"Bridgerton": Polin's Friends-To-Lovers Tale is the Best Yet
"Bridgerton:" The Polin Friends-To-Lovers Storyline Makes This the Best Season Yet
Image Source: Netflix
*WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD*
Dearest gentle readers, the time has come. "Bridgerton" season three, part one has finally hit our screens, and I think this might be the most invested I've been in a romance so far. After watching the show, it's confirmed: the friends-to-lovers storyline although traditional, will always make for the most gripping viewing — in real life and on-screen.
The romances in the first two series of "Bridgerton" have mostly followed the same format; Daphne Bridgerton and the Duke of Hastings and Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma, were all strangers who by chance fell madly in love. "Bridgerton" fans grew obsessed with these slow-burn romances as the episodes went on, particularly Kate and Anthony. But dare I say that the friends-to-lovers romance between Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) might just be the most masterful version of a slow burn yet.
Friends-to lovers relationships will always go deeper and all involved become more invested and this is shown through the characters in the show. Newton told Reuters: "The friends-to-lovers trope, I think a lot of people resonate with that and have experienced that. I think that's why people are really passionate and excited for the season." As an audience, we've watched Penelope's crush on Colin develop over two series. We've caught Penelope's every lingering glance, hair flip and forced conversation in hopes that Colin will see her in a different light.
Image Source: Netflix
The golden moment has to be when the other person suddenly starts developing feelings too. In "Bridgerton," it was thrilling watching Colin slowly realise his feelings for Penelope and even showing glimmers of jealousy. Suddenly, the narrative shifted and Colin was trying to snatch glimpses of Penelope in a room rather than the other way around. This is where the sexual tension between them started to build and I was sitting on the edge of my seat.
A juicy added layer in this friends-to-lovers storyline comes from the fact that Penelope is seen by society as an unlikely match for Colin. Penelope is a Featherington and although well-established in London high society, she is not of the same ranking as a Bridgerton sibling. She's also a wallflower and doesn't receive the same attention as someone like the 'Diamond of the season' Daphne, or the confident and assured Kate. However, despite her quirks, Penelope is someone that viewers can relate to and want to root for. We all wanted the wallflower to get off the wall - and she's finally out of the friend-zone.
"I liked that the Penelope & Colin story lends itself so well to rom-com tropes because it's a friends-to-lovers story. There's more playfulness and familiarity to the story & that allows us to lean into awkward banter and play up the humor a little bit more"#polin #Bridgerton pic.twitter.com/L3KGWJmr33
— out of context bridgerton (@NoContxtBton) April 15, 2024
To many, friends-to-lovers actually make the best relationships. One day, you wake up and start notice new details about your friend and attraction starts to build. But you're already ahead because you've set the foundation of respect and understanding between each other, which is a key ingredient in a relationship. From there, it can only get better as you start seeing them in a new light and discover new things that make you fall even more for them. That's why this storyline is so talked-about, because it's so relatable and as rom—com lovers, we enjoy seeing a story blossom over a consistent period of time.
In real life, we all know that moving from friends to lovers, although it might be great in theory, isn't always the easiest transition. If you're a part of a group of friends — how does that change the dynamic? In "Bridgerton," we know that Penelope and Colin's sister Eloise are at odds, so will this create a rift between them in part two? Also, the social standpoint of the 'Ton' and who is seen as worthy of a Bridgerton sibling is something we predict will be an important discussion in the next batch of episodes. The fallout of this unlikely relationship and how it will shift the dynamic for the other characters in their world only builds more excitement for the next episodes.
In the final scene when Colin uttered the words, "For goodness sake Penelope are you going to marry me or not?" I almost fell off my chair. It was said with such conviction and in that moment you almost saw all of Penelope's doubts melt away. The dear friend she had always loved, finally saw her in a romantic light — and that's the beauty of the friends-to-lovers trope.
Aaliyah Harry (she/her) is the associate editor at POPSUGAR UK. She writes extensively across lifestyle, culture and beauty. Aaliyah also has a deep passion for telling stories and giving voice to the voiceless. Previously, she has contributed to Refinery29, Grazia UK and The Voice Newspaper.
