Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) has loved Colin (Luke Newton) from afar for years. Her feelings are unrequited, though they are friends. These things are the same in the novel and the television adaptation.
However, the writers of Bridgerton have changed a lot from the book, and the vast majority of it has been painful angst. The mirror love scene would be a positive addition in many ways for season 3. The fans want it, the characters deserve it, and the series needs it.
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/fangirlish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BRIDGERTON_301_Unit_04254R.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/fangirlish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BRIDGERTON_301_Unit_04254R.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1″>Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington in episode 301 of Bridgerton. Cr. Laurence Cendrowicz/Netflix © 2024
Penelope Featherington is a relatable and sympathetic character. And she is still those things to the audience of the show, despite Shondaland’s misguided attempts to add drama by having her write things that hurt the Bridgerton family as her alter ego, gossip columnist Lady Whistledown.
Penelope was faced with impossible situations when she did that, however. I have nothing but empathy for her. We all know how unrequited love feels. Many people know how it feels to be overlooked. Penelope is like so many women who deserve happiness but find it hard to speak up for it. She is a true introvert.
The show version of the character has had even more to deal with. She had to watch Colin court and become engaged to a woman who was tricking him. And Colin has explicitly friend-zoned her more than he did in the book.
It would only make sense that Penelope needs to be convinced that he sees her as a sexual prospect, and the mirror scene would be an effective part of that. A mirror shows us ourselves. It would be a powerful moment to watch Penelope come to see her reflection as Colin sees her: as the beautiful woman she is.
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/fangirlish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BRIDGERTON_302_Unit_02707R.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/fangirlish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BRIDGERTON_302_Unit_02707R.jpg?fit=1024%2C684&ssl=1″>Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton, Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington in episode 302 of Bridgerton. Cr. Liam Daniel/Netflix © 2024
For all the commonly-held ideas about historical romance novels, the Bridgerton series is not as graphic as some other works in the genre. Yes, sex scenes are a staple of them. But out of the 8 Bridgerton novels, a few of them only have one full, explicit love scene. Colin and Penelope’s story is one of them.
Their carriage scene is an intense and heavy makeout session, but the night of their engagement ball is the only complete sex scene they have in the book. The show can deepen the physical relationship between these two wonderful characters by adding this scene.
Sex is an important part of a romantic connection. This show certainly hasn’t shied away from presenting that. Colin and Penelope should have their share. Bridgerton season 3 is their love story after all.
If the writers add the mirror scene, it would go a long way to counteract the painful time fans had to watch as he just didn’t feel “that” way about her. Also, the mirror is an erotic detail that would make it unique among this show’s love scenes.
