This article contains spoilers for Julia Quinn’s book, “Romancing Mister Bridgerton.”

Though I loved the romantic tension between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton during Bridgerton season 3, part 1, the second half of the season looks like it will adapt a scene I’ve been waiting years for. Since 2020, Netflix has been adapting Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton romance novels into eight-episode television seasons, with every installment following the romantic trials and tribulations of each Bridgerton sibling. Season 3 has been a particular delight, as it follows the slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance between wallflower Penelope and third-eldest Colin. Now, season 3, part 2 will see their romance blossom.

Over the years, I’ve noticed how the Netflix show picks and chooses which parts of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton books it adapts and which parts it scraps. One change I stood by was when TV producer Shonda Rhimes included more diversity in the ton, along with new characters like the sassy Lady Tilley Arnold. However, the showrunners have adapted parts of Julia Quinn’s storylines accurately, which have been exciting to watch come to life. Based on the Bridgerton season 3, part 2 trailer, it seems one of these coveted scenes, one of my favorites, will appear in the next installment.

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Colin & Penelope’s Mirror Scene In The Bridgerton Book Explained

What Is “Romancing Mister Bridgerton’s” Mirror Scene?

Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton and Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton season 3 part 2

In the trailer for Bridgerton season 3, part 2, I couldn’t help but notice a very specific shot of Penelope and Colin standing in front of a mirror. Though this may seem unimportant, this is actually a nod to one of the most important romantic scenes in “Romancing Mister Bridgerton.” In the book, Penelope and Colin become engaged and sleep together for the first time. However, before this, they stand in front of a mirror, and Colin offers a few lines of particularly steamy dialogue. Of Quinn’s eight novels, this scene has long been a stand-out for me.

Seeing a hint of this moment in the Bridgerton season 3, part 2 trailer excited me for a few reasons. Most importantly, season 3’s first half wasn’t completely accurate to Quinn’s writings. The carriage scene lost quite a bit of its original context when Colin didn’t find out Penelope was Lady Whistledown, which is what happens in the book. However, if the Bridgerton mirror scene is done right, this might make up for that change. Furthermore, adding the mirror moment would be thrilling for people like me who adore Colin and Penelope and want to see their best book moments.

The Bridgerton Season 3, Part 2 Trailer Confirms Colin & Pen’s Mirror Scene Is Happening

The Mirror In The Trailer Supports Assumptions About The Anticipated Scene

Now that the trailer for Bridgerton season 3, part 2 heavily implied that the mirror scene is happening, I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about the next installment. Though it’s only a brief shot of Pen and Colin in front of the mirror, it’s a strong piece of evidence to me that the moment will occur in the new episodes. There would be no reason to include such a shot in the trailer if it was not alluding to an important, possibly climactic moment. However, the real mystery is how accurate the mirror scene will be.

Though Netflix’s take on Bridgerton can be quite hot, it is a step-down from the books in some ways. Many romantic scenes are not nearly as graphic on-screen as they are on the page. Due to this, I expect the mirror scene not to go exactly as Julia Quinn wrote it. Colin’s dialogue, in particular, seems a bit over-the-top for Netflix. However, as long as Bridgerton keeps the scene’s intentions the same, I’m sure the moment will be a true highlight of the season.

The Mirror Scene Could Be Colin & Penelope’s Best Bridgerton Scene Yet

Colin & Penelope may beat past Bridgerton couples

Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton  and Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington  Kiss in Bridgerton season 3

Image by Netflix

What excites me the most about the impending mirror scene is that it may rank as one of the best sensual scenes in Bridgerton yet. While every season has had a piece of dialogue that has stuck out as the best, i.e., season 1’s “I burn for you,” the more romantic scenes are also aspects of the show I like to rank. Based on how much I adore the mirror scene already, it seems more than likely that this moment could outshine all the previous intimate moments in Bridgerton.

I believe the context puts the mirror scene above previous Bridgerton scenes. While other Bridgerton couples only met at the start of their season, Colin and Penelope have a history. We’ve watched Pen pine for an oblivious Colin over two whole seasons, so to see them finally together and in love will be incredibly satisfying, more so than previous couples who have led Bridgerton. In this way, the mirror scene could be the true climax of Bridgerton season 3.

Bridgerton Season 3 Poster Showing Penelope Featherington Looking into a Mirror

Bridgerton

Romance
Drama

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

Streaming Service(s)

Netflix

Writers

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

Directors

Tom Verica
, Tricia Brock

Creator(s)

Chris Van Dusen