‘Bridgerton’ Review: In Season 3 of Netflix Favorite, New Romance Focus on Penelope and Colin

In the current series of episodes, a wallflower, seeking to hide her identity as the anonymous writer of the most infamous scandal sheet in high society, strikes into a romantic relationship with a longtime acquaintance.

After you’ve gotten the hang of basic “Bridgerton,” you can just relax and let each new season sweep you off your feet, with the degree of satisfaction based only on how well you get along with the newest characters to be paired off. Thankfully, the extremely likable Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) is at the center of the third round (which follows a “Queen Charlotte” diversion), giving some more sweetness to the mix.

For those who are unaware, Penelope has spent the last two seasons covertly working as the gossipy, sour-tongued Lady Whistledown (still played by Julie Andrews, because, well, Julie Andrews!). She takes advantage of her inside knowledge of the movers and shakers in the elite society to titillate and greatly annoy many, the queen foremost among them.

Penelope’s doubts about ever finding a suitable match for herself have contributed to her creative focus on this direction. Her obsession with Colin (Luke Newton), the newest member of the seemingly never-ending line of attractive Bridgerton descendants to brave the matrimonial dance, hasn’t helped either. (Bridgertons resemble praying mantises in that they typically lose their heads before going extinct, even if mating doesn’t result in death.)

Penelope encounters additional challenges and obstacles as usual, including the latter’s search for a new suitor following the humiliation of having Colin’s valiant attempts to assist her in finding a match exposed. The entire interlude forces him to confront his own complex emotions, even though genuine love never has an easy ride, in keeping with its Jane Austen-tinged origins.

To their credit, the producers juggle a few extra balls (debutante and otherwise) this time around, including subplots involving Colin’s sister Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and even the family matriarch Violet (Ruth Gemmell), which, given the contortions surrounding the central duo, come across as prudent distractions.

Frankly, the level of heat generated by “Bridgerton” still remains something of a mystery, not because the show isn’t well done – possessing the customary trappings for which producer Shonda Rhimes is known – but simply because everything about it feels so familiar to anyone who ever watched “Masterpiece Theater,” other than a bit more latitude when it comes to the ripping and removal of bodices and the clever use of contemporary music.

Give some credit to the actors and, on a more practical note, to Netflix’s power as a platform in comparison to the more exclusive venues for this type of content. Underscoring the show’s value, the service will divide the eight-episode season into two drops, emulating its strategy with shows like “Stranger Things” and “The Crown” to lengthen its hold on viewers beyond an instant binge.

Coughlan’s vulnerability—along with the somewhat endearing message indicating that she has requested an edited version to show her parents—provide a much-needed breath of fresh air if the narrative is starting to get a little stale. By maintaining and even enhancing those soap opera elements, the show is certain to deplete its pool of Bridgertons suitable for marriage before Netflix has to discover a new, buzzworthy item to entice viewers who have fallen in love with this universe.

“Bridgerton” begins its third season May 16 on Netflix, with the second half to premiere on June 13.