Breaking Down Colin & Penelope (POLIN Analysis)

Just a video analyzing every single Colin and Penelope scene on Bridgerton. This is just for fun, hopefully, it doesn't come off as me criticizing any characters. I think that the scenes between Colin and Penelope show that Colin already has feelings for her but is not ready to admit them. Please let me know if I missed anything.

The audio quality will improve in the future. Actively working on it :)

Timestamps
0:00 Intro
0:21 Season 1
3:39 Season 2
10:19 Conclusion

[PensiveWhiskers]

Hello! This video has some audio issues if you are listening using headphones (thank you to those who have pointed it out). I sincerely apologize for the audio, I promise it won't happen again. I also understand that some people disagree with me on the Penelope-Eloise situation that happens in Season 2. I 100% respect your opinion on that plot. If anyone is curious, I have a separate video explaining my thoughts on Penelope. Ultimately, I love the character, but I also want to try and analyze characters with an impartial eye (as best as I can, whether or not I am successful is debatable). It is the second video I ever made so it may not be the best in terms of quality, I may revisit her character after season 3. Whether you agree or disagree, I appreciate you. Thank you to everyone for your feedback!

[lilymiranda]

A lot of these are Luke’s choices as an actor because he read the book before filming season 1. So he’s been purposely incorporating these little bread crumbs and sprinkling little moments for fans to swoon over. Before I even knew that they were meant to end up together, before I even read Romancing Mister Bridgerton… based on just watching seasons 1 and 2, I was already shipping them. Because the foundation was always there. He’s been an idiot in love from the first episode. And I love that kind of ship.

[you_already_have_it]

I wanted to add up to 10:00. Colin danced (+flirted) with half of the women of the ton, yet his friends asked him only about Penelope! 😏. So. They noticed that he treats her differently.

[sarickacampbell]

You missing all the time he’s catching his breath. You caught the looks but he’s also catching his breath simultaneously.When he looks at her, he kind of forgets how to breathe for a second He doesn’t realize that he catches his breath when he sees her. The piano singing scene in season one and his return scene in season two. Also, the scene where he spots her and the Hastings ball in season one. The promenade scene after Anthony’s bundled nuptials. When Lady Featherington was talking to Violet. And they looked at each other. He caught his breath then too.

[lizsmith]

What I got from this video
Penelope: a wallflower
Also Penelope: catches Colin’s eyes IMMEDIATELY even though she was hiding like the wallflower she is
Colin: a big river of DENIAL when it comes to Penelope, but the eyes don’t lie Colin, they don’t lie…

[jessicarodriguez]

Yes the glances and long stares from each other is like a magnetic pull. He always finds a way to draw near to her and she to him. He’s broken so many society rules with Pen without realizing like writing letters to an unmarried woman that’s not his fiancé, grabbing her hand in even when it’s not to go dance, talking to a woman about gossip and being alone with her multiple times without a chaperone. Imagine when they finally become officially romantic in season 3, many rules will be broken. Polin ❤️

[ajc]

I always took the “never courting Penelope” comment as “her friendship is so incredibly important to me, I could never jeopardise that by considering courtship with her”. If they were to court and it didn’t work out, not only would he lose a love interest, but a very important friend as well. Luckily everything works out for them in the end 😉🥰

[Its_monae]

This is torture for me. I want the season to drop now.

[rtsyval]

9:14 i love that in this scene, as colin is saying "[...] without a father or husband to protect them.", when he says husband, the frame shows both pen and colin, a slight hint, perhaps!

[Shenanakins]

"You don't count" was not the best choice of words but i think what he was trying to say is that she is not a distraction. From his perspective, his goal is to become a better man so it doesn't make sense to swear off the person who actively motivates him and makes him better. The point is to avoid distractions but he doesn't see her as being distracting despite the fact that he literally won't stop seeking her out. Interacting with her is not distracting. its enriching. Plus she spends a lot of time at his house so he literally CANT commit to never speaking to her. She's such a big part of his life and he enjoys her company so much that its not really a promise he can keep. they're too close.

[Lmnaop]

Can’t wait for this season and this overanalysis of every Polin scene is exactly what I needed. I’m looking forward to this season the most because it’s a “she fell first, he fell harder” scenario. I think she’s gonna try to move on from colin and step up her game with her new financial independence in the next season. I think she’ll be a woman scorned given Colin’s comments about her to the guys last season, but everyone will realize how special she is once she’s able to dress and act with her own preference. Tbh they didn’t do a very good job making her out to be one of the ugly ducklings of the featheringtons bc her natural beauty shines through even when she’s dressed in unflattering cuts and colors. I love seeing the progression in the second season as she gets more elaborate with her hair and accessories, little things that she’s able to change with her whistledown money. They’re also going to be more grown up this season which will be an improvement. I’m excited to see Pen growing even more and I hope her and Eloise make up early in the season.

[Alina-zjzf]

I am absolutely amazed by the fact that they included all these things/ managed to build up so much tension and create Polin-scenes; meanwhile having different main characters S1+S2 (Daphne, Anthony).
It is all so subtle, romantic, beautiful - gosh I just looveee this show so much :, )

[cwispeee]

At 5:26 someone pointed out in tiktok that when Colin said "You do not count", he might have meant that he could not swear Penelope off, not that he doesn't see her as a woman. Which I think makes perfect sense, because he could've been so nervous and cornered that he said the wrong thing.

[tkanon]

Seasons 1&2 Colin is comfortable with, trust & enjoys Penelope’s company, is also slightly attracted to her but doesn’t know why (youth). That changes when they kiss in season 3… all of a sudden it clicks for him. The underlying interest, care, comfort & attraction makes sense to him.

[olesia]

In the end, I think it is pretty simple. He likes her, but doesn't want to accept it even for himself, because it is embarrassing to love such girl as Penelope. And men can be very cruel among each other, so he was trying to be cool in front of other men and told "of course I would never even think of courting Penelope".

[theluck]

Not me watching every single analysis until S3 comes out <3 I loved this one especially, I think you did a really good job of being straight to the point and pointing out all the smaller moments that lead up to big ones.

[Sadji]

I have to agree the looks. The smiles the slight holding of the breath. The constant looking for her and conversing with her. Even though you say she's your friend. You have to know that people would be looking at how well you guys interact and be thinking that you guys have a understanding. He is so digging Penelope, but I think because she's been his sister's friend all his life and she's not what the ton would consider an advantageous match. He doesn't know what to do with those feelings. And he hasn't going up to do.

[CryBaby_Cow]

I think Fife wonders why colin is always a round pen and is intrigued by her! I think we may get a seat jealous scene season between fife and pen dancing and Colin watching

[jameyst.peters]

Okay Polin stan as well. You did a grear job breaking it down. In the scene with the flowers you notice that he also has them tied with a pink ribbon, the near shade of the pink in Pen's gown. I also think the pauses are him being in awe of his friend's revealations. Just like he discovered her wit, he descovers her wisdom and compassion for others. Colin just doesnt realize these feelings are romantic sdmiration and I beliefe that is because he has nothing else to compare it to. Yes he has sisters, but all his other relationships with young women are frivolous. I cant wait for that anvil to drop on him

[kgoak]

This is the best Polin breakdown Ive seen over the past few days! A month & 1/2 before the first part is available, i can’t wait.