Bridgerton Season 3 Part 2 Ending, Explained

Summary

• Colin and Penelope’s love story takes center stage with a promising future in the second half of Bridgerton season three.
• Penelope reveals herself as Lady Whistledown to everyone, including the Queen, in a surprising turn of events.
• Eloise and Benedict seek freedom from traditional expectations, setting up potential storylines for future seasons of Bridgerton.

When the first half of Bridgerton‘s third season dropped on Netflix back in May, many fans were immediately disappointed that they would have to wait another month to see the full series. Then, after finishing the first four episodes, that sadness turned into sheer rage as viewers could not believe the series would leave off on such a jaw-dropping cliffhanger — kudos to Netflix for that one. Now, the time has come for the second half of season three to air, and several have considered taking off work just to see what comes of the most beloved couple.

Thankfully, the second part of Bridgerton‘s third season wastes absolutely no time getting to the steamy scenes between Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan). After having accepted and embraced their feelings for one another in every way possible in the mid-season finale, many were wondering if the directors were going to be cruel enough to make us wait for another sultry situation. Happily, they did not. In fact, the second half of Bridgerton moves at a rather fast pace, as it has so much ground to cover.

Between Penelope’s alter ego being revealed to certain individuals getting set up for future seasons, there is quite a bit to unpack; you may just have to watch it all twice. Here is Bridgerton season three, part two ending, explained.

Colin and Penelope Have a Promising Future

Fans Will Root For “Polin” Until the Very End

The back-and-forth relationship that has established Penelope and Colin as the most desirable couple has given many fans whiplash, and yet, we keep coming back for more. The first part of Season 3 ended with a wholesome proposal, but Penelope’s happiness could only last so long before she had to reveal her biggest secret to her fiancé, one that would potentially ruin everything she’s ever worked for.

In the second part of the season, Penelope does reveal her true self to the man she loves, and as expected, he does not take it very well. He becomes very distant towards his bride-to-be, and plenty of people take notice. However, when it all comes to a head and Penelope explains herself to everyone — yes, that means she officially comes clean to everyone in Mayfair — Colin cannot help but see her as his one true love. By the end of the final episode, it seems like all drama is in the past as Penelope, Colin, and everyone else embrace their newborn son into the family with smiling faces.

Everyone Knows Penelope Is Lady Whistledown

Queen Charlotte’s Poker Face Is Killer

It was inevitable that people were going to find out that Penelope, the red-headed wallflower who was more comfortable in the shadows than out on the dance floor, was in fact Lady Whistledown, but no one expected her to out herself to absolutely everyone, including the queen. Looking back on it, Penelope handled herself with such class and grace, so it only seems appropriate that she was the one to come forward to everyone (or at least everyone who did not already know) about who she was and why she started the column.

The most terrifying thing about Penelope’s amazing speech was the fact that Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) looked sour the entire time. While Penelope was pleading with people to understand that she did not mean to cause harm, but rather, she was simply fascinated by the way so many people were able to confidently live their lives in front of everyone else, the queen stood by, waiting to publicly reprimand Penelope. Surprisingly, after all was said and done, the queen softened a bit and admitted that she too likes a bit of gossip, but from now on, she and her court will be keeping a close eye on the outed author.

Eloise and Benedict Got Exactly What They Wanted: Freedom

Two Bridgerton Children Are Not Excited About Marriage

With four of the Bridgerton children happily married — Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), Colin, and Francesca (Hannah Dodd) — Violet’s (Ruth Gemmell) job of playing the perfect matchmaker is halfway done. By the end of Season 3, however, it seems as if two of her children will be avoiding their mother at all costs when it comes to the next social season.

Eloise (Claudia Jessie) has expressed from day one how foolish she finds the idea of marriage and tying herself to a man, a house, and some kids, as well as giving up her own studies and dreams. Then there is Violet’s eldest eligible son, Benedict (Luke Thompson), who just expressed in the Season 3 finale that he too does not wish to be tied down. He’s had the opportunity to explore himself with both men and women, and he has found himself baffled by what he does not know. With this new curiosity for life, Benedict also wants to embrace his freedom and just enjoy the finer things. Hopefully, Season 4 leaves these two alone and allows them both to pursue their own wishes.

Relationships to Look Forward to in Season 4

Some Mature Relationships Deserve the Spotlight

While Eloise and Benedict hopefully get to live their lives and pursue their own dreams, there are a couple of relationships that fans are really looking forward to in the (possible) upcoming season. First and foremost, the Bridgerton matriarch, Violet, has since believed that her days in the dating game were over when she married her late husband. However, after meeting Lady Danbury’s brother, Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis), a few longing looks and polite exchanges suggest otherwise. Lord Anderson is well aware of Violet’s commitment to her children, but she has expressed that she does want a meaningful life after they are all out of the house or happily married.

Then there are the Mondriches who have lingered in the background as the classic riches-to-rags tale. Will Mondrich (Martins Imhangbe) started out as a retired boxer and the owner of a gentleman’s club, and his wife, Alice (Emma Naomi), has always been by his side, supporting him. Now, they have found themselves in high-class London among the lords and ladies, and it seems like their story is just getting started. There is simply too much to unravel while the Bridgertons take the spotlight, so we may get more of a glimpse into how things are going with these two in the future seasons.