So I just finished watching Season 3 of Bridgerton and I have some opinions. Buckle up.

The first thing is, I realized that I am not a fan of a Rake. I hated it in Season 1, I hated it in Season 2, and even though Colin Bridgerton isn't really a Rake, I hate that Penelope reads of his sexual exploits in his journal (which isn't what the journal contains in the book, apparently). It just made me feel sorry for her. 

So why do I hate a Rake? Mostly, I hate how the men of the world of Bridgerton are thought of as gentlemen, meanwhile they run around sticking their dicks in anyone they can. Pardon me, into anyone who isn't a member of the ton. The men and women who aren't in high society just don't count, I guess. And when you realize that these lovers wouldn't have been in a position to refuse the rake even if they'd wanted to, thanks to their social and economic status? Yeah, ew. 

Meanwhile, a woman of "good breeding" is considered ruined from just being unchaperoned with a man. In Season One, The Duke of Hastings is forced to marry Daphne Bridgerton because they were discovered alone together (there's a little more to it, but that's the gist). Never mind the Duke's reputation as an unrepentant Rake of the highest order. How ridiculous is that? He can sleep with half the country, but she can't be alone with a man for a few minutes or she's unmarriageable? Gross.

Then there's Season 2. I understand why Kate Sharma would try to steer her younger sister away from Anthony Bridgerton. He was an unapologetic Rake, as well. I wouldn't want that for my younger sister either. Especially since he made it obvious he wasn't looking for a love match. Out of the three seasons so far, I enjoyed this one the most. Something about the way Kate puts Anthony in his place is just delicious. 

And then there's Season 3, Colin and Penelope. I know there's some talk online about how these two wouldn't be a couple because of Penelope's body type, but that's crap. She's curvy and gorgeous, and Colin should be so lucky. But despite that, I agree they shouldn't be a couple. Colin is an overgrown child. His travels did nothing to mature him, and I think Penelope would have been better off to stay far away from him. That doesn't mean Lord Debling was a better choice, either. He didn't deserve her any more than Colin. I stand firm in my opinion that Penelope was better than both of those men. But especially Colin. She should have made him grovel for his comments about never courting her, and for his complete lack of awareness to how he made her feel. Plus, it's obvious to me that he's jealous of Penelope's success when he finds out she's Lady Whistledown. That she was so distraught over all of it was infuriating. 

On top of the Bridgerton men and their nonsense, there's the whole "high society" thing in the first place. I find it maddening to watch the enormous wealth of these people, knowing the whole time that they contribute next to nothing meaningful to the world. I watch, and find myself wondering what the maids and servants think about all this. I want to know what they get up to when these opulent balls are being thrown. I keep looking to the faces of the lady's maids, and the footmen and valets, to see what they think about what's happening. I understand that the show is about the peerage, but sometimes I find their worries so superficial and pointless.

All that said, I will hate-watch the next season, and any that come after, just like I hate-watched this one.If Shonda does anything right, it's make watchable television. Even if I'm angry the entire time I watch. (Funnily enough, I quit watching Grey's Anatomy years ago.)

On the other side of things, I've read the first two books in the series, and enjoyed them a great deal more than I like the show. Not sure if I'll continue with reading the series, but I certainly won't go out of my way to avoid it.