Previously on Netflix’s Bridgerton, people found out through gossip that Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) was helping Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) find her a future husband. This caused chaos between Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) and Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen). Will Mondrich (Martins Imhangbe) and his wife Alice (Emma Naomi) began their new lives and moved into the Kent estate with their children. Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) eyed Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) as she gave her a good impression playing the piano.
It is now time for the third episode, “Forces of Nature.” It begins with Penelope and Colin meeting late at night. He confesses that after their kiss, she’s all he’s thought about. He cannot sleep, eat, or do anything without having her on his mind. She tells him that she shares the same feelings. It is only a dream as Colin abruptly wakes up.
As he comes downstairs and meets his family in the drawing room, his brother Benedict (Luke Thompson) notices that he’s flustered when their youngest sister, Hyacinth, (Florence Hunt) brings up Penelope.
Penelope gets a visitor and it happens to be Eloise. She came to check on her since she had been cooped up in her home for a week. Before leaving, Eloise tells Penelope that she hopes she’s successful in finding a husband. As Penelope goes for a walk outside, Colin walks over to her. They’re hiding under a tree. She tells him that they are to stop their lessons. As they’re talking, it’s awkward, more awkward than usual.
Next, we see a gathering going on. Cressida’s mother, Lady Cowper (Joanna Bobin), encourages her to go speak to Lord Debling (Sam Phillips). It seems as though he and Colin are both at the top of the list for suitable husbands.
Lord Debling goes to Penelope. When she tells him that she’s avoiding people, it’s clear that he doesn’t know about her and Colin’s news. He tells her that he doesn’t read Lady Whistledown. She tells him about it and he is intrigued, seeing that she’s different than every other young lady debutante. They have a good conversation and this might be exactly what she’s been looking for.
We see that Eloise and Cressida are back on good terms. Cressida tells her that she has her eyes on Lord Debling. She asks if Eloise can help her in getting his attention and she agrees.
The next event has begun. Cressida and Eloise try to converse with Lord Debling, but Cressida struggles to understand what he’s talking about. Penelope walks over not noticing the girls. Before she can walk away, he hollers at her, making her come to them. The four of them awkwardly have a conversation regarding birds.
Across the field, Colin watched them with jealousy written on his face. He then looks at the balloon and notices it’s shaking. It becomes more windy and chaotic as the rope for the hot air balloon becomes untied. Colin runs to help keep the rope pulled back.
Penelope turns around and notices the bottom of the balloon moving closer toward her. Lord Debling goes to her, covering her for protection. Once the chaos is over, Cressida pretends to be hurt as she notices Penelope and the Lord growing closer.
At the balloon event, the Queen introduces Francesca to Lord Samadani (David Mumeni). The two of them are talking when Lord Samadani reveals he wants eight children. Francesca steps away overwhelmed by this news. Violet sees Francesca leave and tries to follow her when she’s interrupted by a man. Lady Danbury comes and tells Violet that he is her brother, Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis).
Benedict has been avoiding the debutantes and their mothers as it wasn’t his intention to appear as an eligible suitor. As he walks to a room, he notices a woman, whom he saw at the balloon event. She tells him her name is Lady Tilley Arnold as the two begin to dance.
As Lord Debling grabs some lemonade for him and Cressida, Penelope apologizes for not being herself earlier that day. Colin watches them from afar as Violet comes over to him. Colin asks Violet about love and she doesn’t say anything, but is aware that he could have feelings for his friend as she notices he keeps glancing at her.
Colin goes to Penelope to tell her how he feels. He attempts to kiss her when Lord Debling interrupts, pulling Penelope for a dance. Violet watches her son as he watches the two of them dancing. It looks like Lord Debling has made his decision on who his number one suitor is.
This episode was intriguing, seeing the tension run high between Cressida and Penelope as they both fight over gaining Lord Debling’s attention. Benedict may have found someone without consciously planning on it as he’s gotten the attention from Lady Arnold. Could it be possible that Violet could have found herself a possible suitor in Lord Anderson?
Rating: 8.5/10