Bridgerton season 3 has been positively received for the most part, but some are unhappy when comparing one element of the show’s previous love stories to Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington (even if the critique is unjustified). Netflix’s historical romance show is based on Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton book series, and each novel follows one of the Bridgerton siblings’ romances. Consequently, every season of Bridgerton chronicles one of the family’s love stories, with season 1 centering around Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, season 2 following Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma’s romance, and now, season 3 is all about Colin and Penelope.

Colin and Penelope’s romantic relationship has been teased since the beginning of Bridgerton, with Penelope helplessly pining over her best friend’s older brother and Colin oblivious to it all. Colin almost married Marina Thompson in season 1, but he stepped away from the courting world once he found out she was pregnant (via Lady Whistledown, aka Penelope). Afterward, Colin mostly traveled, while Penelope focused on her writing. Nevertheless, Colin finally realized he had feelings for Penelope in Bridgerton season 3, part 1’s ending, and after a steamy rendezvous in a carriage, asked her to marry him.

Bridgerton Season 3 Has Received Complaints About Colin & Pen’s Smaller Screen Time Compared To Daphne & Anthony’s Romances

Some Are Unhappy With The Lack Of Scenes Between Colin & Penelope

While many are giddy over the way Colin and Penelope’s Bridgerton love story has played out so far in season 3, some can’t help but feel like the couple is being slighted. The complaint is that Colin and Penelope haven’t had as many scenes together as Daphne and Simon did in season 1 and Anthony and Kate in season 2. Of course, Netflix has only released four episodes so far, but some viewers still can’t help but notice that Colin and Penelope have had less screen time in part 1 than the other couples did in the first halves of their respective seasons.

Colin & Penelope’s Romance Screen Time Balances Out With Their Seasons 1 & 2 Setup

Their Romance Has Been Building Since Season 1

While it might be true that Colin and Penelope haven’t shared as many scenes in Bridgerton season 3, part 1 as the previous couples did, they also had several moments together before heading into their season. Colin and Penelope’s relationship has much more set up than Daphne and Simon’s or Anthony and Kate’s because they have been friends for so long and interacted frequently in seasons 1 and 2. Meanwhile, Daphne had only just met Simon during the Bridgerton pilot and Anthony saw Kate for the first time in Bridgerton season 2, episode 1.

If Penelope accepts Colin’s proposal in season 3, part 2 (which she undoubtedly will), the upcoming four episodes will feature many scenes of them together.

As a result, Colin and Penelope’s shared screen time in Bridgerton seasons 1 and 2 combined with their scenes in season 3 balances out with Daphne and Simon’s and Anthony and Kate’s respective love stories. So, the argument that they haven’t had enough screen time together is unfounded. If anything, Colin and Penelope’s history gives them a leg up on the previous Bridgerton couples. Plus, if Penelope accepts Colin’s proposal in season 3, part 2 (which she undoubtedly will), the upcoming four episodes will feature many scenes of them together.

Bridgerton Season 3 Has A Much Bigger Ensemble Now Than During Daphne & Anthony’s Seasons

The Bridgerton Cast Has Expanded Greatly

Another factor that discredits the Colin and Penelope screen time complaint is that the cast of Bridgerton season 3 is much larger than in seasons 1 and 2. The world of the Netflix series has expanded since its premiere in 2020, and while Colin and Penelope are season 3’s central romance, they aren’t the only couple featured. Anthony and Kate were in episode 1 (before they left to extend their honeymoon), Francesca started looking for a suitor after making her debut to society, and part 1 also teased the possibility of a romance between Violet and Lady Danbury’s brother, Marcus.

Bridgerton season 3, part 1 ultimately explored several storylines outside Colin and Penelope’s relationship, like Francesca’s budding romance with John Stirling, the friction between Eloise and Penelope, Benedict’s fling with Lady Tilley Arnold, and more. So, when accounting for all these subplots that must be addressed, it’s understandable why Colin and Penelope’s time together feels diminished compared to the couples in Bridgerton seasons 1 and 2.