As Bridgerton Season 3 draws to a close with a triumphant two-part season on Netflix, a looming question remains: Did Colin Bridgerton truly redeem himself? The third-oldest Bridgerton sibling, Colin’s romance with Penelope was pulled forward to the third season (which should have technically been Benedict’s story, according to the novels) and he had a lot of growing up to do. Anthony was the Viscount, and Benedict was second in line, which meant that Colin was a bit directionless. This was visible, especially in the first two seasons of the show.

In Season 1 of Bridgerton, Colin makes the hasty decision to marry Marina after knowing her for a few moments. His vulnerability and loving nature were his strengths, but he could not imagine being with Penelope, who was right in front of him. However, a broken engagement later, this wasn’t Colin’s worst sin. Season 2 depicted him trying to invest in businesses and find something to do, eventually uncovering Cousin Jack’s counterfeit gems and his fraudulent schemes. He then shared a beautiful dance with Penelope, but she heard him talk to his friends about her poorly, saying, “Are you mad? I would never dream of courting Penelope Featherington. Not in your wildest dreams.” This dialogue and Colin’s callousness turned many fans against him, especially those who loved Penelope.

Colin Didn’t Find His Own Identity For a Long Time

“I am not the man I was last season, and I am most certainly not ashamed of you, Pen. I seek you out at every social assembly because I know you will lift my spirits and make me see the world in ways I could not have imagined.” – Colin Bridgerton

When Colin returns from his many travels in Season 3, Episode 1, “Out of the Shadows,” Penelope is, for obvious reasons, not a part of his receiving party. For a short while, Colin isn’t too bothered with this either. His travels took him to exotic locales and interesting people, and when he came back, he was certain that he needed to mask his true self to make it in society. Thus, Penelope and the audience see a new Colin Bridgerton, vastly different from who he used to be in the period drama. He is charming, flirtatious, and unafraid to wink at fluttering debutantes across rooms — something that is vaguely cringe-worthy but also concerning. While Colin seems to be completely at ease with himself, his new persona is starkly different from the boy he was in the first two seasons.

Even if Colin’s behavior seems off, he does not hesitate to reach out to Penelope. Her new and improved avatar, of course, is a catalyst, but it is clear that Colin misses his friend, who did not write to him during his travels. He then offers to teach her lessons in charm and help her find a husband, which is an unusual agreement but one that eventually leads him to love. As he leads Penelope closer to Lord Debling, Colin starts to realize that he may have fallen for Penelope himself. After sharing a kiss with her, Colin’s mask starts falling off. He finds it hard to keep up the smooth-talking persona that he has built since his return to the ton, as he can only think about Penelope. The sleazy talks of women and sex with his gentleman friends don’t enthrall him, and he can’t imagine how they can take something as sacred as love so lightly. Colin’s true self, which fans got a peek at in Season 1, starts to make itself felt when he struggles with his feelings for Penelope and what society expects him to be. As a man, he is constantly told that he needs to be tough, insensitive, and flippant about love and marriage, which goes against his personality.

What Did Colin Do to Redeem Himself?

“For God’s sake, Penelope Featherington. Are you going to marry me or not?” – Colin Bridgerton

Arguably, Colin’s redemption begins from the day he decides to help Penelope. He has no ulterior motives in his offer, with just a desire to help his friend make it in the marriage mart. However, while Penelope’s request for a kiss is made with the intention of sealing away her feelings for Colin forever, it has the opposite effect on him. Thus begins the role reversal between Colin and Penelope. For two seasons, Penelope had been the wallflower at the corner of the ballroom, gazing longingly at Colin as he danced with other debutantes. In Season 3, however, Penelope is the belle of the ball, and Colin is left anguished by the idea of someone else holding her. Colin suffers hugely with his feelings, especially as he is the one who signed up to help her find a match. He has to watch her almost ride away with Lord Debling into the sunset until sense prevails.

Before the iconic carriage scene (which was a bit different from the books), Colin puts on his best outfit and heads to the ball, eager to tell Penelope how he feels. Unlike any other Bridgerton sibling, Colin does not care for social norms — he knows what he wants and he goes after her. He creates a scene on the dance floor because he cares for Penelope and wants her to know that Debling isn’t right for her. While he does ruin her chances of a proposal completely, he intends to confess his love for her as soon as he realizes that he wants to marry her, which is commendable. Colin feels pressured by society in most of Bridgerton, but his decision to do away with imaginary social rules and just do what feels right is a big part of his redemption. Colin knows he messed up with his insensitive remarks about Penelope, and he constantly berates himself for not recognizing their love sooner.

Colin’s Love Was Tested By Penelope’s Identity as Lady Whistledown

I think in truth, I have been envious of you, of your success, of your bravery. And now I simply cannot believe that a woman with such bravery loves me. How lucky I am to stand by your side and soak up even a little bit of your light. If my only purpose in life is to love a woman as great as you, then I will be a very fulfilled man indeed. – Colin Bridgerton

Fans wished that the proposal could be the happily-ever-after for Colin and Penelope, but further challenges lay ahead of them. Colin’s love and loyalty are tested when he finds out that Penelope is Lady Whistledown, the very woman he vowed to bring down and ruin in his interactions with Eloise. While it is clear that he loves Penelope ardently, he is yet again met with a two-pronged challenge. Lady Whistledown had previously written scandalous and hurtful things about his family, and he had been directly affected by her revelations about Marina’s pregnancy and his personality change. However, even when Colin accepts Penelope’s explanation about why she did what she did, his ego becomes his greatest hurdle. As a writer himself, Colin has major Impostor Syndrome and believes that his travel journals were only worth being read by him and have no real merit to be published. When he learns that Penelope is an accomplished writer already and one who is published, he feels belittled by her encouragement.

This leads to marital discord between Colin and Penelope. While they share a beautiful wedding ceremony, he keeps asking Penelope to leave Whistledown behind, which she cannot do. However, after days of anguish, Penelope decides to put the witchhunt to an end by revealing her identity to the whole ton in one of the best Bridgerton episodes. It is at this moment that Colin shows his mettle — when Penelope offers him the option to annul their marriage, he makes it clear that he has no intention of ever leaving her. He is able to get over his wounded ego and see Penelope for the talented, beautiful, and formidable woman that she is. When he puts aside his pride, he realizes that Penelope is the greatest gift to him, and her love is all that he needs to make it in the world. A man who is ready to admit that he is at fault and put aside his resentment to let his wife shine is exactly who Colin becomes. It is a touching moment and also the moment where Colin Bridgerton’s redemption is complete.