Bridgerton 3×07 “Joining of Hands” Spoilers Ahead
Bridgerton Season 3, Episode 7, “Joining of Hands,” is an angst-ridden hour with questionable pacing and drama that doesn’t feel earned or adequately resolved. In truth, timelines and pacing are often an issue within the show’s narrative, but the more glaring it becomes, the more frustrating it is when we’re trying to root for the characters. Viewers shouldn’t be doing mental gymnastics to try and figure out how much time is passing when these are the things shows should be telling us.
Still, it’s an episode full of some great moments, regardless, and it’s one that I wish kept its momentum because it could’ve been even better. Colin is rightfully furious with Penelope. Kate and Anthony are back from the other side of the bedroom (or wherever they go that we aren’t aware of), Benedict is debating Tilley’s offer, and Francesca still doesn’t have the queen’s or her mother’s blessing to marry John. In other words, Bridgerton 3×07 “Joining of Hands” is a doozy.
Does Anyone on Bridgerton Go Down the Wedding Aisle Without Animosity?
Well, Francesca and John will in the next episode, but what does this show have against weddings where the couples are happy and excited without something tainting their joy? We’ll never know, I’m sure, but what we do know is that Penelope and Colin fans are the luckiest ducks in existence to have a moment under Coldplay’s “Yellow.” Because even while there are issues between them they have to resolve, their wedding is beautiful still. Yet, it takes some time (Days? Hours? Weeks?) to get there.
Colin has every right to be angry at Penelope, and I almost wish it lasted longer because it’s nearly impossible to forgive something this shocking so quickly. Yes, Pen is remorseful. No, she never intended it to go this far and didn’t know any better, but it’s still not enough time. (But then again, what is time on the show?) Therefore, the show choosing not to give us weddings without lingering animosity between the couples is so bizarre, but in this case, it’s understandable. And it’s sweet, regardless.
It’s also compelling to see a different side of Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton as performers because the fight gives them the juice and nuance to really push out sides of their characters we don’t often see. Colin subdues much of his anger, so it’s riveting that we see it draw out a bit as we watch him also confide in his siblings about it. Despite the pacing, seeing his moments with Eloise and later his brothers (+ Kate) is fascinating. But again, much of what we see in these interactions centers around people telling Colin what to do and how to approach the situation. His approach is still questionable as he questions whether she’s going to continue writing, but alas.
It’s a double-edged sword because it feels the audience is swallowing everything up right alongside the characters without any real stakes, and as much as we want breezy romances with happy endings, we want the angst to make sense because it makes the ending feel more earned. As predicted in “Romancing Mister Bridgerton,” we are glossing over everything, and it just stings. As Kate says, marriage is hard work, but it also needs to involve extensive conversations and small discussions, too. Little things don’t get solved in a minute. They take time. But again, this show leaves all that to the imagination, which simply isn’t the way to go.
Bridgerton 3×07 Makes a Voyage to India in 1915 Sound Like a 2024 Adventure
There’s a lot to say about how Bridgerton mistreats Kate Sharma and Anthony Bridgerton on the show, but nothing has been as frustrating as this latest plot device to have them exit the series to give Simone Ashley and Jonathan Bailey more time with other projects. I simply want to understand how a group of writers sat together and came up with the idea that it’s wise for a pregnant woman to take a four-month journey back to her hometown, spend some time there, and then take another four-month journey back with a newborn. Would I get on a plane to go to India while I was in the early stages of pregnancy? Sure. Would I get on a ship at any point? Hard, hard, no.
This is the same show that had Anthony witness his mother’s traumatic birth after his father died. How on earth is this even remotely a good idea? There’s only so much that a viewer can suspend disbelief when we’re watching something that is based on reality. Sure, illnesses don’t seem to exist. Yes, give me good and happy moments, but how on earth does this make sense when Aubrey Hall is right there? It’s just careless and heartbreaking that there’s so little thought about approaching their story. The fact that this is all we see of them? No baby Edmund? I have no words.
Bisexual Benedict Bridgerton Saves the Episode
Look, my only complaint about Benedict kissing boys is that I personally wanted—no, needed—to see him kiss Henry Granville first. Now that we have that out of the way, credit where credit is due, I’m glad that Bridgerton 3×07 “Joining of Hands” follows up with Benedict’s sexuality and allows him to fully understand the arrangement Tilley and Paul want for the three of them to have. He embraces it by going in for the kiss with full desire, thus giving us something concrete to showcase that he is trying to understand and welcome everything going on inside of him.
Tilley also gives us a fantastic explanation of what it means for love to be free, and it’s something that we’re going to reflect back on frequently with this show. “But a feeling between two people, whatever their sex, is the most natural thing in the world.” I might not be her biggest fan (I don’t know enough about her to be), but this is a beautiful sentiment, and I’m glad the series brings it in. Love is love. It’s that simple. This exploration matters because it shows us that these characters are open to better understanding themselves, which is all I’ve wanted for Benedict, who often feels like he’s just floating around.
Bridgerton 3×07 “Joining the Hands” packs so much into a single episode that the flow becomes overwhelming and not in a good way. We knew this would be the case with an ensemble series, but there’s too much that’s new and difficult to keep tabs on. Still, at least Lady Danbury and her brother make amends, Francesca is free to marry, and Colin and Penelope are in a better position than they were at the beginning of the episode. The episode gives them another lovely moment where they dance to Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me,” and we get the spark of it all back even if the relationship doesn’t feel exactly resolved yet.
Afternoon Tea and Further Thoughts
- Eloise crying? I cry.
- Again, why can’t Edwina visit her pregnant sister, and why can’t Kate and Anthony go to India after the baby is born? Also, did Anthony just fully give his job to Benedict or…? Like baby boy, I love you, but your newborn isn’t going to remember much of his mom’s heritage. This could’ve logically waited two more years.
- Very curious what bold gesture Benedict is going to do for his person when the time comes since he’s so adamant about John throwing rocks.
- “What am I, chopped liver?” You might be to the show, Anthony. You might be. But you’re very important to me and Kate so?!?
- I would loathe Portia Featherington if Polly Walker wasn’t such a brilliant actress. I’m constantly in awe of what she and Nicola Coughlan accomplish together.
- I’m glad Tilley is helping Benedict discover his sexuality, but I still don’t care about her. Oops.
- Benedict kissing Colin’s head made me so weepy.
- The blue and yellow cake is a very nice touch.
- Prudence being nice is so bizarre! But I’m here for it?
- I truly cannot deal with Anthony thinking he’d know if someone in his house was Whistledown. Baby, that’s impossible when the show pretends like you yourself are an afterthought.
- Whoever did Kate’s hair at this wedding, I just want to talk.
- “One whole bottle is a cry for help.” I mean…this show is making me want to drink at the crack of dawn. So yes, I am asking for help.
Now streaming on Netflix: What are your thoughts on Bridgerton 3×07 “Joining of Hands?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Cr. Liam Daniel/Netflix © 2024