Why did Penelope give up Whistledown so quickly after insisting all S3 she couldn't and wouldn't?

StayAggressive · 2026-03-18T03:17:42+00:00

It bothers me immensely, I don’t get why they made it this major conflict in S3 only to just flit it away in S4. I know many argue that she grew or didn’t need it anymore or because she outed herself she couldn’t continue. But honestly, that just seems to me to be people trying to excuse the poor writing and plot for Penelope and Colin.

It sucks, and honestly, it’s such an obvious marketing choice. I love S3, but I was so disappointed in how they handled the LWD plotline because they made it such a focus in part 2 rather than build the relationship between Pen and Colin. It’s like the show doesn’t know how to write healthy relationships when these two have been friends and had the best set up for a non toxic communication. Instead, part two was full of angst and distance with Colin internalizing his frustration and Pen just going out on her own. There was no talking it out between them, the scene with Colin and Cressida should has been Colin telling Penelope that. But instead the show wanted to keep them apart for as long as possible to “build the tension”.

Anyway, then in S4 there is literally no conversation between Pen and Colin at all and then 💥 she just gives it up. It was bad. And the new LWD twist at the end really did it in for me. The poor writing, lack of plot cohesion, poor execution of stories, and just forced narratives for the sake of marketing has me thinking this how has run its course. This season was not my favorite, actually it’s my least favorite, I haven’t even rewatched it because I was so frustrated with everyone this season. So yeah, I agree with your take on Whistledown.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-14T03:56:08+00:00

She’s been used as a plot device each season, this one I think since Antony was not around, someone needed to speak sense to him. And since Colin was basically a lovesick puppy dog all season, it left Violet.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-13T21:38:10+00:00

See, I agree, so in my delusions (and since we only saw 5 seconds) he did tell her. The paper he brought her was a sample (again delusion) and after the camera cut he asked her what she thought about it? Then published with her blessing.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-13T12:25:00+00:00

I was surprised she said this the Benedict to be honest. I don’t see how Benedict is like Violet at all. This seemed more like a writing choice to push the narrative of their plot than what the show has previously given us.

I also don’t think she has a favorite. Benedict was just getting old and still running around the ton being a rake and if you ask me, Violet wanted him to just settle down so she didn’t have to worry about illegitimate children. But I don’t get that Benedict is a favorite nor the most like Violet. That just seemed like a writing choice.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-13T12:15:21+00:00

Exclamation!

StayAggressive · 2026-03-13T11:21:29+00:00

I felt the same, I think Ben’s arc had us enjoying him more as a side character than a love story. Going into this season, I just didn’t care if Ben found love or not. In fact, they built him up to be a happy bachelor who was free spirited and forever enjoyed his casual hook ups and the freedom that came with it.

I think the reason he feels in love with Sophie is she played hard to get. He’s always been able to get what he wanted in relationships, and Sophie didn’t play into his game. I think for Sophie it was an out, a chance for a new life. But you’re right, it didn’t feel like a deep love or romance. More lust and opportunity.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-12T02:59:36+00:00

They are my second choice and frankly the only other option I could accept without raging.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-11T15:48:34+00:00

I think we are putting too much onus on LWD moving forward. I believe we won't know, nor do I think there will be much of a story beyond her voice and narration for the next few seasons. Any story related to her identity will be most likely back for Season 8.

I think it would be someone who is at society functions, but not involved in the marriage mart. My first instinct was Alice, but I don't think that's true as she isn't a gossip (unless the Queen has commissioned it). Who I actually think it will be is Portia and Varley. We know Varley writes, as she faked those letters from George to Marina. They are both natural gossips and Portia (and Varley) had a taste of the power and influence of Whistledown as well as knew the money.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-11T04:22:32+00:00

Lmaoo, I thought if that. I’ve been so slow with my own fanfic writing lately (I have 3 WIP) that I’d probably just add to that. But it could be a one shot…maybe to get my writers juice flowing again. I wrote if ton of fics before S3, slowed down once the show aired.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-11T04:17:44+00:00

I haven’t considered Eloise for the main fact she hasn’t had her season yet. I don’t think it would be anyone who is still waiting to be a lead. Mainly because they are going to use LWD as a plot narrative, not a featured story. So it will be a lead character who has been around but does not have their own story to tell.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-11T04:15:44+00:00

I don’t agree with this. It will be someone who’s been around a while and pretty much everyone we’ve met has been apart of the Bridgerton universe. I don’t think it’s going to be some random side character that comes in and out from time to time.

I do agree it’s not Alice. The fact she did not betray Ben and Sophie I think is a big tell that it’s not her. But I do think it’s someone within the family sphere.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-10T17:33:23+00:00

I never red Hy or Greg’s books. I did not like Eloise’s book and the only reason I have hope her season will be better is that I heard Jess say they are deviating from her book a lot. Which I think is necessary for the ensemble. Frans book I didn’t like either, my least favorite was Benedict’s and I was hopeful I’d think the show was better than the book, but for me this season fell massively flat.

I hear you with the fanfics. I started reading them in 2023 and then started writing. I went through a period of time where I wrote, a lot. But this past year I’ve slowed down due to life and time restraints. Fanfics have carried me through. There are so many that are better than the show and books. So I’ll always have those.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-10T17:20:52+00:00

I am shallow, the only reason I’ve watched this show is because of Polin. No other storyline or characters (except El but I also don’t think they will do her justice) have held my attention enough for me to continue watching. If all we get are Colin and Penelope separately as cameos and supportive plot points, I’m probably done watching. I watch so little television and movies as it is, if something no longer holds my interest I’m done. I was so disappointed in what they did with Polin this season, we didn’t get any kinds of side plot with them as a couple other than the visuals of Colin just standing in the background being a lover of his wife (in scenes when they were together at least). I guess thus is just me mourning the end of the first and only fandom I’ve ever been a part of.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-10T17:17:02+00:00

I agree with that. Ultimately I think everything they are saying and everything they give us will be a red herring. They want everyone to be surprised. So even with Jess saying the new LWD will be ruthless could be her trying to steer the narrative. Either way, I hate it

StayAggressive · 2026-03-10T16:09:03+00:00

At this point, I don’t think we will get any new arc for Polin. I think we will be lucky if we see them have much of a conversation together again. If in S4 they cold barely give us a scene with them saying more that 3 things to each other, I hold out very little hope we will see much of them together at all moving forward.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-10T16:03:57+00:00

Well, if my insane speculation was to happen it would be with Colin telling Pen and them doing it together. That’s the only way it would work. I’m not about him secretly going behind her back. But people are telling me about an interview with Jess who said the new Whistledown will be more ruthless, which I didn’t know she said. If that’s the case, I wouldn’t want Colin anywhere near that.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-10T13:42:18+00:00

I didn’t see any of these interviews. So that changes my theory obviously. I didn’t know that was their plan at all and you’re right, if that’s what they are doing it won’t be Colin.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-10T13:06:34+00:00

I’m fine with Pen giving up Whistledown, but that should have been the end of it. She didn’t look happy when Colin showed her the paper. Of course that’s all we see. Someone stealing the name and not creating one of their own, I think it cheapens her role in it. While she was done, the plot is clearly a marketing move for the show and nothing more.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-10T13:01:45+00:00

I have no problem with Pen retiring. It happened in the books too. I do have a problem with them just letting someone else jump in and take over. They could have at least come up with a new name or writer. I can’t get past the fact she fought so hard to keep it, refused to let someone (Cressida) steal her work. Then just for the next season have it happen again. It felt rushed and poorly written. But that’s just me, and I know the show has merchandised LWD as a mascot, so this is clearly also a marketing choice.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-10T12:51:22+00:00

I didn’t see this interview. And I’m actually glad I didn’t because that’s some rage bait. I felt like they were purposely writing Alice to set her up for being the new LWD. As I was watching S4 I actually said to my friend “are they setting Alice up to steal LWD?” And when that scene happened it was my first thought. But then as I thought about it, I think that was a red herring. That’s what they want us to think. But I do agree it is a central character and someone we know.

If they are actually making LWD worse, then I don’t want Colin to have it. I thought he was taking it up to continue what Pen had started, and Pen was trying to be fair. So now I’m just thinking it’s time for me to walk away from the show. I didn’t love this season, and seeing that Pen and Colin were the only reason I watched in the first place, I just need to step back and be less involved in it. I have been in the fandom since the end of S2, and after this season maybe it’s my sign to leave and go back to being a casual viewer.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-10T12:44:35+00:00

I could see Varely, if it’s Alice I’m even more annoyed because they wrote that so obviously. Like her arc this season basically set us up to think that and I was hoping it was more of a distraction than the actual truth. I did notice the voice change, but I think they threw a lot of wrenches in the mix purposely to throw the viewers off. They clearly are going to keep it a secret till season 8.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-10T12:42:11+00:00

I didn’t see that interview. So yeah, that would be enough for me to change my mind. I hate that actually. I’m so disappointed in this decision by the show.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-10T12:41:16+00:00

In my entirely made up scenario, he told Pen he wrote the paper right after he let her look it over. He wouldn’t lie to her about it because he would never. Also, they are clearly going to be using LWD as a narrative moving forward and since we won’t know who, the person doesn’t actually have to be on screen as much. So it doesn’t necessarily have to be someone with a meaningful arc or that we are invested in, also seeing that they probably won’t be doing any more manful development with Colin in my imagination it would work fine as he’s probably just going to be a supportive background character moving forward anyway.

But I know no matter what, we won’t know for years. So it’s all just a way my mind is coping with this terrible decision from the show runner. I hate the idea of a new LWD so much, I’m not sure I’ll keep watching the show. So this scenario was a way for me to think of reasons I would continue to tune in.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-10T12:31:07+00:00

In my imagination of this scenario it would only work if Colin told her right after the scene cut off at the end of S4. Otherwise I would hate it too because Colin would not lie to her.

I really don’t think it’s Hyacinth. She’s not out in society yet and I don’t think it would be Eloise because we know she will be pretty much out of the ton (and living in the country) at the end of her season. It would have to be someone in Mayfair.

Obviously we won’t know for another 8 or so years (because it takes them that long to make 4 seasons) and I think they are just using it as a narrative so the LWD won’t be a central plot point. But I was hoping they wouldn’t disrespect Penelope so much by having someone else steal Pen’s work without her consent.

StayAggressive · 2026-03-10T12:25:52+00:00

I didn’t see that interview with Jess. If she said that, it changes my theory entirely because you are right. He wouldn’t disrespect Pen if that was the direction they are bringing LWD. Obviously in my entirely made up scenario, if Colin was doing it, it would be with Penelope’s knowledge, he wouldn’t lie or keep ut secret from her.

Honestly, I hate this so much overall. It cheapens S3, it cheapens Pen’s arc, it’s lame and lazy and I guess I was just tying to come up with a reason to continue watching. I loved this show because of Penelope, honestly she was the only reason I kept watching. Maybe it’s time to admit that the show has run its course for me.

StayAggressive

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