A few days before Christmas Entertainment Weekly published an article on Bridgerton season 3 which included a still of Penelope and Eloise from episode 1 of season 3. In this post I am going to have a closer look at this still.
Image Credit: L iam Daniel/Netflix via Entertainment Weekly
The Looks
Eloise:
We see Eloise in a very pale Bridgerton Blue dress with sheer sleeves, a move away from her more tailored season 2 outfits. Eloise is also carrying a sheer shawl, and a matching reticule. The shawl is an interesting addition for Eloise, something we have not seen before, and it would be interesting to know if this is an influence from Kate, who often had a shawl or pashmina in season 2. The embroidery embellishments on Eloise's dress are floral, and blend in nicely with her dress. From what I can see this is a much less fussy, and nicer, dress than what we saw in the picture with the family. Overall from what is visible, if this is Eloise's look for season 3 it is not a bad look, though it is very different from her season 2 look, highlighting that there are different costume designers.
Eloise's hair is shorter here than we have seen it previously, which is not too unusual for a woman in Regency England where some women would cut their hair shorter. Eloise has her hair in a half up half down style with a Blue hair accessory in a shade or two darker than her dress.
Penelope:
This is obviously before Penelope has her makeover - or glow up - as we see her in a recycled yellow dress with pink flower appliqué. Penelope's hair is also in one of her older styles with tight curls and a side pony tail ringlet that drapes over her shoulder. Penelope has a hair accessory that looks as if it could be pink and yellow, which will match her dress. Penelope's look indicates that this still is potentially from a scene very early on in the episode.
The Stances
We see here that there is a significant physical distance between Penelope and Eloise in comparison to previous seasons, which is representative of their emotional distance after the fight in season 2.
Eloise is standing with her arms crossed, looking quite angry with Penelope. The arms crossed is a protective stance as she is closing herself in, and also covering the heart, which suggests that Eloise does not trust Penelope and feels a need to protect herself. This would make sense after the betrayal by Penelope in season 2.
Penelope looks more like she is pleading with Eloise, and is more submissive in her stance, with her hands loosely clasped low in front of her body, leaving her heart open to Eloise, potentially in a show of trust, but almost certainly in a moment of vulnerability. This contrasts with Eloise's closed stance, and covering of her heart area showing a distrust towards Penelope.
The Setting
This scene is taking place at Madame Delacroix's shop, and therefore is likely a rather public interaction of the two of them, potentially with family members present. We don't see who either Penelope or Eloise are at the Modiste's shop with, but Penelope is possibly there with Prudence and Portia, though she could be on her own, whilst Eloise could be there with her mother, or Kate, or both and Francesca. What is interesting is that many of the stills of these two from previous seasons have been set in the Bridgerton home, a more intimate setting, and those that have been in public (eg: the market) have shown them in a closer more intimate pose. That this is set in a public place, with a pose showing their distance, sets a different tone for Eloise and Penelope in season 3.
So what are your thoughts about this image?
Do you think Penelope is pleading with Eloise? Do you think Eloise is still feeling betrayed and angry with Penelope? Or do you think this could be the first step to reconciliation for Eloise and Penelope?
