Bridgerton season three's bold return: 45 million views and rising tension

"Bridgerton" is taking Netflix by storm. The first three episodes topped the service among users worldwide, garnering over 45 million views in just a few days. The buzz was so great that many viewers even revisited the previous seasons of the adventures of Regency-era English society. The actors travelled worldwide, including visiting Poland during a special "Bridgerton"-style ball.

Nicola Coughlin, who plays the leading character of the latest season, Penelope, openly shared in interviews that viewers can expect intimate scenes. She mentioned that she insisted on being shown nude, thus presenting a body far from the "Hollywood" standard to the viewers. What does the second part of "Bridgerton" look like?

The first part ended so abruptly that it caused quite an internet storm among "Bridgerton" fans. The carriage scene spiked emotions to the point where interrupting the series at such a moment didn't go unnoticed. The second part picks up right from that break. Colin and Penelope meet with the Bridgertons to announce their engagement, and moments later, the entire London is abuzz with the news, courtesy of Lady Whistledown's pamphlet.

Penelope's happiness is partial. She receives an emotional blow from her friend and then from her mother. She knows that the idyll will dramatically end if Colin learns her secret. However, before the problems truly emerge, the creators of "Bridgerton" further intensify the atmosphere. At the 15-minute mark, they serve a hot, passionate, and beautiful scene of Penelope's first encounter.

Netflix has pushed its boundaries. It's been a long time since anyone openly showcased an intimate defloration scene. It's almost embarrassing because cameras typically divert elsewhere, but in this case, for several minutes, we follow the characters' first intimacy.

Everyone will be talking about this scene, and it's no surprise. Netflix did it well, showing how crucial and beautiful partner communication is at such a moment. It’s not mindless sex to drive up viewership but a well-guided relationship. Penelope stands naked before the mirror, unashamed of her body. Colin guides her, openly explaining what will happen, what she might feel, and how she can touch him.

Kudos to Shonda Rhimes, the showrunner of "Bridgerton", for deciding to portray this scene in such a way. You can count on one hand the series that have presented a woman's curvy body so beautifully—and this is just the first 15 minutes of the series!

Even the first new episode is full of sensations. Queen Charlotte starts hunting for Lady Whistledown, Penelope tries not to panic, and Cressida meets her much older future husband. Beneath tons of hairspray, colourful crepe, and tight corsets, "Bridgerton" is primarily a story about girls and women trying to be themselves and live their way in strange times.

The second part of the third season will undoubtedly break viewership records and cause a stir online. At times, it's a pity that so much happens in these new episodes that the relationship between Colin and Penelope seems to fade a bit. The previous stories' strength was society's struggles, but primarily the relationship between the main characters. Here, they multiply with each new episode. The latest episodes have been available on Netflix since 13 June. How many people will reach for "Bridgerton" this time?