Cressida Cowper, a minor character before Bridgerton Season 3, is now part of a sensational conspiracy in Episode 6. Her revelation is that she is Lady Whistledown, purely so she does not have to marry Lord Greer and be financially fixed for it, was a well-written twist. But it has made things complicated far more than I had envisioned, and I like it.
I was never invested in the “Lady Whistledown” storyline, but the writers have made me a fan. Of course, at the end of Episode 6, Colin learns Penelope’s secret as the story enters the endgame.
Penelope and Colin
(L-R) Colin and Penelope in Bridgerton Season 3, Episode 6 (Credit – Netflix)
Episode 6 is a strange time for Penelope. She’s due to be married to her lifelong best friend, but the Lady Whistledown drama is hanging over her like a heavy dark cloud. It also does not help that Colin senses something is on her mind, intensifying the chapter.
But, with all the pressure, at least momentarily, Penelope is ready to give up her life as a secret journalist and goes all in for a marriage with Colin. Despite the problems that arise at the tail end of the episode, she is ready to give Cressida all the credit.
Lord Kilmartin and Francesca Bridgerton Want A Quick Wedding
Francesca (L) and Lady Bridgerton (R) are in disagreement over the proposed marriage to Lord Kilmartin in Bridgerton Season 3 (Credit – Netflix)
The relationship between Lord Kilmartin and Francesca Bridgerton is perhaps the most wholesome connection in Bridgerton so far. The introverted couple is relatable. They want peace and life together, nothing more. And with this, they want a swift wedding. They ask Lady Bridgerton to speak to Queen Charlotte to get this arranged, but, as the viewer, you can sense something is wrong.
And my intuition was correct. At the Mondrich Ball, Lady Bridgerton refuses to speak to the Queen despite a protest from Francesca. For whatever reason, Lady Bridgerton feels the full pressure of the marriage market for her daughter Francesca. She does not give an entire reason as to why she does not support her marriage to Kilmartin. It’s a sad state of affairs because the mother of the family is usually the most understanding.
Cressida Cowper, AKA Lady Whistledown 2.0
Cressida declares herself as “Lady Whistledown) in Bridgerton Season 3 (Credit – Netflix)
Throughout Episode 6, rumors spread around the city that Cressida is Lady Whistledown, but it’s apparent that she isn’t. Cressida’s plan has worked — Lord Greer has rescinded his offer for marriage, but her father is furious, threatening to send her away.
However, the reality of what she has done hits her when she’s invited to see Queen Charlotte. She asks for her £5,000 reward, but Queen Charlotte is skeptical and asks about her latest issue. If she does not produce a new issue, she will not be allowed again in her court or vicinity. She’s at risk of being cast out of society.
And her desperation reeks. She deserves it, let’s be honest. Cressida even asks Eloise to help her write an issue, but ultimately, it ends their friendship as Cressida accuses Eloise of being envious. And when she reads the start of her first issue to her mother, Lady Cowper, which is only a couple of sentences, it suddenly becomes a “fuck around and find out” situation. She did not consider the circumstances of revealing that she is Lady Whistledown.
But Cressida does not give up, and at the Ball, she gives the Queen a gift — the latest Lady Whistledown edition: everyone at the Ball is handed the newsletter, and the Queen is impressed and pleased. The issue states that Lady Whistledown needed a rest and will be back. The biggest change is that Lady Whistledown will now be known as “Cressida Cowper” (like we needed this complicating further).
Eloise and Penelope Decide To Work Together
Penelope Featherington and Eloise Bridgerton are finally friends again (Credit – Netflix)
The rise of Cressida means that ex-friends need to be friends again. Plus, Eloise believes that if Colin knew that Penelope was Lady Whistledown, he would be heartbroken. Initially, Eloise tells Penelope to give up her life as Lady Whistledown, give all the credit to Cressida, and enjoy marriage instead. Penelope accepts that eventually, but when they see Cressida take all the credit at the Ball, something stirs within both of them.
Neither of them wanted Cressida to have the fame of a successful woman, especially when it was all earned by Penelope. And Penelope goes into a monologue about why she started Lady Whistledown: she wanted a voice because she felt powerless. Eloise tells Penelope to get an issue out before Cressida does, to bring her down once and for all.
Episode 6 Ends With Colin Learning of Penelope’s Secret
Colin learns that Penelope is Lady Whistledown (Credit – Netflix)
Unfortunately, however, Penelope’s worst nightmare comes true. Colin is behind her as she delivers her latest issue to the printers. Presumably, he followed her, suspicious of her behavior at the Ball. Colin looks dismayed to learn that Penelope is Lady Whistledown, jeopardizing their future. I know this had to happen eventually, but it didn’t make the scene less painful to watch. At this moment, Penelope could have lost everything.
Lady Whistledown’s Telegram
Here are some smaller moments from Episode 6 that may become important later:
- Alice and Will decide to sell the club and tell Lady Danbury.
- Lord Anderson visits Lady Bridgerton to get the hat he had forgotten (so he can see her). A romance is developing.
- Colin reveals he is writing a manuscript.
- Benedict catches Lady Tilley kissing her male friend, and they ask if he’d like to join them in a threesome. Benedict is overwhelmed and leaves.
- Lady Danbury angrily confronts Lord Anderson about his interest in Lady Bridgerton and insists he doesn’t take her friend away from her. Danbury accuses her brother of taking her chance at happiness during the night she was meant to be married. She believes he betrayed her to their father.
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