When Shondaland announced that Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) would be the protagonists of ‘The Bridgertons 3’, Fans of the books wondered if we would see the famous ‘mirror scene’ from the novel ‘Seducing Mr. Bridgerton’.
It is clear that the mirror scene exceeded expectations, because it is not simply an adaptation of a part of Julia Quinn’s book but has acquired a special meaning. ‘Bridgerton 3’ transforms the brief unconsummated fantasy of the book into a full-fledged love scene that reflects the fundamental theme of the last season.
Penelope’s first sexual experience is associated with her emotional maturity, a woman who is learning to trust and accept herself. after so much contempt – external and internal – for his image. And she does it hand in hand with her fiancé, Colin, who can’t stop praising her as they look in the mirror of her future house. In the Netflix series, the result is a realistic, sweet and romantic sequence in which the protagonist’s pleasure is prioritized.
‘Bridgerton 3’: The protagonist of the mirror scene is Penelope
The chronological moment in which this scene occurs is decisive. Shortly before, Colin declares her love for Penelope to the cynicism of her mother, Portia (Polly Walker). And at the end of the fourth episode, they get intimate in a moving carriage and he asks her to marry him. Penelope is living this time frenetically and barely has time to process what is happening to her; Some of her gestures seem to indicate that she is still wondering if this is a cruel joke. He can’t quite believe everything that is happening to him.
Penelope needs Colin to reassure her and support her, no one has defended her before and when her fiancé does, the world opens up for her. But Colin wants his girlfriend to gain security and confidence, the same thing that has happened to him with his travels through Europe. By proclaiming his affection for her mind and heart in front of a mirror, he creates a safe space for Penelope to experiment and thrive. He wants his girlfriend to hug and celebrate.
But not everything is spiritual in both of them: when Colin takes the hairpin from her, he is conveying that he is looking for something more. Everything he does reinforces Penelope’s confidence, because despite her hairstyles and dresses she is still ‘lame’ in all of her. For Penelope, gaining autonomy means embracing every part of the whole of herself. AND She doesn’t wait for his words to make her feel beautiful because she takes the reins of the moment and guides him.
‘Bridgerton 3’: the mirror scene is romantic… and realistic
After the ‘verbal preliminaries’, Penelope focuses on sex: she wants Colin but is self-conscious – that’s why she covers her breasts when he takes off her corset. He doesn’t tell her to show herself; She chooses when. Someone’s first time is very well portrayed: the suppressed gasps, the giggles, the daze… Penelope is discovering a key facet of being a woman in just seconds.
But the sex scene is simple, nothing extravagant. Previous seasons of ‘The Bridgertons’ had wilder sexual scenes; Colin and Penelope are tender, sensitive and romantic. We are seeing a private but careful moment, that first time that we all deserve -not to mention that Colin is always aware of her, checks her consent, tries to make her comfortable…-.
He assumes leadership because it is the role expected of him as a man, but he listens to Penelope, accepts her freedom and her proactivity. He prefers a time with her to a night with the women of Paris; For him, sex is no longer a hobby but something transformative. Being together with Penelope breaks Colin’s own barriers.
‘Bridgerton 3’: a key moment for ‘Polin’
And the scene, as presented in the Netflix series, is crucial for both of their lives. Her bond tightens: he is loving and understanding her body; him, discovering a new Penelope. Colin is showing her her love, the depth of her feelings… and she is a Bridgerton family that is characterized by honor. ‘He will do the right thing’, but moments like this, when he knows that he is becoming intimate with the woman who will be his wife for life, are very powerful.
All of the brothers have had sex with other women, but they realize that sex with the person they love means more to them than their travels around the world. Colin needed this exploration with Penelope the same way Penelope needed it and seeing how she loves and appreciates her makes this scene so special. Colin also learns in this scene to be a Bridgerton.
And although he, from experience, guides the moment, Penelope wants to participate, she wants to be as autonomous as society prevents her from. The mirror scene maintains the thematic axis of the season: a woman who gains power from her and how complex this is in a society that traps women. Her romance with Colin is only part of what it means to be self-possessed. It’s an essential part, but Penelope’s efforts, and hers alone, transform her into the diamond she was destined to be.
‘Bridgerton 3’: The empowering moment of the mirror scene
During episode 5, actress Nicola Coughlan’s body talk – exhausting from the start – faded away, replaced by the joy of seeing a woman who is not traditionally thin enjoy sex, and seeing Colin enjoying it. He never blames Penelope or loves her ‘despite’ her size; He doesn’t care what it is, he is very in love with her best friend. This shouldn’t be revolutionary, but we’re talking about this here, so ‘The Bridgertons’ couldn’t miss the magnitude of the moment or its impact.
Titania Seducing Mr. Bridgerton
Women of medium and large size have been constantly ridiculed, insulted, mistreated and ignored; marketing, culture and institutions have mercilessly criticized our bodies. We have cried for them, we have hurt each other and we saw them as our enemies.
Since ‘Bridgerton 3’, Penelope is no longer a curvy woman trapped in unrequited love, nor the girl who sticks to the wall nor the butt of all jokes. Nicola Coughlan has made curvy girls respected and loved. Whether or not we have discovered our power, Penelope is a symbol that offers us equal hope and happiness: now we can be our own heroines.
WATCH ‘THE BRIDGERTONS’ ON NETFLIX
