New seasons of the two popular shows, which put their fandoms to the test with lengthy hiatuses, are now available on TV and streaming services.
Bridgerton (Season 3, Part 1; Netflix)
It’s been a while since the bodice-clad antics of Netflix’s Bridgerton graced small screens, making romance fans and Regency-era aficionados swoon with delight. In its third season, the focus has turned to third son Colin (Luke Newton) and next-door neighbor Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) to get pulses racing. After ending last season heartbroken after overhearing harsh words from crush Colin and harsher words from former best friend Eloise (Claudia Jessie), Penelope Featherington has decided it’s time for a change. Weary of wilting away in a corner, the former wallflower has decided it’s her turn in the sun, giving way to a much-needed glow-up and a newfound quest to find a husband. In an effort to make amends, Colin promises to help Penelope. But, being Bridgerton, hidden affections have a way of deterring best-laid schemes.
This is only the first part of the anxiously awaited third season, and Bridgerton continues to follow its tried-and-true template: Two fantastic-looking people with great hair resist their mutual attraction, but end up falling in love. But the actors, particularly Coughlan, keep the story fresh despite recycled formulas, while the series goes whole hog in fleshing out minor characters who had previously just adorned the parties.
Side stories are abundant, with so many additional plots that the new season feels more like an anthology than a drama. But it is not all for naught, as one of the offshoots provides an imperative (if not a shocking) revelation.
There is also plenty of humor this season. Nothing that would make a viewer guffaw, but a few chuckles among the pomp and circumstance of court life, thanks to the frankness of Eloise and the daftness of the elder Featherington sisters, who are now given more to do than just appear like vapid doilies.
For fans of Bridgerton, the drama was worth the wait. In addition to the romance that Penelope so rightfully deserves (just as Coughlan deserves the spotlight), the show also packs in twice as many tales of the Ton. This comes in handy when unveiling the season’s big twist, which will have fans clutching their pearls.
Doctor Who (Season 14; BBC and Disney+)
After 60 years of bumping around time and space with spunky young companions, unbounded confidence, and questionable attire, the time-skipping Time Lord returns to the airwaves after a bit of stretch, which saw the goodbye of the first female Doctor, the return of a beloved Doctor, and the debut of a brand-new Doctor. Now settling into a swanky new T.A.R.D.I.S. and breaking in his new companion, the good Doctor (now played by Ncuti Gatwa) and his gal Friday, Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson), are ready to save the world. Again.
Welcome to a new season of Doctor Who.
After a Christmas that got the Doctor a brand-new companion, the first adventure for the duo opts to attack the hearts of viewers, as the time-hopping alien from Gallifrey and Ruby find themselves taking care of space babies. But the tale takes an unexpected turn into the serious when it makes a statement regarding laws on reproduction.
But while the new season of Doctor Who has something to say about modern times, it also embraces a more flamboyant nature this time around. Sensing a loss of interest in the show of late, the 14th season swings for the fences with big ideas, interesting guest stars, and fun concepts in time travel, like visiting a version of the Beatles made abysmal thanks to the devious plans of Drag Race superstar Jinkx Monsoon as a musically minded villain.
As the new Doctor, Gatwa has all the components one needs in a planet-hopping Time Lord — he’s charismatic and absolutely entertaining to watch, injecting the proper amount of panache and cockiness we have come to expect from any Doctor. As his companion, Gibson expresses just the right amount of wide-eyed wonder and cheekiness into the role, though she tones down her natural sparkle so as to not outshine the Doc when they share scenes.
Though the new season might not capture the full glory of previously exalted seasons of Doctor Who, it does promise to be more entertaining than the previous house calls. The newest Doctor assures an injection of much-needed vigor, as these episodes promise to be more vivacious and slightly more demented than previous outings, with far more to say about the state of the world, without blatantly stating it.
Published June 05, 2024
