Netflix's "Bridgerton" sets records with bold new episodes

"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 revisited the previous adventures of Regency-era English society. Actors even traveled around the world during a special "Bridgerton"-style ball.

Nicola Coughlan, who plays the leading character of the latest season, Penelope, has openly shared in interviews that viewers can expect intimate scenes. She mentioned insisting on being shown nude to present a body far from the "Hollywood" standard to viewers. What can we expect from the second part of "Bridgerton"?

The first part ended so abruptly that it caused quite an internet storm among "Bridgerton" fans. The carriage scene spiked emotions, and 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, all of 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 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, they present a hot, passionate, and beautiful scene of Penelope's first encounter.

Netflix has pushed its boundaries. It's been long since anyone openly showcased an intimate defloration scene. It isn't very comfortable because cameras typically divert elsewhere, but we follow the characters' first intimacy for several minutes here.

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

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, colorful 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 June 13. How many people will reach for "Bridgerton" this time?