope a boost of confidence, leaving her with a cute smile on her face. Just in time, might I add, as Penelope will start her charm lessons with Colin today.

I understand that Portia might have trouble showing her love and affection to her daughters, and occasionally she may say something that is quite heartless. But why she is unintentionally mean to Penelope, I will not understand.

The whole Featheington family (except Penelope) is sitting in one room; Phillipa and Prudence are having fun with their husbands while Portia is being stressed out about their house and discusses it with Mrs. Varley. Penelope comes in and says that Rae is accompanying her to Rotten Row for fresh air. And what does Portia reply with?

“Can you not see we’re busy here?“

Portia, what do you mean? You were talking and your daughters were throwing food in their husbands’ mouths; what do you mean you are busy??? She could have said “alright” or something along those lines.

Colin and Penelope begin their charm lessons. I love how Penelope’s first question was whether there is a book on charm she should read. Oh Penelope, the bookworm you are. You would have loved booktok/bookstagram.

Colin is clearly hurt by what Lady Whistledown wrote about him, as he asks if Penelope even wants to continue their lessons after reading the newest sheet. Penelope dismisses that by saying Lady Whistledown was wrong about Colin (I don’t think she was, but sure, Pen).

First things first, Penelope has to show her skills as they are. She is obviously startled by that since she believes she has no charm skills. Colin says a line that I think is rather funny: “You know how to wave your fan. Flutter your lashes. Often, that is all it takes. Men are quite simple beings.“

So they go up to three gentlemen, Penelope begins the conversation… aaand fails. She is frantically waving her fan, breathing faster, and painfully smiling through the discomfort. Not the best start, but we have all had an embarrassing moment while trying to impress others.

Back at Bridgerton house, Lady Danbury and Lady Bridgerton are discussing possible suitors for Francesca. They go over several options of men who love music. Lady Danbury also informs Violet that the Queen might still choose her diamond of the season, so Francesca still has a chance of being chosen by the queen (which Francesca doesn’t actually want, but she doesn’t reveal that).

At the Featherington household, Phillipa and Prudence are once more discussing things they would love to change about the house after becoming the new Lady Featherington. I personally think this is foreshadowing of Penelope getting the estate, since both sisters want it so much. For Penelope’s sake, I hope I’m wrong because Penelope actually wants to get out of the house, not stay in it, and her sisters would hate her even more (if that is even possible). Portia, being the queen of practicality, says they are thinking way too far ahead, as neither of them are with child.

That perfectly stirs the conversation to the process of making kids and whether both daughters are actively participating in the activity. We find out Prudence has had sex only once, on her wedding night. She expresses how she wants to show her husband off, not have sex with him. To be fair, it makes sense why Phillipa wants to enjoy showing off her husband. She is newly married. Both sisters are in the unfortunate situation, where they have a deadline of getting a son.

Portia’s new strategy is to pin both sisters against one another in a race to see who gets pregnant first…. a weird strategy, but since she knows her daughters, that sort of seems to work. They at least look determined to beat one another.

I was riding my horse, minding my own business, when I was assaulted by a devilishly yellow head covering.

Colin Bridgerton (Bridgerton, Season 3)

Colin and Penelope resume their lessons. Penelope first thinks Colin is going to say she is a lost cause and stop their lessons. However, Colin believes Penelope doesn’t need to be taught. He shares the story of how they first met: he was attacked by Penelope’s hat that flew off her head, causing him to fall off his horse and into the mud. Penelope teased him about it. It’s a cute story, really. He knows that Penelope is already charming, she just has to act naturally and not stress about what others might think of her.

Colin shares how much he enjoyed being abroad since people did not know him. He didn’t have to meet any expectations, as no-one knew his family. He believes such freedom helped him find himself. As a viewer, this makes me question Colin’s character. Was the previous Colin the real him, or was that him trying to live up to his family’s expectations? Maybe the new Colin truly is his most authentic self.

Colin asks why Penelope even wants a husband. She explains that she seeks freedom and wants to feel comfortable in the world.

Then Colin gets an idea. He wants to know where Penelope feels most comfortable, most at ease. Penelope confesses that it used to be Sunday teas at the Bridgerton house. “It was one of the few places I could go unchaperoned and truly be myself.” She is sad that she can no longer attend those tea parties. Colin asks what happened between her and Eloise. Penelope avoids the question and goes home.

Francesca desperately doesn’t want to be chosen by the queen as the diamond, but Violet has set it as her goal. She even picks out fabrics for Francesca that the queen might like. Eloise is thankful that Violet has devoted her full attention to Francesca, as it gives Eloise another season to avoid suitors.

She wonders if Francesca thinks of delaying her marriage. That way, Eloise can buy herself even more time. Unfortunately for Eloise, Francesca is eager to marry this season to be done with it. This might be a stretch, but I do have a feeling that Francesca, similarly to Penelope, wants to get married to get out of the house. Her family is lovely, of course, but Francesca enjoys her time alone, which she doesn’t get much with seven siblings, especially this season, being her debut.

Eloise does the cutest big sister move when she tells other young ladies about queen still deciding on her diamond. That way, more women are fighting for the queen’s attention, and Francesca can get by unnoticed.

Colin and Pen’s next charm lession is in the Bridgerton drawing room. This was Colin’s bright idea to make Penelope feel comfortable. However, since Penelope and Eloise are not on good terms, Penelope is the very opposite of comfortable, but Colin assures her they are in the clear.

Colin sets the seen in the Bridgerton drawing room. He makes Penelope imagine that there is a quarter by the pianoforte, mamas having a discussion on the sofa, and a gentleman is asking a young lady to dance across the room. That Puts Penelope at ease.

Finally, they begin their lesson by the imaginary lemonade stand where Penelope has to imagine that Colin is a suitor. He wants her to not think about how he may perceive what she says and just practice on him (oh, he is not ready for Penelope’s skills). Then Penelope delivers this masterpiece:

Your eyes… are the most remarkable shade of blue. Yet, somehow, they shine even brighter when you are kind.

Penelope Featherington (Bridgerton season 3)

Colin gulps his drink. I had to add my reaction to this:

Eloise comes home, so Pen has to hide in the study. There, she finds Colin’s smut.. I mean journal. Penelope starts reading it, but then Colin walks in on her. Awkward….

Colin is mad (probably embarrassed), angrily closes the journal, and in the process clumsily breaks the candle holder. He then tries to clean it up, and of course, cuts himself, which then gives Penelope the perfect opportunity to play hero and help Coin out.

She binds his hand, and they share a moment. She even manages to compliment Colin’s writing, which was cute. This episode is definitely cheesier and gives off romcom vibes, which I recently learned Nicola Coughlan (who plays Penelope) loves to watch. That is why they added romcom type scenes this season (her eye compliment, the broken glass scene, their other cute moments).

In the evening, Colin and Eloise are riding to the ball. Eloise tells Colin that she is not happy seeing Penelope at their house. She doesn’t want her to be friendless (so she doesn’t want Colin to stop talking to her), but she asks not to hang out at their house. 

Eloise asks how Penelope is doing (she still cares about her, awwww). She wants to know if Penelope is suffering or despondent. Colin reveals that Penelope is doing fine and wants to find a husband.

Eloise is shocked; she believes it is unlike Penelope. In this moment, it looks like Eloise didn’t know Penelope as well as she thought. Penelope was interested in marriage in previous seasons as well. Eloise was the one avoiding it. She was always absorbed by her own problems, not noticing Penelope’s point of view.

Eloise hopes Penelope is not seeking a husband in Colin; he says no. Then she is worried how it may look, which is why Colin asks her not to tell anyone (I’m sure that will end well…).

At the ball, we get a first glance at Cressida’s family situation. Her mother is disappointed in her for not marrying in her first season. To quote: “If only your curtsy had been low enough in your first season out.” This is in reference to watching young ladies curtsey to the queen to impress her.

After Colin and Penelope meet up at the ball, Colin gives Penelope a challenge. She has to speak to at least one lord, and Colin might consider letting her read his writing. He chooses Lord Basilio as the target. Unfortunately, he just lost his horse, so the conversation with Penelope ends with him in tears.

Cressida gives Eloise advice on how to deal with people whom you do not like: “Whenever I have a disagreement with an acquaintance, I find the best course of action is simply to pretend they are dead.” That’s an interesting approach, considering Cressida loves to gossip about people. I would assume she would do the same with people she doesn’t get on with.

Eloise tells Cressida about Colin helping Penelope look for a husband. That is quite scandalous for Collin, but even more so for Penelope. Unfortunately, Eloise doesn’t notice that someone is listening in on their conversation in the back (this will be important in a moment).

We cut to a quick dance moment with BTS’s ”Dynamite” playing in the background sighs. SIDE RANT: Out of all of their great songs (I’m a big fan), they chose “Dynamite”…. I understand it is one of their most popular songs (in USA) but deamn. “Black Swan”? “Blood Sweat and Tears”? Literally any of their Korean melodic slow songs?! Rant over.

Portia gives her daily “how many times did you lay with your husband today?” talk to her daughters. Phillipa says she already did it today while Prudence says she doesn’t enjoy it. Portia decides to give them a sex talk. “A woman’s pleasure is somewhat more subtle then a man’s.” Then we get the most hilarious moment of the episode. Portia starts with “When he inserts himself…” but is cut off by Phillipa who asks: “Inserts himself? Inserts himself where?” I am so amazed by how little women know about sex. Surely, the mother should be able to give them a heads up at least a day before marriage or something.

We get a moment where the young ladies are asking Cressida if there is any new gossip floating around. Much to our surprise, Cressida doesn’t reveal Penelope’s situation.

Penelope has a nice conversation with Lord Remington, who has asked to call on her tomorrow. Penelope is finally seeing success from their lessons. Sadly, that happiness is short-lived as they hear whispers about Colin helping Penelope find a husband. Gossip has been spread around. Penelope has found herself in a scandal.

“Mr. Bridgerton, we were wondering why an eligible gentlemen such as yourself would help a spinster find a husband. Especially someone who is so beyond hope of success.” That’s quite harsh of them to say. I wouldn’t call Penelope a hopeless case.

Colin confronts Eloise about her spilling the beans on him helping Penelope. “Eloise! Did you tell anyone of my helping Penelope?” He is furious about Eloise telling Cressida their secret.

Back at the ball, Francesca plays the pianoforte alone in a room; the queen hears her and applauds the fact that Francesca is playing for herself, not because she wants to show off. The Queen says that it is sparkling, kind of hinting that she just picked her diamond (poor Francesca, she didn’t want to be the diamond).

This is all Lady Danbury’s doing, as she first put Francesca by the pianoforte and then sneakily asked the queen to check out the Gérard painting, making the Queen walk past the room Francesca was playing in (I see you Lady D).

Unfortunately for Penelope, she has to write about herself in the next Lady Whistledown sheet, otherwise it would seem suspicious if her scandal is not discussed.

And while we knew Miss Featherington’s marital prospects were slim at best, this recent scandal will certainly make any further hopes disappear.

Lady Whistledown (Bridgerton season 3)

Next day, Eloise accuses Cressida of spreading gossip about Penelope. “Perhaps that was your goal in communicating the secret I told you in confidence. Or can you really just not help being cruel?“

Cressida feels insulted because she, in fact, didn’t spread the gossip. It was Eloise who spoke loudly enough for others to hear (this is what I was pointing out before). Cressida says that perhaps Eloise in the cruel one since she gossiped in the first place (true).

“Perhaps if you were more decided about your former friendship, you would not have the need to gossip. I do appreciate your concern about cruelty, but perhaps you should like to find a looking glass… rather than looking at me.” Safe to say, their friendship is now on bad terms. This season really shows how bad girl friendships can get. Girls can sometimes easily switch up and start spreading gossip. It’s sad but true.

Back at the Featherington house, Penelope is suffering from embarrassment, but on top of that, has to endure another lecture from her mama. Has this woman ever comforted her daughters at least once in her life?

“How could you be so reckless? This family has already endured so much public scrutiny, and now this? [..] What is foolish is being unreasonable about what you can achieve.“

I understand that their family has had possibly the worst scandals of all, but those were all Portia’s fault. How could she be mad about Penelope trying to get a husband? Shouldn’t that be a good thing? She continues by saying that she thought the wardrobe change was for Penelope’s own amusement and not to get a husband in her THIRD YEAR OUT (everyone keeps pointing this fact out about her). She tries to comfort her by saying that unmarried life is not so bad but… she fails miserably. It is honestly sad to see how bad Portia is with comforting others.

Then, what would you know, later that night (or evening, can’t tell), Colin visits her to ask if she is alright. Love how Penelope basically confesses by saying that Lady Whistledown HAD to report her failure; otherwise it would have been suspicious (she’s saying it would have looked like Penelope was Lady Whistledown). But oblivious Colin does not catch that. 

Since everyone around Penelope is saying that she is basically doomed in finding a husband, Penelope comes up with the idea of asking Colin for a kiss. Penelope fears she will never be kissed, let alone married (cue tears). It’s so heartbreaking to see how low everyone around Penelope has made her feel. She literally thinks she has lost her shot at love. HOW???

Colin is hesitant at first but agrees shortly and gives her what she asks. However, that was certainly more than just one kiss. I didn’t count but I would guess it was around seven kisses? Colin was definitely going back fir more. After the kiss, Penelope runs back into the house and leaves Colin confused with his newly discovered feelings. This was THE MOMENT of the episode.

What a moment to end episode two on. The viewers are left shocked, Penelope flustered, and Colin in disbelief. This episode had charm lessons, romantic moments, scandal, explanations, and surprises. We got four clear character goals: Violet wanted Francesca to be the diamond of the season, Portia wanted her daughters to get pregnant, Colin wanted to help out Penelope charm suitors and Penelope wanted to find a husband.

I enjoyed the romantic Polin scenes in this episode and was really glad to learn more about Cressida.

I hope you enjoyed the second part of this analysis! Feel free to write your thoughts in the comments and share this post with fellow Bridgerton fans.

For even more Bridgerton content, why don’t you check out some of my Bridgerton themed merch – Even a Wallflower Can Bloom, I Work To Support My Bridgerton Addiction, In my Bridgerton era and Waiting For Bridgerton Season 3.

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