Not all that unpopular I think, but the whole schtick of 'Colim should suffer' really saddens me because barring his one dumb comment, he's genuinely the nicest guy in Bridgerton. He's sweet and a little socially awkward, but ultimately he's always tried to be helpful and look out for everyone, especially Penelope. His comment is, I suspect, as it is in the books, reactionary particularly because he feels Fife and the others are questioning Penelope's reputation. I'm not going to judge him for it without the necessary context. Besides, Anthony stuck his foot in his mouth at the beginning of S2, but people don't want him to grovel - they just want him and Kate to both be happy and care for one another. I wish more Polin fans wanted the same for Pen and Colin.
Oh I totally agree with you, that's make me really sad, to see this rift. Kanthony fan tends to love and support both their leads, but that seems not really the case in Polin fandom. And listen, I'm okay with people who love Pen ( I'm one of them) but maybe people should remembers Colin is his own character, just not the prize :'D But it's feel like the Pen in this fanon view, isn't really the Pen I love tbh. Like you said, the guy is so nice and caring.
He gets hate for one moment without context for us. And even if he made a mistake, he's humain, he's allowed too. Pen have made her mistakes too, and I love her all the same, while acknowledging it. I don't want to see her grovel or be punish etc ... And it's bother me so much, the undercurrent of the need to see him grovel, because he supposedly made Pen waits. Except, he isn't required to return her feelings at the same time. And once he got their, the important part is him being in it for realsy.