polin-obsessed

But as I was scrolling through TikTok as one does, I was reminded of one scene that never, ever fails to touch my soul and could very possibly uproot the Modiste bitch-off. And that's the beginning scene of 3x05.

It is underrated magic to me.

That whole section in the book is ridiculous and fun and you're catching up to comprehend Colin's one-track vision, just as Penelope is. It's the best.

God, I love that book.

But in the show, it's so tender. When Colin turns back towards Penelope, offering his hand, with the echo of the words "Are you coming with me?" still reverberating in Penelope's skull, my breath catches. He's so eager but also has this controlled serenity. He's leading her to Bridgerton house with conviction and purpose in a way we've really never seen before. And alongside that entire silent exchange, you have Lady Whistledown, Penelope herself, waxing poetic about predictability ending in a surprise.

Her surprise.

And if that weren't enough, there's a stunning song composed by Kris Bowers, also titled "A Surprise," where we finally hear the gorgeous resolution to their theme for the first time. Sometimes I tear up from simply listening to that song.

And then as they walk through the hall, we have the Dutch angles of Penelope's trepidation but also excitement, and the sound of her heart beating, and Colin's elation with their engagement.

I love Hyacinth's unbridled enthusiasm and Violet's sincere joy. I love Francesca's tampered-down excitement and Gregory's tepid annoyance. I love Colin just basking in everything with eyes on his new bride the entire time.

It all works. Even Eloise's confrontation with Penelope is so well-done. What Eloise says is true, barring the harsh delivery. And the heartbreak that she’s been carrying all season is incredibly evident here. Peneloise are grieving each other and firmly not friends, and now Eloise has to reconcile with the fact that Colin and Penelope are in love. She sets up the entire conceit of the back half of the season, and Penelope knows full-well she's right, but she just can't tell him yet. She can't do it.

And then we have Colin's concern and reassurance that they'll live happily ever after, swiftly juxtaposed by the scene of a teary Lady Whistledown and the Bridgerton tree in foreboding disarray in the title card.

Colin Bridgerton is charming. We've seen him charming debutants. We've seen Cressida desperate for his atention, we've seen Portia and Marina's efforts to trap him. He is handsome, and charming, a catch. Always was.

Colin Bridgerton is kind. Colin Bridgerton is playful.

Colin Bridgerton is intelligent. He paid attention, he investigated, he was able to unmask Jack Featherington scheme - despite his intelligence being ignored in what was supposed to be his season and he was never informed about the changes in the Featherington line of sucession (that where only possible because of him).

Colin Bridgerton is foddie. Colin Bridgerton is caring.

Colin Bridgerton is a matchmaker. It was him who threw Kate's ball far away during pall mall so Kanthony could have a moment - he should be the one to tell Benedict to marry Sophie even if she is a maid, that it doesn't matter.

Colin Bridgerton is a writer. He find his purpose, the thing he has to offer to the world by sharing his experinces in his travels. Because he observes those place and find the perfect way to describe it. We barely saw his journey into making his experiences into something bigger - his work.

Colin Bridgerton is a devoted, worshiping, supportive, protective husband, living a forever honeymon. Because he loves and adores his wife. This is only a trace of who he is, his personality. But he can be this, he cannot be Colin "My Wife" Bridgerton if the show won't allow him to be there for his wife. If all he is allowed is untie her corset and lye sillent by her.

This is not even the happy Polin it was promissed, is turning Colin into a shadow, sidelineing, excluding him.

Thanks to @neutron-stars-collision for the find.

Folks this is all episode 1 what even

And yes, that’s for many practical and unique reasons (he’s much younger than his older brothers, he’s a third son, he was barely two years out of his failed engagement, his financial and societal well-being doesn’t depend on it like his sisters, etc), I think it also says a lot about Colin’s character (his sensitivity, his version of masculinity) so subtly.

It means that, for whatever reason, Colin is the only one of his siblings who never entered marriage with the pressure of duty hanging over it — the one who approached the concept of marriage with an openness and a willingness that allowed for it to be a wholly romantic decision because regardless of how much he tries to change, Colin is and will always be a romantic guy.

BRIDGERTON (2020-)

KATE AND ANTHONY

95% of fandom, while fully aware that Luke and Nicola had cute chemistry, accepted reality over a year ago.

By June thirteenth most people knew Luke had a girlfriend and Nicola had a boyfriend. The ones deep in the fandom knew well before then. It was not hidden. It was not some secret relationship riddle. It was simple and obvious to anyone with basic comprehension and two working braincells.

So let us be honest. Nicola did not lead you on. You were delusional, gullible, and frankly the dumbest 5% of the fandom. The weakest links, if you will. You locked yourselves in echo chambers with other Lukolas who had an explanation (lie) for every time the real world hit you in the face.

Sane people of the fandom managed to enjoy their dynamic and have fun without losing their grip on reality. They knew the difference between co star charm, promotion, and actual romance. They could enjoy a pairing on screen while understanding that the actors were living completely separate lives off screen.

Meanwhile a loud little corner kept clinging to a fantasy even when every sign clearly pointed elsewhere.

That is not being misled. That is being stubborn and embarrassingly stupid. You ignored every fact that did not fit your daydream and now that it has blown up in your face, you want someone to blame.