‘Bridgerton’ Season 3 Part 1 Finds a Swoon-Worthy Suitor in Lord Debling

Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 knows that it will always be Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton who get the happily ever after. Still, these first four episodes introduce a worthy contender for Penelope’s heart in Lord Alfred Debling, played by Sam Phillips. Bridgerton couldn’t have found a better person to offer Penelope what she needs (but not what she wants and needs), make Colin jealous, and inadvertently stir the pot between Penelope and Cressida Cowper. Lord Debling quietly becomes the suitor of the season by being uniquely romantic and staying true to himself.

Bridgerton 3×01, “Out of the Shadows,” introduces him through his interest in Penelope. He approaches her and immediately makes an impression with the line, “And, why do I have the feelings that you, in turn, know how to make one wither if you so choose?” Of course, Penelope Featherington is too stunned to speak after Debling says that. After two seasons of suitors looking past her to see her sisters or past her family altogether, it’s impressionable that Debling and Penelope’s meet-cute is so flirty and forward. It also makes it a shame that Debling isn’t present in Bridgerton 3×02, “How Bright the Moon.”

However, that episode develops the rom-com elements of Penelope and Colin’s story through Penelope’s charm lessons. Strengthening the foundation Bridgerton has built over the last two seasons is crucial for their friend-to-lovers romance. Moreover, it gives Debling something to destabilize – if only slightly – when he reappears.

By Bridgerton 3×03, “Forces of Nature,” Penelope can use the skills that Colin helped her sharpen to appeal to Lord Debling. The great thing about this suitor is that he still approaches Penelope first, complimenting her before she ever utilizes the tactics society encourages women to use to find a husband. Debling appreciates how Penelope steps “away from the herd, even though” she risks “becoming a target.” Debling admires her frankness, calling it “immensely refreshing.” Their banter is fantastic; Debling’s mind is quick, like Penelope’s. Of course, their chemistry doesn’t hold a candle to the sparks between Penelope and Colin, but it’s still attention-grabbing. Penelope deserves that!

Penelope deserves to feel admired and beautiful. So, Debling’s interest in Penelope makes Colin squirm, which is more than warranted after his comments on Bridgerton 2×08, “The Viscount Who Loved Me.” More importantly, it also reminds the ton that Penelope Featherington is a catch who has gone overlooked as a wallflower for long enough.

Bridgerton. (L to R) Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington, Jessica Madsen as Cressida Cowper in episode 301 of Bridgerton. Cr. Laurence Cendrowicz/Netflix © 2024

Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 also uses Debling’s appeal to get to know the ton’s resident mean girl, Cressida Cowper, who is unsurprisingly much more than a mean girl. The show needs a character like Debling to get around Cressida’s tough exterior, and “Forces of Nature” spotlights the moment that happens. Mostly, Cressida doesn’t see Debling as a person, only a prize to be won (from Penelope because Cressida loves competition) to finally get a husband and secure her family’s status and wealth. His interests aren’t interesting to her; they’re only a path to a proposal – until Cressida’s guard drops.

The beginning of “Forces of Nature” makes it painfully apparent that most Ambitious Mamas see Lord Debling as peculiar, if not entirely strange. He is a conservationist who only eats vegetables and would rather spend his time in the remoteness of nature than the ton’s bustling society. He is an outlier, which makes him the perfect suitor for Penelope and Cressida – two women who have not found a match but want its freedoms.

Bridgerton could only make time and space for how and why Debling and Penelope would make a good fit, but it also spotlights his character. For instance, Sam Phillips and Nicola Coughlan play the scene where Debling inquires about proposing to Penelope so tenderly in Bridgerton 3×04, “Old Friends.” Debling’s approach through Penelope’s love of romance books is endearing and romantic. He’s eager to dance with her at the ball but equally enthusiastic about stepping out of Penelope’s way when he learns about her feelings for Colin. There’s a sureness to Debling that is alluring – even to Cressida Cowper.

Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1. Pictured: Sam Phillips and Nicola Coughlan. Photo credit: Netflix via X.

“Forces of Nature” sees this in real-time after Debling says he prefers to stay far away from family. Jessica Madsen plays that beat well because it is blink-and-you’ll-miss-it recognition from Cressida. It’s a vulnerable peak under her armor that only grows when Debling says, “Trying to fit in with my family is like trying to force a camel through the edge of a needle. Rather than shrink my sides, I decided long ago to forge my own path, far away from them. If that makes any sense.” For once, Cressida can relate to someone.

The irony is that if she stopped trying to compete with her for five seconds, Cressida could also find companionship in Penelope. Maybe, one day – perhaps even in Bridgerton Season 3 Part 2 – there will be space for Cressida, Eloise, and Penelope to be friends.

Nevertheless, Lord Debling ends Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 without proposing to anyone – Penelope or Cressida – and will still travel North, leaving for three years. It’s all but certain that the next four episodes of this season will be an intimate exploration of Penelope and Colin’s romance (That cliffhanger!) – as it should be. However, Bridgerton is as much a romance show as it is an ensemble piece. It balances the two with great skill, so, ideally, the last four episodes will also catch up with Debling. Even though his courtship of Penelope doesn’t end the way he thinks, there is still a story there worth telling with a confident and kindhearted suitor that is worth rooting for.

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Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 is streaming on Netflix now!