‘Bridgerton’ Season 3: Why we support this sharp-minded fan favorite's controversial friendship with Cressida Cowper
Contains spoilers for 'Bridgerton' and Julia Quinn's book series
LONDON, ENGLAND: Fans hoped for Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Eloise Bridgerton's (Claudia Jessie) friendship to be repaired in 'Bridgerton' Season 3. However, the changes in Eloise's behavior have truly come as a shock to many.
In Part 1 of Season 3, we see a rude and mean side of her character. Even in the trailer of Part 2 of the running season, she appears as the villain in Penelope's newfound happiness.
One of the surprising changes that happened after her fallout with Penelope in 'Bridgerton' Season 2 is her friendship with Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen).
Eloise Bridgerton and Cressida Cowper's friendship isn't as bad as you think
When her older siblings were busy finding a match for themselves, Eloise set on a mission to uncover the identity of Lady Whistledown, the gossip columnist.
By the end of 'Bridgerton' Season 2, she succeeded in her mission, but it caused an end to her friendship with Penelope. Eloise felt hurt and betrayed knowing that her best friend Penelope was the one who wrote scandalous gossip about her family.
In Season 3, Penelope hopes to reconcile her issues with Eloise, who in fact, has now befriended Cressida.
Their friendship does come as a shock to many as Cressida has never been kind to Penelope and continues to insult her in Season 3, Episode 1. Eloise had even mentioned in Season 2 that she would rather die than be friends with Cressida. The events have now unfolded in such a way that their friendship is now the center of focus among fans, wondering where this friendship is leading.
While this new friendship may be concerning, one needs to understand why the two grew closer and it isn't as bad as it seems.
Eloise is still not over with Penelope after their friendship ended on a bitter note. Being friends with Penelope's enemy Cressida could be her way of getting back at her by scarring her emotionally.
Even if that's not the case, one may assume that Cressida filled the void in Eloise's life after her fallout with Penelope. Probably Eloise has no intentions to hurt Penelope by befriending her enemy and instead just wants to move on from the betrayal.
Why is Eloise Bridgerton and Cressida Cowper's friendship important in 'Bridgerton'?
This friendship could change the course of a lot of things in 'Bridgerton'. During their friendship, a more sensitive side of Cressida comes to light, which is completely skipped in Julia Quinn's books.
Eloise discovers that Cressida is struggling with family problems. Moreover, Cressida is slowly transforming into a better person after her friendship with Eloise. This is a refreshing change that we didn't know we wanted until it happened.
Moreover, this friendship could turn into something special in upcoming seasons. Fans have been speculating that Eloise is gay since Season 1. Moreover, the Netflix show has not introduced any gay character in the show so far.
While the Julia Quinn's book series lacks gay love stories, fans are hoping for the Netflix show to take the much-needed liberty. If that happens, Eloise and Cressida could be the first gay love couple in 'Bridgerton'.
In the novel, Eloise never ends her friendship with Penelope. Eventually, Eloise and Cressida's friendship doesn't exist in the books.
However, as the Netflix adaptation has already diverted from the source material, we can hope that Eloise and Cressida's friendship turns into something more meaningful and lasting.
How to stream 'Bridgerton'?
'Bridgerton' Season 3: Part 2 will arrive on Netflix on June 13, 2024. Prior to its release, you can binge-watch Season 1, 2, and Season 3: Part 1 on the streaming platform.
A monthly/yearly subscription to Netflix is required to stream 'Bridgerton'.
'Bridgerton' Season 3: Part 2 trailer
