There is a lot of speculation about the Featherington heir plot and how that will play out over the rest of this season. Many believe that Penelope will have the first boy who will inherit the Featherington Estate and Title, and that she will give birth this season, however, I have seen a theory on Tumblr that is not only interesting, but could be a possibility.
Image Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix
An anonymous ask on a Tumblr blog, suggested that perhaps the reason for the Mondrich storyline is that it will contrast with the Featherington storyline. This theory is interesting, and is one that is plausible when given some thought. As this anon on Tumblr pointed out, it is unlikely that Bridgerton will do what amounts to the exact same storyline for two characters, as such one of these storylines should play out differently.
With the Mondrich storyline we see the eldest son on Alice and Will inheriting a Barony, and with that we see, not only how they adjust to being part of society, but also the challenges of being the parent of the title holder whilst he remains a minor. If the writers were to go down the route of having one of the Featherington girls give birth to a boy - especially if it is Penelope - then the storyline could feel repetitive. It should be noted however, that with some of the storylines this season it does feel that being repetitive is not an issue for the new show-runner so it is still possible that they could play out the Featherington heir storyline to the conclusion of Penelope and Colin having a boy by the end of the season, however, this presents another issue for the show-runner and writing team. Not only will there be a repetition in terms of the Barony inheritance, but with Kate and Anthony widely rumoured to be expecting a child in the second part it could also feel like they are copying that storyline as well this season. The more I consider what the Tumblr anon suggested the more I can see it as a possibility, and that the show may be looking to contrast the Mondrich storyline with the Featherington storyline.
If the show are going to go down the road of this contrast, then it is possible the visit of Mr Dundas to both Will and Alice, and to Portia Featherington was foreshadowing this. We saw where Mr Dundas provided the information to Will and Alice of their son's inheritance, this contrasts with his visit to the Featherington Household. It was heavily implied that Mr Dundas suspected the document passing the estate onto the first of Portia's grandsons but that he could not prove it. With a timeline being provided to Portia for one of the Featherington Girls to have an heir (ie: before Mr Dundas discovered that the document was a forgery), the great Featherington heir race began.
Image Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix
With Prudence seemingly not enjoying sex, and Philippa not knowing how to have sex, there was a potential foreshadowing that Penelope could have the heir, however, it also set it up that Mr Dundas has been given the luxury of time in order to investigate the document (despite him being portrayed as lazy). Leaks suggest that Colin and Penelope will have their own home, and that it will be away from Grosvenor Square, and with both Prudence and Philippa married, then it will make sense for the Featherington storylines to be completed and have them depart the series, and what better way than by having them lose everything and have no reason to remain in London? Portia could retire to the countryside and Prudence and Philippa will just fade out of society as married ladies.
