Previously on Netflix’s Bridgerton, after finding out the truth about Lady Whistledown, Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) got married with a big wedding ceremony. Colin’s sister, Francesca (Hannah Dodd), and Lord John Stirling (Victor Alli) announced their engagement. As Penelope figured out what to do about the Lady Whistledown situation with Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel), Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen) found out her identity.
The episode begins with Cressida paying a visit to Penelope. Cressida tells her she knows her secret, and warns Penelope to pay her more than the Queen’s reward to keep her mouth shut. Portia comes into the room and Cressida exposes Penelope to her mother. Portia is shocked as she thinks about it. After Cressida leaves, the mother and daughter discuss it. Portia tells Penelope not to say anything to Colin about this blackmail from Cressida, but she wants to go against that advice.
Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmel) goes out for lunch with Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and Lord John Stirling (Victor Alli). Francesca tells her mother that she and her fiancé plan to move to his home estate after the wedding.
Next, we see Eloise and Colin in the drawing room. As they’re talking, Penelope and Portia come bursting in. Penelope tells them about Cressida. Colin says that he can take care of it, but Penelope mentions to them that she can pay Cressida with the amount she’s made from her column. Colin gets frustrated and tells his wife that money isn’t the answer to all of this. Colin goes to Cressida’s home and confronts her about the blackmail. Cressida threatens Colin that they have until the next ball to give her the money or else she’ll tell everyone that Lady Whistledown is Penelope. He returns to the Featherington home and tells Portia, Eloise, and Penelope about what happened. Colin tells them that he will have Benedict (Luke Thompson) lend him some money, without knowing the truth of where the money is going.
We then see Lady Danbury and Violet together. Lady Danbury tells her friend that she’s okay if she decides to date her brother, Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis). Violet tells her that she knows about Lady Danbury and the relationship she had with her father years ago, which was shown on Queen Charlotte. Violet expresses her gratitude to Lady Danbury, telling her how good of a friend she is.
A solicitor comes to visit the Featherington household and tells Portia that he has enough evidence to show that the money they have is fraudulent and stolen from the ton. He will give the evidence to the Crown and they will decide what to do next. Penelope overhears the conversation, which leads to an argument between her and her mother. They decide no matter what happens, they need to stick together.
Violet and Francesca talk about her plans to move to Scotland with John. Violet tells her daughter that she’s okay with her moving and that she’s glad that she found someone who loves her. After their talk, they have a small wedding ceremony, with close friends and family.
Penelope pulls Colin to the side. She tells him that she doesn’t want him to help her with the blackmail anymore. Penelope writes a letter to Queen Charlotte and Violet.
Then we see Benedict going to Lady Tilley Arnold’s (Hannah New) home. Tilley admits she has feelings for Benedict and his reaction seems like he doesn’t feel the same way. He tells her that he’s not sure if he wants to be in a relationship right now. He wants to experience more before he starts to think of marriage. Benedict comes back home and sits with Eloise outside. They agree to have their special sibling heart-to-hearts more often, like they used to. In the past, viewers noticed their close bond, knowing that they come to each other for advice and comfort.
It’s now time for Penelope’s sisters Philippa (Harriet Cains) and Prudences’ (Bessie Carter) ball. The Queen comes and everything becomes serious. She mentions the letter from Lady Whistledown. Penelope wants to plead her case publicly. The Queen points her out and Penelope walks in front of everyone. She gives her speech, expressing her reasons why she wrote her issues. Queen Charlotte gives her full immunity, letting her case go. When she leaves the ball, the party resumes.
Penelope and Colin talk as he expresses his emotions and admits that he’s partially envious of her success as Lady Whistledown. While everyone is dancing, Eloise requests that Francesca let her come to England with her and John. Francesca agrees. The next day comes and Eloise, Francesca, and John leave for Scotland, saying their goodbyes to the Bridgerton family.
Before the episode ends, some time has passed and all three of the Featherington daughters have babies. Penelope and Colin have a baby boy, while Philippa and Prudence both have baby girls. Colin has published his book based on his past travels and the experiences he’s written from his journals.
It’s time to say goodbye to this season of Bridgerton. Season three has been great, with a lot of ups and downs and most of all, so much drama. Penelope’s connection with Colin started well, then went bad, and now they’re happily married, creating their family together. Eloise and Penelope were able to become best friends again. It will be exciting to see what’s next to come for season four, with Benedict being the next bachelor for the series.
Rating: 9/10