I think one of the unexpected themes, for me, that came from part 2 of season 3, was the focus on the more contentious ways moms can be confronted with the burgeoning independence of their young-adult daughters. Of being confronted BY their daughters, now that they understand themselves better, and have found their voice. Nobodies perfect. And this season really put a microscope on the Ton's mamas. How they are dealing with their own personal stuff, and how that spills over onto their daughters. How they are doing their best, try to do good by their daughters, the only way they now how. They are flawed. And we see 3 different outcomes: Mrs Cowper & Cressida: Cressida seems to have lost all faith in her mom. She seems prepared to cut ties with her completely, once she sees Mrs. Cowper has no intention of actively going to bat for her, against her dad or the Ton's gossip mill, beyond surface-level social scheming. Mrs. Cowper cares for her daughter, but values her own self-preservation more. "I no longer trust any one but myself"
Portia & Penelope: After years of Portia scrambling to keep the family financially afloat and respected (with & without her dead-beat husband) while overlooking who Penelope is and what she's capable of. And Penelope hiding the spoils of her secret enterprise while publically taking digs at the family's reputation.... they had some painfully honest and vulnerable discussions. And their relationship is on the mend, with a newfound understanding and respect. The whole Featherington clan is healing and starting to interact with each other in healthier ways. Violet & Francesca: Francesca finally has her vice heard. She confronts Violet about her tendency to project her personal experience with romantic love onto her kids' love-lives & calls her out for minimizing her relationship with John, just cuz it doesn't vibe the way Violet's did with Edmund. All miss-understandings and insecurities about their bond as mother & daughter are resolved and they are happy.
