WARNING ⚠️ SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN’T WATCHED SEASON 3.
Mentioning that I’m a romance writer makes awkward conversations at some gatherings. Raised eyebrows and stifled chuckles are the typical responses. Romances are still considered a frivolous activity by most people. That irked me until I decided to stop giving a fuck. I bet that those who mock romances are the same ones jerking off to porn. But I’m the silly woman wasting my time. I’m not the only romance writer/reader who feels that way. Though romance readers make up a significant number of readers in the book publishing industry, stigma still exists.
What’s exactly wrong with guilty pleasure?
In the Bridgerton world, the ton criticize Lady Whistledown to the point of making her a pariah yet thirsty for the next issue. Gossip motivates and brings them together. Penelope Featherington goes through great lengths to hide her identity in the previous season 2. In Season 3, love develops between her and Colin Bridgerton. Coming out or hiding as Lady Whistledown becomes a test of love. Can she truly bare her soul to her lover and be at her most vulnerable? And will he continue to love her?
If that’s the important question, then the story could end with Penelope being revealed as Lady Whistledown only in front of the Bridgertons and Queen Charlotte. Colin would continue to love Penelope. That’d alone address the main idea.
Instead, Penelope proudly confesses her identity as Lady Whistledown in front of the entire ton and swears to use her writing for good. How exactly would that happen? We’ll have to wait until early of 2026 the earliest to watch Season 4 of Bridgerton to witness the greater good that comes out of Lady Whistledown/Penelope.
Screen Rant’s Megan Hemenway does not think there’s no point of revealing Penelope’s identity as the top gossip columnist. Lady Whistledown’s trademark is her ruthless honesty. A kinder persona would not be the same.
Maybe ruthless honesty was that missing piece of Penelope’s life. She earned for her own sense of agency in a world that demanded conformity like a too-tight corset. A frivolous pursuit allowed the honesty (that transcended society mores) to freely flow, which empowered her. Her earnings from Lady Whistledown also helped save her family from debtors.
As a storyteller and writer of serious fiction, I cringe at the over-the-top public reveal of Lady Whistledown. (And I thought Bollywood melodrama topped over-the-top?)
As a romance writer, I love the reveal as it is Penelope’s middle finger to society.
“Fuck you all. I’m writing what makes me feel empowered. You bitches can judge all you want. Yet who are the ones thirsty for my topics,” I imagine the raw words representing her sentiments
People have been conditioned for too long to attach for guilty pleasure. The world seems to attribute merit only to the depiction of pain and suffering. — Milan Vohra
I’ll suggest that Bridgerton Season 3 aimed to highlight Penelope’s internal journey of radical self-acceptance. Hence, the season opted for a dramatic reveal of Lady Whistledown’s true identity.
What do you think? Did you like how things turned out as is it with a dramatic reveal to the entire ton or would you prefer if Penelope only revealed to a select few about her true identity as Lady Whistledown?
Rani Mohan 