Bridgerton fans divided over 'soft porn' sex scene in season three: 'So awkward'

Bridgerton fans were glued to their screens on Thursday night as the heavily anticipated second part of season 3 dropped on Netflix. The third season, which has followed the blossoming love story between Penelope (Nicole Coughlan) and Colin (Luke Newton) - affectionately dubbed Polin by fans - , has proven to be yet another ratings hit for the streamer - with some viewers reportedly taking the day off of work to see how the romance would unfold.

Known for its super steamy sex scenes, the most recent Bridgerton eps did not disappoint as Colin and Penelope 'celebrated' their love for the first time...for six whole minutes. The passionate encounter, which was masterfully set to Ariana Grande's 'POV' left fans divided, with some praising it for its 'honest representation' and others slamming it for being awkward.

Fans praise sex scene for body positivity

Nicola has previously revealed that when it came time for her X-rated scenes, she made sure she had a nude scene as a "big f*** you" to people who have body-shamed her in the past.

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"I specifically asked for certain lines and moments to be included," she said. "There’s one scene where I’m very naked on camera, and that was my idea, my choice.

"It just felt like the biggest 'f*** you' to all the conversation surrounding my body; it was amazingly empowering. I felt beautiful in the moment, and I thought: 'When I’m 80, I want to look back on this and remember how f***ing hot I looked!'"

The decision was one that many fans truly appreciated, taking to social media to share how emotional and seen it had made them feel.

"Started crying during that Polin sex scene...I know Nicola advocated to show her full figure and I couldn't be more thankful!! I felt like I could see myself.....it meant so much to me, thank you Bridgerton for that beautiful scene," one fan wrote on X.

"The sex scene between Pen and Colin was so beautifully shot," added another. "Literally tearing up about normal bodies being portrayed as desirable. Other movies/shows need to take notes."

"Did any curvy/fuller girls get a little teary-eyed watching Collin and Pen’s sex scene?" another asked. "Our society shames women like Pen for being desired and made love to with a fuller body. I commend Bridgerton for creating the most honest representation for fuller, curvy women."

"The first sex scene between Colin and Penelope is so beautiful and seeing a woman who looks like me being so visibly desired on such a popular show is just amazing," said a fourth.

Thumbs up for 'realistic' sex scene

Other fans shared how much they appreciated the care that had obviously been taken with the scene to make it appear tender and realistic.

"No that was hands down my favourite #Bridgerton sex scene," one viewer raved. "So real, so tender, such gorgeous communication & so lovely to watch someone’s nervousness easing into pleasure & see them bloom together as a couple. Perfect example of how a good sex scene reveals character."

"This sex scene is the most realistic we’ve seen yet I kinda love it, another fan added.

Wrote a third, "Dear directors, THAT is how you do a sex scene."

Added someone else, "Colin checking in with Pen throughout the sex scene is just the best. Consent King!"

Fans complain about six-minute Bridgerton sex scene

Meanwhile, many other viewers were left feeling that the on-screen encounter didn't quite hit the spot, with several people questioning if it really needed to be so long.

"That sex scene y’all. AWKWARD and icky. We want the old showrunner back," one person complained.

"The Colin, Penelope sex scene is so awkward," another raged. "NOT GIVING AT ALL AND ITS SO UNNECESSARILY LONG. Bro said 'this is gonna hurt a bit' AND JUST SHOVES TS IN WHAT this ain’t the ROMANCE I SIGNED UP FOR."

"I’m sorry to be the party pooper, but that sex scene was SO AWKWARD," wrote one viewer while another asked, "That sex scene? Who approved it?"

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"We absolutely did NOT need all 6 minutes of that sex scene omggg," said another.

And then there was one viewer who said, "The sex scene was like soft porn" but we are truly not sure if that was a complaint or a big THANK YOU to the producers. 😉

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