I’m Convinced Bridgerton Gave Penelope The Wrong Ending

Warning: this article contains spoilers for Bridgerton season 3.

In Bridgerton season 3’s finale, Penelope reveals that she is Lady Whistledown, and though she is finally free from the burden of her secret, I’m not entirely sure if this was the smartest move. Penelope’s Lady Whistledown secret has been a ticking time bomb since Bridgerton season 1. However, I’ve always believed it was a good secret to keep. Lady Whistledown adds a layer of entertainment to the period drama; she is both narrator and plot device. Therefore, I feared what would happen to Lady Whistledown during Penelope’s season. Now, the worst has transpired.

At the end of Bridgerton season 3, Penelope tells the ton that she is Lady Whistledown. She does this as a way of apologizing for what she has written. She also wants to live more honestly. However, this revelation doesn’t seem like such a good thing when it happens. I found it hard to watch as the ton silently stared at Penelope without real reaction. Penelope theorizes that people who feel scorned will come after her later, and this is exactly what I’m nervous about. Essentially, Penelope put herself in danger and gave up one of Bridgerton’s best characters.

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Penelope’s Lady Whistledown Ending Caused A Major Problem

Lady Whistledown Has Lost Her Power

How Bridgerton season 3 handled the Lady Whistledown secret has led to a huge problem. This issue has a ripple effect that I fear will take down Lady Whistledown entirely. First and foremost, Penelope’s revelation makes it so she cannot do her job anymore. Now that the ton knows it is her spying on them, they will be much more suspicious of Penelope. Before, she was an invisible wallflower. Now, she is public enemy number one. I can’t imagine Penelope will be able to get much information now that the whole Bridgerton ton is hyper-aware of her secret.

On top of that, Penelope is now in danger. She isn’t wrong when she suggests that angry individuals will be after her. Some members of the ton likely hold a grudge against Lady Whistledown and are eager to take their rage out on her. Though Mayfair isn’t a violent place, Pen’s reputation could take quite a hit. Plus, there’s really no defense Penelope has other than to apologize. We all know she wrote bad things about the ton, and now she has forced herself to reap the consequences. I don’t imagine this will be very fun to watch.

The worst result of Penelope revealing her Lady Whistledown secret is that she loses all her power. Lady Whistledown worked because Penelope went under the radar. She secretly gathered information and then anonymously aired all the ton’s secrets and issues. In many ways, Penelope stripped herself of influence. The ton were eager to listen to a charming enigma like Lady Whistledown, but I doubt they’ll be so keen now to hear from Penelope. This also hurts Penelope’s promise to do better as Whistledown. I can’t see Penelope being very helpful when so many resent her and her actions.

This leads to one terrible conclusion: The ton will have no one keeping them accountable. As much as Lady Whistledown is entertaining, she is also important. Penelope wrote mean things, but they were always true. Her goal was not to tear down others but to shed light on their wrongdoings. With Penelope unmasked, this no longer seems possible. In my mind, the ton will not respect Penelope as they did Whistledown, and as a result, they will return to their cruel and ignorant ways. Penelope’s power was in her mystery; now I’m wondering, what is the point of Lady Whistledown?

Bridgerton Ignored An Easy Solution To The Lady Whistledown Problem

Penelope Should Have Focused On Queen Charlotte

One of my biggest disappointments with the Lady Whistledown revelation is that it could have easily been handled differently. The only reason why Penelope felt so much pressure to reveal her secret was because Queen Charlotte was on her tail. Clearly, Charlotte was not going to let it go. Therefore, Penelope should have just told Charlotte. Rather than inviting her to the ball, Pen should have simply gathered the Bridgertons and the Queen and explained herself. Then the Queen would have been satisfied, and those closest to her would now know her true self.

Sadly, Bridgerton missed this opportunity. Now, Lady Whistledown has lost all her magic. While I’m sure Bridgerton will find a way to make the gossip column live on, I doubt it will be as enchanting as it once was. I doubt Whistledown will be as funny or cutting without the typical drama. Plus, Penelope’s confession has changed the tide completely. Although I am all for change, especially in a franchise as long-running as Bridgerton, I wonder what else the series may unknowingly sacrifice.

Bridgerton

From Shondaland and creator Chris Van Dusen, Netflix’s Bridgerton is based on the romance novels of the same name by author Julia Quinn. The series follows the eight Bridgerton siblings, Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth, as they search for love during the social season and navigate life in Regency-era England.

Cast

Will Tilston , Rege-Jean Page , Ruth Gemmell , Luke Thompson , Isabella Cortese , Martins Imhangbe , Julie Andrews , Phoebe Dynevor , Ruby Stokes , Ruby Barker , Claudia Jessie , Adjoa Andoh , Nicola Coughlan , Golda Rosheuvel , Charithra Chandran , Ben Miller , Jonathan Bailey , Florence Hunt , Polly Walker , Shelley Conn , Joanna Bobin , Luke Newton , Simone Ashley

Release Date

December 25, 2020

Seasons

3

Writers

Julia Quinn , Chris Van Dusen , Jess Brownell , Abby McDonald , Joy C. Mitchell

Creator(s)

Chris Van Dusen

Directors

Tom Verica , Tricia Brock

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