Things are heating up as Penelope and Colin's lessons are heating up and we see them individually wrapped in one another's energy. Colin is beginning to come undone as he struggles between what expectations are placed on him and what he appears to really want: Penelope. But it won't be easy as she's garnered the attention of Lord Debling who is really into her. What a way to stick it to the "in crowd" just by being herself. On her own and I love it for her! We see Colin beginning to play chess now as a near tumultuously occasion finds him essentially in a position to save Penelope from harm.
In the same breadth, we see Francesca in between two potential suitors. One who is an obvious choice and also the Queen's doing and the other who she is clearly smitten with. I enjoyed seeing this tension here because it goes back to Lady Bridgerton's sort of origin story and how she was chosen for love.
And then there is this same tension in friendships exposed... this choosing between what's appropriate and what's right. A great episode!