I was doing some math (like one does when trying to fall back asleep on a Sunday morning), and here’s the thing.
In season three, we have nine characters with their own narrative arch (meaning one which begins and is brought to its resolution by the end of the season; it doesn’t matter whether it’s good, or if it’s an open ending): Francesca and John, Benedict, Eloise, Violet and Lady Danbury (plus Marcus), Cressida, and that single blob that is Portia & the Featheringhtons.
We also have four supportive characters that have a place of some relevance within the general plot: Kate and Anthony (as last season’s couple and heads of the family), Queen Charlotte, and lord Debling (although the latter is a plot-device.)
Then we have our main couple, who was supposed to be the focus of this season, and their so-called gooseberry: Colin and Penelope, and Lady Whistledown (because storywise, she IS treated like a third party to this pair.)
And lastly, we have the number of episodes that compose this season: eight, none exceeding the fifty minutes runtime (once you cut credits and opening titles).
I remember I was left enthusiastic after finishing part one; but what I learnt from part two, is that we have a clear overabundance of stuff, and not a plate wide enough to contain all of it.
Pity.
