Previously on Netflix’s Bridgerton, Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) informed Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) that she had until midnight to tell Eloise’s brother, Colin (Luke Newton), about her being Lady Whistledown. As soon as the time ran out and Penelope was about to tell him, Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen) announced that she’s Lady Whistledown.
This episode begins with citizens finding out that Cressida is Lady Whistledown. As Penelope writes the latest article in her bedroom, Colin visits and gifts her an engagement ring.
Lady Danbury tells Alice (Emma Naomi) and Will Mondrich (Martins Imhangbe) that they should hold a ball, to make their presence and family more well-known.
Francesca and John announce to the Bridgerton family that they are to be married. So, now there are two siblings engaged; Colin and Francesca.
Eloise finds Colin in his study. He asks if she knew about Cressida being Lady Whistledown and she says she didn’t. She mentions to him that she and Cressida may not be friends anymore. Colin tells Eloise that he’s deeply in love with Penelope.
We see Penelope again, still figuring out her new Lady Whistledown article. Eloise visits Penelope in her bedroom. Eloise advises Penelope to stop writing, and that it should die with Cressida. Penelope finds it too important to give up, something she’s so passionate about. She has a tough decision to make.
Cressida and her mother visit Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel). The Queen tells her that if she is Lady Whistledown, then she shall give her the money reward after she gets the latest article from Cressida. Later on, after they meet with the Queen, Cressida’s mother tells her that she has to write a new issue of Lady Whisteldown so that she can get the money, for her to marry someone fit for her.
Then we see Violet (Ruth Gemmell) having tea with Francesca and John. The engaged couple tells Violet that they want to be married soon and move into a home together. Francesca tells Violet to discuss the matter with the Queen.
Still in her room, Penelope is visited by Portia (Polly Walker). Portia tells Penelope that Colin loves her and that she should be excited about her upcoming marriage; and lucky they’re in love. She tells Penelope that she and Pen’s father were not in love, which is something she wouldn’t want for her daughters. This is the first time that viewers have seen Portia open up so much about her marriage and what she’s truly wanted for Penelope.
The next day comes and everyone is out and about. Colin and Penelope talk after a town meeting. She tells him that she’s loved him ever since the two of them met. Colin apologizes for not realizing it sooner, but she tells him that it’s okay. He smiles at her and looks around, making sure they’re alone. He then takes her hand and they dance quietly, all alone.
Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) sets her brother, Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis), up with someone, while it’s visible he only has eyes for Violet. As she tries to talk to him, he keeps looking over toward Violet.
Eloise notices Cressida standing by a carriage, so she approaches her. Cressida asks if she’d like to join her in going away, but Eloise declines. Cressida knows that there’s something more serious relating to Eloise and Penelope’s broken friendship, but Eloise ignores her statement and walks away whilst saying goodbye.
When it’s nighttime, Penelope stores and hides all of her Lady Whisteldown articles underneath a floorboard in her bedroom. She sets the new ones on fire, throwing them into her fire pit.
Later, we see Alice and Will preparing for their ball. While they’re putting everything in place, Penelope and Portia start to work on preparing for the wedding. Penelope goes to Genevieve Delacroix’s (Kathryn Drysdale) shop to start working on her wedding dress. She tells Genevieve that she’s going to stop writing her Lady Whistledown issues, but Genevieve tries to encourage her to not give up.
At the Mondrich’s ball, Violet notices Marcus and smiles at him; he smiles back. Uneasy, Lady Danbury decides to introduce him to other women. Overwhelmed, Violet walks away from a serious conversation with Francesca, with Marcus following behind her. Lady Danbury stops Marcus, telling him she will not allow him to be interested in Violet.
Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New) invites Benedict (Luke Thompson) to meet a friend of hers, Paul Suarez (Lucas Aurelio) for dinner. Benedict is flushed as he assumes that Paul and Tilley haven’t been romantically involved. But, he is soon found wrong as he catches Tilley and Paul kissing. They notice him and quickly pull away. Before they have a chance to explain, Benedict stutters and quickly leaves the premises.
Back at the ball, Penelope and Colin are having fun, dancing together. Cressida and her mother make their grand entrance, with their heads held up high. Everyone gasps, believing that she’s Lady Whistledown. This is her first public appearance since she sold herself out.
Everyone is excited as they all are gifted with a new issue of Lady Whistledown. Penelope is eager as she reads it. Cressida and her mother hide their smiles and as everyone reads the issue, Cressida’s mother pulls her sleeve up, which is covered in ink. She is the one who wrote it and she did it well. Penelope is shocked and upset. Eloise is also surprised and reads the issue. Penelope grabs Eloise. Colin follows after them. Penelope says that she can make one more issue, to put an end to all of it.
Eloise grants Penelope to write and publish one last issue. Penelope rushes and writes an issue as she’s in her carriage. She hurriedly finishes and hands it over to the mailer before Cressida has a chance to send her next one out. Surprisingly, Colin follows Penelope the whole time and questions if she’s Lady Whistledown.
This was overall a good episode. It’s nice to see Eloise and Penelope coming together, especially toward the end. Cressida has somewhat saved herself, but what issue will come out first? Hers or Penelopes? Now that Colin knows the truth, what will happen? Will he forgive her?
Rating: 9/10