When they’re in the library and Debling is describing her future, Penelope clearly looks upset at the prospect. Even though he checks every box she lists at the modiste, he won’t give her the true desire of her heart: to be loved.

It was never going to be Debling because the show is called Bridgerton! ❤

A lot of people in this fandom project themselves onto Penelope and miss big aspects of her character as a result. They believe that they are just like Penelope (because they’re also wallflowers), and they like Lord Debling. So they decide that Penelope HAS to get married to him because that’s what they would do. They are ignoring how Pen is a romantic at heart. If Pen was actually pragmatic, then she wouldn’t need her mother constantly telling her that “real romance is security” in the first place.

Debling saying he doesnt think he could make room in his heart for her is what showed that he could never be HER match. He didnt really even let it be an option. He is a good choice for someone, especially in that era, just not Pen. If he had left the possibility open for love, then hewould be a more viable option. Also, i can only speculate that people who didnt like this first half season, dont like more introspective characters. Its like how with Austen heroines they keep trying to change Fanny Price and Anne Elliot to be more like Elisabeth Bennett and Emma. Some of people just are more internal and have trouble expressing our thoughts and emotions aloud.

Totally agree! I also liked that Debling wasn't a villain. He just wasn't right for Penelope, cause she wanted love and that's not what he was offering. There are plenty of other ppl in the ton that would be more than happy with that situation, so I'm head canoning that he gets his happy ending too, just off screen 😂

I'm so glad you mentioned the part when Debling doesn't recognize Cressida's deliberate act. I love that this scene recreates the one in season 1 where Cressida spills her drink on Penelope and Colin clocks it immediately, so that we know that while Colin is not aware of all of Penelope's facets yet, he still has a sense of her and can read a situation accurately but will also take action for her. We see it again with the much maligned balloon, where he is the only one that senses any danger and takes action for Penelope. And we see it in the ball when he directly asks people what they are whispering about. He's a man of action in the most important moments, in service to Penelope, thereby setting him up to be the match for her.

I completely agree with everything you said. I'll also add that show Colin is completely unaware of Penelopes love for him. So while he's having these revelations about how he feels about her he is also struggling with if she feels the same or not. I think this adds to the more quiet internal feel of the season. It's also why I don't understand why people wanted gim to grovel so much. He did not know how Penelope felt for him. If he had I believe he would have handled his interactions with her differently in the first 2 seasons.

I love love love that so much of this season is about Penelope’s choice. For love. For Whistledown. Even consent in the carriage.

I think I relate to Pen so much and that why for me it could never be Debling. Like I’m kind of a logical romantic. Like maybe cause I kind of struggle being a wallflower but cosplaying confident and try to be sensible and practical. I think in all aspects I try to be practical put when it comes to partnership, like in my heart of hearts I need that aspect of being loved and being loved completely and for who you are. Like it’s this desire that almost feels embarrassing. So for someone like Pen like even if she choose Debling she would never be fully happy. I mean girl was brave enough to ask for a kiss, just to have a taste of romantic physical intimacy. It means so much to her. So it could never be Debling, but love that he was a pretty good guy just not Pen’s guy.

Thank you for the even response to Debling's character. I think as I (as of part 1) liked Debling more than Colin, I would say from the opposite side of the shipping debate, there is a sense from at least a few (not all) the Polin shippers that those who see the potential for Pen and Debling as "you're silly or stupid, it's Polin all the way". I again I don't judge Polin shippers and I knew from the get go Polin was end game (I'm not blind), I still saw that spark for Pen to have other options. Now I will grant you that we did only see the surface of Lord Debling's character, so things may have changed had we gotten more and I know he's not the end game. And another point "against" him from a show pov as a romantic lead, he never learn his Christian name. However he, to me at least, just seemed to understand Pen in ways that even Colin didn't at times even after knowing her for so many years. Like Devling loved that she had a passion for stories/books vs Colin who called them "silly books". And I loved that Debling brought Pen a plant so she had it at the windowsill, kind of bringing both their "worlds" together. Let them be the couple who marry for convenience and fall in love over time through letters. And Pen was lucky she's in a romance novel because Colin (granted unknowingly) was talking to her face about celebrating Lady Whistledown's fall once she was found out. Again I know in the show it will all work out and it was done to raise the stakes, but just taking part 1 by itself and when Pen has options, from her pov, I could see why she might look elsewhere for marriage. And from what we saw Lord Debling didn't seem like he would care (as long as his name was left out) about Lady Whistledown. If anything he might applaud Pen for again "stepping out of the herd" again. And yes, another thing people point to as against Debling is that he would be gone for thee years. However it's not like Pen would be trapped at home 24/7. As long as she didn't fool around in bed, she could still go out and be social with the ton, not unlike Lady Danbury. That said I admire that Bridgerton never takes the easy way out and make the "other" suiter, a villain in the story. He may have been blunt at the end of episode 4, with his words to Pen, but he was honest and wanted to be honest about what she wants in life. I know this troupe will be done in another's character story, but I have read fanfic where Pen and Debling do marry, he dies, and then we have the Polin ship take off. I also wish we had seen more flashbacks/clips with Pen than just the hand cutting scene to help spur Colin to go and "fight" for her. We had two seasons of interactions to pull from and I think that would have strengthened the friendship angle given how long it's been since season 1 and 2 came out (and not everyone is going to rewatch the first two seasons multiple times). Anyway that said I am happy with part 1, am looking forward to part 2 of the show, and again I thank you for your even and considered response to Lord Debling as a character.

It is such a pleasure listening to you! I only just recently discovered your channel; your intelligence as well as your articulate interpretation or analysis of the Pen/Colin/Debling situation is so refreshing. Some of the people I've heard on this platform try so hard to interpret, analyze, comment on various films/tv shows/etc., but they lack the critical expertise and level of understanding or vocabulary that you offer. Kudos to you, your vocabulary, your critical analysis, your degree of understanding. I can hardly wait for tomorrow to see the rest of Season 3. But even more than that, I hope we are not kept waiting for two years again for Season 4 as we had to do for S.3. Crossing my fingers we'll finally have the Benedict Bridgerton story. It's time for those of us who adore him. I can totally wait for Eloise to finally grow up and create her story line's fulfillment, whatever that may be. It's way too soon for us to deal with Francesca even though we're getting hints already. I chose to NOT read the books; when I do read the books behind movies or a TV series, I'm nearly always disappointed. Easier to love what I'm watching if I'm not making endless comparisons.

#DeblingDidNothingWrong 😂 (We’re one day away, eeee!)

It looks like you’re lifting up Penelope‘s bosom in the thumbnail… 😹 I’ve really enjoyed your commentary about this series!

I agree with you completely but just for fun let say this. Netflix could have written it as Debling wins the girl. We know that he is definitely on a doomed mission so eventually this would make Penelope the widow instead of Francesca.( taking notes from that book) In that time frame Penelope would have really grown her business as Lady Whistledown and become even more successful. Colin would have suffered for a year or two and really realized his mistake as the one that got away. He would eventually pursue her ,but she would have to grapple with the idea of her dream or his love. This way viewers would get both male romantic leads. But honestly, Im completely fine with what Netflix has done so far and am looking forward to seeing what will happen in the second half of the show.

You know I’m starting to notice the queen never wins in this series lol. She tried to pair Daphne and her nephew NOPE the duke. Ok, Anthony and Edwina? HAHA how about Kate? Fine then let’s get Franchesqua a smart match… ha… haha…. Hahaha

Why do they need to add pointless love triangles into everything? #retirelovetriangles!