Previously, on Netflix’s Bridgerton, Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) announced to her family that she and Lord John Stirling (Victor Alli) were to be married. Will (Martins Imhangbe) and Alice Mondrich (Emma Naomi) hosted their first ball. Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen) had to issue a new Lady Whistledown article to receive a money reward from Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel). Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) ignored whatever issues they had to try to stop Cressida from earning the reward for something that wasn’t hers. The two ladies came together to put Lady Whistledown to an end for good. As Penelope sent the last issue out to the post office, Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) followed behind, finding out her secret.
Now, it is time for the seventh episode, “Joining of Hands,” which starts us off back to Colin figuring out Penelope is Lady Whistledown. He confronts her, with tears in his eyes. He tells her that he knows something is wrong and that he will never forgive her before leaving the dark alley.
It’s the next day and everyone gets their latest Lady Whistledown issue. This issue was written by Cressida. There are digs thrown at the Bridgerton family on their plans of “rushed” engagements. Violet (Ruth Gemmell) reads the issue right when another issue is given to her; written by Penelope. In her issue, she exposes that someone has been impersonating Lady Whistledown and that Cressida is lying, which sends everyone in shock.
Penelope is walking with her mother, Portia (Polly Walker), and her sisters Prudence (Bessie Carter) and Philippa (Harriet Cains) out in the courtyard. Penelope walks over to Eloise, who’s reading the latest issue. Penelope tells Eloise about last night with Colin. There isn’t anything Eloise can do to help the situation. It’s something Penelope will have to fix on her own.
Eloise goes home and before she can get upstairs, Colin abruptly stops her, asking how long she’s known about Penelope. She tells him that she found out last year and she was hurt by all of it. Eloise wants to forgive Penelope, but Colin doesn’t know if he will be able to.
Even though things are tough between them, Colin and Penelope continue their wedding plans with their mothers. Colin’s only doing it so that no one will become suspicious of them not spending time together. Both Violet and Portia notice that something is off between the pair.
Benedict (Luke Thompson) visits Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah Dodd), who apologizes for the night before. She tells Benedict about her relationship with Paul Suarez (Lucas Aurelio). She mentions that Paul has taken an interesting liking to Benedict. Tilley gives him a proposition to try to be intimate with Paul.
Back at the Bridgerton home, Violet gets a visit from Lady Danbury’s brother, Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis). He tells her that he’s interested in her, but is willing to wait until Francesca’s wedding is over so that Violet is stress-free. She tells him that she isn’t uninterested.
We see John having drinks with Will, Benedict, and Colin. Benedict advises John to be bold and do something to grab Francesca’s attention. John feels as though Violet doesn’t like him and that he and Francesca don’t get much one-on-one time.
As Colin is sitting in his thoughts, Penelope goes to visit Genevieve Delacroix (Kathryn Drysdale). Pen tells her that Colin found out. It is the night before the wedding. She expresses to Genevieve that although she knows she should stop writing, she can’t help but want to continue with it.
When Penelope leaves the shop, she runs into Colin. He’s very harsh toward her as the two of them talk. The two of them continue to go back and forth on each other’s actions until she tells him that she loves him. Colin kisses her and after almost getting caught, Colin sends her back home.
Colin returns home and hears chatter upstairs, finding his brother Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) and sister-in-law Kate (Ashley Simone) waiting for his presence. Anthony asks his brother what is going on between him and Penelope. Kate’s advice on marriage and how Penelope feels about Colin gives him a lot to think about.
In the morning, Lady Danbury gets a random visit from her brother. Marcus apologizes for his words and actions from the past. The two of them decide to put things past them and begin a new start of their relationship as brother and sister.
It’s now time for the wedding. As everyone is seated, Colin comes out, standing at the front of the chapel. Polly walks Penelope out, and everyone stands as they walk down the aisle. Colin and Penelope say their vows and both families are emotional as they’re now pronounced husband and wife.
The reception is held after the wedding. Kate and Anthony discuss doing things before their baby is born. Anthony encourages his wife to have them deliver the baby while they’re in her hometown. Anthony wants their child to know Kate’s family history, not just the Bridgerton history.
Penelope walks over to Colin and asks if they can have a dance. They dance as if no one is watching, then other couples begin to dance as well. Francesca and John go up and dance, making it more known that they are a couple in front of everyone. As soon as the music ends, the Queen comes. She tells everyone who’s not a Bridgerton to leave the room.
The Queen believes that one of them is Lady Whistledown. She knows one of them bears a secret, so Francesca steps forward. That’s not what she meant, so she clarified herself. Anthony tells the Queen that no one in the family is guilty, and she tells them that she will find out tomorrow. As soon as she leaves, Colin storms off, Penelope following behind.
Later, we see Cressida in her carriage. She was on the hunt to find out which postal service sends out the Lady Whistledown articles. She goes to one of the buildings and a worker says they don’t send them, but his old boss mentioned how Lady Whistledown is a redhead, so it’s clear that Cressida has an idea it could be one of the Featheringtons.
Overall, this episode was very good. It was nice to finally see the wedding and to see Eloise and Penelope back on good terms. Benedict opened up and he has given Paul and Lady Arnold a chance, romantically. It will be interesting to see what the finale of the season will be. Will Queen Charlotte find out the real identity of Lady Whistledown? Or will Cressida get to the answer before her?
Rating: 9/10