Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 Ending Explained: What Happens With Colin & Penelope?

This article contains spoilers for Bridgerton season 3, part 1.

Summary Penelope's engagement to Colin creates a major dilemma in Bridgerton season 3.

Friendship dynamics between Pen and Eloise are on a rocky path but might improve.

Francesca's romance with John Stirling hangs in the balance as they face uncertain futures.

Because Bridgerton season 3 has been highly anticipated since season 2 premiered in 2022, it is no surprise that audiences have rushed to binge the first part of the series to see what happens between Penelope Featherington and her long-time crush, Colin Bridgerton. Hopefully, Bridgerton fans were not disappointed by what they saw. Bridgerton season 3, part 1 sees Penelope's newfound drive to get a husband, her complicated relationship with Colin after his harsh words last season, Eloise's unexpected friendship after her and Penelope's falling out, and above all, the ton's struggle to find out Lady Whistledown's identity.

As always, Bridgerton season 3 offered several different storylines in its first six episodes. Although Penelope and Colin took center stage, as Colin offers to help Penelope find a husband, and as a result, realizes his own feelings for her, other characters their own dramas as well. Eloise and Cressida Cowper form an unlikely friendship, Francesca enters her first courting season and meets someone who may be her match, while the Mondrich family enjoys the luxury of their brand new title. However, what truly matters is how everyone's story ends. For some, their fates are much better than others.

Related Could Penelope Pass On The Lady Whistledown Title To Someone Else In Bridgerton? Penelope could pass the mantle of Lady Whistledown to someone else after Bridgerton season 3 in order to protect herself and her new family.

Does Penelope Accept Colin's Marriage Proposal?

Penelope becomes engaged to Colin, despite her Lady Whistledown doubts

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One of the biggest rifts to affect Bridgerton season 3 is Penelope's identity as Lady Whistledown. Although her gossip column has long been a passion of hers, it is a major obstacle in terms of her relationship with Colin because of how she has portrayed the Bridgertons in her writing over the last few seasons.

Therefore, when Colin proposes to Penelope, she has a choice to make: tell Colin about Whistledown and risk ruining their engagement or keep it from him and lose her greatest accomplishment. Ultimately, Penelope makes a decision, but it is promptly ruined.

Penelope accepts Colin's marriage proposal, and at first, seems dedicated to leaving Lady Whistledown behind. Though it clearly pains her to put her writings away, she loves Colin too much to risk ruining their newfound love. However, her opinion quickly changes when Cressida Cowper manages to write a rival issue of Whistledown, sweeping Penelope's legacy under the rug. That same night, with Eloise's encouragement, Penelope writes her own issue of Whistledown, and as expected, is found out by Colin. In this way, her and Colin's relationship comes to a screeching halt and cliffhanger, despite her best intentions.

How Colin & Penelope's Carriage Scene Compares To The Book

The carriage scene has a new context

Image via Netflix

Among fans of Julia Quinn's romance novels, there is one scene in Bridgerton season 3 that everyone is waiting for: the carriage scene. And though it is just as steamy as it appears in the book, there is a very significant change to the moment. In Julia Quinn's book, "Romancing Mister Bridgerton," Colin sees Penelope get into an unhired carriage and decides to follow her for her safety. By doing this, he ends up discovering that Penelope is Lady Whistledown. The two bicker, as Colin is worried for Pen's reputation, however the arguing eventually turns into a passionate make-out session.

In Bridgerton season 3, this scene's context is much different. Colin follows Penelope into her carriage, but it's because she ran out of a ball after Colin ruined her chances of being engaged to Lord Debling, not because of Lady Whistledown. Seeing her emotions, Colin demands to be let into Pen's carriage and they argue. Once again, this turns into a revelation of Colin's feelings, and the two have an intimate carriage ride. Despite this massive context change, one detail notably stayed the same. At the end of the ride, Colin says, "Are you going to marry me, or not?"

Lord Debling is a new character in the Bridgerton universe, played by Sam Phillips.

Does Francesca Marry John Stirling?

Francesca & John's romance hangs in the balance

Image via Netflix

Although Penelope and Colin are the main romance in Bridgerton season 3, there are a couple other notable love interests that come into play. Namely, Francesca Bridgerton forms a fondness for a like-minded gentleman named John Stirling. In many ways, the two seem perfectly matched due to their love of silence, and they become betrothed. However, they run into problems due to the Queen's desire for Francesca to make a match of her choosing, and also, Violet's apparent doubt about the match. Overall, these problems leave Francesca and John on a cliffhanger at the end of Bridgerton season 3.

Although the end of Bridgerton season 3, part 1 doesn't reveal the fate of Francesca and John, there are a few hints about where their romance may go. Despite the fact that the two are betrothed, the doubt laid on their relationship is telling. The two may be fond of each other, but it may not be enough. Furthermore, all Bridgerton fans know that each sibling gets their own season, and Francesca's is still far off. Therefore, it is safe to theorize that Francesca and John will not work out, or will see a tragic fate that keeps them apart.

Will Eloise & Pen Mend Their Friendship?

Eloise and Pen seem to be fixing their relationship

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While the relationship between Penelope and Colin is of the utmost importance in Bridgerton season 3, there are other dynamics that are almost equally important. Namely, the friendship between Pen and Eloise. At the end of Bridgerton season 2, Eloise discovers that Penelope is Lady Whistledown, and due to what she wrote about Eloise, the two have a tragic falling out. Season 3 maintains this rift, however by the end of the season, things seem to be improving. Ironically, the things that keep them apart throughout the season seemingly bring them together again.

Despite the fact that Lady Whistledown is what hurt Penelope and Eloise's friendship in the first place, it ultimately brings them together at the end of Bridgerton season 3, part 1. Throughout the season, Eloise becomes close with Cressida Cowper, who becomes increasingly worried about her marriage prospects. In order to avoid marrying an elderly man, she claims to be Lady Whistledown.

This surprising turn of events leaves Eloise feeling betrayed by Cressida, and furthermore, worried about Pen. As a result, the two seem to be on an uneasy mend at the end of the season.

Does Cressida End Up With Lord Debling?

Cressida paves her own false future

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In the midst of Colin and Penelope's romance, there are a few key players, including Cressida Cowper and Lord Debling. When Penelope decides to seek a husband, Lord Debling stands out as a strong, practical choice. He is quirky enough to fit her personality, and also travels often enough that she can maintain her identity as Lady Whistledown. However, Cressida sets her sights on Debling as well, and the two women seem evenly matched for Debling. Ultimately, Colin's feelings come between Pen and Debling, which leaves Cressida with an opening that, unfortunately, she does not take.

At the end of Bridgerton season 3, part 1, Cressida does not end up with Lord Debling. Although she could have attempted to woo him after his and Penelope's relationship fell apart, she instead chose to claim the title of Lady Whistledown. By doing this, she put herself in a risky position which, if she succeeds, will end in her complete independence. However, as audiences may have noted, Cressida and Lord Debling were surprisingly well-matched. Though Cressida is in a whirlpool of Whistledown drama now, she may have a future with Debling yet.

What To Expect From Bridgerton Season 3 Part 2

Penelope & Colin will have to save their relationship

Overall, the end of Bridgerton season 3, part 1 was a chaotic one. Almost every character is in a limbo state, where their desires are unmet, and worse, could fall apart completely. In this way, Bridgerton season 3, part 2 must fix everything that the first part broke. First and foremost, Penelope must face Colin's anger at her lies. Although Julia Quinn intended Pen to leave Lady Whistledown behind, it seems likely that Pen will somehow find a balance between love and personal passion. Penelope will also have to mend things with Eloise, and face her mother's greedy ways.

Of course, Bridgerton season 3 has to set the stage for season 4 as well, and that will be all about the side characters. Francesca and John Stirling will have to reach their unfortunate end in order for her to have her own season. Benedict's love affair with Lady Tilley Arnold will have to succeed or end. And Cressida Cowper has flown too close to the sun, and her fate will be revealed in Bridgerton season 3, part 2. Hopefully, all can be made right in the ton on June 13, 2024.